Shadow of the Abyss

But Altair could not fault them. After all, who doesn't grab the ice water when they are in hell?

The villagers saw hope. They saw life! And better yet, they saw freedom from the Demons. Altair was sure they'd sell their souls if they could if it meant being free from this nightmare. And what he was offering was more valuable than food and water.

In a matter of days, Altair had taken the time to transport just about anyone willing to join. There had been a few who'd refused, claiming that generations of their families lived in these lands. And that they'd rather die than leave.

Altair didn't force it. Nor was he willing to compel them into leaving. If he wanted slaves, he'd have purchased slaves or enthralled the entire village. Like Reina had suggested he do.

"Fear sure is a powerful thing," Reina silently mulled over studying the desolate village. "A little over a hundred people gone just like that."

Altair nodded weakly. It had taken quite a bit out of him to use [Dimensional Rift] and maintain it for over thirty minutes.

Practically flopping to the floor, he yawned, feeling a great sense of fulfillment at the prospect of creating a dynasty that would last for hundreds of thousands of years. Millions, if cultivated correctly.

Reina had never seen him so happy and content; Altair was practically beam just about every day now.

Kirr, Jorm, and Talia were getting the villagers situated, clearing out the mine they found so many years ago of monsters. While Aurora was aiding with logistics, creating various itemized lists, Altair might need in the future. Though she'd suggest he purchase a few drones to survey land. It was all a complicated affair that took nearly a week for Altair to sniff through.

But the villagers were happy, which made Altair happy. The Serpent's Outreach was very fertile, so he didn't have to worry about the villagers starving. Still, the Outreach wasn't exactly the safest area.

"Alright." Altair laid out. "Zag. Thanatos. We're leaving. Tell me where the Portal is."

The former Gods glanced at one another as if to confirm something. Seemly coming to an agreement, Thanatos spoke, "We'll tell you after you see, Lady Iliana."

Altair frowned at the mention of Iliana. He'd nearly forgotten about her. These past six months, nearly seven, he'd not seen so much as a heard whisper from her. He didn't even know where she was.

"The Commander?" Said Nia, biting at her nail, recalling the woman who rarely took to the field despite how many times she begged. Iliana was cold as ice, unbothered by the countless deaths. It was as if none of it had anything to do with her.

"I guess it's about time." Altair stood to his feet, a little hesitant in his heart. He was still a bit hesitant about this so-called master of his. It was just a feeling, but Altair truly felt like Iliana was only teaching him out of obligation rather than…

'Rather than out of what?' he thought, wondering what he expected from Iliana.

Thanatos led the way, and Altair couldn't have been more furious to find a cottage a few hundred meters from his.

"Son of bitch! Why the hell didn't she visit!"

"I should be asking you that, you little shit." Snapped Iliana, wrenching her door open; her pristine white mask dawned over her silvery white hair; she strutted out, circling the boy who towered over her. "No bow?"

Altair grumbled but bowed nevertheless, followed by Reina, Thanatos, and Zagreus. Only Nia and Alyssa remained standing, confused.

"You're nearly healed. " she said, taking his wrist. "I'm curious… what did you learn out of this entire ordeal? Losing Forwin and Aria? I'm sure there is a lesson in there somewhere."

"To not pin hope on others," Altair answered, his voice hard like a sliver of ice. " I entered a world believing I understood it based on books. But there had been a hidden game beneath the shadows. The Sword of the King tricked not just me but the entirety of the realm. Such a betrayal could have been life-ending if Fat Mike, Edwin, and Cedric were not there. I'll not rely on other any—"

She flicked him. "Idiot. There is a difference between relying on strangers and relying on those who've sworn to you their sword. Don't be like you're Father. A true king has those who are loyal to a fault. Those he can believe in.

You trust Reina, right?"

Altair nodded almost immediately.

"And Tenebrae."

Again, he nodded.

"Those are relationships you've built. You had six months to build one with me. But didn't. Why do you think that is?"

For a second, Altair felt a fog begin to clear in his mind, realizing his mistake. He had been so used to being in control of things around him, Iliana, whose personality, while questionable, was without a doubt a powerful asset for him in the future.

'Stupid, Supid, STUPID ME,' he told himself.

