Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 93: Leveling II

Fifteen miles beneath the surface of Rim, stagnant air brushed against the recruit's grim faces as they stood before a large gate of swirling mana. They gulped, tightening their grip around their swords, daggers, rapiers, glaives,  and bows, their hearts thumping with forewarning. It would be the first time many would see blood, the first time they'd take a life.

At the helm, Borris stood, his expression hard with a grim sense of duty. On his back, strapped over his surcoat that bore the crest of fire, a greatsword of black iron hung, caged with leather.

"In war, "Borris began, coating his throat with mana so that his voice reached for miles. "There is no such thing as mercy. No such thing as hesitation. Look to your left, and look to your right." His voice thickened. "These are your brothers in arms. Your lifeblood.

The ones who will be there to save you when you least expect it. Show them your back, and they'll give you theirs."

The hearts of the young boots trembled, listening as many gulped, taken by a sense of unity. That made them clench their fist over their chest.

Altair coldly watched, narrowing his eyes. 'What a unique way to manipulate,' he thought, sensing the changes in those around him. Even Laros, who he knew to be entitled, seemed to be struck by the comradery in the air. He grinned.

"Raise your sword, Soldier!" Commander Borris barked, unsheathing his greatsword that blazed a venomous purple flame. " We march, We—"

"KILL!" The Recruits howled.

With his face grim, Borris stepped into the swirling vortex as recruits followed.

When it finally came time for Laros and his team. Altair said nothing of the formation. And as he suspected, Laros had positioned him to act as infantry while Laros and Leonie stood a meter back on each of his ends, with Oliva wielding her plasma rifle in the center.

Vincent and Kalvar merely watched. They'd only act when death was certain.

Stepping through the dungeon into a large grove as far as the eyes could see, the sweet scent of blood whipped over Altair's nose. He reached for his shield belt, activating it as a rain of arrows barreled towards him, shattering as they struck the protective bubble.

"Shield Belts!" Altair shouted, allowing his belt to take the first wave before he took in all the blood of ligaments sprawled about the ground.

[Welcome to the Grove of Estelle ]

[Quest: Dark Mage De'govatda and his rebel army of goblins have taken over the Gove of Estelle, enslaving the gnomes to do their bidding. Slay De'govata and free the Gnomes.]

Restriction: Four Hours

No time to worry about the system message, Altair scanned the red battlefield, catching sight of various rookies doing their best to slaughter as many goblins as possible in the limited amount of time given.

When Altair took note of the cavalry of goblins on horseback charging from the east, counting nearly a hundred, an overwhelming sense of shock struck many of his crew as they turned silent, taking in the blood bath. He frowned, seeing the discord of the battlefield.

Everyone was scattered, fighting their own battles without the use of larger formations.

'Art…' Ren whispered on his shoulder. 'Your eye is flashing red. Are you ok?'

Unable to lie, as the grueling flashes of hunger sent pangs through his spine, he didn't answer. Not in front of the others watching.

"Altair! To the east! Attack!" Laros commanded. "Hit the calvary. Olivia, cover him!"

Unsheathing his sword, Altair tossed it into the air as Ren lunged from his shoulder, gripping the sword that stood like a greatsword in her mouth. She darted forward like a speeding bullet cutting through horse and goblin in a stroke, staining the grass a luscious red.

"What the hell!" The others yelled.

"What? Did you think I just had her for no reason?" Altair asked, and before anyone could ask what weapon he'd use. Moonlight dripped from the void into his palm, congealing into a black blade of night.

When, without warning, Altair kicked off the ground, shattering the earth beneath his feet. He bolted after Ren.

Arcs of sword light danced, cutting and weaving, spewing blood in a symphony of death, until he arrived by her side once more, drenched in blood. He licked his lips, starved.

Laros watched, petrified, unable to understand how a First Circle soldier like Altair could move the way he did. In less than seven seconds, Altair had already cut down twelve goblins. And his pup, ten.

"What the hell are you doing?" Leonie barked, dashing after Altair, channeling mana into her special eyes, and from within her perception, the world began to still.

[Dual Pupils (E): Time Dilation Active]

Afterimages shadowed her image as one by one. Her spear began to steal life from whatever greyish beast that caught her eye. Leonie lunged forward like a beast, executing her spearmanship with practiced abandon. She tried to catch up to Altair, trying to find him, but more and more goblins began to swarm her.

Wounds began cutting across her flesh as her spear whirled to defend and attack when a beam of light shrieked past her, cutting a blood path towards the scarlet prince bathing in ruby red blood.

The hearts of Vincent and Kalvar tightened in their chests, watching the manner in which his blade danced. It was as if they were watching a whirlwind of semi-arcs carving a path out.

'He's too far out." Vincent said.

