Shadow of the Abyss

The day Altair awoke, he had been silent, his serpentine pupils coldly peering at the skies lost in some unseamed void. He felt lost and uncomfortable in his skin. He was stronger, faster, and harder, but for some reason, he hadn't felt like himself. It was all too visceral.

For a week, he merely stared up at the sun and moon, drowning in the endless lake that was mana around him, swallowing him far, far, far into its depths. The realm of knowledge felt warm. Here, he could learn without the need to be burdened by worldly things. He could know things without being told.

Presently, he was learning about his Father, the Monarch, his mother, the Primordial, and his Sister and Brother, the Abyssal Twins, and how they came to be. His Father was a monster—a butcher who cared little of the world. Even if the world were to burn, he wouldn't care. He would probably be the one to burn it all despite the path he picked. Father was kind in many ways.

He slaughtered his enemies but never bothered going out of his way to kill unless it benefited him in some way.

Altair was very curious about his father, but the knowledge the Realm of Spirit revealed seemed obscured, demanding he dive deeper into the endless sea surrounding him. He did. Plunging into the very depths of omniscience, words, and whispers became images dancing across his Astral Sea, revealing illustrations of his father as a youth. Other times, it was his Mother, and then…

"Hiya Arty! I'm Iza!" She laughed in a strange black and red uniform. Her hair was long and thick, silver like her mother and father's, while her eyes were large and almond-shaped, red like blood. "You're probably watching me in Blood Haven. I'd love to have your ability. Omniscience is awesome.

But I saw you watching me in your future. Learning about me. Hehe. I don't have much Abyssal Qi, so I just wanted to say hi; Master will be cutting off your Omniscience towards me soon. But you can look back on my past. Ves and I hope to see you soon.

One day here in Arcadia or wherever we are in your present. I will be getting you presents and all the hugs and kisses!" she flashed her teeth, free and uncaring. "I always wanted a Little-Little brother. Ves, you got something to say?"

The illustration shifted to a young man, a near-splitting image of his father, the Monarch, but poised and carrying a level of calm he'd seen in himself. Vesyrn Snow nodded and said, "The Order of the Black Suns will be at your disposal should you ever need it. You merely need to seek them out. If I have done my job right, there should already be a fraction within the Abyssal Citadel.

Mother will probably not be pleased, but you merely have to tell her I sent you. Oh...And congratulations on reaching basic Mastery of the Realm of Spirits."

I look forward to dueling you. You and all your minions all at once."

"You and all this violence." Said Iza cutely, placing her hands on her hips.

Vesyrn tsked. "You just slaughtered five men for looking at you funny."

"They were assassins!"

"So you say."

"They were!"

"Hmm," said Ves, not believing her for a second. His focus returned to Altair. "We'll be watching you, Little Brother.

'They knew I'd be watching them? Can they see the future?" Altair wondered, giving pause for a moment. He smiled inwardly, shaking his head. It didn't matter.

"Ah! Before we go. Talk to Mother. She'll not be happy, but you should form a good relationship with her. Have her break the sire between you and her. We haven't seen all the details yet with our eyes, but if you wish to truly become your own man, you must break the shackles placed upon you." Izalith instructed.

"Just never forget what the Abyss represents. Vesyrn continued. "We are the All. And you, Altair Snow, are its Eternal Shadow."

Altair blinked when a sudden jolt of pain lashed at him from the Realm of Spirit.

[Soul Damage has been taken due to Realm of Spirits]

[Charisma has dropped temporarily by 2000]

[Wisdom has dropped temporarily by 2000]

Altair nearly howled in pain as tendrils of veins began writhing across his forehead. He curled, clenching his teeth so hard the tang of his sweet blood permeated his mouth. The pain subsided after an hour, leaving the young lord breathless. Covered in his sweat.

"Kill me!" He muttered, his eyes clouded by an obscuring mist. He nearly thought he was going blind. He sighed. He'd taken a huge hit. But had learned two things: He could only withstand a week within the Realm of Spirits. And that number would be half, depending on how far he traveled within its depths.

