Shadow of the Abyss

As Altair soaked in the hot springs, he savored the rejuvenating warmth that enveloped his skin. With a glass of wine in hand, he delved into the data on his Neurolink, his mind focused on unraveling the mysteries of "The Syndicate of Black."

Syris was in complete bliss as she nestled on his lap, feeling the heavenly springs against her skin. With her head comfortably resting against his chest, she looked up and admired his striking features, mesmerized by his charm and allure. He looked every bit more handsome than the Greek Gods.

"Who are they?"

He quivered at the sweetness of her voice.

"Aurora and Raven are still interrogating the prisoners, but they appear to belong to a group that dabbles in organized crime. According to Genisis, a few senators often use them to change leadership in various worlds that they can't officially control."

Syris hummed.

"It seems someone on Genisis doesn't actually recognize my rule. Not that Genisis, a republic with its political intricacies, has much say on who rules so long as they are denizens. Despite its limited influence, it's unsettling to know that there are dissenting voices within."

Genesis was a republic that brought together hundreds of thousands of worlds, each possessing a unique culture of various alien species. The primary aim of this union was not to conquer but to unite under a shared sovereignty.

"I can ask the Reverend Mother to—"

Altair smiled, lowering his glass of wine, and wrapped his arm around Syris's belly. He closed his eyes. "Don't worry about it. After the fusion of Gaia and Earth, we will be hosting a party to celebrate my Reign. I've already sent out invites to several organizations, including the World Bank."

Syris pursed her lips, "you didn't send me an invite."

He leaned beside her ear and said in a sultry voice, "And why would I when you'll be by my side all night."

Syris gulped and, in one lithe motion, turned her entire being to face him. He was smiling, expecting something.

She knew. Tilting her head in a practiced motion, she passed her hands through the tangled web of her soaked silver hair, revealing her slender neck with an inviting gesture.

Altair did not reject her, sinking his fangs into her neck. She shuddered, gasping at the sudden sensation of penetrating ice, followed by sweet, sweet elation.

"Don't~Stop!"

****

With the arrival of the first light, the Palace of Sunset was bathed in an ethereal glow that shone like a second sun, casting sheens of golden rays that reflected off the palace walls back into the heavens.

Stunning as it was beautiful, several armed Palace Guards stood erect, swords pointed vertically toward the skies, as Altair and Syris came down from their palace into the mortal realm, towards the Sky Cruizer awaiting them on the lawn.

Greeted by Raven and all three of his Sword Maids, he grinned, noticing Zagreus already inside, waving at him.

"You're walking funny," said Talia to Syris, snickering aloud.

"Hmmm." Raven tilted her head. "Now that you mention it, every time Big Sis stays the night, she always walks funny the next day."

"You naughty little vixen," Talia teased, poking fun at the apples on Syris's cheeks. She circled the womanly figure of the Highborn Celestial. She was practically glowing despite her embarrassment but held her head high, taking pride in what she took and who had taken her.

She was a woman now, not just in body but in mind.

"Are you joining us," Syris asked, ignoring Raven's inquisitive fixation.

"Of course, I am Master's Sword Maid," said Talia, gliding her eye towards Hilda and Vaiga. "We all are, right master?"

"That is correct," The Prince said, boarding the Sky Cruiser and taking a seat beside the helm.

"I'm jealous," Zagrueus moaned, kicking his feet up. "I don't want to travel with your Harem."

"Then perhaps you should find your own," suggested Syris, taking a seat beside her Prince. She glanced back at Zag, grinning. "What's the saying? A man who gets no hoes isn't a man at all?"

Zag laughed, flicking her off, "Never heard that before. Is that a Soloman axiom?"

"Blackwood," said Syris proudly.

Vaiga and Hilda boarded, closing the latch shut, just as the Sky Cruizer took to the skies, guided by a programmed A.I. towards the northeast, following the lane reserved only for royalty.

