Resting near Lilith, an ever-present frown masked my lips. Listening to her soft breath, I glanced at her sleeping face and ran my hands through her silver hair.
"I am losing control of my emotions." Scoffing at myself, I couldn't help shake my head, "I sound like a hormonal woman."
Rising from out of the sheets, a black flash of darkness wrapped around me, clothing me in robes; I covered Lilith in a warm blanket and left with the night high in the skies. It was currently morning on Alos, leaving quite a bit of time.
Taking my leave, I swiftly teleported to my throne room to eye the two cocoons. Touching the base of Freya's new home, I could not help but glance at the rising tent in my robe.
"Such a beautiful woman, a shame Odin could not keep her. But I do need to speak to Asmodeus regarding that old fool. It seems there are a few things I need to find out about that man."
"Your grace?" A somewhat short maid with long rabbit-like ears suddenly called.
SHooting the woman a star, she bowed, "Forgive me, but what shall we do about the prisoner? Her Majesty had us torment him, but it has been--"
"I know how long it's been; let him rot for now. In fact, record it, and send me the footage." I patiently uttered, shaking my head with a cruel smile. "I am sure Lilith would love to torment the family that boy belongs to."
"But of course. Excuse me, then." She said, bowing her head. She withdrew from sight.
Shifting my gaze back to Freya's cocoon, my hands skimmed over its edge as I vanished, appearing within the land of Alos once more. Pushing through the doors, I shot a glance towards Eroma's door.
Valis has done quite well, having infiltrated the Holy Swords. All that is left is for Lilith to finish planning and for me to make this city my domain.
"Where is my sister?" Said the voice of my favorite devil. Wrapped in a tight cheongsam of crimson and gold, the devil of my eyes had her hands on her waist with a demanding stare.
"Is that how you speak to your master?" I inquired, drawing a bit closer. "Where are you going looking so captivating?"
"A date."
Bursting out into laughter, I could not help but sneer, "Come now, Ezra? You date? You are the most arrogant woman I have ever seen. Need a gag to get any man less they hear your emasculating voice."
"And you are the most arrogant and condescending bastard I know."
"Oh, I don't know. Don't you know Princes and Kings?" I shot back, finding it a bit impossible. Surely, those of hell are worse than I.
"Nope. You are definitely the worse. They may be more fucked up in the head, but you seem to walk around like fucking Asmodeus." She claimed, hurting my feelings quite a bit.
"Well, as much as I would like to get to know you and your personal life, I have a mission for you."
Ezra frowned; narrowing her scarlet eyes, "What is it?"
"You mean what is it, master. I am still your master, or have my lessons fallen short? A shame, really, you are but the only thing in my way of getting what I want from your father." I coldly uttered, staring darkly at Ezra. "Or have you forgotten about the Throne of Darkness?"
Finding it in her to scuff, my arms flashed across her neck, ripping her off her feet and into the air; my finger dug into her throat, drawing blood. "I would correct your tone, Ezra. While you are a god, now, I do not mind letting you spend time with Sitri."
Swallowing the estate in a wave of darkness, a devilish divinity began to rise but was swiftly killed off as my killing intent began to slither from my eyes, "It's not like before Ezra. You are now in my grip. Release any more divinity, and I will break your neck."
Quaking at my threat before my eyes, I could see her devil's heart shiver with fear as I stared, ready to break this foolish woman's neck. "Keep your guard up next time. It's disgusting for a devil-like yourself to be caught off guard."
"Y-y-you would not dare kill me." Ezra struggled to say as I smiled.
"Devils and Demons don't die. They, merely return to the hells as a different person. I do not mind having you start over. My deal with your father will still stand, and with his cruelty, do you think he will go easy on you? The one who strives for his throne? He would send you right back into my hands."
Letting go of the little devil, I sneered, "Say hello to your date. I don't know what you are plotting, but I suggest you understand something. I hold your future in my hand."
Gripping her neck red with my handprint, Ezra glared with hate and a trace of fear."You will regret this."
Fixing my robes, I could not help but feel a bit indifferent over her little threat. "Do you want to hear my mission? or would you say that your usefulness has run out?"
Gritting her teeth, Ezra clenched her fist, "What is it?... Master."
Releasing a smile, I nodded, "Good. Real good. Such a fast learner. It's simple you will be on a mission with Einar. He is the good guy, and you the bad."
Making a bit of distance, cautious was all but apparent on the young princess of hell. " What the hell does that mean?"
"Just as it sounds. I need you to kill people, create crime, and make chaos. Blah Blah blah, Einar will then try to catch you believing you are me." I said, heading down the stairs as she glared. "Do a good job, and I will help with that devil's heart."
It wasn't necessary to be so cruel to Ezra, but I think Ezra will be my new long-term toy. A demoness of lust, quite fitting for me. She just needs to be trained. All that worries me is her father and mother.
Asmodeus's love for Ezra is quite there, but a devil's nature will never change. He will not interfere, not when there is a war on the horizon. Same for that hot piece of ass Levi-Chan. I cannot have Asmodeus trying to kill me not without that throne. I need to find a way to deal with her or at least hide.
Glancing back at Ezra staring, I shot her a cool wink, "I would get started if I were you. Oh, and that date. Alos is my territory. If I find out you are trying to steal what is mine, well. I can be like any other Prince and King of Hell.
"And in case I never said it. Welcome back, Ezra. You were missed." I stated, watching the grimness in her eyes grow.
Soooo. Arsene is changing. He is getting darker and crueler. I wonder, how far will he fall into his sin? And can someone truly resist a primal instinct? If so, for how long?
