Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 222: Ashen Blood II

High in the skies, over nine hundred Soul Kings stood, their once translucent bodies now made corporal by the endless slaughters. Led by one of the Defile Ones, Roxas Lampris, stood gripping a bloody spear in his hand. He had a crooked smile on his handsome face, while the mark of Cain blazing like a pyre of bodies from within his eyes.

"Altair!" He boomed, his voice empowered by three Mana Circles. The voice bellowed like the echo of thunder, stretching far outside the world's atmosphere, reaching the ears of Gods and Transcendence.

"Face Me, Boy!"

From the Palace Walls, they came blistering the radiance of the Eternal Heavens above the skies. The light of dawn shone, blinding the eyes of those who dared to glimpse it. All two hundred and fifty Golden Watchers took to the battlefield, souring into the skies with their golden wings of flames.

The Difile One's eyes sparkled with damnation as a menacing laugh echoed. "The weapons of the Seraphim. How nostalgic."

The Soul Kings all conjured their weapons, forged either by the soul or by the elements.

"No man shall fight a Seraphim Watcher alone," Roxas instructed as he moved. Scarlet Protons danced along his flesh, seeping through his pores. They began to synthesize with the many tendons around the arms and legs when Scarlet Light turned to liquid flames, swirling into a vortex of supernatural essence.

Fragments of light fractured as Roxas flashed like a beam of light. Embers from out of his spear grinded over hundreds of golden shields radiating out faster than a single breath. The Golden Watchers all moved, seemingly vanishing to engage the enemy.

Jin watched incredulously. "That's some defense… that man moved nearly two-thirds the speed of light. Yet they managed to defend. For golems, that is quite impressive."

Gabriel couldn't have agreed more. "Their focus lies in defense. But what I'm more interested in is that man. That skill… it's similar to Zariels."

"The two never met," Beelzebub assured his brother. "I killed Roxas a long, long time ago. Far before Zariel was born, during the Second War, between Heaven and Hell."

"I didn't know Cain had a hand in such a matter," said Adam, clutching his arm. He could still remember the taste of his blood then, the sting of his arm being torn from his body by Eve, who had fallen into a state of madness.

"Eve ended the Second War with her folly, but it was Cain who tried controlling the aftermath. As you know, when we began creating various races to battle each other to grow our principalities. We were able to increase our power, but unfortunately, it also blinded us to many things. Your bloodthirsty son bore his fangs towards both Angel and Fallen.

From the Age of Mist, he had been trying to create a supreme force to kill our kind. Roxas was his first disciple."

"Huh?"

Jin's jaw opened wide. "That's quite brave of him. Is he stupid?"

"He succeeded," Beelzebub said coldly. "Cain was the first creature to succeed in killing an Angel. We don't have proof, but the reason the Second War started despite the already high tension was because of Urva's death. It was assumed that us Fallen killed him, but that was the furthest from the truth. Lucifer and Mephisto investigated it personally. But by then, the war had started."

"I didn't know that," Gabriel said.

"You didn't participate in the second war. Good then thing, too. We might have faced catastrophic damages had you joined." Beelzebub muttered, knowing Gabriel all too well. Of all his brothers, despite his silly nature and disdain for violence, his battle prowess was no less than some of the strongest. "I found Roxas a little later, defiling one of our brothers."

Jin made a face."Defiling?"

"Not sexually, if that's what you think. No, the defiling I'm talking about is why some of the members are known as the Defiled Ones. It's a sick ritual one must go through in order to be initiated into their little group. I had found Roxas midway and killed him and everyone else with him. His soul has been with me ever since."

Jin came to a realization then and said," Does that include Keres?"

"It does."

The Prince of Asteria chewed his lip. "And if I try to take him from here?"

"I'll kill him and maybe torture you a bit. Depends how I feel," Beelzebub said, grinning. He patted his nephew's shoulder. "Relax. Relax. You've got your uncle Gabriel here.

I'm sure he'll protect you."

"I will… if you promise to introduce me to that woman." The Archangel pointed towards Sabine, piercing through the atmosphere. "Now that is a fine piece of—"

"She's mine, uncle!" Jin voiced, flickering towards his aid side. He snatched her up by the waist, turning her cheeks red.

