Monarch of Darkness, Arsene

Feeling a pair of almighty eye land upon me, I felt my blood run cold, but who the hell was I? I was, Arsene Motherfucking Snow? Lower my head? Lower my blade? To hell with that. I'll rather die than submit to some bastard.

"Then kill me. I dear you." I shouted, challenging Hellmaster head-on.

It wasn't that I was scared. Hell, yes, I was scared. The man bodied Lucifer. I can't even imagine that. But what was there to fear? It's one thing for someone like Zantar or maybe even Zariel to kill me. But someone like Hellmaster, who is sure to have a relationship with the Abyss. That is another story.

"Speak to my wife before you dare challenge me... Bitch."

"Are you even a man?" Snorted Lily. "Using your wife's name to get out of trouble! Shameless!

Hellmaster's eyes twinkled as he nodded, and before I knew it before I could even process what had happened, I was in a simple-looking room. With a cup of hot tea in front of me, steaming.

Across from me stood a man around thirty with simple features. He wasn't exactly perfectly handsome, but he wasn't ugly, a seven out of ten, for sure. No homo.

"Hellmaster?"

"Lord Hellmaster, little boy. I won't kill you, but I can break you. Don't forget that." he uttered, lifting his lips. "I've watched you for a long time. A very long time. From the moment your daughter and son appeared before my feet, wounded beyond measure. Now, have some tea. It's your favorite. Coconut Creme. Brewed at 174 for 3.8 minutes."

"..."

"You're not mad?" I couldn't help but ask, but he smiled instead.

"I've been called worse. And by family, no less. Your little insults are nothing. Although, I am tempted to kill you."

"Because I insulted you?"

"Because you desecrated my home." Lord Hellmaster winced. "Once or twice, I'll overlook but not thrice. The Nines isn't yours, nor is it Lucifers. It's mine."

… He's nothing like I thought he'd be. He almost seems gentle. Lily, were you lying?

"First off, I don't lie. Secondly, Hellmaster is a pacifist; I said that already. And as long as you don't anger him, you're safe."

Lifting my cup, I took a sip of sweet heaven and found a smile as I relaxed. Intrigued by why I was here.

"It's amazing. But it's a little scary. You know my favorite temperature and tea. Who told you?"

"Crowe. My disciple. What? Surprise? So too, was I. But that little shit is persistent. Smart yet so lazy. I still can't believe Zariel made such a lazy spawn."

"Lily! Hellmaster is Crowe's Master!"

"Yup… did I forget to mention that? Sowwy. So is Jin. But I don't know how that came to be."

​ Lord Hellmaster sighed, lifting his teacup. "You've become dangerous, Arsene. So much so that Michael is tempted to kill you. That's why he was there, watching you. I had to ban him from my Hells because of it." Lifting his gaze from the emerald tea to me, he continued. " I tend to keep out of things, but this time. I felt rather compelled to assist you. Although, it could be my bias."

"Why would he want to kill me?"

"No idea. I didn't bother to ask. And I don't care to ask. I'm too old to care. "The old man said. He pointed to me. " But if you've got the balls, you can ask him yourself. Michael, in my opinion, is vain like Lucifer. But unlike Lucifer, who grew into his person, Michael has remained unchanged throughout eternity."

"Is it because of my weapon? Pride? That he's after me?"

"I don't believe it was, but that weapon is dangerous. Almost as dangerous as Noctem, that fused with the shard of Laevatein. But no, I don't believe Michael is after you because of that. But I didn't summon you to discuss some little brat with daddy issues."

My brow twitched, and the somewhat laid-back old man's dark red eyes twinkled with childlike innocence. "Twice I've helped. Today. And when your sister came to me, asking me to offer you the Flames of Hellfire.

"Truck-kun, unlike your little brother, has quite a circle of close friends: One being me." He added softly, taking another sip of tea. "You Arsene, the second you called forth of that Weapon Pride, you broke the natural law of my Hells. Damaging my home, harming me. So I will tell you what I told Lucifer, Mephisto, Beelzebub, Zariel, and all the other Fallen.

"If you harm my home, disrespect the cycle of souls, the natural laws degreed by the One, I will act. And I will kill you. I allow many things, but I will not allow you to disrespect me or what the Nines represent. And I'm not alone in this. The Abyss itself will agree. You can take the Souls of the Demons and Devils you have, but the tormented souls damned to the Hells are justly mine."

I nodded, understanding that Hellmaster only wanted to draw a line between the Hells and me. And I will admit, I did lose control there for a second. Curse you, Tenebrae. Did you trick me?

"I'm glad you understand. Any questions?"

"Ummm. Flama… When we first met. He seemed surprised that I ate people. Why?"

Hellmaster looked at me oddly. "That's what's on your mind? Whatever. He was surprised because I summoned him and told him to comply with Truck-kuns wishes. And since Truck-kun doesn't really associate with people like you, he was surprised by the acts you committed, especially since you were related."

"Did you kick Zariels ass?"

"I did. The little brat thought he could challenge me because he had minor control of the weave. I kicked his ass so badly. The Holy Ghost had to step in."

"Last question. Why was I told you plan on taking Jin on as your disciple? is it true?"

Silence echoed through the room as Hellmaster stared at me with a dark look. "Did Lily tell you that? That damn brat. She's got a big mouth. Just wait till you've got a body. See how I treat you."

"... Lily?"

"Come get some old man! Lily got all the smoke!"