Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 196: Festival of Chaos: Astral Prism

The streets had been lined with so many bodies that they stood like mounds awaiting the pyres to help cleanse the land. The smell had been harsh, and the noise, the screams deafening. Each second, each kill of a single shadow filled the Prince's mind, chiming without end. The numbers were endless.

The bodies of many had been carved apart, their heads bashed until their eyes popped form out of their sockets, tongues gorged out by a cruel demon shadow or Imps. Many died in pain, their windpipes inflamed by the hoarse wails, the begging, and the praying.

'It had to be done,' Altair thought, unsure what manner of God those within Vesim prayed to. Were they Heralds of Astarorth, Worshipers of the Sepith? He didn't know, nor did he wish to find out. Children were impressionable, expressly those who knew nothing of the terrors of war. Many of them sought peace, just like their parents.

The Ironbloods were all stationed within one of the cathedrals of the Sepith. The cathedral was perhaps the second-greatest building within Vesim. Beautiful snow white and grey stone sculpted in an ordained wonder that made any mortal man gasp in awe. Yet there was an air of death upon the cathedral.

There was little reason to wonder why. Altair knew the moment that Varquees had felled his King to take the throne. He had laid waste to the Sisters of Sepith. He glanced at Tasha, knowing it was perhaps with her aid as well.

And for a moment, he was reminded of the City of Sacrilege he'd visited once. A shudder passed through his mind, recalling the horrid debauchery.

Tasha felt his eyes and spoke without turning, sensing some internal conflict in the boy. "Would you like to ask me something, young Lord?"

Ren silently glanced from her Prince to the Lilm, back to her mate, the reds of her eyes sharpening.

"That City… the one you visited. Why'd you do that? How'd you do it?"

"That City?" Tasha began to think. Frowned and then smiled. "Ah, I know the one." she touched her lips. The seductive glow of her eyes found Altair's. "Yarwin is under my dominion. That city, Rutar, was the mark of my descent.

The lustful madness, the murder, and the rapes are but a consequence of mortals being beneath my presence. Did you enjoy it? From my experience, most awaken a primal desire in places like those."

Altair sneered. "It was disgusting."

"Yet every man and woman were mounting the other like deprave animals. The greatest feat of a devil, Young Master, is the corruption of one's Soul. Demons seek to destroy; Devils seek to corrupt, to claim."

"From devils, demons are born, right?"

Tasha grinned. " You know the Infernal Bible. Indeed. Such mindless creatures, demons, are. Savages so enthralled by the Seven Sins, they become mindless beasts. Useful though in times such as these."

As they approached the cathedral, the two guards sought to stop them; however, beneath the [Eye of Sacrilege], their bodies straightened, and the very idea of stopping their lord faded.

The doors shot open, pulling the eyes of many towards Tasha leading them inside. None of the Ironbloods said a word, but weapons were slowly being drawn in caution. Shoulders grew clenched, arms poised upon the pommel of their blades and shooters. They entered into the sanctuary, finding an old seamed face upon the altar.

Talled, covered in scars made by spears, daggers, axes, and swords, he stood, clad in elegant red robes rather than armor.

Ryzar Ironblood, they called him. Behind him, Altair saw Zola's pale face beautifully resting over a tight frown. The frown faded the second her eyes met with the Princes.

"Altair!" She jumped up, shaken.

'Seems she more important than I originally thought. Interesting,' the Prince thought, greeting her with a half smile.

"Altair? Blackwood, perhaps?" Said Ryzar in a rasped voice. His seamed face pressed together.

"Indeed."

Ryzar gestured to the gathering soldiers behind him, ordering them back."I've heard much about you. Your name is practically infamous within Babel's Tower. Yet I wonder why you're here?"

"Perhaps I'm interested in joining the Ironbloods."

"If you must lie, at least have the grace not to smile," Ryzar Ironblood said. "This is about the King Souls, correct?"

The Prince gave a faint grin. "You know of them."

"No more than you."

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"Then are you aware that they are in their most vulnerable state right now?"

A noticeable shudder passed through the old man, drawing in a long breath of cold air. "Is this true?"

"Why else would I be here? You Ironbloods are well-connected, right?"

Ryzar grimaced and gave a subtle glance to Zola, returning towards the Prince.

