Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 157: Prologue: Loki

Loki had been grinning, kicking his feet back and forth over the kaleidoscopic bridge stretching far and wide throughout the Myriad Heavens. The bridge sparkled like an endless nebula of worlds and galaxies.

"This woman is such a fool… What is her name again? Maylar?" He laughed, falling to his back, his lips all but curled down at the sight of Heimdall staring at him with multicolored eyes, glimmering misty colors. He nearly jumped in shock before chuckling. "I keep forgetting you're alive. How'd it feel to die and resurrect? You must be happy Lord Zariel brought you back."

Heimdall, with his sun-kissed skin, winced. "Better than being a thrall to one of the Nine Monarchs of Hell."

Loki hopped to his feet, laughing. He patted Heimdall's shoulder as if to beat the dust off his shoulders. He ignored the shudder running through his half-brother's body and looked him in the eye.

"Careful, Heim," said Loki gently. "You never know when Lord Mephisto might toss you into one of his schemes." he took a step back, measuring his tall half-brother with a kind nod. "You don't want to end up like Odin."

The mere mention turned Heimdall's stomach. He groaned, recalling the honors Freya inflicted on him. Now… he couldn't even look at the former king, who had become nothing more than a hollow shell.

All he did now was drool over himself.

"Well? What can I do for you, brother?"

Heimdall made a face, "What is your fascination with Earth? Of the Four Worlds that connect to Babel's Tower, Earth seems… useless. "Yet Freya and you are protecting it. Why?"

"Earthlings are stupid," said Loki, laughing. "This Maylar is the dumbest of the lot. She's screwed her own flesh and blood because she thought it was the best alternative than raising him to be a loving son."

"Not all boys are loving towards their mother," said Heimdall coldly. "But you're not answering my question. Why Earth?"

Loki gave his brother a side glance, turning towards the aimlessness of space painted with endless star clusters, twisting into nebulas and solar systems. Planets so many parsecs away seemed nearly a finger's reach from Loki as he pushed his gaze toward the small planet of Earth.

"Because the Second Monarch of Hell has commanded his lovely knight, Freya, to look after Earth. Why else do you think Earth was registered within the Genesis mainframe before Babel's Tower erupted? It was Freya's doing. And I just so happened to aid her. Curious as to why…" He grinned. " Curious as to what her motives were.

And some years later, up pops Babels Tower."

Heimdall expression all but turned dark. "This is in regards to that bloody monster, Arsene Snow?" he said, feeling his stomach churn. He felt queasy. "Hells, Loki. Are you really getting in bed with that bastard again?"

"Oh, Arsene's not that bad," Loki admitted coolly. "Quite a funny guy. What I'm curious about is—"

[Ding]

[Error has occurred within the Realm of Forwin]

[Realm Laws have shifted]

[All restrictions have been removed.]

[Reconnection between the Realm of Yarwin and Babels Tower has been established.]

[DING]

[Mission: Kill Aria Silvermane before her Rites or defend Aria Silvermane until her Rites are complete.]

[Error]

[Updated Mission]

[Mission: Kill Altair Blackwood]

Loki threw his head back and roared with laughter. "How the hell did he do that? What the hell is Astaroth thinking?" He said, bringing up the Origin Systems Live Feed of the Realm of Yarwin with a snap of his fingers. His eyes went wide alongside Heimdells as they watched all that had transpired.

"Hells. A-Are those Demons?" Heimdall could scarcely believe it, he stammered. "All-Father aid them," he muttered, bringing up his live feed of Yarwin. Heimdall peered through all ten months, watching it through in less than a second.

He gasped.

"All-Father!" He swore. "If the restriction is lifted…" He turned to Loki, grinning like a fool.

"Do me a favor Heimdall. Send word to every god within the Nine Realms of our Pantheon. Tell them that there is a good show happening, " Said Loki, turning to his half-brother with a mischievous smile. "And I'll do the same to the other Gods below the hundredth floor. Things are getting good."

Heimdall's expression grew even darker than it already was. He nearly laughed in a thin vale of contempt. "Are you out of your bloody mind? I want nothing to do with Devils or Demons of the Nine Hells. Nothing ever good comes from the likes of them."

