Shadow of the Abyss

Altair had awakened on the fifth day, his mind distorted, burdened by an intense hyperfocus sense of awareness of his surroundings. The pupils of his eyes throbbed with meaning as a vale of knowing shrouded his being.

He could sense the uneven heat of the sun warming Yarwin, turning the low-pressure air into wind. He could feel the light particles, the photons around him, surrounding him, entering through the pores.

He groaned, clutching his head, following the wave of confusion that scattered memories throughout his Astral Sea.

For a brief moment that felt like hours, if not days, the boy groaned, pulling himself together. Sweat bled through his clothing as he stabilized his mind. Yet despite the calm refining the body, the pain continued to lash at his mind.

"It hurts," he groaned when, in his state of hyperawareness, comprehension overwhelmed his senses as he pulled at the Spirit. He gasped, sucking in the air like a man deprived of it. "Gods. What the hell was that?"

The door to the medical bay was pulled open as Thanatos stepped past the threshold. He smirked when he saw the boy awake, gave a light bow, and said, "I like the new look. You look like a Snow now."

Altair glanced at the strands of hair, took it by the hand, and studied the ashen complexion it carried. He chewed his lips.

'Mom! Why do you keep touching my hair?" A memory of a little Altair emerged through the boy's mind as he looked up towards his mother, pampering him with her love.

She was nibbling at his cheek, her fingers running through the blacks of his hair. "When I see you, I'm reminded of myself. I see the most handsome boy alive who possessed my hair. I love how dark it is. It truly is like a vale of darkness."

As the memory faded, Altair resisted the tears rising from the back of his eyes. "What happened? I was fighting against Keres and—"

Thaan raised a brow, "Hmmm. Iliana told me you two spoke. Do you not remember?"

Altair moved to stand up, felt the stiffness of his body, and pulled at his joints until it popped. "Nothing. Why do you ask?"

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"The Rotten Vale… rings a bell?"

The Prince could feel the measured look from out of Thanatos, and instinctually, his domain expanded from out of his Spirit.

Thanatos slid back at a speed Altair didn't think could exist with his dexterity. His domain was met with air, but even so, the Prince felt a history of recent actions brand the mind. He shook as blood came trickling from his nose. Thanatos frowned, resisted his instincts, and entered his domain against his endless years of experience, which told him never to enter one's active domain.

"Altair, you must calm the Spirit. Chant the [Soul of the Imdominable]. As it stands, your fragmented domain isn't ready to be deployed."

'What happens if I don't?'

Thaan frowned. "The soul is a very complex thing. However, right now, you are tapping into two sources of power. You're soul and the Realm of Spirits… Let's call it the Spirit Realm for now. You feel like you are drowning, right? The air must feel dense, like the raging seas are swallowing you.

But as you resist the urge to hold your breath and inhale, each pull of air feels like a new fountain of knowledge coursing through your mind."

The Prince looked at the man as if he'd seen a ghost. "How'd you—-"

"I've lived a long time, boy. So, let me illustrate what might happen. In a few minutes, the pain will vanish as your soul will acclimate to the influx of knowledge. I'm sure you'll think that'll be a good thing. But even now, I can see your soul dimming, fighting with itself to exist.

Once five minutes pass, your ego, the thing that makes you, Altair Blackwood, will be drowned, and all that'll exist is the endless Realm of Spirit: A Void of Infinite Knowledge. You're not the first to possess such an ability, but most don't live long. Zariels [Soul of the Indominable] is shielding you right now, but even it has its limits."

As Altair sensed the truth, the domain around his body resided, leaving him cold and empty.

"In all my life, I've not heard of anyone with the ability of the Realm of Spirits to live past infancy, even in the Higher Realms like this one. It doesn't exist. Perhaps the ancient races there are exceptions, but most of them end up dead or in a fate worse than death." He continued, shaking his head.

"You're not ready to use the Realm of Spirits, at least not until you master [Soul of the Indominable]. Now you hungry?"

"Not sure… " Altair admitted, touching his stomach. He could feel he'd not eaten in days, but it didn't ache like hunger but rather an annoyance and annoyance stemming from mortality. He grinned. "Food can wait. How has the collection of the children been going on?"

Pausing before he gave an answer, Thanatos said, "We've collected fifteen thousand. Most of them are common born. So they can't read or write yet. Can't even sustain themselves at their young age. Those that can are a little older and might require special observation."

