Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Gazing up at the large traditional manner, I couldn't help but frown somewhat lightly: Why is it every time I go to someone's house or my own house, I end up staying at a manner or estate?

Nothing much to complain about, but oddly enough, my luck at finding places to stay is better than my luck with enemies or treasure.

Looking up at the bright skies, I glanced back towards Lavos, who stepped up towards the front door that opened, revealing a pale beauty with long blonde hair, and a single blue eye, while a rose patch covered her left eye.

"Mel, "Said Lavos, "This is Arsene Snow and Ezra, his knight."

Coughing into her mouth, the hairs on my neck rose as I took a step back, jerking Ezra away as I stared at this woman.

"Sarin's Tear," Said Lily knowingly. "Don't worry. It's not contagious. Just don't ingest her blood, or you'll be out for a while. It's a neurotoxin that cripples the nerves by enhancing the pain one feels while also breaking down tissue, ensuring you suffer so much that walking and talking will feel like utter hell. Even breathing feels like your swallowing fire, and there is no traditional cure."

Noticing the blood over her palm, Lavos rushed to her side, pulling her into his arms as he gave a warm smile. 'silly lass. What are you doing here?'

"What are you doing with devils," replied Mel with the faintest smile.

"I'm not a devil. I just act like it." I pointed out, unsure if I gave myself a compliment or not."

Mel weakly turned her good eye to me. The faint ebbing smile faded into a line as she spoke. " A sliver of ice, colder than the laws of time, exists in your heart." She coughed, oozing blood from her lips, and continued," I called you not by your race but your heart."

'And empath,' Lily said, her tone a little out of touch. 'That woman's torture is great."

'Is it?' I replied back.

"You can see into people's hearts, but that does mean you feel what they feel. The psionic abilities of empaths are high, but it's more of a curse than anything else. Sure there are many benefits, one being that it's unblockable. But it drives the user mad."

'What about me then? Will she—"

"It's what you feel, not think or witness. And you are probably more lonely or horny than any other emotions, so it might not affect Mel that much; maybe Ezra will, with the passing of her father and mother. I'm sure she has a lot of emotions. That not even you can see or haven't bothered to check. But try not to kill this woman… She's protected."

"Protected by who?'

"By the Lord of the Myriad Heavens, the One. Kill her, and you'll have a Chaos Cycle of bad luck. Empaths are rare but a gift usually reserved for those he particularly targets and can be transferred through a genetic line."

"And you said it was a Psionic ability. What is that?"

"Let's see. Oh, I know. So you can see into the Weave, right? That's a Psionic ability. Psionic abilities usually are based around Astral Essence but don't worry too much about it.

Good god, I'm starting to love Lily! I feel sorry for the twins who got Zax. Thank the stars! She's a damn library of infinite information that isn't restricted!

Staring at Mel for a while, she looked at me, her crystal blue eye glittering, and tilted her head.

"Rami!" Lavos shouted, but Mel shook her head.

"She's not here." She responded, trying to pull herself out of his grip, only to find herself falling to her knees as blood continued to trickle away from her nose and between her legs. Tears instantly began to swell as the light slowly faded from her eyes.

'...Mel?" Lavos called with a crack in his voice, arms trembling as he noticed blood oozing from her ear.

"Total shut down." Said Lily flatly, "She can't see, hear, or smell. She can only feel pain… and the torn anguish of her lover as he tries to help her."

"Damn. Who'd you piss off for your wife to be tortured like that?" I couldn't help but ask as Lavos lifted her with the utmost care as if she were a delicate flower.

Noticing his cheeks pale, alongside the faint tremor on Mel, I didn't speak again.

"You are free to stay. Just don't speak to Mel." He said, entering his manner without another word.

"Sarin's Tear… combine with that Psionic ability is a deadly combination." I voiced, shaking my head. "Unfortunately, it's none of my business."

"Perhaps it could be." Ezra suddenly joined with a devilish grin. "What are devils for if not for this?"

"His soul belongs to Mithra."

"And my God is Lucifer. What's your point?"

What was my point? It's not like Mithra will try to kill me for screwing over Lavos.

Staring at Ezra for a long time, I nodded. " you are free to do as you like. As long as your extracurricular activities don't affect me."

Ezra did a knightly bow, hiding her devilish smile behind her scarlet hair. ' But of course, my Master."

"Good. Now I'll be back in a few hours." I calmly said as nodes of darkness materialized out of the air around me. "Gather some info about the Great Basin. I don't want to walk into a random trap."

Allowing the darkness to devour me, I instantly appeared within a forest covered in black leaves and grass, right next to a gorgeous woman in a meditative state.

"Arsene." Said Victoria dryly, peeping open one eye. " What are you doing here… again."

"Did I forget to tell you?" I teased, sitting next to her. I pointed towards the skies, where a star slowly began to brighten.

"... What the… Is that a falling star?"

"I could have sworn I told you! Are you that busy!' I hurriedly accused. "It's Noctem."

Victoria's ruby eyes glowed as she instantly stood to her feet. "Oh shit! I completely forgot. Is that today!"

"Yup. Darkmane and Layla are aboard that starship alongside Freya and a legion of soldiers. It's time we begin hunting the Court of Nox and claiming territory. Want to help?"

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