"You truly have come a long way, Grey. If I did not know better, I would have thought you were a member of nobility in our hierarchy based on how you carry yourself. If only your brother would follow your example," Master explained, torn between pride and annoyance.

  "Has Eroma fallen behind in his studies?"

  "Far from it, the brat is more of a monster than you are. With his eyes of truth, technique comes to him like nothing. Dao is just about given to him. It's only his body and mind that are lacking. All he thinks about is chasing ass! I swear a woman is going to kill him one day."

  Finding a smile upon my lips, I sat in the lotus position upon the bare ground before my Master, Tang Feng, who appeared rather stressed." Shall I give you a tip in regards to my brother?"

  "There is no taming him, is there. The Dao of booty has ensnared that boys mind far too deep."

  "Please stop talking like that." I begged, shaking my head, "Eroma doesn't need to be controlled. He is a natural spy in every regard. While his plans are somewhat out of the box, even I fear to have him as an enemy. To date, Eroma has sent me a list of over seven thousand different lies and has made a list of all the possible reasons he was lied to.

  Widening his eyes, Tang Feng gasped while I continued, "From that list, Eroma sent me. He has determined over seventy plots that would have me and all the others screwed or embarrassed. Eroma's true self is my biggest eyes and ears. He is perfect."

  "Are you sure it's not just his eyes? They hold the power of truth after all." Master mysteriously replied, sending me a profound stare.

  "It would not have changed. Eroma is, without a doubt, a master at gathering information even when his eyes are not needed. Infiltration, spying, torture, even the honey pot method, he has mastered them all. I see no reason as to say it's his eyes. While Eroma is a monster, the eyes he holds only seem to enhance what he already had."

  Master smiled with a looming pressure that weighed heavily upon my soul. He stared with a deep focus. "Have you found Val yet? You are still looking, right?"

  "We have, but there is some bad news in that regard. Arsene's Elder Brother, Richter. That brat had seemed to have a mental breakdown after he learned what Arsene did to Pendragon. It seems the king's claws had reached into the wrong Snow."

  "How is he now?" Master knowingly asked as if trying to glean something he already knew.

  "Vengeful. If he attacks Arsene, I am afraid my grandson will kill Ricter without hesitation. Sene doesn't play games."

  "And that is why I am sending you to the Holy City today. Richter is there as we speak. It seems a man going by Drar came to him. Relaying info that Arsene was, in fact, Abbadon.

  "Drar, as in the Prince of Hell, Drar'ethiul?" I calmly inquired, with an icy fire burning my heart.

  "So you know of him? How could you not? Yes, the very same. I did not interfere, but it seems Drar'ethiul is trying to lure Arsene out. There are over a hundred members of Nox ready and waiting to strike. Can you make time to support Arsene?"

  Closing my eyes to the darkness around me, I frowned heavily, "Sene is family." I solemnly vowed, "Fine, but I am just a newly formed Star-Lord. I will not be much help. If some of the higher up form Nox show up."

  Smirking a bit disdainfully Master, chuckled, "If power really meant anything, Arsene would not have been able to kill Sitri and Yeshimiel. Take Eroma and Valis."

  "What do you think I should do with Ricter before I go? Arsene will not hesitate to slaughter a member of his family if they wish him dead."

  It was a bit sad, but leaving Ricter here was not the best idea. He was all but manipulated by who knows what.

  "Ricter found himself to be my son's disciple. The brat is talented. He is definitely no weaker than the chosen form Nox, so you will have time. Before Arsene ends him, I recommend you find a way to contact Val and Emma."

  Rolling my eyes, I arose, bowing towards my Master, "I will take the closes Nexus Gate. See you soon, Master."

  "Safe hunting,"

  Smiling, I blinked away, losing my smile that seemed to warm. Should Ricter not see reason, I will tear his head off. I am so close. So so close. It will not be long before I will be able to resurrect her. I just need some test subjects.

  Entering my room, which was as empty of everything but a cultivation mat and a sword rack. Making my way over to the sword rack that 'held Yin' the blade master had gifted me, the first year of my apprenticeship.

  Yin was a sword the color of an obsidian azure. It was cold to the touch, as wide as a small child's arm and long as a man. But the power it held was sinister, matching my personality perfectly.

  "Leaving so soon? Master just told me." Eroma suddenly voiced, appearing within my room with a flicker of light. He stared at me with a bit of hesitation.

  "What is it?"

  "You never told me the price for bringing her back," he uttered, sending my heart into a stir.

  I had forgotten it was not just him that would be affected. Will he ever forgive me if I have to kill our father? Will I forgive myself?

  "Grey?"

  "No, it's nothing, don't worry about it," I feebly relayed, knowing he could tell I was lying. "Is Valis ready? Life is about to be crazy."

  "Of course I am ready," said a man who flashed next to Eroma. He smiled with dark eyes that reminded me a bit of Arsene and Lilith. The Abyssal Devil that was Valis had grown into a man.

  Standing at my height, he held a devilishly handsome face that had broken many hearts. His gaze was a sharp scarlet, and his lips flushed with a warm glow. He was, without a doubt, handsome, but there was something neither Eroma nor I could handle. And that was the bloodlust that ran through his blood.

  It had started off small, but the older the Abyssal children grew, the stronger their bloodlust grew. Even Victoria and Elsa were struggling to handle when their sight would turn red.

  'Everything comes with a price.' I repeated under my breath, for only me to hear. Meeting his gaze, I shrugged. It was not my problem. My only goal is resurrecting my wife. Family may be first now, but the day she returns is the day I leave the House of Snow…… If I live that long.

  "Let's go."