Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Chapter 13: Soul Benders

As they stared at me, the expression on my parent's faces was swiftly recorded once they heard I opened my first Meridian. Father was so ecstatic he vanished before bringing back grandfather and his younger brother Grey.

Both their eyes grew wide with shock as I explained my process, Grandfather was surprisingly ecstatic, but Grey remained ever cold and distant. He eyed me as if looking for something; I didn't know why but I knew Grey had deeper roots within the Snow family than what was displayed.

"I wish to speak to Arsène alone," Grey suddenly stated with an icy stare startling both my parents. Grandfather didn't look too surprised but nodded nonetheless in my parent's stead.

Waving his hand, both my parents and himself suddenly disappeared, leaving me alone with my Grey. His cold demeanor seemed to have grown even colder as he stared me down, causing a stir in the pit of my abdomen.

"What are your plans? I'm sure a mind as intelligent as yours has a scheme, and don't say your just a kid, or I will kill you where you stand." Grey softly stated with a profound gaze.

My mind blank as a switch was flipped, my heart grew cold, and my eyes froze like an icy lake. As if staring at a corpse before me, I spoke grimly, "What is it you are after...Uncle,"

Grey eyes grew wide as he muttered, "...Seeds of Darkness...impossible."

Holding his stare, Grey frowned before speaking in a fathomless manner, "When I was your age, I was able to process the world just as you. I was a terrifying monster, as some would call me. We call people like us Soul Benders. We are born smarter and strong than most but are terrifyingly low in numbers. In fact, aside from you, I have only met three other people that shared the same traits as I."

Hearing this, I froze as he continued, "So I will ask again, as smart as you are. There will always be someone smarter. We are family, but a man of my position needs to understand my chess pieces."

"I hold no plans for this family; from my perspective, I have only been alive for one month. I have no knowledge of this world nor this kingdom, but I can say I wish to be free. I want to leave and explore." I coldly explain, lying to him would yield unpleasant results as I knew the man before me was far better with schemes than the current me.

Grey, cold demeanor broke as he stared at me in surprise before grinning, "You are just like the other two. Maybe I would have been like you had she not died," he said with dismay and sorrow.

Raising my brow, I saw a self-mocking grimace on his expression as he shook his head, swiftly regaining his cold demeanor.

"I accept your path Arsène, but you know everything comes with a price. What are you willing to pay for such things. The snow family is one of the great houses that is currently housing you, protecting you, and cultivating you. What can you give us to gain that freedom you speak of."

A cold, sinister smile surfaced on my face as thousands of thoughts flooded my mind, "So you are the true leader of the Snow's, grandfather is merely a power figure or rather a pawn for you to hide behind, it would seem you have some interesting enemies in this kingdom...or maybe far far away."

Grey didn't admit anything, but I felt what I said was correct. His eyes, yes, his eyes, I was quite familiar with those eyes. Those are the eyes most of my victims held as I ripped the life from their bodies.

"How about I help you with your goal, dear uncle...isn't that what you want...a powerful tool. The look of hatred that burns in your eyes, the sweet darkness that is covering your broken heart...who is it...who is your enemy." I asked, my mind slowly turning colder and colder.

Darkness slowly began to devour my golden eyes, causing a chilling look to appear on Grey's dark expression.

"This is enough for now." He swiftly commented, "You are free to do as you please until you grow stronger. But remember, we are far from done. Go take your pills," Gray stated, vanishing from my sight.

Falling to my knees, sweat covered my body as a deep part of my soul began to burn. Quickly taking out two pills, I swallowed them as a cool sensation washed over my psyche.

"Soul Benders huh,"

Pushing my exhausted body up, I stared out the window at the bright Azure sky with disgust. Covering the blinds allowing the darkness to return. My mind slowly began to return to normal as I pondered over my recent changes.

Sneering, I gazed at the darkened room before stepping out in a furious manner, angered by my own weakness. Mother and father were, however, to my surprise there startled at my current demeanor.

"Arsène," Mother softly called,

"I lost control...the darkness...what is it, "I questioned, hoping for a response.

But to my disappointment, Mother only bit her soft lips as she teared up. Shaking her head, she didn't say anything but looked down in shame.

"I'm sorry, mother," I bitterly said, knowing she still blamed herself for what happened. Forcing a smile on my face, I gently hugged her trembling body as she broke down in tears.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she shouted, causing tears to build up within me. Father was already in tears as he wrapped his arms around us.

"I will be strong...NO! I will be the strongest." I shouted with determination.

Mother raised her eyes at me with both shame and hope as she kissed my cheek, "Yes, you will. We will make damn sure you survive. We will make you into a true monster far more dangerous than anything."

Releasing a chilling smile, mother rose before walking away with Father following behind," Will you give it to him," he asked in a hushed tone.

Tilting my head, their words suddenly faded as they vanished before I could hear anything else; jarring my head, I stepped back into my room.

Standing in the secluded area, I took a deep breath before my eyes were filled with purpose. Performing the first movement in a few seconds, I advanced to the second movement, creating a deep scorching sensation around my body as I proceed to master my new form.

Days began to pass as both mother and father seem to have vanished, leaving me alone. But my mind was rather preoccupied with only one thing, POWER!

Covered with my own blood, I stood inside my room, constantly training. Aside from food and sleep, my days continued as I mindlessly cultivated in my darkened room.

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