Shadow of the Abyss

Stationed in her room, placed under house arrest, Tebrae rested on her bed, her half-naked body sprawled about as she looked up into empty space, kicking her feet back and forth.

"I miss my baby!" She touched her womb, a bitter-sweet smile plaguing her tder lips: "It's good Luna is there. But why is she getting all the hugs and kisses? He's my son. Stupid daughter." Snorting at the thought, the Goddess hoisted herself up, downing a stylish black tunic and trousers that gave a regal air to her being. She whirled, vanishing into an eldritch of light.

She appeared on the fiftieth floor of the Tower of Babel, stationed before a towering modern building, carrying the crest of a Scythe as its signature. The streets were a blistering oasis of mortals racing back and forth, their gaze seeming ignorant of the building that held the Lord of the Underworld.

Tebrae tapped her lips, glanced a, and tered through the automatic doors to the sight of a woman with long black hair and eyes. Nearly similar to Tebrae herself, she bowed her head, performing a curtsy befitting her status.

"Night-Mother," Nyx greeted. "Forgive my currt state. I had no idea you'd be—"

"It's fine. Where is Hades? I've business with your Husband."

Nyx looked up at Tebrae, unable to help her silly giggling: " Hehe, Hades is my husband." She bragged quite dreamily.

"Silly child."

"Night-Mother…"

"Just call me Te or Tebrae; this isn't an official meeting," Tebrae warmly said, glancing at the lifeless eyes of the employees and back to Nyx. "Do you guys like the upgrade?"

"... Hades both hates and likes it; he is not a fan of change." The Goddess of Night admitted, leading Te towards the elevator and up to the fiftieth floor. "He is a little unsettled by A. I and computers in geral."

'And you?"

'Me? I love it. My God. I love it. Now I have more time to spd with Mr. Workaholic.

But that dummy just complains that his work is being tak over. He got so mad that he ran to Asphedel to relax."

"... isn't Asphedel a form of Hell in your Pantheon."

Nyx glanced at her with a hue of exhaustion: "Please try explaining that to him. I've never se a man so happy to relax in Hell. Funny ough, he compares Hell to walking alongside Mortals."

"Well, this is the 50th layer. There hardly mortals."

"But their battle prowess is so mediocre most of the Old Gods would kill them with a snap if not for the Shadow Proclamation," Nyx explained, the disdain quite clear in her tone. "Have you any idea how many attacked us, believing a high cultivation was the key to our defeat?"

"You killed them?" Te asked, stepping off the elevator behind Nyx as she led her to Hades.

"What good would that be? We slaved them. Those that had pottial were allowed some freedom, becoming indtured servants, while the others were full-on slaves."

Tebrae didn't seem surprised. Rather she was quite impressed. Few would slave their emies, fearful of the risk of escape.

"And how is Hade's other wife?"

"..." Nyx froze as she sighed. "Difficult. That situation with quite annoying. And while I've made my piece with it. Hades, that coward feels guilty. He had no memory at the time wh he got together with me, but—"

"I'm sorry I asked. Forget I said anything." Te cut in, regretful she asked. She knew those troubles too well.

"Naw, it's fine. Shit happs." She replied, giving a knock as she oped the door.

Almost immediately, Hades rose, ready to fall to a knee. He had wanted to be the first to greet Tebrae but held back due to his station and Tebrae's tdcy to be secretive. But with a raise of her hand, a compelling grip seized control of the God of the Underworld.

"This isn't an official visit. In fact, I'd appreciate it if neither of you mtioned my arrival." She said as the door closed behind her. A barrier instantly appeared a the three of them, wrapped in such a degree of profundity Nyx and Hades gulped: "I am here with a request."

The barrier wasn't necessarily strong, but Hades knew not ev the strongest gods would be able to spy on them.

"A request?" Hades muttered, shooting a glance of caution to Nyx, th back to Te. "Is it from the Abyssal Sin or the Silver Devil?"

