Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Chapter 291: Cathedral

Stepping out the shadows, I appeared upon the base of a mountain blanketed by a silver sheet of snowfall. The air was fresh, almost surreal as I stood still, taking in the natural wildlife around me.

"Master," said the faceless taking a knee.

"You may leave. I wish to be alone," I commanded, stepping up the base of the mountain. Ignoring the fearful gazes of those that recognize me, I slowly came upon the temple, or a cathedral covered in Azure vines.

"Arsene Snow," A man with one hand called to me. He was rather handsome, housing a sharp pair of eyes and a rather divine aura.

Observing me with a measured stare, the man drew close, stopping a meter in front of me, "I am Tyr, The God of War of the Aesir's." he confidently stated.

"I see," I whispered, peering into the shadows of his heart. "So what is it you want? I was told this was neutral grounds."

"Infomation, " He said, bringing a mocking chuckle to my lips.

"Uncle, this is not the time." Another stated, walking out of the Cathedral. Marveling at the darkness festering within her, I could not help but grin.

"Astrid, I presume? Quite the honor, I have heard many things about you!"

"If only that were true," Astrid stated darkly.

"But it is, you may be the first god of darkness I have seen since my birth, that is neither crazy, bloodthirsty, or not related to me through Tenebrae."

Taking a step back, she glanced at Tyr, who also seemed confused, "Thank you, I guess," She said hesitantly. "But I have a message from Sitri, and I must deliver."

"I am sure you do, but I am not here for the message. No, I am here for you and the map."

"Me?" She replied as my smile faded.

"Yes, I am here to take you to my side. I am here to offer you retribution." I continued taking a pause for everything to sink in, "I will not say more, not till you sit down and think it over."

"Arsene, that is... you would ask her to battle against her family?" Tyr brutishly questioned, "Her mother stands with us. How could you even."

"Shall we walk and talk, Tyr?" I said, stepping into the Cathedral basking in its natural beauty, "I just awoke a few hours ago, and I need to stretch my legs a little more. Those long-ass stares at the base of the mountain did nothing."

Analyzing the large azure vines stretching endlessly through the halls. We followed in silence towards its source. Tyr was simply, based upon the shadows of his heart, was slowly growing impatient and Astrid, was strangely calm, at peace even.

"You seem calm, Astrid." I started off, "Mind telling me why?"

Scuffing, she rolled her eyes, "Why should I be scared? I am a god, and my uncle is also by my side." She said plainly.

"Yes, if you look at it like that, I would say you are indeed correct. Yet, you are here delivering a message for a prince of hell."

"WHAT!" Tyr fearfully shouted, twisting his eyes towards Astrid.

"Did she not tell you? Guess it would be a shock. Yes, we have a third party... Is third party the correct term? We have the Aesir's, Giants, Vanirs, and me. That would be four so, Sitri is."

"Arsene," Tyr impatiently shouted, "Get to the point!"

Chuckling at playing with his sensitive heart, we slowly came to a stop towards the source of the Azure vines that seemed to run all around the Cathedral. Dumbfounded by the magnificent almost ethereal Azure Green-tree glimmering with a divine radiance, I stood still captivated and awestruck."

"Arsene," Tyr repeated.

"Forgive me, yes, this war, the bloodshed, all of it stems from the Prince of Hell. Well, I guess it's not really him since I decided to start slaughtering people." I lightly commented, my gaze never leaving the glimmering tree.

"My mother made that," Astrid whispered warmly, "She made it for me when I first entered this world. It was called Everwood. Since it was immortal like us, never to fall, and never to fade. It would grow indefinitely till it consumed Midgard with its vines continuing on without stop."

Placing my palm against the Everwood Tree, I felt its warmth and its power still small and weak. I removed my palm and stepped around the tree, my gaze slowly falling upon a statue depicting Astrid holding an apple basking in childlike innocence.

"Arsene, I have a message from Sitri," Astrid once again said, "I must deliver it."

"Than you shall continue to wait for eternity." I coldly said, "For I have no interest to hear his words. I am simply here out of curiosity. The moment I found out Sitri set this all up, I knew he had something planned. I do not care for what he has, so keep your words or rather his to yourself."

Opening my hands, a mighty flame of darkness sprang from my palms. Devouring light all around me, I pointed my palm not upon the statue of Astrid but below, blasting a massive hole beneath it.

"What the hell happened to my body? These flames?" I whispered, noting how these dark flames were acting similar to the Flames of Hellfire but weaker. "Did I also fuse with that?"

"Shadow Flames," I spoke as a piece of knowledge began to fill my head. A flame that took on the properties of any element I know of.

Lowering my palm, the Shadow flames began to fade as I entered the dark cave echoing with the echoes of rushing water.

"What is this?" Tyr fearlessly said, "It looks to be an ancient dwelling. Did people worship here?"

Stepping into the darkness, a shadow of cruelty began to fill my heart as a smile shone upon my lips. "Sitri, are you trying to scare me? Showing me that you had agents at play langer than I have even been alive?" I asked aloud, observing the flames beginning to rise within the air the further we journeyed into the pit of whatever this place was.

"Tyr, tell me about Heimdall?" I asked, studying the hesitation oozing from his heart.

"I am still an Aesir, Arsene." Siad Tyr clenching his fist.

"yet you are here with me, and Astrid no less. Is she not still being hunted? Or was the history I learned incorrect?"