Shadow of the Abyss

'1000 years,' Altair wondered, unable to even imagine the amount of time that really was. It seemed only like words on paper rather than a reality.

He exchanged looks with Tasha before settling his face back on the butler. Tasha seemed to understand because she stood up, spinning on her heel, and said, "Leave. The Young Master will not be seeing anyone."

Anklem practically paled. "Young Master. Allow me to—" his words fell on deaf ears as Tasha conjured a sword forged out of Mana and pressed it against his throat.

"Leave!" Tasha demanded, drawing a sliver of blood.

Anklem froze before retreating a few steps. With a dismissive bow, he left without another word.

Neither Altair nor Tasha spoke until they saw Anklem ordering a few servants to drag Layla away.

"I wasn't sure of Nox's mannerisms or if he has an accent, so I didn't speak," Altair explained.

"We could make up a cover story," said Tasha. "Amnesia or something."

"Maybe…" Altair muttered, unsure. "If there are denizens of Allmor who become vessels to outsiders like us. I can imagine some people are against it. Some who might even go out of their way to kill these offworlders." He glanced at Tasha, who nodded.

"This is correct, my Lord. They're known as Veil Hunters. And I can imagine one will be visiting us soon."

The Young Lord hummed in response, folding his arms. "I get my role is to become Nox. But what is yours?"

Tasha deviously grinned. "To serve you, of course. You see. The Father of Nox made a deal with the hells. He wanted his son to open his eyes again, so he paid a fee."

"A fee?" Altair chuckled dryly. "Funny way of saying he sold his soul."

"Well, I'm not sure what price he paid, but since you awoke as Nox, We fulfilled our end."

"I don't suppose you know who he made a deal with?"

Tasha shook her head. "I only know this much because I awoke in a new body, with someone claiming I was to be the cure to his son's awakening."

"poor bastard"

"He knew what he was signing up for. But what irks me is that the person who directed me to House Nier refused to tell me the price Godrey paid. I know Father is involved somehow, but I don't know how."

"It doesn't matter," Altair affirmed. "What matters now is surviving. If Nox was a Transcendent, then I can't imagine what realm his Father is in. We need information. What happened to Raven and the others?"

Tasha's expression turned awkward as she explained all that occurred after he fell unconscious. Altair was more than surprised as he reached into himself to find Raven. He nearly fell over as he saw her flying through the skies, batting her wings free of worry. However, what alarmed him was the lack of emotions echoing from out of her.

She was very much like a husk. It was indeed as Tasha had described—hollow, without emotion.

"If I summon her, will you be able to take her down?" Altair asked, returning to himself.

"That wouldn't be a problem, but you're forgetting your predicament. We can't make any huge waves yet. At least not without solidifying your identity."

"ahhhh~" He shook his head, wanting nothing more than a cold drink. "I'll see what I can glean from Nox's soul. Maybe it can be of use. Ask around to find out why I'm living like a commoner. Also… Am I allowed to leave? What will happen to this body?"

" There should be no restrictions. When you leave Babel's Tower, you can either leave your husk behind or take it with you. It's up to you," Tasha responded, walking out the door. She smiled and bowed as she closed the door behind her.

"She's going to rape me. I just know it." He scratched his cheek with an unmistakable smile before returning to his bed. His eyes twinkled as he reached into the black lake once more.

"Omnis… I'll name you that from now on. Tell me about Fallen Necromancy. I want to better Master it, but I've no idea where to start."

[Thank you for the name, Master. But to Master Fallen Necromancy, you will need to dive deeper into the Realm of Spirits. You've only Made it 100 meters.]

"It has a depth? How deep is it?"

[Infinite]

****

"He's awake!" shouted the dutchess. "How's that possible? Are you sure!"

"I saw it with my own eyes, mistress," Anklem explained within the common room. "And…"

Lady Corsant Dela Von Nier arched a brow, raising her cup of tea to her lips. "Speak Anklem. Your input has always been appreciated."

