Shadow of the Abyss

As the sun began to dip beneath the horizon, the Palace of Sunset was enveloped in a soft hue emanating from the moon. The grand structure, with its towering spires and intricate carvings, appeared nearly ethereal in beauty.

The air was filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation as elegantly dressed men and women made their way through the imposing entrance, each one radiating a sense of confidence and poise.

The moonlight seemed to enhance the beauty of their attire, casting a shimmering glow on the fabrics and dazzling jewels adorning their bodies as the sound of laughter and conversation echoed through the courtyard, adding to the enchanting ambiance.

'It's hard to believe Altair did all this,' Amilia Thorne whispered, her arms entwined with Fat Mike's, leading her up the pristine stairs and into the palace. They followed the line of noblemen and foreigners.

"I'm not," Fat Mike said. He shook his head, the fat he'd cultivated now vacant. "After the shit, we saw in that Dungeon. It'll change any grown man. Not to mention a child like our dear old Emperor Blackwood." he smiled. "Plus, he's got Vaiga.

That is—"

"Is odd. Why would Vaiga help Altair?" Amilia cut in. "it also seems odd. She even quit her job."

"Careful, Amilia. " Fat Mike said. To call the Emperor by his name could be a sin. I'm sure you've noticed. People are listening." His cool, dark eyes scanned a few noblemen, finding more off-world representatives than actual Eartheners. Each was ordained in his or her traditional colors and gowns.

Amilia clenched her fist. "Sorry."

"Remember, we are only here to observe. The Emperor is now one of our biggest sponsors and has the right to disband our military force. He's already conquered the noble fractions. From what I hear, they don't even shit without his say-so."

"You're kidding."

"I wish I were," Fat Mike remarked, shaking his head. The way Cedric butchered these poor bastards was cruel. I've no idea how he became so powerful, but he seemed to have proved his loyalty to the Emperor—and then some. His majesty has total control over earth's finances, resources, and fractions."

"But is that even possible? Why was the transition so quick? It seemed almost as if our people just gave up," Amilia rebutted. She'd seen worlds burned. She'd conquered many herself with her brother and sisters within the Imperial Navy, yet they'd always been met with deep resistance.

There were always hundreds of thousands ready to defend their homes, even in the face of death.

"Those monsters, the Emperors, have by his side," Fat Mike said. "The ones with grey skin seemed to possess some ability to manipulate the mind. Our reports say they don't necessarily need to fight if they don't have to."

As they made their way into the Grand Halls of the Sunset Palace, Fat Mike couldn't help but marvel at the sheer grandeur of the ballroom. The opulence of the room was beyond his wildest imagination: the glittering chandeliers, the plush silvery red curtains, and the intricate floral arrangements all contributed to a breathtaking spectacle that left him speechless.

The tables were a sight to behold, with their snow-white tablecloths and elegant place cards bearing the names of the guests.

"Damn…" He said, nearly drooling on himself. "Please tell me there is an open buffet. All this rich shit. They'd better be an open bar and buffet. I'm not leaving until I regain my original size."

'You…" Amilia winced. "For Goodness sake. Five Year coma, and you still pulling this bullshit?"

"My name is Fat Mike. I can't be Fat Mike if I am as thin as you. Look at my ass." He said, pointing to his rear. " It's not even as thick."

Amilia flushed. "Can you stop?"

"Your friend is quite a smart one," said a tall man with violet hair that carried a peculiar presence, his cinnamon-colored skin glistening in the light. His eyes were the most striking feature—a deep shade of amethyst that sparkled with amusement. He was wrapped in a robe that hung loosely on his broad shoulders, revealing a chiseled chest. Smiling, he shot Amilia a charming wink.

This time, Amilia flushed for a different reason, feeling her heart begin to thump.

"Dionysus, a pleasure to meet Altair's old friends," He said, taking Amilia by the palm. He kissed it, a playful glow flickering across his eyes.

Amilia backed away, her heart thumping so hard against her chest. She wondered if he could hear it.

"Dionysus?" Fat Mike muttered. "It sounds Greek. Are you from Sector Eleven?"

