Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Racing through broken structures, littered with various limbs, of men of old and children of young, blood tainted the streets, a ruby red. The monsters that had come were relentless and without mercy, but from their death, their torment, be it man or beast, raging energy poured into my veins, fueling my thoughts and soul.

Shutting my eyes, I slowly fell to my knees and leaned against bits of rubble, unable to hold back the clouds filling my sight. My body was burning up, almost as if something was in me. An infection of sorts my body was trying to purge. The air against my throat burned like fire, and the piercing glint of the twin suns made my skin feel like I was being burnt alive.

I opened my eyes to the world of saturated light and growled at the harsh rays of sunlight, akin to a million ants eating me away. Tempted to gorge my eyes out, I pulled into myself and took hold of my Soulforce in hopes of forcing myself to adapt. But as I did, the intensity of this anguish left me howling, trashing over the ground. I hastily halted any further action, anger coiled around my soul, and from the pain, a deep fury arose, damping my pain receptors; my cheeks slowly grew pale as the pain within my soul only increased. Nevertheless, it was a small price to pay, as it allowed me some mobility.

My sights remained clouded, but it did nothing to dampen my battle prowess. I quickly picked myself up from the ground, with the sin of wrath empowering my soul, and made my way out of the depths of the sun and hid beneath the shadows from the sun\'s rays, and the pain vanished.

Mystified by this response, confusion sank deep within my heart. "What the hell is going on?" I muttered, taking a seat over the ground near a pile of rubble within a tattered house. "Why is the sun harmful to me? I hope I don\'t become a vampire."

Falling into deep thought, I didn\'t bother participating in the battle anymore and simply observed the flow of unknown qi racing through my veins and soul till the sun began to set. I was sure Ren and the others would be fine. If not, then Baphomet was out a toy and I, a potential source of Astral Energy.

"So my adaptation is helping this change, great. Just what I need in a new realm." I exclaimed, holding my head. Sensing someone nearby, my eyes settle on Freya approaching my location. Easily finding me resting, her head tilted when she met my soft gaze, " Master, what happened?"

"No idea," I said, explaining what had happened. Freya seemed to nod and hoisted me around her neck, quivering at my slightest touch, her cheeks turned red hot, and she led me out from the rubble. I could have easily walked by myself, but I felt compelled for intimate contact for some reason. My cheeks turned a little pale with the sun\'s rays falling, but the unbearable pain did not return, at least not as gruesome as before.

Leading me to a small camp a little way from the village, I stood smiling at Avar, caring for the children, wrapping a few in gauze; she regarded my gaze and returned to her task without another word.

Unsure what to think of the icy woman, who I was sure would have no issue slaughtering everyone here if it allowed her to benefit, I merely chuckled, allowing Freya to take me to the matriarch of this little band of villagers.

Covered in minor nicks and bruises, while various parts of her body were wrapt in gauze that seemed to have bled through, I greeted Sorina.

"Why so glum?"

"Of the thousands, we lost around a hundred." She said wearily.

Turning to Freya, who chuckled, she explained, " Not everyone is as cold as you. That is about a tenth of her total people, Master.\' Letting her fiery gaze land on Sorina, she continued, " Furthermore, their village is totally destroyed."

"Well, I am sure you can ask Avar to help with that," I cunningly said and decided to change the topic, " But I have some good news and some bad news." Sorina\'s expression slowly fell, and her fingers clenched into a ball.

"What is it?"

"Your God and my wife is coming soon. I think in a few days, maybe a week. She should be here." I conveyed, pulling Freya a bit closer, feeling somewhat clingy today.

Sorina\'s expression didn\'t change. She didn\'t blink or move, nor did she breathe. Still, like the dead, I waved my hands over her eyes and clapped really loud, "Girl, you better hurry with the cleanup."

Snapping awake, Sorina bolted form out of her small tent. Crackling in laughter at her loud roars of commands that ensued.

Freya pursed her lips. "Master is evil, but is Lilith really coming?"

"Yeah, I was surprised too. I muttered in response, curious as to why Lilith wanted to be involved. Last I heard, she was not going to involve herself. It seems like something happened to make her change her mind. "It doesn\'t matter, though. It just means I need to increase your training." I sadistically said, drooling at the three-way, potential five-way that could happen.

Freya shuttered, drawing close, licking her lips, "I am masters."

"Yes, you are," I softly said, giving her a few good pats, "Now, did you find Ren and the others," I asked, and a bit of annoying gleam grew within her eyes.

"Yeah, but—"

"Who died?"

"Cenric was rand through by some strange porcupine-like monster, turned into a paste right before my eyes.

"Damn it, did you take his soul?" I probed, but Freya shook her head, " I was helping Sorina with a few stronger beasts. "I didn\'t have time, sorry, Master."

I shook my head, waving off her concerns, "it\'s fine. There will be others, plus we still have Rey Nala, Right?"

"Hmm," She hummed in agreement.

"This will be a long journey," I said, peering up at the glimmer of sunlight that faded into a web of darkness and clustered stars, taking it all in. Darkness poured over the land and for but a single moment. I touched upon the glory of the abyss and stood before a nebula, a vortex of infinite might—a force of such infinite power and grace. I knew I was before something that demanded respect and worship.

"The abyss," I whispered, or maybe thought it, and I was back, under the night of the three moons shimmering. Pulling the tent close, I pulled Freya in, and another training session began.