Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 209: Schemes

Within the inner sanctum of the palace, torchlight stretched across the walls, casting a long, smokey shadow of the great statue of one of the ladies of the Sepith. It was of Aidios, she who bore the First Oath of Iron. It was a hollow depiction of her beauty and power, for no mortal hands could emulate the divine.

Below the statue of Aidios, Ariane knelt on one knee, her head bowed.

A rustle of wind echoed from a distance past, wafted through the sanctum, gliding through Ariane's golden hair.

"The Boy," came a sultry voice from the statue of Aidios herself. "Tell me about the boy."

"I believe him to be touched by the Hells, your eminence," she said, her head lowering even further. "Though I have no proof. I felt…" she stopped as if to hesitate whether to speak her mind.

"Speak your heart, child," echoed the statue.

Ariane gulped, calming her heart with the old lesions she'd learned during her time within the Imperium of the Sepith. She drew a breath, stilling the unease within her heart, and said, "Altair Blackwood is terrifying. It's as if the Lords of Hell taught him. For every action he makes, for example, killing the townspeople, a scheme exists.

It was not until it was over that we realized all those he killed lost their souls. Including those we knew to be the Heralds of Astaroth. Vesim held about a hundred thousand souls. Altair's people slaughtered about ten thousand. And none of their souls entered the underworld to be judged by the Tribunal of Death."

The voice behind the statue went still, though its presence still dominated the sanctum.

"Your Eminence, you sent me to Heaven's Gate to gain experience, to learn how power corrupts. However, the discovery of Altair Blackwood could be detrimental to all of the Myriad Heavens. Especially if, as a mortal, he possesses an Authority that allows him to claim souls that already belong to those of the Hells or the Heavens."

"I believe that—" Ariane whirled, shouted in a guarded cry, "Whose there!"

With a clap of her bloodstained hands, Tasha smiled. Beneath her feet, dozens of those who stood guard lay dead, their bodies mutilated beyond recognition.

"You sensed me through a Silence spell. Was I too messy? The stench of death is rather pungent. Ah, a flaw of mine. Do forgive, but after coming out from hell. The feel of blood against my skin was all so delicious." She smiled without mirth and entered the sanctum, glaring at the statue.

"Aidios, I presume?"

Ariane glanced at her dead brethren, offering a silent prayer before her focus slid to Tasha. "What is it you want, devil."

And from embers of radiance, swords, and shields formed around Ariane.

Tasha ignored her, entering a state of hyper-awareness before the God hidden within the statue.

"Devil Spawn of Lilith," Aidios proclaimed. Her voice echoed like tempered steel."Why are you here?"

"When I learned Heavens Gate was here. I thought perhaps it would be best to exterminate them. But I didn't expect the Seraphim of War to be addressing her acolyte." Tasha slid her gaze to Ariane and smelt the air. "A virgin, but she hasn't taken the oath of Iron. Shall I corrupt her before she spays herself?

It's been a while since I ran my finger through a woman's legs." she licked her lips, curling her fingers in a seductive light.

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"What is it you seek?" asked Aidios calmly.

Slowly, Tasha made her way towards the altar. "To instill within you that Altair Blackwood is not to be touched. Less war between Mythos and your little boring cult begin."

'If that was her intention, wouldn't it be better to kill me first to show her intent?' Ariane wasn't convinced and asked," So Altair has sided with the devils."

"He's sided with the Prince," Tasha said, her intentions still a mystery.

Ariane frowned, her mind recalling a few days ago of the incident when Tasha saw to attack Altair. 'What changed from then to now? A deal perhaps?' she thought.

The statue hummed once more with life, pressuring her surroundings with a dense psionic field. The pressure grew so strong, so blinding, Tasha was forced to her knees. She didn't resist, though her smile deepened.

The smile didn't last long.

The attack, the mental pain that came seeking to tear the brain from the body, struck like a gong, vibrating so viciously that Tasha's eyes began to bulge from her sockets. Blood slithered down from her ears and nose as a cruel cry tore at her windpipes.

The cries were quick to become laughs as she roared, "Harder! Come on! Squeeze my neck while you're at it. Break it and have your way with me!"

The voice of Aidios was calm. "Kill her."

