Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 240: Altair's Rebellion

"I can't believe we're doing this," Hilda rebutted, approaching the throne room within the Palace of Stygian.

"Nonsense, " said Toval Newmanl, repositioning his glasses. He stopped, sliding an eye at the decor as beautiful as the gods themselves. "Lord Blackwood is without a doubt a talent that needs to be cultivated."

"He's a third Circle."

"So were you once upon a time. Did your government toss you to the wolves? Did they have you raped merely to conceive us a child of similar talent?" Toval smirked, looking at that incredulous face. "I assure you. If not for your family and the mere fact that we wanted to fully cultivate your talent. We might have."

"He's right," said Vaiga darkly. "They do the same thing in prisons. You've no idea the amount of talent housed within the underground prison. Cedric's family is actually responsible for it. They encourage such action amongst the mongrels there. And once the men have planted their seed, the women are escorted out for nine months before they are shipped back for the process to repeat."

"That's sick…" Said Hilda.

"It's business," Toval remarked. "Why are you so surprised? We essentially do the same thing on the surface. It just has more steps. And the illusion of consent There is a reason, my dear, that marriage is such an uncommon practice amongst the commoners. It's quite an effective system."

"So just because Altair has talent, we are going to give him what he wants?"

Toval slapped her. The blow had been quick, echoing down the halls. "It's exactly that. Or did you think you were special in any other way? With the level of talent Altair possessed, we would have him fuck you if he so pleased. Learn your place, Commander Strob.

You are an amazing talent. But you are not Altair, who has received an S-Rank skill."

Hilda bit her teeth, tasting the metallic tinge of blood glazing down her tongue. She was still stunned, still reeling before the anger overflowed from her chest. Her Seven Circle lit the palace halls, slashing across Toval like blades of grass.

"Enough," snapped Admiral Darkfire, noticing Talia standing patiently outside the Throne Room Doors. "Or did you all forget we are in Altairs Palace? I'm sure such a place has the capability to kill us all. I saw it not only move quadrants but also create multiple stars and moons. Not to mention, a Soul King lives in this land. I might have gotten stronger, but so has she. And by a lot."

Observing their every action while her master saw through her eyes, Talia remained poised outside the door. Neither smiling nor expressing much emotion, she said nothing towards the three as they approached and heralded them in addressing each of their names towards her Master.

Altair studied Toval, an Eight Circle warrior. He was not impressed. Compared to Roxas, Davos, or Ignus, be it Toval's aura, his poised demeanor, or his intent, all of it felt unnaturally weak.

Toval was thoroughly shaken, welcomed by the ungodly Spiritual Pressure weighing on his soul like a mountain. He was stunned that such an aura was emanating from a boy, barely a man of the Third Circle.

Name: Altair Blackwood

Mana Circle: [Forth Circle 1%]

Class: [Prince of the Vale II Lv 1]

Strength: 605 ? 900

Dexterity: 611 ?860

Constitution: 632 ?880

Wisdom: 648 ? 900

Charisma: 600 ? 900

Mana: 250

Despite not having access to the Origin System for nine years, Altair had the Ninth Form with him as his companion.

Poised upon his throne, the Prince pulled his eyes away from Toval to Hilda. He frowned, opening his palm, conjuring a wisp of Vale Qi. That shattered into embers much like the invocation of a spell. It faded into the ether, forming into substance around Hilda, mending her busted lip in the blink of an eye.

"Have some self-worth," he told her, gliding his eyes towards Vaiga with Endymion in her hand. The sword his Father had forged for him when he was but a boy, or so Tenebrae claimed.

The Prince nearly broke into a smile, barely controlling his emotions through the Soul of the Indomitable. He was thankful to his uncle, who had granted him such a skill. Without it, he was unsure what manner of monster he might have become.

"Is that for our Lord," said Aurora in place of her Master.

Toval forced a smile, studying the shadows that wore their auras like cloaks. Despite his superior senses, they felt like ghosts.

"We—" Before he could answer, Altair was beside him, standing in front of Darkfire. Neither of them saw when he moved or how he moved. Whether it was a movement art or if he merely walked to her, they could not tell.

Vaiga was especially startled, finding her throat dry as Altair offered out his arm. She gulped, placing the sheath blade into his hand.

