Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Unable to resist the urge to lean over the banister overlooking the coliseum battleground below, a lingering smile graced my lips as I glanced at the Pale Lord, Melinoe, and Cleo huddled nearby one another, snacking on what seemed like jerky.

Content faces seemed like the norm as they nibbled away at the jerky of all things like cute little rabbits.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you three were little kids by the way your eating."

Receiving the finger from the Pale Lord and the perfect eye roll from Melinoe and Cleo, I chuckled a little. And glanced toward my disciple and his opponent, standing with fox-like ears. Kuro's black hair rained over her shoulders as her scarlet eyes screamed power. The little girl had a small frame. She was smaller than most people, but she had a terrifying power.

In all honestly, I would like Kuro as a disciple. She had a domineering willpower and a fierce loyalty like no other. That girl did not hesitate to deliver. Adrian, however, was a little snake, which I liked. But his willpower needed refinement to compete against little Kuro or me.

"The rules are simple," Tenebrae remarked, stationed between the two glaring at each other.

It was quite clear Adrian had taken what Kuro had said personally. In contrast, Kuro herself didn't even seem to care that her life was on the line. Her spirit was calm as a lake.

"You two fight to kill until one of us stops you. Are we clear? Work this shit out." Tene spat in an unusual tone that I'm not used to. "BEGIN!"

Blasting off the dusty stone, webs of cracks splinted the earth as Adrian's fist connected, with the left cheek of Kuro, tearing her off her feet; she skipped over the earth like a stone on water hitting a pillar set around the battleground.

And yet, as she stood pinned within the center of the pillar bleeding from her lip, the anger in her eyes did not seem to materialize. But rather, the emotions over her expression grew cold, seemingly lifeless.

"That's…" The Pale Lord muttered, rising to her feet. "Is that Zensu she employing? She has achieved the Great Circled of it. How is that possible?"

I nodded, unsure whether to feel happy or worried for my little disciple.

"That girl… I want her." Said the Pale Lord.

"I have no say in regards to Kuro. Her master is Tene. However, I'm sure we can let you borrow her if certain conditions are met. What say you? It's not like we are full-blown enemies?"

A glimmer of hesitation sprang over the Pale Lord as she pondered my words for a while. "She… is more innocent than you."

"That says a lot since I am innocent." I mused, knowing the Pale Lord was still hurting. She was trying not to lash out. Everyone could see that. But…

Shifting my attention, noticing the Pale Lord go silent, I smiled as Kuro fell from on high, landing on her feet, she spat out a trickle of blood leaking from her lips and opened her palm, drawing a stone-cold obsidian blade from a nebula of darkness.

'Pride? No… it seems tailored to her. Interesting. She's done work on the blade… just how high is her comprehension? 'My eye slid to Tenebrae. Or is it her training?'

I can feel Astral energy pillowing from that sword. Had Kuro attuned herself to her soul weapon? Interesting. I never thought to do that.

Adrian shot after his target and released a feral cry that thundered as Wrath appeared in my young disciple's eye, disappointing me to no end.

"Idiot," I said, unable to help myself.

He stabbed his blade towards Kuro's head, who merely tilted by such a small margin blood grazed her cheek, as Wrath whipped by shredding away a piece of her cheek, her poised red eyes spiraled with intent.

"You can chuck it up to age. But your disciple has a shitty mentality." The Pale Lord mentioned, and I agreed.

"It's my failure. I'm starting to realize that. I've neglected many things for a long time."

The Pale Lord glanced at me and turned towards the battle we were sure to end.

Kuro drew in a sharp breath as two twin formations glinted through her eyes; she stepped forward, allowing Adrian's blade to cut deeper into her cheek, and her sword shuttered with an inconceivable intent.

Blacklight flared off the surface of her sword, sending blood glistening through the sky like a painting as Kuro's blade arced upwards, carving from Adrian's hip to his shoulders.

And yet, as if a miracle had happened, the wound vanished. However, beneath his feet, a vicious scar congealed, startling Cleo, who also rose to her feet.

"He transferred it? How!"

Kuro's poised expression didn't even seem surprised, as her left hand had acted the moment her sword stroke landed.

"Noctem of Destruction." She whispered, sending chills down my spine; I snapped my eyes to Tenebrae, who acted. Appearing like a shadow, she snatched Kuro's palm and aimed it upwards as a pulse shattered the confines of space, tearing it to dust.

"Kuro is the winner."

Shadow Stepping onto the field, knowing Adrian had taken a lot of damage despite Tene's intervention, I watched with a cold heart as he tumbled to his knees as blood tickled down his eyes, mouth, nose, ears, and pores.

I stared as his chest began to heave up and down, and the Wrath in his eyes began to fade. He couldn't wish it way. Not this time. That was the weakness of the Djinn or perhaps a flaw. High-level battle wishes required cooldown. A single wish was extremely taxing on Life Force.

Watching as Adrian gargled on his blood with a blank look in his eye, I turned to ward the lifeless Kuro as she slowly came back to herself.

"Congrats, little one. Quite the monster you are becoming. You are the only one to use Noctem of Destruction aside from me. It brings back some memories. How are your injuries?

"Fractured skull, seven cracked ribs, a broken jaw, and I'm somewhat blinded in my right eye." Kuro listed off. "I didn't suspect he'd attack without a weapon. A failure of mine."

"Continue kicking his ass," I said, taking a step back as I offered up Adrian.

"Eh?"

"Kick his ass till only pain remains." I coldly said, turning my back as Kuro stood petrified.

"But…"

"Do it," Tene added indefinitely, tugging at my heart. " Break him."

Returning to my post, I stared at the wide eye Kuro as she staggered forward. She stared at the exposed body of Adrian, trying to mend himself, when suddenly, her fist crackled over his face, snapping his jaw in two. Tearing out a few teeth in the process, she gave a left hook, caving his nose into his face, as she continued to beat the living shit out of him.

Adrian tried to fight back. But most of his energy was being spent on keeping himself alive.

"Keep going." Tene pressed, watching as the hesitation slowly built within Kuro.

Moans couldn't help but trickle into the air as pools of blood showered the battlefield like mist. Kuro stomped over his body, crushing bones and lingerments before stopping, her shoulders trembling. She turned to Tene.

"... This isn't me, Master." She whispered.

"Continue."Said Tene with ice in her voice. "He still has life in him."

"I—

"Do not betray me."

Eyes widening, a devilish coldness flared as divinity sprung from Kuro's pores. She bowed her head, " Forgive me."

Nodding in approval at the little lass change, I continued to watch with a smile. My boy had disappointed me greatly today. Losing so easily? He had not even shown his true power… but Kuro had. She had taken him seriously from the very start.

Idiot.

Ruthlessly sending a kick into Adrian's ribs, turning them into shards, blood gushed like a fountain from my disciple as Kuro held nothing back. She saddled him and rained a sea of fists over his body.

Tears fluttered from her pale red eyes as she continued, tearing into Adrian without end, crippling him.

"I'm… sorry…Sorry… I'm… sorry…big brother." Kuro cried in a whimper, turning his face to mush. "I'm sorry."

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