'More important than I originally thought.' The Prince told himself, noting a few young men rising to their feet.

One of them, a lean fellow with a shaven head lined with various tattoos of runic symbols, spoke out in a snarl: "And how do you know this?"

"Be silent," Ryzar snapped.

"Lady Tasha here has quite the experience with—"

"A woman?" shouted the stranger. Richmond, he was known. Richmond Ironblood.

Altair exchanged awkward glances with Ren and Syris, a little confused for half a beat."Yes… but what does that matter?"

Richmond reached to a side, took a dagger from out of his belt, flipped it, and caught it with his off-hand. "She's a woman. Of course, it matters."

Altair didn't entertain the man further. " As I was saying, Lady Tasha here has quite an affinity towards the souls of the Myriad Heavens."

"You're a practitioner of the School of Animus?" said Ryzar, with the grace to blush at his loathsome nephew.

'The School of the Soul,' Altair thought, recalling the fundamental change this particular school experienced with the Rise of the Lord of Absolution, Zariel. According to Thanatos, it had been Zariel who had been able to incorporate the 'soul' into just about every aspect of life, amplifying the proficiency of every sort of spell and battle maneuver.

Of the Seven Schools of the Arcanes, Animus had been the hardest to master, with Transfiguration coming in at a close second.

"All of my kind are," Said Tasha proudly. "It's sort of an innate skill, if you will."

Ryzar expression turned to surprise. " Soul Races are rare. Are you from the Astral Sea?"

"Uncle, even if she is from that damned realm it—"

"Be Silent!" Ryzar roared. "That realm has been ruled by an Old God, Lord Zariel Snow, Protector of the One. He is, without question, an absolute power! All that exists within the Astral Prism is known to be monsters beyond belief. Controlling the forces of the Soul as though they were the elements. It's said even a toddler is capable of lifting four tons."

'Astral Prism?" Altair questioned.

Zagreus nodded and explained, "Much of the Astral Plane is ethereal in nature, including most of its elements, seemingly existing and not existing, in a way, granting immortality since time is quite literally frozen in some areas. The Astral Prism is known to be a controlled land, allowing time alongside a plethora of elements to be corporeal. There, you'll find one of the Prime Worlds, Asteria."

Reina and Syris both gasped, feeling their minds sort of expand.

"The Astral Prism is known for where all of civilization thrives, outside of that realm, well… from what I hear, it one of the most beautiful things a man can see. It's said there are gods so old that they simply exist outside the Astral Prism, lost in an endless void of wonder."

"What is this Astral Prism made out of?"

Ryzar hard expression broke into laughter. "That is a question only the Lord of Absolution knows. No one else is aware. However, that doesn't stop some of the Strongest of Gods from traveling to Asteria in order to research it." he glanced around at the faces of interest in the children, feeling older than ever.

Absolute wonder graced the Prince's eyes as he wondered about Zariel, his very own uncle he never knew. There had been so much he didn't know about his bloodline. From his father to his uncle, much he didn't know, indeed. Few people ever spoke of the Prime World Asteria due to its secrecy, but had often been spoken in fear.

"Which is why these Sou Kings, while vulnerable, are still quite dangerous. They are weak right now. However, I'm sure killing a few Fourth Circles won't be an issue for them." Tasha cut in. " As you know, the power of the Soul allows the innate ability of telekinesis. And if they are adept in the powers of the Old World, Spirit Domains will be used. They might be invincible if we don't team up."

"So that's what you seek," said Ryzar calmly. "I understand. However, your team is rather—"

"Patheticly weak. Twin Circles are hardly enough to face a Soul King," Richmond cut in.

Altair glanced at the Fourth Circle, studying him with a look that sent a chill spiraling down his spine. Richmond lept back in a hurry, barreling through the long benches, sending shrapnel through the sanctuary.

"I believe I've long proved myself. Would you not agree, or were you not witness to my battle against a Fifth Circle? But—" He reached for Shadowclaw, allowing its infernal nature to rot the wood around in a thick black tar. A seething might, burning with the very rage of the hells, tore from out the scabbard staining the air. "I'm happy to accept any challenge because I assure you.

I've never been defeated."

Reina lifted her lips and thought, 'Except by me.' Though, she'd never say those words aloud, not before those who were not friends or allies. She'd allow her Prince that much face.