Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 167: Forest of Ruin

Within her carriage, Reina was grinning, looking into Altair's Obsidian eyes. "So you want the Chaos Shard, hm?" She was saying, crossing her legs. "And what will you do for me in return?"

"Seeing as a Chaos Shard doesn't have any practical use to you, and a Blood Shard does. I'll say I'll be doing you a great service." Altair said candidly, bothered by that peculiar glow in her eyes. He knew that look well.

"True, but it's only a matter of time before my knowledge surpasses what's within that shard." She explained, her grin deepening until her fang gleaned over her plump lips. "Stand up for me."

Altair did, curious what she was after.

Kicking off her boots, Ren naughtily slid her feet up his trousers, caressing his crotched with a lewd smile. In seconds, his Warhammer was tearing through trousers, aching with purpose.

"We'll trade… if you can last seven minutes." She said, gently tracing her feet along his shaft.

The beast shuddered, leaking a creamy substance from its tip.

Altair was a little pale. He'd only ever lasted that long once. And it was the first time Renia had ever given him head.

"Five minutes."

The demoness' cute grin turned coniferous. "Seven," Ren insisted, ogling the precum with fever.

"Six"

"Seven"

Altair looked like he wanted to cry. "Ren, you know that's not fair."

With a look that said she didn't care, Reina's feet seemed to measure the beast, but even then, it loomed over her.

'All Ren's,' She thought with a hint of worship in her eyes.

"Seven minutes." She snickered, lubricating his monster with his 'personal' lube. She grinned evilly. "Starting now."

Relieved, she began with her feet. Altair's hopes came crashing as Reina's feet seemed to glide along his girth, playfully toying with his glan as she locked eyes with him.

Altair was terrifically horrified all at once.

***

"Don't cry, Art," said Ren cheerfully, licking the thick, hot, milky cream from all over her face where he'd erupted. "We can try every night until you get it right. Though next time, I won't be using my feet." she licked her fingers. "If you like, we can try again."

Altair was missing Golden-Eyed Ren. He'd never been more ashamed and satisfied at once. Yet, as Ren cleaned him up, he somehow felt proud this strange woman was going to be his wife one day.

'I'll have my revenge one day.' he swore, though he didn't reject going another round or two.

For the next few days, Altair faced the Demoness known as Reina Blackwood Morning, Noon, and Night and failed each time. He didn't quite mind as the shame turned to joy. He laughed it off, giving Ren a few tastings herself.

By the end of the week, it had finally become time to abandon the carriages as they approached the Forest of Ruin.

"OK. I'll be the one to ask. Why are we entering a place called the Forest of Ruin?" Ren asked as Altair helped her down the carriage. "Just saying this is how people in movies die."

Zagreus nodded in agreement, turning to Thanatos. "She does have a point. Why are we entering the Forest of Ruin?"

"Come on, Laros, " said Olivia, jerking him by the leash.

"woof!!" said Laros, happily trotting after his master's heel.

Thantos growled. "Are we taking advice from movies now?"

"Why not," Said Ren, folding her arms.

"The Forest of Ruin got its name after the third King of Yarwin perished," Altair explained. "That was nearly ten thousand years ago. Since then, many stories of this forest being haunted have sprouted up, but aside from the typical bandit attack, very few people have actually died due to monsters, much less ghosts."

"What he said," Thanatos remarked and said to Ren. "We've got to get you two to max level, so remove your Fallen Angel Aura."

Ren nodded, stretching her arm. She flicked her wrist, and from Drupnir 'Ice' emerged gleaming an icy blue. At the same time, Altair summoned Shadowclaw and strapped the blade to his belt.

Thanatos continued. " Since Zag and I are irregulars here. We'll defend Zola. The rest is up to you guys."

Altair nodded and snapped. Suddenly, Seven Dark Moon Blades emerged, soaring to the skies to hide beneath the clouds. He'd had to summon some shadows, but most of them were in the Serpents Outreach, aiding in the reconstruction of a town.

