Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Enjoying the rich ale alongside the side of meat and rice, I quickly concluded that kimchi was not for me. I want to like it, but it tastes fishy. It's not for me. It's the Same as Miso Soup I tried in my past life: They are things I want to like, but the taste isn't for me.

"What a shame."

"You like it?" I asked, pointing towards the kimchi.

"It's alright." Laila was the first to answer. "But it's not something I'd go out of my way to order again. I'll eat if it's in front of me, but I'm not buying it."

"How can you two dismiss an item with a hundred different variations? At least give it a second chance?" Zad exclaimed, lifting his tankard of spicy ale. He slammed it down with scarlet-colored cheeks. And hiccuped. "I like you, Arsene.

"...Kay."

"What type of response is that?"

"How'd you like me to respond? Not really used to getting compliments." I replied, somehow learning something new about myself.

"Well, your quite chill, unlike your asshole of a brother. That bastard. I swear I shall defeat him. How can he be so talented in games."

"..." What the hell is he talking about?

"He just keeps killing me. Laila! Let's set up a formation to trap him one day. Hic-up! I need…"

This idiot is drunk. My god. The Angel of Mercy is drunk. Isn't this like against some virtue or law or something?

"YEAH! Let's fuck 'em up!" The bright face Laila squealed alongside her master, lifting her tankard. "Onwards! M'lord!"

…this is mortal beer, isn't it? Glancing down at the frothy ale towards the sensation of Qi buzzing off its exterior, I sighed and grew curious about where we were.

"Hiccup! Genesis has the 'beast' beer!" Laila moaned, leaning her head onto Zad. " Hey, Lordy, let's go to the arcade next."

"Onwards!" Zad shouted, " You coming, Arsene?"

"Next time," I mentioned, curious as to if they'd be alright on their own… What am I saying? There are both Monsters. Although they're acting like kids.

Getting drunk? I never… Wait, is drinking even considered a sin? Inherently I mean. Hmmm. I've never read the bible. Perhaps I should.

Ensuing Zadkiel paid before he wandered off, I returned from where I came, finding myself back at the Temple of Mercy through what seemed like a portal of sorts through the use of formations.

"Oh, you done already?" The voice of Tia rang as I emerged on the other side.

"We were gone for about two hours," I told her, disheartened at the lack of redness across her cheeks. "How's your body feeling? I assume that's why you wanted to meditate."

"It's back to a hundred." She said, bearing a coniferous smile. "But where is Zad and Taila?"

"Fucking each other. Are they in a relationship?"

"ZADKIEL?!!!!" Tiamat exclaimed in shock, shaking her head. " no way! He and Laila got together. I call bullshit!"

"My bang meter is never wrong: They hooked up at least once. They seem too close just to be merely friends."

"... But they are just friends." Said Tiamat adamantly. "No way a virtuous man like Zad—"

"Could make a mistake and wet his cock over some angel meat? My boy is clapping Laila's cheeks. Hehe. Just because you are virtuous doesn't mean you can't make a mistake. It doesn't mean you don't feel lust. Shit, I do virtus things every now and again."

"I call cap! Horse shit. Name a single time."

"..."

"..."

"..."

'Ok. I can't think of one, but it happens." I promised.

Tiamat hooked her arms over my neck, bearing a mocking smile. "That'll be the day. A virtuous Arsene. In all your past lives, were you ever virtuous?"

"I took in Arkanos and Ty. Raised them with my last name as well. Both those little girls are Snows. That's virtuous."

Tiamat stared blankly at me: "Is it? You only took them as tools. Nothing more. It's only later they became like a daughter to you."

Hmmm. That is also true...Maybe I'm not a virtuous man. Damn, why is this so hard? Fuck it.

"Anyway, let's head to the ruins of Olympus. I've met with Zad and the fiery Laila. We best be off." I remarked, glancing around at the temple guards stationed throughout the temple.

It was subtle, almost minuscule, but I could feel their killing intent. These people weren't like Zad. Much less Laila, who held a bit of a negative opinion of me. But held it down due to her virtues.

These people within this clan leaned toward Order, while I Chaos. They are too set in their ways to see clearly. But then, who can blame them?

I am a Monster…, aren't I?

"Are you sure? I thought you were curious." Tiamat pushed, but I shook my head.

"It's fine. I'll like to leave my relationship with Zad on a cordial note. He's a funny dude."

A choir of laughter sprang from Tia's lips as she leaned her head against mine. "Alright, let's go. It's been a while since I toured Iluthath. I'll lead, but can you keep up?"

Abyssal scales followed by vicious-looking wings and horns sprang over my flesh, shrowding the temple of mercy in a terrifying aura of sin so deep I could feel every sentient being's heart quivering with fright… and temptation.

A slender smile slipped over my lips as I stared at Tia, whose gaze seemed as enthralling as they were bewitching.

"Where is your tail?"

"EH?"

Giggling to herself, she stepped away as flecks of silver and black branded the space around, bending into a symphony of light that slowly took shape into scales over the serene surface of Tia's supple flesh.

She smiled and began to hover off the floor: "Wanna make a bet?"

"I've always loved to gamble. What are the terms?"

"I'll send you the coordinates, and we will race to the Ruins of Olympus. If I win, you can't say no. If you win, I can't say no. Let's say for an entire day."

"Make it a cycle."

"Too long."

"Then a Dao Cycle."

"You made it even longer." Tia moaned.

Chuckling at myself, I nodded. " Fine. Half a Cycle. That seems fair." I said, allowing myself to hover off the surface of the ground. I held out my arm. "Do we have a deal, Tiamat?"

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