Trembling at the conversation between Arsene and Ezra, I softly closed the door to my room. Making sure to hide my actions in my soul domain.
Master had warned me about him, but it's a surprise Ezra is his disciple? What is he doing treating her like so? Touching my chin for a bit, I waved my hands, sending a bit of Qi in the air. A sizeable virtual screen appeared.
"Cleo?" Master calmly called. "Has something happened?"
Hesitating for a moment, I nodded, "It's Arsene. Something is going on, and I do not feel safe. At least not without Yura by his side."
Master Talos's lips curled down. "What is your soul telling you?"
"It's saying to keep a distance. He confuses me, Master. At times he is charming, funny, childish, witty, but then there are times when all I see is a monster."
"Arsene is a special kind of Devil if one can still call him that." Master Talos calmly explained, shaking his head with a bit of melancholy. "Has anyone figured out your abilities?"
"Not even you have figured it out, Master; how could they, but Arsene did glean something about me when we first met," I said, a bit annoyed at myself.
"That is true, but do not discredit Yura and Arsene. Those two are quite the match. They make each other both better and worse if that's even possible. Keep your distance, Cleo. I wish to take you out, but I also feel like this is your chance."
"My Chance?" I replied, somewhat curious at Master's words.
"Whatever you do, never listen to Arsene, but study his actions. A devil's words are all lies, even if they are true, but their actions will tell you a different tale."
"Unless it's a lie," I added, quite sure Arsene was plotting against the world as we speak.
I hate to say this, but I am terrified of that monster. Especially today, no one else seemed to sense that domain of divinity as I did. Arsene can come and go as he please, trick Gods as a mortal. It's hard even to believe he is in the same generation like us.
"Cleo, listen well. Keep your distance. Those instincts you feel are your lifeline. The game the founders are playing, I am not. You are my concern, not theirs, ok?"
Widening my eyes, my heart could only warm at Master's words. He was always cold, but there was one fact I could trust. Master Talos would never hurt or betray me.
"He is acting differently. It's strange. It's almost like he is a different person." I hesitantly employed, "He feels different."
Master narrowed his cold eyes and frowned, "It could be due to the Sins. But that would not change the man, but instead, leave him without control. Tell me what you think?"
I smiled, "You trust my judgment like so?"
"Cleo, if it was between all the founder's instincts versus yours, then I pick you. Your race is unseen by all. You can see and comprehend things even I cannot believe." He claimed, finding a slight smile upon his lips.
Covering my mouth, I giggled, "Is Master getting soft? Hehe."
Rolling his eyes, he waved me off, "your thoughts."
"I think we need distance, it may be out of hand, but I think we should stay at Lady Aiza's estate. At this moment, Arsene is a wild card."
"And I would say, you should just find a hotel. Use my card. I am having a meeting with Aiza in a few hours." He said with a deadly glint.
"Then I will see you later today. May your inquires prove successful." I said, bowing my head, as Master hung up.
Hanging my head low for a few minutes before I heard the door open and close from downstairs. I watched Arsene walk away with a dark smile, glancing out the window.
"I need to leave now. I will send a message that I am staying at Aiza, but in truth, I will stay at some random hotel. We have been burned too many times by Arsene. I should have trusted my instincts the first time I saw him."
Some call it fear, but that day at Paradise, when Sig introduced us, my heart trembled in dread. Kurt had sensed it as well, that is why there is a bit of tension between him and Arsene, but I dared not show my concerns.
Master had told me long ago that pride leads cultivators to die. My ego is not big enough to say that I am at the top of my generation. I am sure others are stronger, and Arsene is one of them. His stunt with Master Talos and the other founders proved it.
For the past few years, I have been reporting to master about Arsene while leading on Kurts to have more transgression with that devil. I wanted to see his response.
I had a bit of fate; Arsene would not outright destroy him or me. It was a risk, I played, but I learned more about him. The only problem I have is Yura, aka Lilith. I cannot read her.
My innate ability to read people draws a blank when it comes to her. Even her actions are masked in mystery; it's almost like she wishes to kill Arsene, but he does nothing but enjoy her torment. Those two are weird.
Witnessing Arsene leave, I stepped out of the door, heading down the banister towards the foyer and onto the kitchen where the little dragon girl was preparing breakfast with Yu Jing and Sig.
"Is Kurt not here?" I asked, glancing around with a frown.
"Can't say I have seen him this morning; you know he is an early bloomer. He loves the mornings." Sig bitterly said, plating pancakes for Arkanos. "That guy needs to get laid."
Eyeing the three of them, I hesitated but shook my head in the end. Yu Jing would not leave Arkanos and Sig. Well, he has been bonding with Einar and Eroma as of late. It seems like everyone is getting lost in Arsene's circle.
I hate to say it, but Arsene played everyone. Everyone but me. I will not fall into Arsene's circle again, not after I was drugged then forced to get involved with a man like Lynx.
Lifting my lips, I shot Arkanos a smile, "I am going out for a bit. I'll be back, ok."
"You sure it is safe?" Sigfried suddenly said, eyeing me firmly.
"Kurt left, didn't he? I will be fine. I was given an assigned meant so I may be gone for a few days." I claimed, patting the little girl whose eyes began to build with tears.
Crushing my heart with her cuteness, I kissed her cheeks, "Don't cry. I will see you again. Aunty will always be by Arkanos' side. I just have a few things to prepare before I return, is all."
"Promise?" Said Arkanos.
"Promise."