"Due to the dangers ahead, there aren't any gates for us to pass, so it might take a few hours," Vaiga remarked, taking a seat on the command chair. She dotted her finger over the panel, elevating a display of Eta for all to see.

"Three hours," Altair muttered. "That's a little long. Why?"

"It seems that we are taking the safest route. The one free of monsters. We could change the—"

"It's fine. Thanatos suggests I attune myself to the world around me," he said, expanding his awareness past the physical so that it touched the ethereal nature of space and time. All of it whirling in a seamless web, within a web, within a web. Time ebbed, pushing forward, while space carried it—

"Stop that," said Zagreus, his words invading his mind.

Altair recoiled within his chair, startled by the awareness of fresh blood streaming down his nose. He saw Zagreus on his feet, leaning over his chair with intent. Syris was wiping the blood away, her expression one of anxiety.

"You're seeing too much," Zagreus continued. "Entwine within the mana is Knowledge; the more you have, the stronger it radiates. Right now, your body is holding you back; your comprehension is far beyond mortal understanding. If you keep this up, you might just end up killing yourself."

He raised a finger, chanting a cleaning spell to cleanse the sight of blood over the young lord's clothing before returning to his seat. "Try not to reach too far ahead. There are billions of paths yet to be mastered at your current level."

"Yes…" Altair mentioned, clearing out his nose, noticing hours had passed despite being only aware of a few seconds weaving by. He felt confused, marking the change of setting in space. They were in a dense wet forest, clouded by a strange mist, outlined by a strange white line of mana, whirling with color.

"We arrived an hour ago,' said Syris, giving him a good look around to ensure nothing else was wrong. "We tried waking you, but you didn't wake. No matter what we did."

Altair winced, unable to make sense of it. Ever since he emerged from the Lake of Rot, his heightened senses were sharper, as if a fog had cleared from his mind. Picturesque images of prescience swelled when he commanded it, encompassing a maelstrom of possibilities of deep truth and knowing.

Each time he moved, he saw hundreds of paths ahead and felt the knowing of both past and future guiding him, be they knowingly or unknowingly.

"Right…" He muttered, sensing how dry his reserves had become. They were practically empty.

'I almost died,' he told himself, staring at his hands. They were still undeterred by the nexus of his end.

Altair sighed, glancing at the worried Syris alongside his Sword Maids. He forced a smile, "I don't see the tower. Are we close?"

"We have to go in by foot," Syris lightly informed him. "The mana generated by the Tower is too strong to approach by air."

"Cool," he said while standing up, offering his hand to Syris, who happily accepted. When Zag cut in, slapping his hand through their touch,

"None of that lovey-dovey shit. I'll be damn if I got to see that bull shit."

"Spoken like a man with no hoes,' Syris fired back, giggling to herself at his twitching expression. She pulled Altair's arm out of the Sky Cruiser to the forest outside.

"You didn't have to do me so dirty," muttered Zag, stretching his head, not taking it to heart, though his expression was one of perplexity. "But she isn't wrong… why haven't I found someone."

The chilly weather outside was accompanied by a thick fog that gave the surroundings a surreal touch. The fog dispersed into a misty wave at the slightest disturbance.

Altair's keen senses detected a multitude of wild Cryptids stirring amidst the fog-shrouded bushes. Despite their lack of physical prowess, they were numerous, akin to bustling ant colonies.

Strangely, none of the cryptids attacked as they pressed ahead. Vaiga was leading; having visited the outskirts of Babels Tower, she was well aware of the path. The journey had brought back many memories of the past that seemed so long ago.

"Hey, Master, how far are you actually planning to climb?" Talia asked him.

Altair wasn't really sure himself and said, "Let's see how far we can get in a day. Neither Cedric, Vaiga, or Hilda raided Babels Tower, so I don't have much understanding of the various trials, but I suspect it shouldn't be that hard." He glanced at Syris, guarded against her surroundings, before giving her arm a nudge. "This isn't the Lake of Rot. You can relax."

Syris froze, managing a forced smile, "Right…" she said, though her guard did not falter.

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