"You don't know that, "said Loki, beaming. " Look, do this for me… and I'll owe you a favor. I've already become a Fell God, and you are still within the Realms of Immortal, far behind the likes of Thor or the Vanir Gods. Do this little favor for me, and I'll—"

"No," Heimdall said, voice hard as stone. "I like living, and the Silver Devil will not resurrect me again. I will not. I repeat, I will not get involved with anything with Demons or Devils. Arsene Snow was already a nightmare. No.

No. NO."

Before Loki could give his retort, Heimdall blinked from out of his perception to his amusement. "Pussy. It's not like you had your booty taken like Odin." He rolled his eyes. "Guess I'll just do it myself."

"Let's see… Passion of Sorrow would like to formally introduce to you—" He chuckled. " Oh man, this is about to be so much fun. I ought to spread the news in the Nine Hells. Perhaps Ishar will do me a favor."

***

"He's back!" Artemis happily sang, leaping up to her feet. She stared over the mirrored lake, smooth as glass, to the mirrored image of the Little Prince and then to his little adventure through Yarwin.

She tsked. " Demons… A lot of them. And a Devil… A royal devil at that." She frowned, scowling. Looking at the image of the demoness, whose physique was as seductive as her face, seemed to tug at the deepest and darkest fantasies of men and women alike. Alluring with raven-colored hair that dangled to her back, pillowing with the winds.

Her eyes seemed to capture the rosy hue of blood over the snow, bright and stunning.

[Insert Pic]

Yet, Artemis could not bring herself to feel anything but loathing. "A lilm. Gods… one of the Children of the Mother of Demons." she cursed, unsure if Altair was ready for the likes of one such as herself. Lilms were powerful Devils that bore many attributes of succubus and Incubus. But held a battle prowess rivaled only by those of royalty.

Few had ever left the Hells, but each of them was hunted like dogs by a powerful Seraphim before damage could be done. For that reason alone, the Council of Omnis allowed them to enter the Material Plane, believing they were weaker than an Incubus. But that couldn't have been the furthest thing from the truth.

Lilms were the personal toys of Fallen. In contrast, succubus and Incubus were played things of the more powerful demons and devils of the nines.

"I need to visit Athena." She mused aloud when she heard a voice echo through her lands.

"I'm here, sister," said Athena, appearing like an apparition with nary a smile. Cold and hard, she descended like a fairy. "I rushed over when I saw the news. I'd like your help."

Artemis managed a smile. Despite the similarities the two goddesses shared, they never got along with each other like many believed. "I must thank you. You managed to save Altair's life…"

"I merely aided him," said Athena, correcting her sister. "I don't know what power he called upon, but when that Raven appeared…" she shuddered, shaking her head. "... I was sure he and that Reina girl would have survived."

"Do you have acolytes on Earth,' asked Artemis grimly. "Saints, perhaps."

Athena's expression dipped. "Not on Earth. But it won't matter. If that demon is in the Ninth Realm… No Saint would be able to handle her. She'd shred them to pieces," she admitted, tightening her fist. "Royal Devils are on another level than your average Devil, much less demon.

Things will only get worse if she begins summoning other high-rank demons and devils. And if... God forbid Archdemon Baphomet gets involved. All is lost."

"What about…" She stopped herself, clenching her fist. "What about the Twelve Zodiacs? "

"Don't be stupid," snapped Athena. "You know as well as I do that those bastards are just fronts for the Devils of the Nine Hells. Each of them serves a master within the Hells, A Duke, or Prince, possibly a King. We'd be fools like those damn New Gods if we tried to side with them. Only those foolish New Gods don't know of this fact… that's why they've grown so strong so quickly.

Those idiots have all sold their souls, and they don't even know it."

"Then that leaves the Old Families or the Church of the Sepith," Artemis whispered. Neither were good options.

"Ares is with one of the Old families, and he hates my fucking guts. And the Church of the Sepith, dangerous. Altair has many demonic tendencies. They'll not get along. But that is a better option." Said Athena, sighing. She took a seat beside her sister, looking down at the mirrored lake.

"Still… They might try to kill him. After all… the first chosen of the Sepith ever recorded died. And the mission parameter is—"

"To kill Altair Blackwood," Artemis whispered with a wry smile. She turned to Athena. "Think Freya will aid us?"

"... Let's hope."