Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

The bridge dropped, and racing out stood armed soldier draped in studded leather padding. They stood fully armed, housing all kinds of weapons, their expression grim and icy. Coming to a halt, they readied their weapons to cut me down.

"Rena, what is the meaning of—"

Not willing to hear any more, I Shadow Stepped over twenty meters past them. Before they could even grasp where I was, I once again Shadow-Stepped deeper into the fortress till my expression turned pale as a ghost, and I swayed to the wall hidden in the shadows, covered in sweat—grumbling at the pain piercing into my soul once again. My eyes closed in response to the weariness.

"Times like this, I miss Aegis," I bitterly said, releasing a heavy breath, opening my eyes to the world around me, glimmering with a saturated glow. Biting my lips to not faint outright, I pushed ahead, driving from the shadows to the next. I momentarily arrived in an open area in what seemed like the western district of this village—glaring at the three ladies hung in the air in what appeared to be like a cage. I surveyed the area and narrowed my eyes.

"Freya," I mentally communicated, "Are there anyone there?"

The Norse Goddess lit up with a luscious glow. Her scarlet gaze whipped towards me, hidden within the shadows. She smiled, drawing the attention of the other ladies. "Master." She exclaimed in my mind, " There are seven guards, all at realm lord."

"How the hell did you lose?" I could not help but ask, watching her expression turn bright red.

"I had to protect them," Freya blamed, glancing at Zanris and Ezra. " Their leader seemed to have sensed the power of Shadowfell and offered me a deal."

"Can you escape?" I hastily asked, having no time to ponder her words, running the path of the abyssal night to soothe the torment pressing dangerously in my mind.

Freya glanced around and frowned, " I can, but I think you should stay, Master. Their Leader is an interesting one."

"Escape and come to my side," I softly said, holding my head that was pounding. " Leave the others. They will be fine."

Falling from out of the shadows, I allowed myself just under where Freya and the rest hung. Freya chuckled, and with a powerful flair of Divinity, her cage shattered to dust, and she fell.

"Catch me, Master!" She cried childishly.

Stretching my arm hastily as this child fell into them, I glared, " Your not a child, you know."

"Master? Your soul. How did it get so injured?" She hastily asked.

"Training," I answered. While it wasn't the best of methods forcing the Path of Abyssal Night to mend my injured soul was a form of refinement. Shifting my gaze to Ezra and Zan, who was now free, I continued, " You two stay. I will deal with this leader."

"So this is your master?" From the skies, a dark voice sounded, " A male of all things? Please tell me he is one of your concubines?"

'Master," Freya started, rising to her feet, "It will seem this village is a Matriarchy. All the men you have seen here are nothing more than caretakers."

Thinking about Lilith, I could not help but wonder if this was her doing or if this naturally happened. There were quite a few planets like this in Noctem, but such a thing didn't happen within the prime worlds. Men were usually in dominant positions, hehe, quite literally. I wonder if this is just this village that is a Matriarchy or all the abyss.

Descending from the skies stood another delicious entree: cinnamon skin, deep golden eyes, long curly hair fluttering wildly through the winds. Alongside her arms stood tribal markings of various runes I did not recognize. Nevertheless, this creature was stunning.

"Arsene Snow, "I introduced.

"Sorina," She said, holding no last name, same as Rena. Her arms crossed over her chest, and she approached, without fear, " So you are the master."

My eyes narrowed, "What happened to your shared mind?"

Sorina's gaze turned cold, but beneath her raging emotions, I could see wariness, "And how does an outside like you know of this."

"Because he is the King," Rena shouted, rushing towards us. Covered in sweat, clinging to her robes, she peered at Sorina, " Leader, he carries the crest of the queen embedded into his sigil." She confirmed, bowing her head. She pointed at me with expectation. "Show them, my king. The moment I felt it, my blood boiled.

Summoning my sigil, which glistened, the laws of the abyss reeled with the combined presence of Lilith's and mine sigil. One by one, the woman and men slowly gathering behind Rena fell to their knees. Feeling the pulse of their queen, my sugar mama, they kneeled in worship.

"Master," Freya said, drawing close to my ear, " It seems you may have your pick."

Sliding my hand over Freya's behind, she jumped as I held her firmly, cuffing her plump ass; her cheeks grew red hot. " Why? When I have such a wonderful goddess at my side. I am sure you can do things to help mend his headache of mine."

She bit her lips and leaned close when Zanris slowly made her way between us, shaking her head, " Zan first!"

"Arsene Snow," Sorina said, her tone not as solemn or respectful as Rena. "Allow me to invite you to my humble abode."

Hesitating for a minute or so, Zanris nudged my shoulder, sending a soul whisper, " Master, you should stay. There are quite a few things you could learn; these abyssal bitches, are very adept at manipulating their abyssal essence. You are sure to learn more about your sutra."

Creasing my brow, I frowned. Time was never on my side. Everything I had prepared was meant to give me an advantage over everyone. My network was growing with each passing hour. Some of my soldiers are already reporting armies gathering in the skies. I could be defenseless but not blind.

"I shall stay," I said. It was better to get a map of the area anyway; this would at least help.

Sorina smiled, and picked herself up, " Great, then allow me to lead the way. Oh, and to answer your earlier question, our shared mind only occurs with those we have mated with on a deep level and conceive children with. It's a part of the individual bloodline we share with family only."

Shaken by this new restriction that could potentially change the raw ability of the abyssal people, a smile crept over my lips.

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