Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

"You will also be able to breach other people\'s Authority just like your mother."

Startle for a brief moment. I folded my arms in thought about my blood. Each time I used my Forsaken Blood, I would essentially cut my enemy\'s power by half. It was already a broken ability that ensured my foe would never be able to channel the power of their weapons. That also included defensive and offensive armaments.

But to influence other people\'s authority was ridiculous. Concepts and Authority went hand in hand. When one gains the power of a concept, the next step is to establish authority to help fully control that power.

If I could influence an Authority, there was no telling how powerful I could be. I would have a power that is near the Weave… Not as versatile, but it would definitely be the closest thing to the Weave.

"Your Mother was a very scary person, especially in Arcadia. She was still considered a young adult, but her understanding of her blood exceeded the Progenitor of your Forsaken Lineage, Alvorian." The Maiden remarked, a bright smile rising over her bewitching expression as she talked of Mother.

Several months passed as we listened, and I began to suspect that Mother and Luna were in a relationship. They had seemed too close merely to be friends. The Maiden hadn\'t said it outright, but…

"Maiden, was Luna Mothers Lover?"

She tilted her head, pausing midway through her story. " How\'d you know?"

"Shit…" Mephisto muttered. "I might have to change up a few things. Aunty Luna is quite a worthy opponent. I\'ll be back." he said, vanishing in a vortex of wind. The look on his face was hard as he said those words.

Was Luna another who could rival Mephisto?

"Your one of Luna\'s acolytes, right?" I questioned, watching her nod somewhat hesitantly. I was probably a little off about her role, but— " Then what\'s the relationship between Luna and Mephisto?"

"Mephisto is considered Luna\'s unofficial disciple. She taught him many things before his Fall and is one of the few people he will seek out for either help or advice. There were instances when Her Majesty would suddenly vanish to return, complaining about Mephisto becoming too monstrous. But she never put too much worry on him: She is his favorite. From what I know, it\'s through many of her ideas that Mephisto became who he is today. Tenebrae was caring for another… I don\'t remember his name, but she, too, would advise Mephisto when needed. "

"That bastard has it way too good, doesn\'t he?"

"Said the Man with Tenebrae as a partner, alongside the Abyss. You really are shameless, aren\'t you." Zariel said from within the pond. Instantly receiving my middle finger.

Although, he wasn\'t wrong. Speaking of women… I wonder if Freya is finished acclimating to Iluthaths core? Becoming its true king. If so… She\'d be in hiding for a while, especially with all the recent changes going on. As the King of Noctem, I had a few nosebleeds when the Fourth Heaven was hurtled through the many Layers of the Myriad Heaven.

Not everyone can be as great as this King… I wonder how she\'s doing? Or could it be I just want a taste of Freya? Hehe… she gets wet so quickly… hehe.

"That smile is disgusting," Zariel said, rising out of the pond, his soaked clothing covered in algae. He eyed me and snorted as he turned towards the Maiden: " I still don\'t understand why you have the Blood of Mother within you?"

"To attract you, that is. The Moment Iluthath was open, I placed a drop in my heart. It has affected some residents here, but the Forsaken Qi will fade. And with it, so too will I."

"It\'s killing you." Zariel calmly said, steaming his clothing with qi. He took a seat next to me. "And it seems like it will be your final reincarnation. You\'re done for good. This life is your final. Your soul is at its limit. It\'s the first time I\'m ever seeing this. Your soul… Reminds me of Arsenes after he was revived: It\'s in utter chaos."

"Indeed. Due to being a half-blood. A mutated one, at that. To rid myself of such a disgusting bloodline, I despise more than anything. Your Mother tore it out of my soul at my request. But in doing so, I was doomed to an early grave: The Wheel of Reincarnation was used to slow the deterioration of my soul. So each Chaos Cycle, I would die and reincarnate." She smiled, her pale eyes warm with a peculiar familiarity."But I held on long enough that you all showed up."

So this is what true loyalty looks like, huh? I\'ve always looked down on the concept, unable to understand why another would be so loyal without the use of blackmail or a deep level of fear. But perhaps my upbringing in this life was tarnished by my familiarity with the Nine Hells: From an early age. I was dealing with the Princes and Kings of Hell. And Zariels chaotic soul was sure to have affected mine.

… I wonder how many people are this Loyal to me? Or as the Sovereign Lord of Irkalla, maybe only through fear will my subject worship me for all eternity.

I\'ve no intention of changing… but it does make me wonder… Who is worthy of this King\'s trust?

"Do you perhaps know where Mother is buried?"

She nodded. " I do, although I\'m sure her Majesty will sacrifice herself to ensure none of you move her body."

We both frowned. And the Maiden pulled a small neckless out of thin air, with a small azure crystal attached.

Sensing the Divine Energy it carried, the hairs over my arms stood on end as she handed it to me but stared at Zariel. " I presume you remember where the ruins of Olympus are, right?

A fiendish grin appeared over Zariel as he nodded. "Of course. I laid waste to that entire Pantheon."

She nodded. "I recall. Head there and present this neckless to the Heavens. And some of the answers you seek will appear. Now…"

Tightening my hold over the azure crystal, I quickly frowned as she turned to take her leave when I spoke: " Wait. How\'d you like to live?"

"Sorry, Sene. She\'s mine." A ravenous voice from the darkness said as she appeared beside the maiden. Cheeks flushed with emotions, I stood frozen as the beauty giggled, hooking her arms over the Maiden\'s waist. "Alaia is mine."