Unfortunately, not even a few minutes later did Altair's party come to a halt before two Tri-Circles half-elves appeared draped in a leather hide of black and red; on their chest hung the Iron Helm and sword of the Ironbloods.

They came from the thick canopies of trees trapping light from entering as if to surprise them, though no one appeared startled.

"State your name and purpose!" Shouted one of the half-elves.

It had been Altair's first time seeing a half-elf, but their ears were a dead giveaway. The ears of a Half-Elf were longer than a human ear but shorter than a pure-blooded elf and were the only indicator of what manner of elf they were. He stared at them, taken back by their beauty.

"Didn't you hear us?" Another shouted, his voice shaky as he looked at Laros. "Why the devil is he on his knees like that?"

"Because Laros is a good boy!" Olivia defended,

"Woof!" Agreed, Laros, wagging his derriere as though it were a tail. He spun in a circle around Olivia, jumping up and down.

The two Ironbloods jaws dropped in disbelief.

"By the way, my name is Olivia Aros. And this here is Laros."

"Woof!"

"Brah…" muttered one of the Ironblood Half-Elves, glancing at his comrade. "This shit is…"

"Hello! My Name is Zola Flynn, With the Second—"

"Zola! You lived!" One of the Elves, Bellas, they called him, exclaimed. "It's me, Bellas Ty'via. We saw your name on the MIA list! Come on, we'll tell the commander that you're back!"

"Bellas, " Snapped Folred. "Protocol, remember." he turned to Altair and pointed his spear at them. "Names and purpose."

"My name is Darlk," Altair said while the others gave their real names. His was a name that was sure to have many people after his head. "And we aim to leave this godforsaken place. The portal is—"

"We know where the portal is," said Folred sharply.

A scarlet mist began to swell through the blacks of Altair pupils.

"Then might we pass?"

"Sorry." Said Bellas, pulling his gaze from Zola. "But we are under strict orders to bring in anyone who passes through the forest of ruin. But we—"

"I'll pass. Zola, I guess this is where we part." Altair said seamlessly; he hadn't the time, nor the patience, to deal with anyone right now.

Folred had been about to snap when a cold, icy sweat erupted like an avalanche down his pores, streaming down his legs that buckled like a flowered maiden. His legs gave, and after a while, so too did his bladder.

Altair slid his pressured gaze away, signaling for the others. They were off sinking deeper into the Forest of Ruin. Moonlight seemed to dwindle into mere glimmers of aimless rays scattered throughout.

"This is Hella scary," said Nia, gripping her spear with all her heart. Her eyes flickered back and forth, trying to perceive any dangers.

The Forest of Ruin had been far too dense for the carriage and was growing denser the further they journeyed.

Altair glanced back, grinning. They were still following the main road, but even he could till the Black Rain had inadvertently altered this forest.

"I can send you into the Serpents Outreach, you know."

"I'm not a charity case!" Nia hissed, inching closer to Alyssa. Who looked like she was about to break down into tears. She was shaking like a newborn fawn.

Altair snickered.

***

"And you're sure he's from Earth?" Commander Vance Gundere inquired, looking at Zola all dignified in his blood-red robes.

"Yes, no doubt, Sir, " said Zola on one knee. Behind her, Folred and Bellas mirrored her posture.

"And you just allowed him to take off?" said Vance, frowning.

"Quite, " said Zola without expression. "As you can see, the mere presence of Darlk had Folred a Third Circle pissing himself. Not only that, Darlk himself saved my life. I owe him that much."

Vance's eyes went wide, and all nine of his circles flashed. "And who are you to decide that?"

"Zola Ironblood, 47th princess of His Eminence, Magnus Ironblood. " Said Zola with a sliver of ice in her voice; she watched Vance drop to his knee as she rose to her feet.

"Princess I—"

"I would like for you to kindly hand over your Holocube so that I may inform my father that Earth has raised a monster beyond belief," she said, finding a large grin as Altair's image flashed through her mind.

'Don't worry, Lord Blackwood. I, Zola Ironblood, will ensure you survive this infernal hell. But before I do that. I need to find out why Mother insisted I enter this hellish place. Something must be going on amongst the higher-ups."