Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Chapter 164: Arsene and Baphomet

Severing the connection with Lilith, I frowned, remembering the blood pouring from her lips. The deep gashes against her skull, showing pieces of her bones and brain. I could see the intense pain she was in, but she herself didn't even register her suffering.

"Trust her, Arsene... that's all you can do," I muttered to myself, clenching my teeth so hard the taste of blood quickly began to appear. Remembering her tragic sight, I shut my eyes as my bloodlust began to leak.

Releasing a deep dark breath, I calmed my raging emotions before coldly analyzing my changes. I was now officially in Earth realm, where my qi would completely change, gaining an Earthly attribute. This change was not truly major, but it marked the beginning of the severance of your mortal life. Where I still human, reaching the first stage of Earth Realm would grant me two hundred more years of life. Each minor stage after that would grant another fifty years equaling a total of 450 years at the peak of Earth Realm.

"I do not feel any different, though. While I am stronger, I feel the same? It's as if...Oh, I see. Bael did say my comprehension would spike. I have already adapted, so everything feels normal. Well, that's boring." Shooting my body an annoyed gleam, I snorted, "I really need to learn to control this ability. At this moment, the only thing I can do is speed up my adaptation with Soulforce. I need to learn to control how my body adapts. It's crazy annoying. Maybe the dwarves can make me a system."

Rising up, I quickly looked around. Olivia had left a message within my soul of all that happened. So I understand the destruction I caused. Apparently, only half the prison was destroyed, no one died, surprisingly, but I knew there would definitely be some overcrowding. Releasing a breath of foul air, I suddenly began to frown as my doctor entered the room before slowly stopping like a statue mid-step.

Looking around the prison, a chill began to fill my body as I felt out of place. Everything was frozen; time still flowed like normal, but... Everyone was frozen in place.

"Like it, it's called soul space. Only those with control of their soul can move within this space." A dark voice sounded as I saw a familiar goat face. Opening my eyes wide white flames sprung from my palm.

Waving his hands, my flames were quickly extinguished, "My apostille is so feisty. Chill out. I am only here to train you." Baphomet said with annoyance as he looked up towards the heavens. "I don't have much time. That bastard Amso is so annoying. He dare tell me you are banned from the Nines. Pretentious asshole. So what if your soul is semi-broken? I am sure you can take it... You may just be drooling for a few years."

"That's his damn point. What the hell do you want." I yelled, glaring at the man who sent a chill down my spine. Fear was an understatement; even the Orginal bael didn't make me scared like this being.

"Well, you severely lack in the Artes of Demons. The origin of bael was a fountain of knowledge. Even I who strive to understand all Circles that make up the heavens pale in comparison to him. However, the current Bael is different. He is consumed by his sin, Wrath."

Frowning, I gazed into Baphomets intellectual gleam. He was different from before. This version of him was far more terrifying. It's was as if he was a completely different person.

"King of Beast, why tell me this? Even if he is consumed by Wrath, I have already gotten what I want. I hold all the inherited memories of Bael. Even if it isn't the strongest, it's only a matter of time before..."

"Wrong, Arsene. You, too, will fall like Bael and so many other kings and Princes before. Reaching into the Realm of God is quite easy for us, but it's even easier to be slaves to our own power. When you first saw me, what did you think?"

Opening my eyes wide, I quickly spat, "A beast plain and simple like your title."

"AhHA correct, I am free of all responsibilities, unlike the Kings and Princes. I hold multiple sins under my belt, Lust, Glutanny, and Wrath. I am a beast through and through, and I sometimes act as such. Do you know why I am telling you this?"

Shaking my head, I remembered his words, "To be a dem...

"No, Arsene, it's for you to understand your own soul. Understand your likes and dislikes. You are mealy at the edges of Sin, and you need to make a choice like those before you. Will you be the embodiment of Sin, or will you allow it to consume your actions?"

"Sins are not something that you can rid yourself of? No matter if you sever emotions to your soul or not, they will exist. However, I am only here to train you in the arte of Circles. It is mine, along with the original Baels specialty. SIn is something you need to figure out on your own. "

"You have an emblem, but it lacks in every possible way. With the Prince of Hell, Sitri governing over your trials, your chances of death are one hundred percent. Drar'ethiul was blindsided by your appearance and rushed to create a trap for you, but Sitri knows about you and will do everything within his power to break you. Soulbenders like you are both the easiest and hardest to break."

Frowning, I felt a great pressure upon my soul as the Beast King handed me two manuals. That read 'Baels Origin of Circles.' and 'Rituals of Damnation.'

"I will not give you any Circles yet as you already hold Hel's grimoire with you. That bitch Hel is quite the monster when she goes wild. Study it well, we will meet once again, and next time I will have a mission for you, my dear apostle."

Blinking, Baphomet vanished as everything returned to normal. Opening my eyes wide, I could feel my legs go limp as I felt the weight of the books within my hands. They were not truly heavy, but as I held them, a deep fear began to rise within my soul.

Sitri, Lord of Deception and Carnage. There are many memories of knowledge regarding his cruelty. He was a monster.

"When did you get up? Back to the bed," my doctor yelled, pointing as multiple guards appeared. Sending the two manuals into my ring, I was forced down as the doctor sneered, injecting me with something.

Snorting with disdain, I closed my eyes, sending my intent into the Ring of Bael. I didn't know what he put into my system, but my race would not fall to such drugs.

Glancing at the Dagger Bael sent me, I rolled my eyes, turning to the two manuals with interest. "Bael, do you know about these books?"

"Twenty for my book, and I will tell you for free if I can consume the knowledge within that book Bahomat gave you. the manual will not be damaged in the slightest."

"No, tell me everything for free, and you can take a look at the Ritual of Damnation," I coldly countered. I would not be mindfucked here. I held the cards at this moment.

Not hearing Bael's response, I smiled, ready to open 'Baels Origin of Circles' when a flash of light appeared, consuming all the books in darkness.

"My book holds the core basics of circles. It's merely a copy fragmented over the weaker dimensions due to some careless action of mine in a forgotten battle. Only those that are Demonic royalty can gaze upon it. However, I am not sure if this version of Baphomet has gazed upon it. He is not a royal demon, after all.

As for the other book, it holds the knowledge of rituals and battle styles of how to perform circles with your emblem and various other rituals you can perform. One being a more aggressive battle stance than my own. It's actually excellent. Especially the Rituals, they are rather ingenious and cruel.