"More like too far gone… what a monster." Kalvar retorted, fascinated by the way Altair's blade swept through life as though it were meaningless. And then his gaze landed on Ren, covering Altair.

"Altair retreat!" Laros shouted as he stabbed his blade forward, coated in phoenix flames. A gale of flames tore through the eastern side of the grove, hurling itself towards Altair.

"Ren!"

Towards her Prince's command, Ren bore her teeth towards Laros's flame. Blood-red flames erupted in a baptism of fire, spreading like wildfire throughout the grove, that only seemed to intensify as a powerful shockwave of the two flames clashed.

[Calvary Goblin Felled. Exp Gained]

[Calvary Goblin Felled. Exp Gained]

[Calvary Goblin Felled. Exp Gained]

[Calvary Goblin Felled. Exp Gained]

[Calvary Goblin Felled. Exp Gained]

…

Altair stabbed his moonlit sword into the earth to hold his ground, bearing the shockwave with the help of his Almighty Resistance that came like a battery ram to his chest. The same couldn't be said for the others as they were pushed off their feet, barrel-rolling over the muddy grass.  Altair moved, like an apparition, through the falling ash and flames, sinking his fangs into a goblin.

[Calvary Goblin Felled. Exp Gained]

[Level Up]

Draining the beast in half a second, Altair tossed the withered carcass aside as the sicking blood of the filthy creature curbed his hunger. He smiled, feeling some sanity return to him.

[Soul of the Indomitable (F) proficiency has increased by 5%]

Proficiency: 86% ? 96%

"Altair…" Ren coldly said, channeling blood-stained flames around her fur while layers of scarlet ice padded after her every step.

"I know." He told her, allowing his piercing gaze to land upon Laros. Coldness festered like rot in his eyes. "There was no way I would have been able to dodge that flame attack in time," He smirked. " that bastard tried to kill me. But I'll let it be. No need to react on every attempt."

Like Jor Silmar, his time would come. The Prince stepped through the ashes of flames and dismissed his dark moon blade. He walked up to Leonie, offering her a hand to, which she accepted. He lifted her to her feet, eyeing the nicks and bruises that would heal in a few hours. "You good?"

"Yeah. I saw the blast coming. But you…" Her voice trailed off as the approaching Laros, flushed with rage, stepped forth.

"It's quite alright. I know. "

"What the hell was that!" Laros barked, clenching Altair by the jerkin. "I told you to retreat! Not destroy the battlefield! Look what you've done!" he pointed towards the vast wreckage, billowing with the ashes of goblins and their steeds. "You could have killed—"

"Laros." Altair interrupted, his piercing stare like a winter breeze. "We both know what you tried to do." His gaze swept past Laros to Vince, Kalvar, and Olivia, fast approaching. Unsure if they were close enough to see what occurred. "And if I were you… I'd shut it unless you want to see who's faster. My sword or your flames."

Releasing his hold, Laros snorted. "This isn't over." He said, storming off, but not before shooting Ren a dark look.

"Quite the little bitch isn't he." Leonie mused. "Are you hurt? That was quite the explosion."

Altair lifted Ren into his arm, her fur matted with blood. "I'm all good, thanks to little Ren."

"I'd say!" Kalvar shouted. "What type of wolf is she? To stop phoenix flames blessed by the gods is… Monstrous! I heard she can talk too!"

"Oh… I forgot that secret was out." Altair mulled over, nodding. "Say hi, Ren."

"Hmph." She snorted, unwilling to be paraded around like a zoo animal. She was better than that.

o((>?< ))o

'Again?' the Prince wondered, staring at the peculiar emoji. "What are you?"

(?? 3?)?

"...nevermind."

"What was that?" Leonie said, glancing over her shoulder.

"Do you want me to heal you?" Altair inquired, pointing the finger at the flesh wounds over her cheeks, neck, arms, torso, and thigh. "Who knows if those blades of these goblins were clean or not."

"Please," Leonie accepted, curious of his abilities. She watched Altair brush his thumb against her cheek, warm and gentle as though she was his lover. And slowly, a benevolent warmth tingled for a brief moment, for less than a breath, turning her cheeks rosy as she stifled a moan. He soon touched her neck, shoulder, arms, torso, and thigh, mending her wounds in a heartbeat.

When he was done, Leonie was flushed like a rose and short of breath.

"W-W-What was that…" she moaned in a somnolent voice, weak to the knees from his tantalizing touch. "That was amazing." She heard herself say, only to jerk herself awake. "I mean, thank you!"

[Hands of Nirvana [E] proficiency has increased by 1%]

Proficiency 0% ? 2%

'Right!" Altair vibrantly rejoices. And for a but a moment, he seemed like a boy.

"Hurry it up!" Laros spat, beside Olivia. Wondering how he could get rid of this thorn. "It has been less than ten minutes. And we've got a lot of ground to cover."