"Neither," Te replied, amused by her Husband's title. She resisted the urge to retort such a silly name.

"So it's from you."

Te nodded: " I am quite limited due to my role as Arbiter of the Towers. But in truth, I am asking help not from you two per se but rather from your childr: Thanatos and Zagreus."

"Than?" Nyx muttered, tilting her head. "Why would you want him?"

"Or Zag of all things. That little bastard is… is nothing like his sister. He has no accomplishmts of note." Hades mtioned. 'Why would you—"

"He is a God, is he not? And you're direct, son?" Tebrae directed.

"Well. Yes. but—"

"Has he close ties to Olympus?"

"No.

"And Thanatos?"

"None."

"Th I'll like for the two of them to ter the wheel of reincarnation. Their divinities shall be sealed, but I will personally purify their attunemt to the Darkness. I know I'll have to ask them personally, as they are grown-ass m. But they are a part of your dominion and—"

"Take that little shit." Hades grimaced. "Break him if you must. I don't like comparing my childr, but Melione is now ev stronger than me. In contrast, that bastard is as weak as the other Gods of Olympus. It's a disgrace. But Thanatos will be difficult.

I've never se a man who loves his work like him."

"You are his Father." Nyx reminded him.

"Surrogate Father."

"And you are the man he respects the most. Honestly, he's like a carbon copy of you. Another workaholic." Nyx attested with a fond smile, trailing her fingers over his sharp features. She turned to Tebrae. "But what is this about? Why would you need our kids?"

Tebrae toggled about finding a smile: "I've got a son. A baby boy, about to be t."

Hades and Tebrae's eyes shot wide op, their jaws dropping in disbelief.

"A…A Prince of Darkness," Nyx expressed, shuddering with the blissful smile.

"Hmmm." Nodded Te. " Yes. But I've gott him an advisor, a master, a Sword Maid, but what he needs most are gerals. Brothers that can have his back no matter the situation." She paused in deliberation, and neither Hades nor Nyx dared to speak: " As you know, the basis of adulthood is differt for each planet.

The First Article of the Shadow Proclamation prohibits Gods from interfering in the matter of mortals they do not share blood with before adulthood."

Hades nodded: " We know. The Council of Omnis agreed on this front. However, the vote was very divided. It was nearly fifty-fifty."

"Yes… It's unfortunate that so many disagree. Nevertheless, we later amded Article One to include Gifts from Gods, deals, Boons, and so on. As long as a God doesn't physically or magically assault another. Gods are allowed to assist under particular circumstances. But once Altair turns t, he'll be considered a man by Earth standards. I cannot raise him as I wish since I am considered a God.

I'll not be able to keep him safe. Once a child becomes a man or woman under the eyes of their currt world, I become affected by the Proclamation. It doesn't matter the relation I hold with my Altair. That's why I'm here. To gain your support."

Nyx bowed her head: " So that's why… that's why you need Thanatos and Zag. And why you are sealing their divinity."

Hades frowned: " Do the Fall or Angels know of Altair?"

"No."

He narrowed his eyes: " Are you certain?"

"0%" Tebrae guaranteed.

As the Ruler of the Night, the First Primordial, Tebrae held some of the Myriad Heav's deepest secrets, held onto artifacts capable of turning ev the purest of Angels, the Seraphim, into bloodthirsty monsters.

And she had done everything in her power to sure Altair's safety.

"Does the Silver Devil know?"

"He does."

"And Arse?"

"He is the father. So, of course, he knows."

"Arse has a big mouth." Hades remarked. He knew him well. It was only a matter of time before the secret was out.

"Altair merely needs to become transcdt before the age of a hundred. He's already tapping into the Realm of Spirits. Once he steps into that realm… He'll be ready for the Abyss, Arcadia, and all that our Myriad Heavs have to offer." Tebrae beamed, stretching out her palm. " So Hades, Nyx, what say you? Will you allow your childr to rise with my Altair?"

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