Shadow of the Abyss

Altair hadn't been certain how long he'd watch the ensuing chaos spread across his eyes—long enough that when he caught himself, the Mana of Heaven and Earth had coalesced, reaching out from the Ethereal Realm into the physical. Seismic tremors came and went, growing more frequent, splintering the asphalt into intricate webs as buildings tumbled.

Those who saw to photograph the chaos rather than flee died, their screams reaching up towards his vantage on the thirtieth floor.

"What have you done?" A cold and sweet voice cut across the rim of his ear. Altair turned an eye to the female, unbothered by her beauty. He glanced at the stranger behind her, then offered her a seat that could fit only one more beside Atelia.

The man, standing tall like a sentinel, frowned, his silence dark with unspoken tension.

"Lady Morrigan," he said. "Please."

Morrigan lowered herself onto the chair, feeling a sense of discomfort as she noticed the girl with striking amethyst eyes gazing up at her intently. The girl's large, beady eyes seemed to peer into Morrigan's with an unspoken innocence that left her with a feeling of wanting to poke at her cheeks.

"Big Sis, do you want Ice cream?" Atelia asked, lifting her half-empty cup of multicolored ice cream.

"What flavor is it?"

Atelia beamed. "Birthday Cake"

Morrigan lifted an intrigued brow. "That's a flavor?"

"Of course. Or do you prefer something like mango or coconut?"

Altair was surprised by Morrigan's interaction with Atelia. He noticed that Morrigan's demeanor had softened considerably, which was quite unexpected given her usual cold self—not that he knew her much. Even her tone was markedly different.

"Would it be fine if I had a taste? I could just order one myself."

"And what if you don't like it?" Atelia said disapprovingly. Mama said that one should never waste food." She scooped out a small spoonful and offered it to Morrigan.

Morrigan elegantly swept her fingers through the unkempt locks of her hair, delicately tucking a stray strand behind her ear with a graceful movement of her hand. " Then, if you don't mind, " She accepted a spoonful, her cheeks blushing as she smiled. "Oh my! It's yummy!"

"Right!"

"Morrigan!" Salizar hissed, warning in his tone.

Morrigan sighed, unable to escape the pest at her heel. She gave Atelia an apologetic smile before shifting her attention to Altair. Her soft demeanor dissipated into a somberness, befitting her status.

Atelia sensed the change and grew silent. Explore more at empire

"What have you done to this world?"

"Without the permission of the Golden Crucible," Salazar added, arms folding off to the side.

Altair ignored Salazar, his attention on Morrigan. "I agreed on the fusion of Earth with Gaia. The Twelve Olympian Gods are sure to be present upon Earth in no time."

"Who gave you the right?" Salazar once again interrupted. Unaware of the disrespect that was displayed before the Emperor. He continued. "Earth had finally come beneath our control. And yet you dare—"

The storm of profane force that caught the air beneath its merciless grip had stolen the lives of most present within the bar as Altair Presence was unveiled. The killing intent he held at bay reached the heavens, staining the morning skies a pitch black.

Ghastly wails of the dead, of those slain by his hands, rose across aimless space. Their translucent bodies writhed uncontrollably, clawing and lashing mindlessly as the lingering intent left beneath their bodies came into being beneath the Emperor's smoldering gaze.

Salizar resisted the innate sensation of stepping back. He was a Ninth Circle possessing a higher state of being, yet even he was shaken by the killing intent that left him damn near breathless. Unlike his, Altair's Presence was tempered, possessing an edge that had been forged through blood.

Morrigan, however, did not appear surprised. Invisible to beings like Salizar, who hadn't experienced the passage of Samsara. Morrigan could vaguely perceive the presence of Altair's active Spirit Domain. He'd seemed proficient.

Amongst the Golden Crucible members, there were only a handful who were proficient in the manipulation of the Spirit. Trained by the Old Gods with the sole purpose of being tempered by the Myriad Heavens.

"Forgive Salazar's insolence," Morrigan said dryly.

After a moment's pause, Altair aura receded into the depths of his being.

"This is the second time," Altair said softly. He closed his eyes, opening them with a coldness that bore no humanity. "Have him out of my empire before light dawns across this hemisphere."

