Shadow of the Abyss

Altair had awoken writhing as if a seismic wave had come to topple his house. His fingers dug into the bedding as his Sword Maid devoured his morning wood. He gripped her head, his mind spinning faster than he could perceive, planting his seed deep in her throat. He groaned, a trail of sweat gliding down his brow to soak his pillow.

"Fuck!"

Tasha's face was flushed as she cleaned his manhood, finally laying it to rest beneath his robe.

"Done!" she said, though the hungry look in her eyes suggested she wanted to be mounted and fucked.

Altair wasn't sure whether he should be angry or impressed, but he found himself yearning for Syris's tender lips back home. If she were here, then perhaps he would feel at peace. It had been far too long since he had last laid his eyes upon her.

"What is your true name?" he asked suddenly, without much thought. Devils all had a public name and a private name known only to them and, in rare cases, their parents, given to them by the Nine Hells. Most devils hid their true names as a way to protect themselves against attacks or becoming thralls.

"I…" Tasha was perturbed. She hadn't been ready to hear such a question that was more sacred than her body. To any young devil, their true name was the most private thing about them. The very identity that could shatter their sense of self.

"Gremory knows it, right?"

All Tasha could do was nod, and for the first time in eons, she felt her face burn with shame.

Altair rose leisurely, a bit more strength coursing through his body than yesterday. He readjusted his robes and glanced at his Sword Maid when he was done.

"I…I… I'm not trying to hide it from you," Tasha said hastily to avoid any misunderstanding. "It's just… embarrassing."

"Devils feel embarrassment?" That made him smile. "Now I've seen everything."

"It's not like that, your grace! It's just… It's just that I've never—"

The sounds of steps ended the conversation. Medusa sauntered in after a few knocks with a cup of tea that smelt oddly sweet. Altair's pores opened as if to breathe in the fragrant aroma it carried.

It smelt of tranquility.

"I've brought you Tea of the Elysium Root, your Grace," she said, offering it to him with the sweetest smile. "Careful, it's hot."

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[In close proximity to Elysium Root, the Circle Gluttony has increased mana refinement by 60%]

Almost immediately, Altair felt the immense difference, and he hadn't even consumed it. Unconsciously, he gulped, lifting the ceramic cup to his lips.

The tea was vaporous, existing as water and gas at the same time, seamlessly flowing down his throat. It warmed his belly, turning the four circles in his heart.

For nearly ten miles, the Mana of Almore became like a storm dashing through his meridians. Almost greedily, the Circle of Gluttony devoured what it touched, fueling Altair's Circle.

[Fifth Mana Circle has Increased by 0.5%]

[Fifth Mana Circle has Increased by 0.5%]

[Fifth Mana Circle has Increased by 0.5%]

[Fifth Mana Circle has Increased by 0.5%]

…

As the string of notifications swarmed Altair's vision, he shook, hastily trying to direct the Mana into the most optimal path, but it was as if he was a boy before a maelstrom. The Mana was beyond what he could control in his weakened state.

"Don't worry about controlling it, Master," Medusa said. "Elysium Root is a Holy Root that has never killed any who consumed it. Look…" She pointed to his forearms, slowly becoming overrun by moss. "For the next few days, that moss will grow, containing the energy to keep you from going boom."

Altair couldn't believe it. "A hundred years of cultivation… just like that. With just one cup of Tea." yet the immense rise in cultivation said otherwise.

[Fifth Circle: 59% → 69%]

"Medusa, this is amazing! I could kiss you!"

The snake woman jumped like a frightened cat to her tippy toes. "N-n-n-not necessary, my Lord!"

Her reaction placed a smile on everyone's face.

"I misspoke." He said, offering her a palm instead. "Thank You."

Medusa beamed, accepting his hand. "You're welcome, your Grace."

***

A day later, when Altair had regained a portion of his strength, he called forth Therion. The Shadow who had allowed himself to be captured.

He had perished a few hours after Tasha had rescued him from captivity. Altair hadn't much on him but assured him he would be compensated for his sacrifice. Though Therion only smiled, asking only for the honor to serve his Master.