"Well…" Anklem hesitated. "I've known the Young Master since he was found in the Sagrem Woods hiding in a hollow tree to escape a Saber Wolf. He was eight then. I've been by his side for nearly five hundred years since. Not once has he ever…" he took a deep breath. "Not once had he ever given me such a look that I felt a wave of cold creep into the marrow of my bones."

"You suspect him to be an Outerworlder?" Lady Corsant asked, with a tremor running across her teacup. Her dark blue eyes twinkled with intrigue, though she gave no other sign of it, masking her thoughts with a noble smile that seemed neither warm nor cold.

Whatever it was, Anklem couldn't tell. He lowered his head, curious if he should have kept his mouth shut. Loose lips always led to rumors, whether they were true or not.

"How is poor Layla?"

"It would seem Tasha's aim was true. She managed to tear out Layla's tongue along with her eyes. The doctors say that the type of energy used made it so that she'll never truly recover. He's not even sure if she'll live past the night."

"Goodness," Corsant muttered, lowering her cup of tea. "Surely there wasn't a need to be so cruel. What happened."

"We'd like to know too,' said Anklem. "Based on the marks, I suspect Tasha is quite adept in the art of torture."

"Contact the family Medarc. And ensure that no rumors escape. The last thing we need is for everyone to know that Nox's Personal Maid tortured someone in the open. Oh… and send word to Nox. Invite him for dinner."

"Not lunch, my lady?" Anklem questioned, glazing at the light peering through the terrace. "Surely it's…"

"If we are to invite a Viell Hunter. Then surely they'll need time to reach the manner." Corsant replied gently. "Ask for an experienced one. And inform the Duke that his son has awakened, though I suspect he already knows." With a lithe step forward, she left the common room as two of her maids followed without sound.

Anklem bowed, suddenly wishing he had kept his mouth shut. He couldn't explain why he felt the way he did, but the feeling grew until he let out a breath of air.

"What am I to do with him? I just hope the Second Young Master takes the news well."

****

"Tsk…" Zelos smacked his lips, glaring at the hologram before him. "I still can't get in contact with your husband. You know where he is?"

Syris blushed. "He is not my husband."

" he is laying it down, right?"

If looks could kill, Zelos would have been besieged by hundreds of particles. That feeling only seemed to intensify at that mischievous smile of triumph he wore

"Yeah. Yall married. Only a wife could give that type of look."

"Or a terribly angry woman." Syris countered. "What is it you want?"

"Aha~" Zelos smiled. "Well, thanks to your husband, not only has he gotten me what I dreamed of, but even my Father feels like he owes Altair a favor. In form him wherever he is, the Archon of Bios has added him to his list of selective guests for any party he so desires."

Syris's expression shifted. "Really?"

"Syris, I cannot state the level of power my Father, as Archon wields for it beyond anything you or I can imagine. His words are not to ever be taken lightly. Inform your husband, but tell him to tread lightly. I can't imagine the backlash to what he asked me to do is going to be light."

Just then, Syris's Hologram flickered as a new face joined the call. "Is that Zelos? You little fucker, where did you run off to! You got my money!" Arsene demanded as the call went dead, to his amusement.

Syris tilted her head, glancing at Arsene, smiling. "He owes you money?"

"Yup. Quite a few Soul Coins. Nothing big, at least not to me, it's not. He's been ducking my calls for nearly a decade." His smile widened as he threw his hands behind his head.

"You don't seem like you actually care."

"I don't, but it's fun to mess with him. Zelos is a man of pride, or so his blood demands. Watching the turmoil on his face is hella enjoyable." Arsene explained, releasing a yawn. He shot an eye at Syris and said, "I'm a little bored. Care for a training session?"

"You serious?"

"Ya boy, Arsene is all about bully… I mean training the new generation, especially when you lack a true master. Zariel and I can help you out for a while. Not like we have anything else going for us."

"... Don't you have a daughter and another son?"

"Yup, but Iza and Ves are an odd duo because they awoke much faster than Altair. Altair didn't. Thought it might be due to the Lake Of Rot. They don't need me as much." He smiled with a most curious gleam in his eyes. "That seemed to have changed. And I'm a little curious what an Awakened being like you can do.

Altair did make you his saintess."