From the medical bay towards the outside, they walked and talked about the state of Vesim.

"After your victory over Keres, every power within the city ran towards the Palace. So it's a little crowded." Thanatos said, eyeing a few souls crowded in each other arms. The stench of perpetrated fear emanating from their bodies. "They'll be good meat sacks."

"Indeed," said the Prince coldly. "What about our defenses?"

"They are currently setting Wardings down to slow some of the Soul Kings, but as you have already experienced, these are not your average opponents. They are of the Old World. Creatures dating back far beyond even my era."

And Altair was reminded of the archives within the Palace of Stygian. "Old doesn't necessarily mean better." He said. "Many of their techniques might be behind the times."

"Or above it." Said Thaan calmly. "But your right. Nevertheless, you managed to gather all the powerhouses of the city… along with one of your family's enemies. Heavens Gate."

The tone in which Thaan spoke made Altair step stall for a brief moment. "Just because they are my family's enemies doesn't necessarily make them mine."

"I'd agree. But after you gave the order to slaughter all the men and women of the city. To those of Heaven Gate, you are no less than a demon."

Further down the corridor leading into the throne room, two men with strikingly blue eyes glanced toward Altair, marking him with their eyes. They crossed their blades, barring him from entering.

"Are these them?" The Prince asked.

Thaan studied the two men, "White robes. Ocean Blue Eyes and the Sigil of the Silver Gates on their shoulders. Yep, that's them."

"And they're blocking me. Why?"

"If you two will move, we'll be on our way," said Thanatos calmly.

"The Throne Room is currently being occupied by—"

Once more, Thanatos felt the presence of a domain lashing out like a beast baring its fangs. It roared as Altair's palm struck like the hand of a god. A smear of blood painted the floor following the fine mist that was someone's head exploded, wafting the air.

"Need I kill you too?" The Prince asked, the tone so indifferent the remaining Guardsman simply dropped his mouth ajar, penetrated with a fear that hounded his soul.

The Guardsman gulped, so shaken he began to crawl from out of the Prince's way like a worm.

Thanatos handed Altair a handkerchief and opened the large frame that stood like gates. They entered as several eyes landed on them. Their eyes widened as Altair strolled through the bloody floors into the throne room, wiping his hands free of blood.

Syris and Ren smirked, a little amused by his entrance.

"Whoever those guards are, I suggest you train them better." He said, calmly dropping the bloody handkerchief onto the ground, his eyes scanning into memory several familiar and unfamiliar faces.

He might not have killed the Guardsman had they not failed to agonize him, but alas. Who was he, if not the most influential man who was not only hunted by most of the realm but also the one who allowed many of them to find peace? It had been clear that whoever had asked the guard to block his path was trying to either test Altair or…

The Prince grinned. "Allow me to formally introduce myself. Seeing that there are so many new faces. I am Altair Blackwood."

Ragnar's expression was mild. He glanced at the blood and then Altair. "It's good to see you've recovered. We were worried."

"Aye. Now I really want a rematch,' said Zaros, baring his fangs with a smile. He strutted forward, offering his hand. "Thanks for the aid. Ragnar and I thought you'd have lost a head, but you proved us wrong. Nice shit."

Accepting his palm, Altair grinned. "It was quite an experience. The first time I ever struggled so hard in my life."

"It was a good fight," said Ryzar, aided by Richmond. "We wanted to help, but the moment we exited the crypts, sensing the intense battle, we were assaulted by several soul kings."

Altair looked surprised. "They were able to lock you down?"

"I'm ashamed to say, but yes… this domain they use is on another level. It bends reality. I've never seen anything like it. I fought eight Third Circle, yet they were able to get the better of me in every category of Mana. Their techniques are all at the level of godhood. My speed and power meant nothing against them, not to mention the teamwork they all possess.

They are all trained. Much like a unit, now that I think about it." said Ryzar sharply.

"No need to make it sound like you were truly dominated," an unfamiliar face said smilingly. "You didn't use your full power lest you risked killing your men."

Altair studied the smiling man with long aqua-blue hair and eyes between his brow housing the crest of a three-prong trident. Tall like a mountain, standing nearly seven feet, clad in dark blue robes, he shook his head.

"But this is not the best of circumstances. Something needs to change, or I fear we'll all die," he sighed, glancing at Altair. "Ah… Forgive the lack of introduction. I am Yalivor Sadu, an Acolyte of the Water Dragon King."