Shadow of the Abyss

"No… not yet." Said Nia, looking at him peculiarly. "Are you al—"

Watching Reina mount a lewd kiss on Altair to welcome him back, Nia turned away a little awkwardly, wanting to cover her ears at the sloppy sounds of their tongues. She turned to Laros, whom Olivia had used as a meat shield against the branches.

The battle had been hard for them, but Thanatos and Zagreus had taken a load off their shoulders. She was thankful for that. An even happier Laros was going to die soon. She wasn't sure if anyone deserved what happened to him.

"That monster was surprisingly weak," said Altair once he was done greeting Ren, though neither Nia nor Alyssa thought so. Deadly branches aside, they'd never have survived the descent downwards within the acid. "Olivia, can you slit his neck already so we can go. You can toss his remains in the acid or, you know, leave it for the crows. Either way, stop the crocodile tears and let's go.

Thanatos, Zag, are you two alright? "

Thanatos gave an irritable nod, staring down at his brother on one knee, gasping for air.

"I'm good too. Just overdid it." gasped Zag, nearly sprawled out on the ground. He had a few cuts and burses, the same as Thanatos, but nothing that they couldn't mend themselves. Still, he felt compelled to ask.

Making sure they were alright, Altair turned in time to see Olivia slitting Laro's throat with an arrowhead and tears in her eyes.

With one last, 'woof.' Laros went still in a pool of his life's blood. Killed by the woman he forced himself upon. She left him there for the crows.

For the next hour, after dressing the wounds of the injured, an unsettling sensation stirred within Altair as he looked up into the skies, blocked by the dense canopies.

DING

[World Event Starting]

[Due to the influence of various Gods, the Tower Masters has decided on a World event]

[Double EXP for all Demon Kills]

[Mission Map Targeted Available]

[Dungeon Portal Sealed]

[Reach the Center of Yarwin: Festival of Chaos will begin in Six Months]

A cold chill rippled over Altair as a map emerged within his line of sight. He gulped and allowed his Mask to fade for less than a second.

Suddenly, a red dot pinned itself on the map, fading as his Mask reappeared. He had learned his lesson a few weeks ago when a few heralds attacked him. And had worn it constantly, although no one would know since it was as thin and translucent as plastic.

Iliana had told him the Mask could change shape and had opted for a translucent mask since he didn't like it when people couldn't see his face.

"well shit… " He said, exploding off the ground in an eruption of speed and force. He was gone before anyone could say a word. Altair didn't stop until seven days and seven nights had passed with only Ren at his heel.

"I'm so fucked," he hissed, gasping for air.

[Divine Sin, Archeon seeks to know where you are.]

[Divine Sin, Daddy, says be a man and drop the Mask.]

[DING]

DING

DING

DING

"shit-shit-shit-shit-shit"

Panicked, Altair began to pace back and forth, cursing his luck.

"I kind of feel like this is my fault," said Ren, smiling.

Altair glared at her. "no shit." he said, slumping on a tree stump when Reina boldly took a seat on his lap.

"They must really want Aria's soul."

Altair grumbled but still wrapped his arms around Reina and went to sleep. He had found that had been the only function sleep had.

The following day, he woke to Reina's golden eyes cuddled up in his arms before they turned blood red.

"Morning Art. Feeling better?" she said, tickling his lips with hers.

"a little," he admitted, a little groggy. "I'm hungry, though."

"Don't worry, art. I got you."

In the next moment, Altair saw Ren pull out her cauldron from Draupnir and began creating a mutton stew out of demon meat, potatoes, carrots, onions, and various spices he never knew she had. Altair could not remember a single time Ren had ever cooked for him. So he waited, entranced by the way she moved.

