Shadow of the Abyss

Altair awoke groaning, clutching his pounding head that still ached in memory of the Realm of Spirit. The day Duke Leto had mentioned that Altair was Semi Omnipitant, he wanted to claim he was talking out of his ass, but as he looked up towards the sun that hadn't shone in years that the thought faded.

"I'm alive…" He muttered, glancing at Reina, holding his palm unconscious.

"Awake! Awake!" The Crow shrieked, circling the boy's chest; it landed on his head to peak at his nose.

"You're out," he rasped, his throat so dry his voice sounded like a saw on wood. "Where is Thaan, Zag and Master?"

"They left a month ago," Answered the Crow, batting its wings. "The Silver Hair one… she's a Royal. Strongest I've ever felt. She said for you to catch up."

Altair could still feel his mask, but as he tried to move, he groaned, coughing up a bit of blood. He didn't hesitate to activate [Hands of Nirvana]. Golden nodes danced along his body following the warm surge of energy mending his battered body. He puked up a bit of bad blood before visibly regaining some color to his face.

When, at last, the golden light had faded, he began healing Reina, unsure if she needed it. He sighed, lifting himself off the sand. He scanned the shores of some unknown location before standing to his feet.

[Divine Sin, Daddy, is asking you to return to your palace]

'Father?' he wondered, lifting Reina into his arms. He glanced around at the shores once more, unable to sense anything before channeling his Mana. He somewhat paled, feeling his meridians still sore. Nevertheless, the portal still opened to his will.

'Corn?" Said the Crow.

"... there might be some inside," Altair muttered, walking through his portal. He closed the rift behind him, nearly collapsing. Lord Blackwood stared at the large, intricate palace that towered, spanning some incalculable length, seemingly built by the hands of gods; it stood so grand and regal he couldn't help but ogle its beauty.

"It's beautiful," The Crow said.

"Who the hell are you? Don't you have a name?" Altair asked, stepping through the palace walls that welcomed him by opening its walls.

"I think I am your Familiar." It said, tilting its head. It nudged Altair's cheek as though it were its cat.

Altair had been about to say something but stopped, noticing a familiar face staring at him. His eyes went wide, and a gasp left his lips. "Father!"

Arsene let out a shadow of a smile. He stared at the little girl sleeping in his arms and frowned. "That won't do." he snapped. And as if jolted by some unknown force, Reina snapped her eyes open.

"Art!"

"I–"

"Come along. Tene is waiting," Arsene commanded, and before Altair could speak or grasp what he had said, they were teleported within the medical ward to a chamber that made his heart wrench.

There, he saw her wrapped in golden black robes as graceful as the day he first laid his eyes on her.

Resting in a pool of iridescent water still as a lake, small streams of azure liquid cupped her body, imbuing her still body with life.

"Mother," he whispered, staggering forward, nearly dropping Ren, who slid out of his hold.

The iridescent liquid pooling around Tenebrae shuddered, rippling with movement.

Tenebrae smiled, feeling her strength return. "Is that my baby?" she asked, trying to pull herself up, but despite feeling strength return, she'd not have the strength to move. However, it didn't matter as Altair wrapped his arms around her, tears streaming down his face like a small boy.

Tenebrae nearly felt herself melt as she ran her hands through his hair. It was soft, just as soft as the day he was born. Pearly tears continued to cascade down her cheeks as she stared at her son. He had grown so much, losing so much of his immature features. But all Tenebrae could see was the young baby face that first came into this world, staring up at her with two innocent eyes.

"Gods, I've missed you,'' she whispered.

"Mommy… you're so cold." Uncover more tales at m,vl em pyr

"You're still a crybaby," she said with a beaming smile. "is… Is she here, too? Reina."

Altair turned, meeting the teary face of Reina's golden eyes. "yes…" he gestured her over. " She's here. Right here. Right…"

Ren hurried over as Arsene watched. His cold eyes began to tar as he looked up.

With her vision beginning to blur, she cupped the Nephilim's cheek, squinting her eyes to see the woman who stole her child's heart. She quivered, her ancient eyes pleased.

"What a beautiful woman you are," said Tene. "It seems like all the Snow men are stealing all the heavenly beauties of the Myriad Heavens."

The Monarch chuckled, though it sounded dry when he felt the three-eyed crow land on his shoulders. He glanced at it but said nothing.

Cupping her hands together, Reina bowed deeply. "I, Reina Blackwood-Snow, greet you," she said, tears streaming down her face as Tene replied.

"a daughter-in-law, " she giggled weakly. "goodness. And such a cute one." Tene turned to her son, her star. "I very much approve. Though… I'm afraid I won't be able to continue to watch your growth."