Ariane drew her sword up, ready to sever the head, when Tasha spoke, "I am here by the command of the Prince of Mythos! Kill me, and he will descend for sure."

Her sword descended and stopped as Adios spoke, "Halt."

Ariane obeyed, her blade inches from the nape of her neck. "Yes, your eminence."

"Why not call her Master?" Tasha laughed. She turned her dark scarlet slits narrowing. "Are you two not Master and Disciple? Why else would one that has not taken the Oath of Iron or any others?" she smirked, lifting her head to Ariane. "And to attack me. A royal devil from the Demon Mother herself.

You're either a fool or desperate for this one's life. Kill me, and not only will you face my Prince's wrath, but my Father will burn you alive! Your soul will writhe in the infernal hells for eternity, praying for relief."

A sliver of fear caught hold of the young maiden, shaken by the level of insight with which the Lilim spoke. She shuddered, turning towards the statue for guidance.

"You know the game," Aidios said, her voice now a cold calmness. "Tell me, devil, what is it you seek?"

"A mutual understanding that Altair Blackwood is off limits," she said. "The boy is not to be touched.'

And again, Ariane felt that was not her true intention. There was truth in her voice, mixed in with equal falsity. She could nearly taste it now. 'This sanctum is guarded from the wondering eyes of gods and mortal kind.'

'Altair is not to be touched.' she thought. 'Yes… no touched but assisted. Is that her aim? But is he not touched by the hells? Why would she—'

"Leave," Aidios commanded.

And her commanding presence faded.

Suddenly freed, Tasha stood up with a hot smile on her lips as she dismissed herself. Her eyes glided on Ariane for one last time before she was gone.

Ariane whirled to the statue, falling to a knee once more. "Master I—"

"Be still, Child," The statue voiced. Her tone was just as hard as the very granite it was molded from. "The Devil seeks an alliance or perhaps something more. She desires that we attach ourselves to the boy."

"But he's touched by the hells?"

"Is he?" Aidios voiced. "This is the second time I've been approached about Altair Blackwood."

"Master?"

"Athena and Artemis approached me months ago. Seeking a similar alliance. What is so special about this boy? Authority?"."

'Is it so easy for her to believe he has within him Authority?' Ariane wondered. "What will you have me do, Master?"

"Beelzebub, my brother, also sees interest in the boy." There was a bit of teasing in her voice, amusement. "You are not yet ready to kill that devil. But should you see an opportunity? Take it. I shall descend if the need occurs. Beelzebub… My brother… He will take our side.

His position requires it."

"As you command, Master," she said, sensing the presence held within the statue fade. She stood to her feet, dismissing the shield and sword back in a sea of embers.

Ariane turned to the bodies of her brethren. Stepped to them but did not mourn for them, for their souls had already soared to the heavens.

For a long while, she stood there, unable to deny the envy she had towards the dead. She lifted a palm, conjuring golden flames from the tips of her fingers, writhing like ocean waves.

And in a sea of gold that scorched the earth, skin, blood, and bones were torn to ash, pushed away by a gust of aimless wind wafting through the halls.

She left, ignoring those huddled together, weeping cries for the tribulation ahead. Ariane hadn't the time to pay them mind. With purpose in her step, she raced ahead, having heard the reports of her fellow brothers. She stopped just outside the medical bay and entered.

Ariane felt her breath catch and her heart quiver at the boy who hovered in meditation. Above his head, two circles blacker than the deepest night, bleeding profound essence that did not belong to the Myriad Heavens.

Suspended by not mana or the strange essence that bound him, but rather Authirty he governed, Ariane felt the truest hand of death coil its lifeless fingers around her neck, pulling her into the shadows beyond the abyss.

She gulped, shaken by a fear that her training did not allow. 'I must run,' she thought, yet her legs could not move.

"Ahhh, you've come." The boy said, directing his scarlet eyes towards her. "Did Tasha have a conversation with you yet?"

Ariane felt the power that binded her fade. Felt the mobility returned but didn't dare show fear, but her eyes betrayed her. "Did you send her?"

"No… But there are few paths open to someone like her.' Altair smiled, unable to or perhaps unwilling to hide his disdain.

"Close the door, and let us discuss our little alliance."