Shadow of the Abyss

"It is," Vaiga said. She glanced at Senator Thel Duvale, trying to mask her curiosity towards the Taal, who held dark blue skin and red eyes that glowed. Around his neck, Vaiga counted three slight incisions on each side of his throat. Gills, she believed they were but couldn't quite tell.

"Is this your first time seeing someone from Orbar?" Thel asked, fluently in basic, noticing the particular way Vaiga stared at him.

"Was I that obvious?" Vaiga chuckled.

"No, but in my line of work, reading people becomes the job," Thel said. "This… Altaïr? Am I pronouncing it correctly?" he asked, adding emphasis.

"You are."

"Yes, this Altair is interesting. His presence is already in the stages of development. His first class must be related to Wis or Charisma." Thal continued, stroking his hairless chin. "Although, I can't speak for his personality."

"What part?" Vaiga mused, lifting her lips into an alluring grin.

"The part where he humiliated a fellow officer in front of everyone." The Taal pointed out, slightly narrowing his glowing red eyes.

Vaiga snickered. "Or was he defending what was his? How can one be a man if they can't protect what's theirs? Be it their home, country, or woman, or is it different on Orbar?"

Thel gave a small smile. "Indeed. Would it be possible to meet Altair?"

"As one of the earth's dearest allies, how can we refuse?"

***

"Hilda did what?" Cedric asked, compressing his lips into a thin line, glaring at the hologram projected from his datapad. He stood up from his chair, unable to believe what he'd just heard.

'She's fucking him, Sir.' Weise said, unsure how to better say it. "I overheard it when she was speaking—"

"She could be lying." Cedric hoped, praying for it not to be true. If it were, all his plans would be ruined.

"She gave details. Size, Length, weight… And based on video evidence of a particular incident we found a few weeks back outside the interrogation room. It sounds highly likely it's true.' Weiss said, bowing his head.

"That bloody whore… Damn it!" Cedric cursed, with stretched veins brooding over his jaw. "The Princess will not be happy. If we can't eliminate Altair, our heads will fall. I don't have to remind you of that, right?! Up the bounty another ten thousand—"

"Sir, if we do that, then we open ourselves up to be tracked!"

"I don't care! Earth doesn't need a boy who can't be controlled!" Roared Cedric, disconnecting from the call, seething a great ball of fire in his chest. He tapped on his datapad again, scrolling through contacts before he opened a new line.

"Cedric," A smooth voice answered.

"Cut the shit Vanto. Your men failed," Cedric said in a deep voice, hoarse with rage.

"We lost a Fifth circle," Vanto replied, his tone strained. "A powerful one, one that could combat a Sixth Circle."

Surprise deepened through Cedric's eyes as he paused, furrowing his brow. "You sent a Fifth Circle to kill a first? Why?"

"You think you're the only one who wants Altair dead?" Vanto scuffed. " I've got seven other groups that want his head. So yes. I sent a Fifth circle and four three circles assassins we had within the Fortress of Rim. From the info you gave me, Commander Iliana wasn't supposed to be as strong as you said."

Cedric bowed his head. "From the scene… it lasted less than a half a breath before she took his head."

"We are terminating the contract." Vanto coldly said, ending the call before Cedric could get in another word.

Deeply inhaling, Cedric fell back to his chair, slouching with a defeated hue in his hollow eyes. He sighed when… a particular video entered through his neurolink. One of a boy banging his head against the ground, balling his heart out.

And a smile returned to his lips. "Vadi is it…"

***

"What are you smiling about?" Ren finally asked him, cutely patting his head with her paw.

[Divine being 'Piercing Owl' so too wishes to know.]

With a mighty laugh, Altair answered. "Can't I just be happy?"

[Divine being, 'She Who Hunts,' hums in response. Suspicious of your odd behavior.]

"I never knew the gods were so nosy." He teased, seeing hundreds of notifications filling his neurolink. " I'm just in a good mood. If everything works out, Aurora will take care of my financial troubles, which leaves me extra time to train. Or have fun."

[Divine Being Titan Falls, wonders when you'll accept a blessing?]

Starring hard at the message, Altair's lips inched a little high up. " I had been wondering if you guys had forgotten. I have been taking my time. But that's for you guys."

[Divine Being, Tiger Dragon King narrows his beastly eyes.]

[Divine Being, 'She who Hunts,' hoists herself up.]

"Yes. For you guys. You all know of my talents and my intelligence. Best of all, you know of my first aura skill: I figured the Gods would come together, alliances would be made, and enemies would begin scheming. So I'll pick one God or demon/devil by the end of this tournament to ally with."

