Shadow of the Abyss

Altair wiped the sweat off his brow and pulled himself out of Tasha. She squirmed, moaning a delightful sound, her cunt dripping with his seed. It seemed almost endless, pillaring from between her legs onto his bed. The sight alone might have stirred something in the young emperor were he not so tired. Fortunately, Tasha had fainted once more.

She was doing that more and more; each night, Altair bedded her as he found himself experimenting in a way he might not have with Ren or Syris.

The nights were always long, longer, when Nia or Alyssa often found themselves peeping through the door as they were now, with a palm between their legs.

Altair had sworn Tasha to secrecy, forbidding her from even making lewd jokes until he was ready to deal with them.

[Charm 29 → 35]

Parching his throat with a pitcher of water, Altair stared at the System Message, curious about what such an attribute meant. He had half a mind to use his Omniscience to demand the answer but did not allow himself the satisfaction. Not when he had a limited amount of uses pertaining to his ability. He had better things to worry about.

It was still grey and dark when he finished with Tasha, throwing on a tunic and trousers before opening a portal to his serpent's outreach. It had been too long since he had returned, and he needed an answer for the upcoming war.

He found Aurora in his office, asleep at the desk, a sliver of drool on her lips, lord Thanatos at her side, watching.

"That's a little creepy," Altair said, surprising the god of death.

"Your back."

"Not for long. Ten minutes tops," Altair admitted. "Let's talk outside. We wouldn't want to wake her."

Thanatos silently followed after Altair, closing the door on his way out. "What is it?"

"How much do you know about the enemy heading towards Earth?"

"Aerettel? They are a somewhat powerful empire. To my knowledge, they are not a part of the Republic. They keep refusing to join Genisis, choosing to remain independent."

"Independent?" Altair scuffed. "All that tells me is that they simply lack the adequate resources to be deemed important enough."

"True," said Thaan. "But compared to us. They are powerful. Especially with the two allied forces joining them. Intora, and Bavica. They are smaller kingdoms, but they both own multiple solar systems.

When they arrive, we'd be vastly outnumbered."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"What is Zag doing?"

"Zag and Megaera are currently leading two small armies to cut off near the Andromeda Sector. We—"

"Who stands with them?"

Thanatos smiled. "Of course, all of Olympus, your grace. Have you ever heard of the Spartans?" Altair blinked; he could vaguely recall them in Earth's history. "They are extinct amidst the Old Era of Earth, but in Gaia, their culture and kingdom still live proudly. Artemis and Athena gave the command, and they came running. Same with the Amazonians alongside a dozen others."

"And the Ilvarians?" Altair questioned.

"That's a troubling one, Your Majesty," Thaan admitted. "They have the potential, but we need to give them time. A year at minimum to adapt. Two to master everything. They are a fiercely intelligent race, comparable to the Ilthads, but if we are to use them wisely, we need to cultivate them. It's too early to ship them off to the battlefield."

Altair tried not to laugh, finding that peculiar glow in Thanatos's eyes to be quite amusing. If he didn't know the man, he might have thought him excited about the prospect of war.

"You've never reaped an Ilvarian, have you?" he asked, peering right through the man.

Thanatos flushed, coughing into his palm. "Well… They were extinct when I was born."

"Aha~ Well, good work. Tell me when Zag makes first contact with the enemy. I'd actually like to hear the details later. And don't be frightened to purchase ships. I'm sure Zelos can find us some terrifying weaponry with his level of authority on Genisis."

With a cruel smile, Thanatos nodded. "Already done, my Lord. You needn't worry about this war. Once they see the banner of their felled brethren…" he stopped shaking with a fever Altair had never seen. "Anway, I must be going.'

Bidding his farewells to Thanatos, Altair thought of his father and uncle before hurrying back through the portal. He had a smile, closing the rift behind Tasha, who'd somehow managed to fall off the bed. She seemed to be on a bed of sea foam by the way his seed continued to flow.

"What are you doing?" He asked, looking at her silly smile.

"How are you so good?" she asked, unsure why the sting of his touch still resounded through her body.

Altair himself couldn't explain it. He had noticed it ever since he had awakened his Omniscience. He was a lot more ruthless than he previously believed. Colder than what he thought he could stomach. Skills and Techniques he once struggled to learn seemed almost meaningless beneath his Omniscience.