Sabine kicked back and forth, "My Lord, release me this instant!"

Gabriel snorted and kicked Beelzebub on the ankle, " Fuck 'em up for me."

"Traitor!" Shouted Jin accusingly.

Ignoring his brother's antics, Beelzebub focussed his attention on Roxas. Wondering if Cain would ever come out of hiding. Ever since the Age of Fire, he had vanished.

'Roxas is his first disciple,' he thought, arching his lips. 'And currently, two members of their mysterious organization are already targeting Altair. If Cain doesn't hear about this, then he's either dead or in deep slumber. Time will tell.'

***

As flames clouded the skies, flickering with multicolored light clashing back and forth, shaking the earth below, the various lords within the palace watched through incredulous eyes. Not one of the Soul Kings above had a higher circle, but they all moved their bodies in ways that seemed almost inhumanely adept.

Be it their understanding regarding the various schools of magic or the simple skills with the sword or spear, all of them understood that death was only a matter of time should they engage in battle with any of the Soul Kings on their own. They were outclassed in practically every field imaginable.

"This is a battle of attrition," Yalivor Sadu intoned, his arms poised behind his back. "They'll retreat soon to recover and return hours later. Stronger than before. Remember, it's only been a week since their resurrection, and cultivation requires immense time."

"They can't level up. Not without any creatures to kill," Ser Glynn pointed out. "Meaning they can't bring out the full power of their Circles. That ought to limit most of their skills."

Ragnar shook his head, "That's why he brought up the concept of time,' he pointed towards Roxas. "Once they get the hang of the system and all the benefits that come with it. They'll become absolute monsters. Like us, they've already obtained corporeal bodies. All they need now is a few months to recreate complex spells to match their current power."

"Indeed," Ryzar remarked. "Currently, we have Ten Ninth Circles in total, including myself. Which is why I suggest we make the sacrifice and head out there to slay as many souls as we can."

The two behind Yalivor Sadu glanced at each other and then toward their young master. They bowed deeply, awaiting his orders.

From the shadows of Ragnar, Zaros, and Ariane, two Ninth Circles emerged each. Their faces were as hard as a stone falling to a knee before their Lord and Lady.

To Ryzar's right, Lady Zola Ironblood's expression was dark. She bit her lip, tasting the sweet metallic gush of blood.

"Are you sure? This is a suicide Mission," she pointed out, wondering if he understood.

"If it means you have a better chance of survival. Then, by all means. I am willing to die. I owe you and your family that." Ryzar closed his eyes, recalling the days he had been a slave sold from master to master. Served slop that not even pigs would eat. Force to fight his fellow brothers and sisters to the death to satisfy his Master's sadistic tendencies, he was finally sold to the Ironbloods.

Through battle, he fought his way up to earning the Surname Ironblood, ridding his old identity as a slave. He came out an Ironblood. A Lord, a Peak soldier in the Mortal Realms.

In this lifetime, he had no talent in reaching the Realm of Transcendent, but perhaps the next… he smiled then.

He fell to his knee just the same, "Allow me this honor, my lady."

Through clenched fists, Zola felt blood slither down her chin. "Your Soul Lamp, is it ready?"

"Before every battle, I prepared it in-case I might perish. It's the only way one can reincarnate a soul back into the family."

The other ninth circle all glanced at each other, nodding equally.

Ser Glynn folded his arms. "In order not to strengthen the Soul Kings. I'm sure you all must know what must be done."The black knight glanced at the Ninth Circles, glaring at him. He didn't care. Their sacrifice wasn't for him but for their masters. "Before you die, invert the flow of Mana into your circle.

The Watchers are sure to be able to at least defend against the shockwave."

Yalivor Sadu did not bother to acknowledge the Black Knight of Bahumat. With all his attention towards his subjects, he clasped his hands together. "Sato, Luvi, I shall not forget your families. So long as I am alive, I shall grant them with enough resources to propel them into Transcendent. You have my word. Your bloodline shall not die with you.

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In the name of the Water Dragon King. You have my Eternal Vow."