'That's a bold claim.' Ren thought, noting his use of the word 'ally' rather than a quick acceptance of a blessing. 'But why?'

Just as she wondered, so too were the Gods. It wasn't in Altair's favor to ally himself with any one power. Not when he could accept hundreds of blessings, knowing the gods couldn't take back what was given.

It was indeed bold.

"So work hard, lords and ladies." He teased, shooting the heavens a mischievous wink.

"Hmph!"

Startled by the sudden snort from across the hall, Altair turned to his rear, meeting a particular set of red eyes over a brooding expression.

"Hilda," the young lord airily said.

"Commander Hilda!" She corrected, stomping, on her way to meet up with her squad. She folded her arms. "Talking to ghost, are we?"

"The Gods, actually."

Hilda felt herself tense. "Gods. And you use that tone? You must either be brazen, or your mother allowed a donkey to hammer at your head."

Distantly, Altair felt the winds rustle through the halls, reaching him in seconds. And yet he felt no presence, despite knowing a door was opened and closed. His lips perked up.

"Are you mad because you're still sore from yesterday? Or because we dirtier your beloved teddy. I told you I'd get another one."

Hilda scrunched her brow before it eased. She smiled, sensing a masked aura.

"Can you stop?! " Hilda squealed with embarrassment, playing along, storming past him.

And again, Altair felt the warm breeze rustle past him before Hilda turned to the corner and headed outside.

"Technology seems to hinder stealth in many ways. I'll need to make note of that. " He said, glancing up at Ren, looking for answers.

The young Nephilim silently lept from his head, glanced around for cameras, and turned to him when she found none. She polymorphed, shimmering brightly as her seductive physique pressed against Altair.

"Private Mode," Ren said, looking at her Prince. "Now. Explain." She grinned with her lips nearest his chin.

Her smile was sharp, so much so that Altair wondered how much she'd picked up from him.

"Are you jealous?" Altair asked her, cupping her waist that slithered downwards, allowing his fingers to press firmly against her plump end. He squeezed.

Ren's breath caught itself, but she wouldn't allow herself to be Felled so easily. "Answer me, Art… please. "

For a second, that dripped into minutes, Altair found himself pulled into her pleading eyes, so moist and wet, they spiraled with wonder that she nearly had then and there.

And yet he stopped himself at the pain in her eyes. The hollow moaning of something precious. He smiled and slowly, beside her ear, whispered all that had occurred. When he was done, Ren pressed her head against his chest.

"I'm sorry…"

"For what?" Altair said, holding her tighter. "It was my fault that I didn't tell you my plan."

"No.." Ren nudged her head, masking her brooding face. " it's just when I saw Hilda I… I thought… I thought you'd abandon Ren for—" Sealing her words with a passionate kiss that made her knees weak, so much so that she felt thankful she could lean on her Prince rather than make herself seem like a fool.

"Ren… you are my conscience. You are the person I go to in times of heartache. We fought together, and we grew up together. I don't think I'd be this sane if you weren't with me. No way in hell I'd ever abandon you." He swore with all his heart and soul. He lifted his hands, cupping her cheeks until her lips plumped.

" What in the Nine Hells made you think I would abandon you?"

To hear his words and feel his intense emotion. Ren foolishly grinned, unsure what came over her. But Ren had felt her heart beating out her chest as she blissfully giggled.

"Thanks, Art!"

***

Stepping into the medical ward, Altair glanced down at the dried blood and to Olivia, staring aimlessly at the wall in a daze. Her face was still swollen from where Laros had brutally beaten her until her skin splintered, but she was a far cry from the disfigurement she came in with.

Beside her stood Talia, peeling an apple before cutting it into small bite-size pieces, humming a small toon.

"Oh, Altair," Talia said, alerting everyone to his presence alongside the masked redhead by his side.

With an apologetic grimace, Altair nodded, noticing the slight tensing of Olivia's shoulders as well as the shrinking of pupils following his approach.

He stopped when he saw that, and for a moment, Altair felt as if he could feel her cheeks burn with shame.

"Don't…" Olivia said, trembling, clutching a small insignia. A ward that protected her from harm. "Please... don't."

'So… this is the truth of such things.' The Prince whispered, tasting the bile gathering in the back of his throat.

The once proud and confident woman was now a shell, a husk of her former self. Too afraid to even meet his eye.

"It would seem coming here was a bad idea." He said, glancing at the wry smile of Amilia, who approached him.

"Give it another day… she needs time to…"

"I understand," He uttered, catching sight of Talia's vicious smile, and sighed, for he knew Olivia's torment was only just beginning.