And once again, he was on his throne. The blackened sword had already been slid out of its scabbard. The blade was exquisitely forged, reaching a level of mastery it made Shadowclaw look like a simpleton in comparison.

Despite Tenebrae's words, Altair could not sense the hells echoing from the blade. Rather, he felt an incredible sharpness embedded in the blade's edge. He smiled, channeling neither mana nor Vale Qi but his spirit into the blade.

Endymion hummed, unveiling sword intent that seemed as transcendent as the lord gripping it. As if a sovereign God touched their plane of existence, a horrible sensation of authority fluttered the air as the Aspect of Rule locked space down. Holding everyone in place, Hilda, Toval, and Vaiga stood petrified for so many different reasons.

"Congrats, my Master," said his pale knights.

"Rule," The Prince commanded, clenching the handle of Endymion, overwhelmed by the synergy between sword and man as if the blade was part of him. Vale Qi began to channel itself through the blade without issue, creating a sort of black flame cloak around the blade's edge.

"Seal"

All light vanished, shattering into shards never to exist beneath his Rule. Beneath the endless night, he chuckled, that chuckling turning into laughter, as the light returned to normal with the retrieval of his Spirit from Endymion.

"You did good, Hilda, Vaiga," Altair remarked, sliding Endymion back into his scabbard with a click! "With this sword, I should be able to reach new heights."

Toval gulped. "Lord Blackwood, might I ask what you intend to do now? Surely, a man of your power might want to settle down or—"

"I will be heading to Babels Tower in about six months. But before that, I think I'll expand my kingdom."

DING! DING! DING!

Startled by the sudden chime of his Holocube, both Vaiga and To looked stunned as a virtual image appeared.

"The Princess! The Princess! Princess Vaiana is dead! The killer is Ser Cedric—" As eyes turned to Altair, his expression was as cold as Ice.

"In the meantime… I'll conquer all of Earth… and paint your rivers red. Ava, seal them."

Light came from the heavens in the form of seven swords striking the earth around Hilda, Vaiga, and Toval in a single instance. Light sprang in a loop, forming a pentagram around the three, freezing them in time and space.

Altair looked cold; sliding Endymion out of his scabbard, he flashed without the slightest hint of hesitation, his sword matching his speed. It took off Toval's head without the slightest deviation for hesitation.

The stroke was so precise and swift no pain echoed through his mind as it cut to black. His blade pieced through the heart of Vaiga and Hilda thereafter before a fraction of a second passed. Explore more stories at ???

He was out of his throne room, moving towards the rift within the dining hall, collecting the three souls without a hint of emotion. He ignored the chime of his system, alerting him of the dozens of levels he obtained.

Aurora followed after him, taken back. "I didn't think you'd go so far."

"I don't have time for political games. Earth is weak. So I will take it as my own."

"And Genesis."

"If they want to stop me, they had better send a God."

As Altair walked out of the Dimensional Rift, a hailstorm of gunfire came and stopped mid-air, as Aurora intoned Shadow Cage. Her Prince stepped out, glancing at all the humans with the Eyes of Sacrilege.

One by one, the guns and blades turned on each of the drones before the machines had the time to process what had happened. They were cut down.

"And Syris, my Lord? What if—"

"She had a night to recover mentally. I don't mean to force her hand, but if she's smart, she'll hurry to inform the GCA. She better work fast… Or else no one will be alive by the time I'm done."

"Master… you're quite the menace!" Said Talia, laughing. "Can I join?"

"You can handle the Aros Family. You've got an hour to inform me of their extermination." Altair turned his eyes to the horizon.

"ALTAIR!!!!!!"

At the sound of the hollar, two beams of light whisked from across the horizon, cutting through the battlefield. They arrived on one knee, their auras like fire and ice, harmonizing with the other.

"Thanatos, Zagreus, rise."

The two looked up, measuring the Spiritual energy radiating out of his body like a mountain, and obeyed.

"It's good to see you two. Very good indeed," Altair said warmly, patting the two on the shoulders. "Unfortunately, this isn't the time for pleasantries. As of today, I am taking Earth as my own. I've just killed Vaiga and will attempt to summon her soon. A ninth Circle will do us well."

Neither Thaan nor Zagreus showed much expression.

"I want you two by my side as we storm the palace. Try not to kill too many people. After all, there are going to be my citizens soon. Now, shall we commence with my rebellion?"