Shadow of the Abyss

Altair was rather disturbed by Syris's strange outburst. It hadn't been the first time she'd ever lost against him in such a manner, especially when it came to the test of one's sword. He'd bestered her before. Her true skill never laid in her skill but rather her ability to fuse to bend reality into what she wanted.

To see her shedding tears over such a matter left him slightly regretful and confused. He'd wanted to apologize, but had there been anything to apologize over?

'The stronger ate the weak,' he thought, justifying the victory as he lifted her teary chin with a finger to look her in the eyes.

"Mine."

Altair's laughter filled the room as he caught Syris's punch, overpowering her and pinning her down. He teased, "If you're going to be a sore loser, you should visit my chambers more often. I'll teach you how to open the Sword Path while giving you a good workout." He kissed her cheek, asserting, "But today, you are mine. The victor claims all, my dear Syris."

Syris wiped away her tears, her expression a mix of resignation and determination. She sniffled and nodded, "Fine." Her lips and cheeks betrayed her true feelings, pouting in a way that spoke volumes. "But you better teach me how to open the Sword Path."

Altair snickered, releasing his Saintess, then lifting her to her feet; he froze when a holograph of Zelos emerged across his Neurolink. He connected the call.

"Sorry, but we need to sign the contract. I've got to leave. I've business back on Genisis," Zelos expressed. "My lawyers have already drafted up a contract. And I've already sent it to Aurora for it to be amended. She changed a few things, but I am comfortable with all that's left of your signature."

Altair nodded, disconnecting the feed as Ava teleported him back into the Sunset Palace. He hurried to the council chamber, where Zelos stood beside Thanatos and Aurora, discussing the various materials he'd be trading.

"... You're underestimating Earth's resources. I can sell it, but as you guys are right now. You'll start a war with unaligned worlds," Zelos remarked, pointing a finger to a holograph of a crystal, Scyirdiydite. A crystal formed through the primordial radiation of a birthing star.

"Sell it," Altair said. "We don't fear war."

Zelos lips thinned. "This material is a compound material necessary for creating a ninth Star. Refine in the right manner, and you can allow an awakener to skip eight classes and obtain their Ninth. They'll be weaker than your normal Ninth Circle, but they'll still be a Ninth Circle."

"It's fine. I need other worlds to salivate. Plus, how else am I supposed to gain levels?"

"Alright," Zelos shrugged. "You know your world's position better than I do. But also, don't forget. I'm open to assassinating anyone for a price. Just give me a call." He waved a palm, conjuring a number of documents, and handed them to Altair.

The emperor reviewed the contract, nodding as he bit his thumb, drawing a sliver of blood; he signed it.

Zelos happily accepted the contract, sighing," You're so lucky. And now I have to get back to Genesis for Father's bullshit."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Bullshit?" Altair mused, smiling.

"The other Archons are trying to pressure my Father into naming an heir. And despite being the eldest son, my succession amidst the Palatine line isn't guaranteed." Zelos mused, reviewing the contract with mild interest; he then glanced at Altair. "I plan on letting my father and mother know of my success here but do watch your back.

My little brother tends to be a bit reckless when it comes to things he can't have."

Altair frowned. "I'll kill him, you know."

"I expect nothing less," Zelos said, stretching his arms. He smiled, reaching out his arm to Altair, who accepted with a firm hand. The two grinned.

"Take care, Emperor Snow. And do watch your back… You're the talk around the Hells."

Before Altair could inquire more, the glint of the Ars Goetia sigil flashed across Zelos's eyes, distorting his image as he vanished, teleporting across space and time.

"The Ars Goetia," Altair muttered, recalling the ancient sigil flash through the bloodline of Ren. He touched his chin, narrowing his eyes. "How does he have that Tome?"

"The what?" Thanatos asked.

Altair shook his head. "It's nothing… At least not yet," he answered. "Aurora, get everything delivered to his transport vessel. I want them off my world in the next few days."

***

Four Months Later.

"It's done!" Altair moaned face-first over the bed of flowers. Experience tales at empire

Hestia giggled, "You're an odd one." She'd never seen a lord or king so relaxed outside their palace. No matter where they were, they always kept up the facade of poised regality that predestined greatness.