"Mom… "

Tene shook her head. "But I've set everything up for you. We've even got you a Sword Maid. Your Father's doing; I'm sure you can imagine." she grinned, feeling a little naughty for some inexplicable reason. "I've laid out everything for you to grow into the next Primordial of Darkness after I—"

"Don't! You're not going anywhere. Ok! I won't allow it!" he snapped, like a little boy who brought such a look into Tenebrae's face that tears began to overflow.

"I'm sorry baby… but… " her voice was beginning to fade. "but… it's… almost… time. I love you know… I… love… you"

Watching her eyes begin to close, Altair bore a cry that came from his depths as he shook her. His heart broke as Tene lay still, the little warmth held within her skin fading.

"Mommy… mommy… " he cried, breaking down like a boy. "aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!"

Arsene hurried over, pulling him away as he kicked and screamed, balling his eyes out.

He tossed him to the ground, hurrying to Tene as he sighed, touching her breast. Slowly, the strange iridescent liquid began to crystallize, swallowing Tene into a large crystal where she lay… smiling.

"She is still alive," he said, narrowing his eyes towards the bloodshot gaze of his son. "Alive but extremely weak. This liquid is known as Caelum and was made from the feathers of angels, along with their tears. It'll help preserve what remaining life force Tene has. However… It's only a temporary fix."

"How do I save her!"

There was a cold look in Arsene's eyes as he said, "You're far too weak to even ask such a question."

Altair eyes flashed with a baleful light. "Mother is—"

"Dying." said the Ashen King, calmy. "And I won't allow my son to follow her in death, believing he can do what not even I could not. Grow the hell up. If you want answers, earn them. Tene spent a long time preparing for your arrival. A very long time.

And while this Palace wasn't what she wanted to give you, it houses items even I envy. This liquid alone is worth more than you can possibly imagine." he turned, looking up at Tenebae, and sighed. "Zariel and I are almost out of Pandora's Box… so wait a bit. Ok? We'll see you as quickly as possible. And in a stormful roar of wind, he was gone.

Hobbling to his feet, Altair powerlessly fell back down as Ren held him.

He cried.

***

For nearly a week, Altair Blackwood wept, drowning himself in despair as he stared every day at his mother, seemingly locked in an eternal rest.

His injuries to his meridians had all healed, though he felt like he was a shell of his former self walking the halls of his palace day in and day out.

The gains of a dantain had meant little to him in the wake of his Mother's Eternal Slumber.

By the eighth day, however, Altair was all smiles, though Ren saw right through that mask of his. She said nothing of it, unsure what she could do to aid him. For nearly eight days, she had been researching the Caelum Springs or touring the library in search of anything to help Tenebrae. Yet nothing. The library was simply too large and the knowledge too dense for her to gleam anything.

"We'll leave tomorrow," Altair said, staring up aimlessly at the twin Moons of the Serpent's Outreach.

Ren stared at him from the bed, tucked beneath the sheets. "Are you sure?"

"I want to leave Yarwin. And… I'm tired of being weak."

"But we're already at the peak of—" she said when Altair looked at her.

"you know what I mean."

"It's not enough. It's nowhere near enough." Altair fist clenched, and a fading light danced along his scarlet eyes. "No more, mercy. No more feelings."

Reina patted the bed, watching as he stepped from off the veranda to the bed. She settled her head over his lap, watching as tears began to fall.

He sniffled. "sorry… I…"

"what would Mama Tene say right now?" Reina asked, looking up at his fragile expression, far in contrast to his Regal Mask. He seemed like a little boy now. A child reeling from the loss of someone they loved with all their heart.

"She'd say a True King must not decide things based on emotions. But neither on cold hard truth. But mom isn't here anymore."

"maybe not. But there is a reason she gifted you her wisdom," said Ren, cupping his cheek. "I believe you said one doesn't always need to react to confrontation. You're lashing out. And I'm sure you'll come to regret what I'm sure you have in mind. Its no one's fault this—"

"It's my fault… if I wasn't… born."

Ren squished his cheeks. " you big dummy! Are you trying to abandon me?" she asked, her eyes flashing red. Reina pulled herself out from his arms, standing to her feet, and pushed him down onto the bed.

"where not leaving until I see a real goddamn smile, " said Ren fiercely. "and if that means I have to fuck the sad out of you, Ren is very much obliged."

Shocked, Altair mouth opened wide as she mounted his waist. Inch to inch with his face, she grinned with a bit of tears in her eyes, shrieking down her cheeks.

"You need to cheer up, OK? I don't like seeing you so hurt." She said, having never felt so helpless." And honestly… this is all I can think of, too…Do" —She started to whimper, trembling over his body—"Art… I don't… I don't know… I don't know how to make you feel better. What does Ren do? What?"

He hugged her, and the two broke down into tears and began to cry, powerless.

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