'In a sense." Dionysus mused. "I—"

"Dionysus," said Athena's cold voice. "Stop playing with the mortals." Sauntering over, she shot Amilia a look before turning to face her brother's mischievous expression. "Especially the ones that Altair has relations with."

Dionysus shrugged, snatching a glass from one of the Fae Waiters walking by. " I am allowed fun, Dear Sister. I did bless the wine. Plus, this one appears to be the sweetest of them all."

"Be that as it may. Do not forget who is hosting this party. The last thing we need is trouble."

"Trouble. Come now, Sister. You know Altair is my only source of entertainment in the Myriad Heavens. Life has become so dull." He took a sip of the red wine. "What would I do without him."

Athena rolled her eyes. 'Whatever you've been doing for the past few Chaos Cycle, ' she shook her head, sending a glance towards the two mortals. "If you'll excuse us… and do watch how much you drink. Dionysus loves spiking people's drink."

"Some of the best mistakes happen when one is drunk," Dionysus said.

Athena dragged him away by the ear. "But in the end, that's what they'll always be. A mistake."

Fat Mike and Amilia exchanged glances.

"They don't look related," said Amilia.

'But they were insanely attractive. Damn. I'm not even gay, but Dionysus has got a shit load of drip." Your next read awaits at empire

Amilia once more flushed. "Yeah. I feel like I was getting wet just looking at him. "

"Again, not gay, but same." Fat Mike said, laughing. "If I get drunk, make sure I leave with a woman, please. God knows what'll happen if I wake up in a man's bed."

Amilia shot him a mischievous grin. "Now, that would be quite a sight. Who'd you pick? Hypothetically, of course."

"No! Last time we had drinks together, you tried sending me home with some— I don't even know what she was. But she was bigger than me."

"It's rude to judge."

"Then I'm rude. Fuck it."

Amilia giggled to herself. "Then you'd better watch how much you take in."

Fat Mike turned green. "Bastard."

As the two found their table, they froze when they saw Hilda and Vaiga's nameplate alongside three others they didn't recognize. The two looked at each other, a palpable gulp escaping their mouths. Unsure how to face their former allies.

Taking a seat, they both accepted a glass of wine from one of the waiters and downed it in a heartbeat.

"Think they'll kill us?"

Fat Mike looked at her. "You're kidding, right?"

Amelia shrugged. "I don't know what to think. It's all madness here. You saw the Spaciel Scar in the skies. What the hell am I supposed to think?"

The two shared an awkward laugh, looking out as the ballroom began to fill when one of the guardsmen heralded someone inside.

"Presenting, the Representative of Genesis, Lord of the Seventh Tower, Artivas L'loutos."

Eyes flitted towards the Time Lord striding through the hall, two Ninth Circles on his right and left. Amelia felt a sudden pressure upon her, pulling her into her chair she dared not move.

The sensation seemed to last an entirety before it vanished, releasing many from its hold.

Amilia gasped, nearly forgetting to breathe.

"Bloody Monsters," Fat Mike muttered, wiping away the perspiration from his chin. "For fucks sake. What is going on? Why are there so many Ninth Circles here?"

"It's not, just Ninth Circles," Thanatos said in a cool voice, accompanied by a pale woman whose eyes seemed as red as blood. She was tall—taller than Thanatos—and her heels only seemed to propel her to higher lengths.

There was a coldness to the woman in a skin-tight black dress highlighting her curves.

Fat Mike could not pull his gaze away, yet the woman did not seem to pay him mind, flitting back her ash-colored hair behind her ear. She took a seat, her eyes spotting a name tag that made her sneer.

"Was this your plan all along?" she asked.

Thanatos ignored the fury in her eyes, finding a seat beside her, in between Amilia and her. "You think I'd concern myself with your love life? I've far better things to worry about. The last thing I need is the Leader of the Furies after my neck."

Megaera rewarded him with a smile. "Then why am I here?"

Thanatos grinned but did not reply, glancing at the two faces. Finally, he took the time to introduce himself as the Chancellor and grasped their palms firmly. As he looked deeply into their eyes, he studied their expressions, detecting subtle emotions they were not even aware of. His piercing gaze seemed to penetrate their very souls as he marked every nuance of their reactions.

Megaera snorted but did not bother to waste any more words.

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