Morrigan hesitated and said. "His words are The Goddess of Rot's words."

"Then perhaps I should have him killed now. To spare myself the annoyance later?" Altair suggested, no sooner as Hilda and Vaiga materialized, their arms poised above the hilt of their blades. He looked at Morrigan, too disdainful to give Salazar one final glance.

"You'd die,' Morrigan said.

"Need I call the Devil of the Nine Hells to my side as well?"

At the mention of Tasha, Morrigan's eyes dilated with fear that she tried to hide. Devils, especially Devils of Royal Blood, were on another level compared to those of the Myriad Heavens. As she was now, the prospect of defeating Tasha was but a fool's mission.

"Leave us, Salazar," Morrigan said without much deliberation. "You've failed to control your arrogance. Be sure to tell the Goddess of Rot of your failure. Perhaps you might have the honor to be defiled by her hands."

Salizar was pale, though certainly not out of fear, but humiliated, deterred by the tremors writhing across his shoulders, down to his arms. Without a sound, he left, unsure what awaited him.

"Are you curious as to why I would risk control over Earth by merging Earth with Gaia?" Altair proceeded to ask, his tone light. He glanced at Vaiga and Hilda, gesturing for them to leave for the time being.

"You're confident."

"True. Very much true," Altair smiled lazily. "How'd you guess."

"I was once a Goddess of Slaughter," Morrigan said, ignoring the look of intrigue he was giving her. She glanced around at the bodies of the dead, too weak to keep their lives beneath Altair's presence, and sighed, the taste of ice cream still in her mouth. She glanced at Altair, surveying him up and down. "I know a Monster when I sense them.

Young though you may be, no way you'd be that stupid if you didn't have some hidden card. Still…"

"Still?"

"You underestimate the Goddess of Rot."

Altair snickered, his solemn behavior melting away. "I think I've got a better gauge on her than you do." He looked down from his vantage point towards the chaos; the flames roared and licked at the sky, consuming everything in their path. Above the flames, a great crack had formed in the sky, tearing it apart and revealing the stars beyond.

The crack widened with each passing moment as if the very fabric of reality was being rendered asunder. The sight was both mesmerizing and terrifying, leaving him in awe.

"The gods are surely powerful," he said, sensing the crack expanding space in a way that left him confused by how such a thing was possible, if not conceivable.

The mana projecting from the crack was surging, reaching incredible levels. Altair was sure there was little difference between a dungeon and Earth.

"Well…" He said, pulling his gaze away. "What did you want with me?"

"Nothing," Morrigan revealed. "We spent the night here. Salizar inquired about a drink, so we went there. Our meeting was a mere coincidence."

Altair arched a brow. "Why aren't you staying in the Sunset Palace? Surely, you were invited to stay."

"Salazar wanted a report. So I refused."

"And now?" Altair said calmly.

Morrigan gave him a confused look. "I don't understand. You want me within your Palace?"

"I'm not a savage," he laughed. "Have you eaten? I… oh, right. I guess I Killed everyone, eh?"

Raven sighed, giving him a look. "Master is a big dummy."

"That bastard was asking for it," Altair protested, though he had to admit he lost control for a brief second.

Atelia flashed her teeth. "Papa, Atelia can feel the world expanding. It makes Atelia's head spin."

"Huh? You can sense it? How much bigger?"

The Kitsune tilted her head, raising her palm, lifting all five fingers. "This much!"

'Ah! Cute!' Morrigan thought.

Altair flicked her on the nose. "Don't act all cute. You know your number, right?"

Atelia flickered, rending herself through space as if she'd pivoted off her feet, gripping her bruised nose. "Papa struck Atelia! "

The surprise that Atelia had given Altair was far beyond what he'd thought the Kitsune was capable of. Five years might have passed, but the measure in which she bent space seemed almost effortless.

"Atelia is going to tell Mama about you!"

"Oh really? " Altair smiled. "How about I give you all the ice cream? As much as you can find in this—-"

Atelia [blinked], Pushing herself through space, unable to keep herself still. She appeared in the kitchen, eager to claim what was now hers.

Altair and Morrigan sprang into a chorus of laughter as they looked at the shadow of the little girl scurrying through the kitchen like a mouse.