A knock came at the door. Altair frowned, tossing a blanket onto Tasha from his bed, and said, "Enter."

Anklem sauntered in, lowering his head with a letter in hand. "Forgive the intrusion. A letter has arrived from Viscount Vadica, your grace." Find exclusive stories on empire

"Already?" Altair smiled. "What's it say?

'Young Master?" Anklem asked. A sudden jolt of shock lanced across his spine.

"You've read the letter, haven't you? Tell me what does it say." Altair calmly voiced. "I've eyes everywhere, Anklem. You needn't try to lie. Please…"

"Young Master I—"

"Don't make my Master repeat himself!" Tasha snapped, with an obscene expression she tried making serious. She failed spectacularly, causing Altair to chuckle, gesturing her to be silent.

It wasn't hard to figure out that a letter the Dutchess would have any Anklem read his mail, especially with his recent behavior.

Anklem swallowed hard when he remembered the scent of sex in the air. He reddened at the familiar pheromones penetrating his being. "I… TheViscountt has explained that there are traitors in his midst and that he will deliver them to you."

"Will he now," Altair hummed. "Send a condolence letter then."

Tasha laughed, though Anklem turned a shade paler. "Young Master, that—"

"And informed my Father's Vessels of this assassination attempt. I'm curious to see how they'll react. They should all either be on their way towards the manner after learning I've awakened or… scheming with theViscountt." he gave the butler a long stare that sent a chill down to the marrow. "What are you waiting for? Hurry along. I'm not as patient as I used to be."

When he was gone, Altair snapped, summoning Nia, Alyssa and Therion. "Spread out and tell me what you've learned. I want you to observe those brave enough to watch me."

Nia frowned, those strange dual pupils of hers shimmering fiercely. "Aren't they all conditioned?"

"Yes, but to my knowledge, the conditioning was done partially by the imperial family. While they are still loyal to house Nier. That loyalty begins to fade when it comes to the Imperial Family."

'You mean…" Nia realized.

"Yes. The Baron isn't foolish enough to simply try to kill me on the order of theViscountt. That would be the height of idiocy. My theory is that the imperial house is somehow involved and is trying to weaken House Nier. The baron father is an example of that."

"The baron did say that his father was stabbed during the Siege of Dragon Horn," Alyssa voiced.

"Correct. What the Baron failed to mention was that it is tradition for all men or women who take up a noble title to be Transcendent. To my knowledge, the Baron is neither a transcendent nor possesses the potential to become one. Of course, I could be wrong, and theViscountt holds dangerous aspirations. I've no proof, but there are strange signs that I can't pass up."

"Then Dutchess…" Alyssa covered her mouth, and everyone smiled.

"You're getting sharper," Nia slightly teased. "The Dutchess could be working with the imperial family."

"I don't believe that's the case. "Altair shook his head. "But I do believe they are influencing her decision, or at least someone is. To treat Nox the way she had is rather interesting. Especially since none to my knowledge tried to stop her."

"This is confusing…" Alyssa muttered. "But don't worry, master! We'll obey!"

Altair glanced at Nia, who nodded. "I'll take care of her.'

***

Three days later, carriages lined the duke's estate one by one as noblemen and women, young and old, hurried down the hall. It was late notice, but House Nier had never cared for such formalities.

The former duke, attended by the dutchess, was there to greet her guess, forcing a smile as, one by one, many began to approach her. She was scared. Scared of the young man's footsteps echoing from behind her down the stairs.

"Quite the gathering, wouldn't you two say?"

"Someone tried to kill you, and that's all you have to say?" Elgar scuffed. "That's a Nier for you. What do you have planned?"

Altair gave a gentle smile at a few noble women who only just recently had their commoning-of-age ceremony, amused by the way their cheeks glowed brightly.

"As the Heir to House Nier, it's my duty to maintain order. This little gathering is merely a formality to see who is still loyal to House Nier."

"And the Baron?" Corsant asked.

"You mean my witness." Altair chuckled at Corsants' sullen expression, which vanished as she kept her noble bearing. "He'll be here soon. I'm sure he has a lot of interesting secrets that some people would rather not be heard."

Corasnt made a tsking sound and said, "Some secrets are best left unsolved."

"Perhaps, but not when someone is trying to kill me. Wouldn't you agree?"