"Ahhhhhhh~ Still… I should be happy."

Name: Altair Blackwood

Class: [King of the Vale I Lv 1]

Mana Circle: [Fifth Circle: 0 —> 50%

Strength: 1740 → 2500n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Dexterity: 1845 → 3000

Constitution: 2020 → 3000

Wisdom: 2020 → 4000 → 2000

Charisma: 2020 → 4000 → 2000

Mana: 300 → 310

"At one hundred percent. I rival peak Eight Circle." He said, closing his eyes, relishing himself to the elements surrounding him. "Unfortunately… I've grown too fast. Far too fast."

He managed a smile, closing his eyes and opening them with a newfound purpose. "It's easy to overpower one's enemy, but that's not enough. If I ever hope to reach my father's level, or the twins for that matter, who somehow managed to pierce the veil of my omnipotence? I need to seal my powers.

He took out the World of Shadows Grimior and stared at it for a while. He hadn't used it much. Not with all the madness that had occurred. Still…" I need your help. I need something that'll temporarily seal my powers. Do you have a spell that can offer me that?"

The Grimoire shuddered, lifting itself from Altair's palm. Luna had already told Altair that he merely needed to earn the respect of the Grimiore to be its true Master. It had seemed he'd done so. The Grimoire shone brightly, transforming into a black ring that bore the crest of Tenebrae on its head. Ancient Shadow Runes marked its curves, revealing a profundity Altair could not conceived of.

He gaped, showing a wry smile soon after. "I've had all the things I needed to grow. I was just blinded to it." He shook his head, placing the ring on his finger. "Thanks, Grimm."

The ring shuddered its approval.

[World of Shadow Grimoire has sealed all Attributes.]

[Attributies cannot increase, only Decrease]

[All Attributes will return once the World of Shadows Grimoire Seal is Removed]

Name: Altair Blackwood

Class: [King of the Vale I Lv 1]

Mana Circle: [Fifth Circle: 50%]

Str: 272

Dex: 197

Con: 360

Wis: 360

Chr: 360

Mana: 140

Altair laughed when he saw what he'd become. "These are the stats with someone with no hoes." He felt weak—more than weak. He didn't even feel like a man anymore, but a boy. "Still, it's not so bad."

He stood up, feeling even his Vale Qi had been sealed. Something not even the Goddess of Rot could accomplish. He knew it was because he allowed it but felt proud nonetheless, brushing a finger across the Ring. "You're awesome, Grimm. Can you teach me more spells?"

The ring began to glow as a screen appeared above Altair detailing multiple new spells meant for his rank. He smiled, nodding his head. "I've mastered the path of the sword to a degree mortals can never achieve. Now… It's time I finally master the Seven Schools of Magic to the same degree."

Altair looked around, craning his head back, only to realize he was lost. "Where the hell is Raven? Tash—"

The devil appeared in a flash, grinning with a surprise glow in her eye. "Master. I'm afraid I'll eat you up if we go at it in your current state."

Altair was at a loss for words. "You really are something else, aren't you? Where's Raven?"

"Meditating while guarding this secluded spot. Although I think she is just sleeping." Tasha answered, making note of the ring on his wedding finger.

"I see. Then let's head to the next floor." Altair said.

Tasha lifted a brow. "To my knowledge, you're skills of the Sword of the Heavenly Raijin have not yet met—"

"It's ready," Altair said. Having touched upon his Omniscience, he knew he'd reached that level. He was sure of it. "Are you?"

Tasha nodded. "We all are."

"Then let's head to Lu Chen," Altair said and added. "Get Raven and Morrigan."

Tasha bowed before vanishing. Altair winced. He might have caught her movement if he wasn't sealed. "What a pain."

Exiting the forest, Altair ignored the idle stares of pale-faced men and women who hadn't recovered from the annihilating energy the Tribulation had caused. Many of them were furious, but none dared to make their statement known.

Altair found Lu Chen on his scaffold and waved at him, "I'm ready!"

Lu Chen made a face, realizing what Altair had done. "You—" He stopped words from leaving his lips and nodded. "Show me then."