"That goes for your Bannermen." Iliana continued, pointing to Thanatos and Zag. "Take care of them. The wisdom they hold is what you make of it. In the Old Era, there used to be a set of people who'd self-reincarnate just to fix past mistakes in cultivation, striving for perfection. They were known as Chaos Lords. Right now, both these two former gods can aid you in so many ways you won't believe."

Altair was reminded of a few weeks ago when Zag instructed him not to use the [Hands of Nirvana], and he unconsciously understood what she meant. He nodded.

"Good. Well, that's all I'll say on the matter." Said Iliana, yawning, "You're trying to leave the village, aren't you right? Well, I won't stop you. But you should know the entire world is after your head. You have her soul, don't you?"

"You knew?" Altair muttered, glancing at Thanatos, but he only shook his head.

"You underestimate the power of your Master, Altair," said Thanatos. "Though I can't blame you. You've yet to understand the principal Schools of the Arcanes. You probably still think of Magic as tool of destruction. When, in fact, they're far more than that."

"Quite right," Zag agreed. "A simple clairvoyant spell, and you might be able to spy on Gods. Well, new gods. Those idiots, much like you, only use Magic to destroy."

"There isn't much I don't know when you aren't wearing your mask." Iliana continued. "You managed to piss off the Realm Lord of this place. And now they want your head. The second those demons learn of your existence, you will die."

"That's why it is imperative to—"

"Leave?" Iliana laughed. "They'll just leave the dungeon to chase after you. You've made an enemy of a Prince of Hell."

'... say what now?"

"Oh? You didn't know. Heralds of Astaroth. You leave to Earth. I promise you you'll be more fucked, than a two-dollar whore. But… You don't have much choice."

"..."

"Umm." Nia raised her hand. "What is going on? Gods? Princes of Hell. What is—"

Zag patted her shoulder, fingers pressed to his lips. "Ssshh~"

"Earth is your safest bet, but the journey there will be a bitch. You've got not just the Demons to worry about but the denizens of Yarwin and the Heralds of Astaroth. They'll be here soon."

"What?" Altair felt his stomach dip.

"Didn't Thanatos tell you to put on your mask? He must have. Oh, let me guess. You figured it was to hide from these little villagers." She was smiling now. "Nope. It was to mask your location.

Your cottage is Warded from prying eyes, but out here in the open—"

Altair turned to Thanatos to confirm.

"I did tell you." He said, shrugging his shoulders. "Those who don't hear, feel."

Conjuring the Shadow Knights, he gave the mental command to slaughter the remaining residence. He couldn't let his secret of the Serpents Outreach get out. The Shadows bowed and took off.

"We're leaving," said Altair. "Now."

***

"Is he there, Witch?" Ser Kisenger snapped, turning to the sunken face of a woman that bore several runic markings over her face, stretching down her neck and onto her arms.

"Ye~s," she hissed like a serpent, licking her thin black lips. " I sense him. The boy is there!" said the Herald; on horseback, she touched the serpent like-demon and her shoulder, which bore seven eyes and three trident-like tongues. Its greyish-red scales seemed to burn, charing the woman's flesh, but it was as if she couldn't feel pain.

Kisenger was disgusted, veering his unsettled hoarse away from the Herald. He turned to his garrison and unsheathed his sword. " leave no one alive!"

The garrison of forty knights all raised their swords that shone a dim light beneath the half moons. Bellowing a war cry, they charged, barreling through the front gates; they frowned, noticing a lack of women and children.

"Where are the men?" Shouted a posh knight galloping up to Ser Kisenger. "Did they make a break for it?"

Kisenger growled. "search the village. No one would be mad enough to venture into the Hell Tide." He said, glaring at the battered structures of houses, barns, and desolate crops. He whirled to the Herald. "You said the boy—"

Suddenly, noticing the angle at which the Herald stood, the Ser Kisenger frowned, opening his mouth, as his head toppled to the floor, rolling beneath the Herald stallion.

The horses all reeled wildly, thrashing back and forth, kicking a few off their backs, shaken by the Sudden emergence of the Obsidian Sword that seemed as ethereal as the moon's glow, bleeding a profane sword intent.

The glimmer of scarlet eyes shone in the dead of night.