"There is no greater honor than to die in your name, your grace." he'd said, though the young king did not take no for an answer.

A week after he had recovered a third of his original power, he sent a raven to the Castilian of Inka to prepare a banquet for his Pale Knight.

He had Tasha detail the things Therion would like as they shared the same origins. He figured she would be able to grasp what he wanted.

When he heard the debauchery Tasha had planned for him, he laughed, asking, "Can a man drown in pussy?"

The Lilm grinned. "you can always bring him back.

They left Ravine Fort a day later on horseback after the Medarc had told him he was healthy enough to ride, though notably, he was forbidden from holding a sword, much less casting even the simplest of spells.

That hadn't pleased the Young King. Lord, though he might be, Medusa's warning glare made him a boy again.

So he focused on absorbing as much Mana as his body allowed to break into the Fifth Circle, where one connected to the Heavens. Altair didn't want to do that. Instead, he wanted to further connect himself to the Vale. What that entailed, he could not say.

The ride back to the Golden Fork had been peaceful. Whenever the Young Master felt tired, they'd rest for about an hour before returning to the streets. All the while, they were on the lookout for monsters or bandits. The Young Lord hadn't forgotten his original intent, having Alyssa and Therion occasionally go out to stalk the night, returning the following dawn drenched in blood.

On the third day along the Golden Fork, Alyssa said," Master… It's kind of strange that there are so many bandits. These bandits aren't well-trained. Most of them are Fifth Circle, without any foundation. The ones that aren't are leaders."

"They die easily, so who cares?" Therion said, holding the reins tight to his mare. "It's not our problem if these idiots skip six realms to start in the Sixth Circle. Fuck 'em. It's an easy kill."

"Is this a common thing in Almore?" Alyssa asked, not letting it go. "It seems harmful that the king of these lands would allow such a thing."

"Harmful?" Altair laughed. "It's rather brilliant if you ask me. Not everyone can be like us. They don't have that type of talent or skill. Look at me. I cultivate through all levels of my Circle, reaching level 175.

That takes skill with a sword; worse, it also takes resources and lives. Not everyone wants to be a killer. Some people just want the boost to their lifespan or the strength to survive each day."

The two Shadows looked startled.

"Not to mention, each Circle One Gains counts as an evolution," Tasha tacked on. "It's a quick way to raise the quality of the next generation."

The sound of shuffling footsteps up ahead ended the conversation. A mile from their position, a small gathering of bandits huddle along the road. They didn't seem to notice Altair and his party, lost in deliberation.

"Are we selling children now?" one of them asked.

A gnarled face man snarled. "It's just another cunt for the nobles to fuck. It ain't our fault her Father abandoned her.

"This is kidnapping!" A child's voice thundered. "Papa will hear of this!"

Alyssa frowned, glancing at Altair. "Doesn't that sound like…"

"Atelia?" Altair finished.

"Atelia? The Kitsune?" Tasha exploded in laughter, her gaze piercing through the various bodies to the small child with large almond-shaped eyes and snow-white hair. Arms to hips, she glared at the crowd of bandits.

"Ya can't sell Atelia! She has to find Papa! Super Uncle Papa said Atelia needs to spend time with her Papa!"

'Super Uncle Papa?' Altair repeated, his lids twitching. "Who the hell is that?"

Medusa giggled. "It's your Father, silly. He has been playing with Atelia. He said they remind him of his dragon twins—two cuties." She reddened as if remembering something. "Their cheeks are so soft."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"God Damned It! ATELIA!" He shouted,

The foxy-eared girl tipped her eyes through the crowd of bandits, a smile brandishing her face as she Blinked through the ten strangers right into his arms.

"PAPA!!!! ATELIA RAN AWAY!" the young girl said proudly. "Atelia did good?"

Therion glared at the young thing while the women all laughed.

"Of course you did good!" Alyssa affirmed. "You found your Papa!"

Tasha nodded. "That's rather impressive."

The Ashen-Haired Young Master's brows twitched as he patted her head, unsure if he should be furious or happy that his Father tricked his daughter into running away.