"I used to make Mother this stew, and even in her madness, she'd smile, thanking me. You know, Art, I don't regret killing Aria. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. My only regret is getting you caught up in this mess. And for that, I'm—"

"Don't apologize," he said softly, unwilling to hear it. "You did the right thing. Truly. "

Altair looked up towards the four moons of Yarwin, unsure if the sun would ever rise again. They were out of the forest of Ruin, but where he was exactly, he didn't know. Though it didn't matter now that the dungeon portal was sealed, he had but one alternative to escape.

"Will you ever summon her?" said Ren, filling a bowl for him.

Altair smiled, accepting the stew. He had to admit it looked rich and creamy.

"Who can say?" he mused, taking his first bite.

"Well?" Ren eagerly asked.

"Let's get married now!"

"Hehe," she snickered, with unblinking eyes watching him scarf down her soup. "So? What are we going to do?"

With a belly full of stew, Altair lowered the bowl. "We've got two options. We can stay hidden, or we can go out into the world and explore. We've got six months to reach the center of Yarwin. I suspect this World Event might involve us either way. Seeing the Tower Masters decided to screw us over."

"screw you over, " Ren corrected, smiling. "I'm technically free. "

Altair rolled his eyes. "how could I forget? Be that as it may, it's in our best interest to see what this World Event is all about. But we need to prepare."

"and how do we pre—"

He smiled, tearing her clothes off until her breast bounced about at the sudden motion. "we fuck till our bodies can bearly withstand our mana. It'll take two weeks for Thanatos and the others to catch up. Shall we see if I can't break that seven-minute marker?"

Ren grinned fiendishly, "bring it."

***

Within the highest peak of Yarwin, ash billowed from the skies like snow; carried forth by the endless winds, she stood on one knee towards the translucent image of her Lord.

"Have you found him yet," asked the ghostly figure as he sat upon his throne of brimstone.

Tasha bit her lips. "I have not. My Lord. He was in the Forest of Ruin, but then—"

"Lord Asteroth will not be pleased."

Tasha felt her heart go cold as she hurriedly tried to explain, " M'Lord, Altair is being hidden. It's likely some god is protecting him."

"and it's why I sent you. We sacrificed an entire city to do so. I'd have thought a Lilm such as yourself would grasp the level of complexity of the situation."

"Duke Barbatos," said Tasha, shaking before his presence that transcends time and space, turning her bones to lead. "Altair is Warded against the system. If you could—"

"In six months," Duke Barbatos cut in, " Altair will arrive in Visem. You are to capture him alive and barter with him for Aria Silvermanes' soul."

"My lord, he can't be that foolish as to—"

"I have been sponsoring this child since his days in the Serpents Outreach," said Barbatos calmly. "even if he shielded me from my gaze. I know the boy. Well. He'll be there. Tasha."

"my Lord? "

"I want Altair alive. You are not to kill him, barter with him. That boy's origin runs so deep he is able to cast an infernal spell. An impossibility that brought a smile to my lips."

"Of course, my Lord. And if the Prince were to—" murmured Tasha.

"You may leave Lord Asteroth to me. He might be angry, but he's not stupid. There is an air of mystery around that boy, and it runs deep. Keep your distance for now. And send heralds after him. Let them temper his will and blade. "

The Lilm nodded, looking up to meet the scarlet eyes of the hazy image. "Will you also be in Visem? "

"Baefor is my domain. It's only right I show these New Gods that they are but cannon fodder in the grand schemes of things," he said as his image receded into the void.

Tasha sighed in relief. "I wonder what the duke sees in this Altair Blackwood." she smiled, licking her lips. "He is kind of hot. It's a shame that he is so weak. I'd break every bone in his body riding him. Oh well." she turned to look towards the Hand of the King, Varquees, on one knee as she approached him.

"We are heading to Visem. So prepare your armies. The moment Altair Blackwood emerges, I want his head."

"and if the king has any questions?" said Varquess.

"oh, Varquess," said Tasha mournfully. "you sold your soul to become king. Why are you asking what needs to be done? You have all of the Nine Hells behind you."