Shadow of the Abyss

The thrum of the Weave, or so Zariel had called it, had been a hint Altair had decided long ago. A phrase that he had overlooked amidst his battle for supremacy against the Vale King. Peering through his eyes, listening to words spoken by his persona, had given him a lot of time to think. To recount past actions and learn from them.

The Weave he had learned was reality itself, woven into creation by the Almighty, containing everything to be and everything that was. And Zariel could not just see it but control it, nearly granting him nigh omnipotence.

Altair wasn't as arrogant as to believe he would obtain such a power. No. He was quite content with wielding omniscience. The only issue was how to wield it to his advantage. The idea had been rattling in his mind for quite some time, but he found it difficult to imagine creating a mental picture of what he was supposed to do.

Iliana seemed to have a better idea of it but kept it to herself. 'Let's grow your Soul first before anything else. You're weaker than I suspected," was all she said over the matter.

That had been infuriating, demanding he train his omniscience but offering no guidance. Altair nearly thought she was trying to deceive him in some way. He didn't dare use his omniscience to find out; Iliana could sense such things. He had learned that the hard way.

In the Realm of Madness, Altair did not have to worry about exhaustion or physical limitations. The realm he stood within offered him everything he could imagine. In a way, the world he stood in was a figment of his imagination. A dream in which he was trapped. Yet it was more than that. More than what he could grasp.

He had tried using his omniscience, yet a surprising system message appeared.

[The First King Has Forbidden You Access Regarding The Realm Of Madness]

A sudden sting across his cheek pulled him from his thoughts back to the Vale King, who had just been struck. He felt everything the Vale King experienced.

"I'm still your Master boy. If you want to get into my pants, have the decency to defeat me first," Iliana announced, calm yet firm.

Altair could hardly believe the Vale King's bravery. The man certainly thought with his cock before anything else.

"It was only a suggestion. I figured since you like wine. You might want a tasting." He said seamlessly, taking that slap without a moment's pause. "I assure you. I am quite bold. With a hint of spice that'll have you—" she gave him a box right to the nose.

It was Altair who winced. The Vale King only chuckled. "though I think you'll be even more spicy if—"

She busted his lip this time, then blackened his eye soon after with the Vale King's next comment. Altair was sure the woman was enjoying herself a bit too much.

"The next word out of you had better be about the Arcane Arts, or I'll drop you into Hell for the demons to have a go at you. We'll see how spicy you really are."

The threat had certainly worked for the Vale King, who did not push his luck, at least not with her. He certainly did with Medusa. At least he was honorable enough not to force her, not that he could. Out of all his Forsaken, Medusa was the first he had ever created that was not sired to him.

That frightened the Vale King; Altair could sense as much. The man was many things, but he certainly knew how to play the Game, especially when he wanted to bed the serpent queen. She was a strong ally, and not just in terms of battle. Tending to the Garden in the Palace of Stygian was without a doubt the highest priority. That was a simple fact.

Ruining his relationship with Medusa or Hestia, her dearest friend, would not bode well for anyone.

Altair suspected that was what the Vale King was thinking, for he did spend a considerable time flirting with her but also making idle conversation, building that relationship. It was clear that Medusa did not find the Vale King as revolting as she once had. If anything, he made her smile at times.

And that had caused Altair much fear, for he had to ask himself, "Would they prefer him over the Vale King." They were one and the same. The opposite of a coin. One simply couldn't exist without the other. Yet… what if Reina, Syris, or Raven preferred the Vale King over him?

He had to kill him; He needed a way to kill the Vale King.

"I need to train… I need to train even harder." He swore, pulling himself away from the Vale King before he took everything away from him.

***

By the time Altair had regained control over his body. He found himself in a thicket with Elena. His seed poured out the young woman's garden like a fountain. She had a silly look on her, one that made him think of those he had seen in Zamphis strung out on something. And now she was a sloppy mess.

He had brought her along for this reason alone; It gave him time to keep the Vale King away from those he loved.

Elena had shown up at his manor a week before his departure, claiming she had been under orders from her father. Whether that was true or not didn't matter. The woman's only purpose was to distract the Vale King.

"no more…no more… no more…" she muttered, with that silly smile, clutching her slightly swollen belly.

If this kept up, she would be ruined in no time; Altair sighed, signaling for his Forsaken to clean her up before they resumed their travels.

Altair himself spent a considerable amount of time with Iliana when she was not drunk on wine or hard liquor. She was a fierce woman with knowledge that could block out the sun. It was clear it was her first time teaching, for she struggled to find the words when describing various methods to spell work or wardings. But like him, she was a genius and adapted several times quicker than most.

The rest of the time he spent with his friends and family. Especially Raven. She was changing so quickly that Altair wasn't sure how to treat her. One thing, however, was clear. She didn't like the Vale King much but would serve him all the same as she would Altair. That was the most he could accept.

The Vale King wasn't going to simply vanish. He was a lifelong adversity he had to deal with. His eternal foe.

"Your Grace," Raven said, reining Cloud beside his carriage.

Altair lowered little Atelia and peered out the carriage window. "What is it?"

"We will arrive soon. I've already sent out three Forsaken to scout the academy. They have just returned. They claim it's safe."

Altair nodded slowly. " You know what to do, right?"

Raven nodded, repeating "Glory to the Black Moon " before she took off again.

"That girl…" He really had no idea what she was thinking. "She hasn't even begged for corn once this past month."

"Is big sis alright, Papa?" Atelia asked, lifting her head from Altair's lap.

Altair struggled to answer. "I-im sure she is… I'm sure she is just trying to find herself."

Medusa nodded, perhaps seeing what he was. " It's a phase. Give her a month, and she'll be jolly once more. She is discovering her duty. Let her find it."

Altair hoped she was right. The empty detachment she now carried didn't suit her face, he had decided, resuming time with Atelia while Medusa played along.

Laughter followed the carriage along the Race Way through several small villages clustered around the great city of Armeth. Men and women pointed at their carriage along the way. Some, without a proper head on their shoulders, dared to throw rocks but were quickly killed off by a Vale-wrought arrow exploding in the back of their heads.

No one bothered them after that, as they made their way through the gates without the need to show identification. Raven had taken care of such little things in advance.

Armeth was like any other city on Almore, large with towering spires, buildings, and long crooked chimnies breathing foul air. Yet no one seemed to mind, spreading to part under the sight of the sigil of House Nier. They were all within the dutchy, after all. Only a fool would not recognize the Lords who held as much sway as the imperial family.

"I count seven," Medusa said calmly, stroking Atelia's head as the little girl lulled in and out of consciousness. Altair swore to find the little girl something she could do instead of lazing about. "All of them have their eyes poised on the carriage ahead of us."

"That was the plan." He said finally. "The Old Duke and the Dutchess are in that carriage. Let them handle this matter. The trap I've spun is only in its infancy. Once they see those two, they'll retreat." he gave a knock at the window to Therion on horseback. He glanced his way, understanding flashing through his eyes.

Altair couldn't say when it happened, but that particular forsaken had slipped away from his caravan like a ghost without so much a hint of his departure. A perfect assassin if trained properly.
Stay connected with empire

Consulting the thrum of the Weave, he grinned, his eyes peering towards the school where Nox's half-brother resided.