Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"Is there some benefits in this deal for me?" I inquired, releasing air from my lungs," bones for what exactly?"

Bahpoment held a hint of a smile that seemed to only deepen by the second. He placed his hands behind his back with an air of mystery around him, "From what I remember, you got a single-sealing matrix from my little brother, so how about I give you... let's see three wishes."

"Anything I want?" I sinisterly uttered, unable to stop myself from seeing a nebula of blood if I so ask.

His smile deepened, but he kept silent, for but a moment, "As long as it doesn't require me committing suicide, betrayal, or self slavery, yes." the beastal king claimed.

"Bull shit. you would hand me that kind of power?" I restlessly pressed, not believing such a thing would genuinely occur.

"Monarch of Darkness, Arsene. Nice ring, don't you think?" Shaking his head, Baphomet sighed, "Think it over with your wife. But I recommend you leave. Almighty Skill aside, you no longer hold the battle prowess to be here."

"Will you stay? You know it's only a one-way trip, right? To stay means you cannot leave until we arrive."

"Asmodeus, Levi, and I will be together. It will be fine." He lightly uttered, beginning to fade, leaving behind some final words, "Yael needs to die, Arsene. Angels are all crazy and not like Demons and Devils. They are willing to commit suicide if it means reaching their goal. Kill Yael quick, and that prince hiding in the shadows."

Leaving me alone, I sighed, arching my head high towards the plain ceiling. "This new skill opened many doors for me. To be able to attack instantly makes it impossible to strike or defend. That means I should be able to transfer the properties to my defense."

Flashing in my hand, the Spear of Noctem hummed with the misty hue of darkness, bringing a smile to my face. Allowing its aura to wrap around me, I looked inwardly at my dry soul space.

Drawing the Qi of Noctem from my spear, my entire right arm turned black as night, bringing a power I was all too familiar with. I needed the Qi Noctem for this, but that voice.

Dropping the Qi of Noctem, I sneered. "I will not be ruled."

Chanting The Path of Abyssal Night, a wave of black qi coiled around me, hissing with familiarly.

"This Mantra was given to me by The One. So why is it that only Qi of Noctem can use this almighty skill and my own can't? Abyssal Night. I know there is more to you."

Slashing my spear through the air, the howls of Noctem rang silently. It was always silent, never making a sound through the winds, for the darkness was never loud. It was a shadow: one second, it's there, another it is gone. There is no taming the night, for it's too expansive and free. It consumes everything, exists in everything but what of the Abyss?

"In the beginning, there was one, then the all." I softly whispered, knowing it to be true. "From there... came the darkness, or was it the birth of hell?"

Swirling the Qi of Abyssal Night around my palm, I studied its misy essence coiling around me like a lover. It was cold yet warm and loving like Tenebrae. Still, it did not hold her familiarity but rather my own for some reason.

Dismissing my essence, I gave a long stare at my palms, "Lilith," I called inwardly as her eyes became my eyes and ears mine.

Standing side by side with Asmodeus and Levi, she paused whatever conversation they were in, replying in a weary tone, "You ready?"

"Did you win?"

"Did you?"

"Bearly," She bitterly explained, "I had to use my crest to win. It seems having a few high-tier spells from the Hells was well within my benefit."

"Same. I want to talk to you about the Abyss after we leave... I want you to take me to the real Abyss and not this labyrinth."

"We could die, you know. The last time I was out there, a higher being told me not to return. That there were only so many times, she could protect me." Lilith warned lightly, but I needed to know. Death was never an issue for any of us. If we die, we die. I have no regrets.

"It's up to you, Lili. Suppose you say no, then it's no. But I need to see it... I need to see the Abyss."

"I have just the thing, Sene. Leave it to me." Lilith suddenly uttered joyfully, "Your ready?"

"Yeah, let's head back. We need more training. I have been slacking way too much. Seems no more late nights session." I bitterly mourned my loss, shaking my head as her chilling laughter filled my soul.

"I'll **** you, you know."

"Yeah... that just sounds weird coming from a woman. We need to start training Lili. I almost died to fucking Julius. That bastard is ridiculously powerful now."

Closing her eyes to the night, I felt Lilith nod through her senses. "Let's head back, give me a few. I am making a deal."

"eh?"

Severing the connection, I shook my head, "My God, so damn secretive I—"

'He killed us.' Something suddenly whispered within my ear, alerting me greatly.

Scanning the area, my heart grew hard at a field of barren stone. There was nothing, yet that same voice once again echoed. A god? no one should be able to enter this Gate but Lilith and me.

"Who killed us?" I cautiously probed, but no sound seemed to return, leaving me hollow.

Sensing my surrounding spin, I appeared by Lilith covered in bloody robes in our room. Her face was a bit blistered and disheveled, but I could see she was healing well.

She turned to me, about to leap into my arms but fell short as she paused, "Sene?" She suddenly called to me.

"Yeah? What is it." I suspiciously asked as she circled me like a lab animal. "Did I get sexier again? I don't think that's possible, dear."

"You reek of the Abyss."