"Terra is officially stable. I can finally leave."

"Leave?" Medusa said. She sounded frightened. "Why do you want to leave?

"ah," Altair caught himself and explained, "I mean, I can finally resume my ascent up Babel's Tower. I left before I could even pick up my prize. "

Medusa breathed a sigh of relief. " You scared me. Who are you taking with you?"

"Tasha," Altair mewled. "I have to fulfill my promise to Grimory and maybe Morrigan. Azura has been hounding me to plant my seed in her."

Hesita grinned. "I hope you have the biggest family," she exclaimed. "Babies are just so cute. Especially if they turn out as handsome as their daddy or as pretty as their mommy."

Altair wanted to make a snide comment but held it in. He had no intention of giving Grimory or Azura a child. He was counting on his control of his physique to make him infertile. By manipulating his will, he hoped that it would be enough to 'kill' any sort of life from his semen. His only worry had been that Tasha's or Morrigan's willpower might 'force' his body to behave normally.

While such a method lowered the chances of fertilization, it was still a viable option.

He yawned, rising off the bushes. "I just wanted to check up on you. It's been a while, so…" He stopped looking at the flush glow across her face and shook his head. "It seems I was worried for nothing. You look happy."

"I am!" said Medusa. "It's so peaceful here. Plus, I have Hestia, Raven, and Meg, who come to visit me every day."

"Megaera? Oh. You two are close?"

Medusa nodded. "She taught me how to fight, how to use my claws and tail, how to focus my petrification ability to allow it to affect even gods."

"What is she teaching you now?" Altair asked.

"Martial Arts. The Fist of Hell Fury. it's fun!" Medusa said, clenching her small fist. "Maybe soon. I… think… I'll be able to face Athena."

Altair smiled. "Do you want to kill her?"

"I…" Medusa froze. I don't know. I want to say yes. She could have saved me back then, could have done so many things, but she didn't. I just want to know why. Why did she allow that monster to escape."

Hestia patted her head. "All that matters is moving forward, whether it's revenge or forgiveness. What matters most is achieving peace of self."

Medusa nodded, clenching her small fist. "Yes!"

Altair chuckled, "Well, so long as you're safe. Ah. I'm taking Raven along with me, so you might not see her for a while. But she'll have a Holocube. So give her a call whenever you feel lonely."

As Medusa nodded, Altair took his leave, teleporting outside his palace to the bailey where Raven sat shrouded by a Vale Cloak blacker than the deepest night, dancing like flames across her flesh. She stopped when Altair appeared, rounding an eye to him.

"Master?"

"Hephaestus ought to have finished refining your Glaive. Want to check it out?"

"I don't like that man, Master," Raven said, startling the young man where he stood for a while. "The aura around him… is vile." She'd never liked him from the first time her eyes crossed against his. It hadn't been his looks that Raven detested but something darker.

"What did Medusa tell you about him?"

Raven paused to think. "It's not just what Medusa said about him. The sins he carries across his flesh are disgusting."

"You know… I'm also evil, right? I've slaughtered countless."

Raven shook her head. "Yes. I know. But it's different. Master, you have a bottom line. You'd never think of rape, never think of abusing children or partake in more deplorable activities.

Even Tasha, a literal devil of the Hells, doesn't rub me the same way as Hephaestus does. That bastard is scum. He's worse than scum."

"He's a means to an end," Altair said, frowning. He wondered what brought this all on. She hadn't said anything for four months.

"I know," Raven said in a lackluster voice. "I just don't like it. And I'd rather not accept anything from him. That's all.'

Altair thought for a bit. "Would you rather not accept a weapon?"

"I'd rather be weakened, Master."

"Even if it means you'll lack the means to protect me?" Altair looked at her with eyes that could cut. Waiting.

"No… Never that." Raven relented. "But—"

"You can use the Weapon Tasha brought back from the Hells. But do give what I said some thought. I might not agree with your assessment, but I'll respect your decision. We all have bottom lines. I'll not force you to cross your own. Not when you don't have to."

Raven bowed. "Thank you, Master!"