Shadow of the Abyss

"The reconstruction of the Palace of Sunset is underway. If we put it on a rush, it'll take about roughly three months." Aurora began, pointing to the wreckage. " Many of Earth's allies are sending ambassadors to speak on behalf of their home world. Genesis just so happens to be one of them."

Altair nodded upon the throne of Earth, observing his Shadow Demons removing rubble.

"Has the former queen's family been killed?"

"I oversaw their death personally. All legitimate heirs have been exterminated. An autopsy on the king showed he was sterile. It would seem not even the former princess was actually his."

"damn."

"Yes. Especially when you take into account that the former queen had one hundred and eleven children."

"You're kidding."

"They're all dead now, their kids, too. And so on and so forth, " Aurora went on. "But I've got several nobles still hesitant to—"

"hang them by the necks and have their children take over. That might cause an issue down the line with loyalty, but Raven should be able to handle it."

"me?" exclaimed the dark-haired girl, munching on a cob of corn. She wore black robes bound tightly to her slender figure, wielding a black glaive nearly twice her size on her back like nothing.

"Yes, " said Altair after a moment's pause. He beckoned her over. Watching her clumsily waddle forward before flicking on the head.

Raven nearly teared up, clutching her head as if to stop a major bleed.

"bully! Master is a bully! That's called animal abuse! A pox upon your house!"

"You're a part of my house, dummy!"

"hehe!"

Syris, who stood behind a shattered beam, giggled. "Don't you bully her?"

"Yeah, don't you bully Raven!" shouted the dark-haired girl, lifting her chin high.

After a bit of back and forth, Aurora and Raven were off to prepare for the incoming ambassadors, leaving Altair to peer into empty space upon his throne.

"Syris…" he began, "With Babel's Tower and this damn Crucible. We're going to need help."

"You want me to contact my Father."

Altair craned his neck towards her mournful expression. "I would not humiliate you like that. If he can't say hi to his daughter even after what just happened. Solomon can fuck right off. No. I need you to work with the GCA. The Reverend Mother missed her shot to work closely with me. But you are still her point of contact.

Obtain some resources for yourself to grow."

Syris was a bit startled. "you don't need any?"

"a single night with you, and I grew twenty-five points in all categories but Mana. I think I'll stick to eating you."

Name: Altair Blackwood

Mana Circle: [Forth Circle 1% → 5%]

Class: [Prince of the Vale II Lv 1→ Lv 145]

Strength: 900 →1045 → 1070

Dexterity: 860 →1150 → 1175

Constitution: 880 → 1315 → 1340

Wisdom: 900 → 1335 →1360

Charisma: 900 → 1335 → 1360

Mana: 250 → 255

A/N: [+3 Wis], [+3 Cha], [+3 Con] [+2 Dex], [+1 Str] Per Level Up

Syris was red, stammering to speak. "T-T-that was a one-time—"

"Come to my chambers tonight, " Altair cut in and hopped to his feet. He glided on over to her, lifting her chin with a devious finger. "Or would you rather me take you out for dinner and buy you some clothes before we head to a hotel? Perhaps we can try some new things I didn't get to. Plus, I'm curious: how much did you grow? Two hundred points?

Three? Four? How strong was my seed?"

The Eye of Sacrilege hummed to life, ready to reveal her status page, when Syris swatted his hand away.

"I'm not some girl you can demand when and where you want," she said, visibly angry.

Altair was a little startled. "Did I come off like that? Has my Pride grown so much? Seems I was a little too ecstatic." he patted her shoulder, meeting her fiery eyes. "Does that mean you want it now?"

She kicked him in the chin, snorting about to storm away, when Altair snatched her behind. He kissed her neck, feeling her shudder, losing a bit of her earlier resistance.

"Don't…"

"Don't what?" he grabbed her by the breast, squeezing it like he'd done last night, listening to her delicate moans of pleasure. He smiled deviously. "Don't touch you here, or perhaps you want me to touch you—" His fingers ran in between her legs. Even through her clothing, he could feel her heat. It was as if a raging fire was brewing down below. "You're already soaking wet.

Were you hoping I'd grab you like this? You're a little masochist, aren't you."

Syris covered her face, so ashamed she dared not meet his eye. "No… No… I was just sensitive." she admitted. "Ever… Ever since last night I…I can't stop… I can't…"

"Master!" Aurora returned, her head buried in her Data Book. "Change of plans. We—oh. Oops."

Just then, in Altair's lapse of concentration, Syris Vanished with her Void Step, leaving him to chuckle.

"Master, I'm so sorry. I wasn't aware you and Syris were—"

"It's fine. What is it?" he voiced, transitioning his emotions to fit the current narrative. He was getting better at it. Switching between what he felt and what he didn't want to feel. It was nearly like breathing now.

"The Ambassador of Genisis has arrived,' she said, startling him for a second.

"Guess that makes sense. Who is it?"

"A man by the name of Sado Vari. I've yet to get any confirmation on his race."

Altair nodded, "Get me, Thanatos. I want him to sit in. We'll have negotiations in here. Let him see the blood bath."

"Of course. Then I shall return."

As Aurora took her leave, Altair returned to his throne, narrowing his eyes with a dangerous glow.

"What are you thinking about tiger?" Tasha mused, sliding out of space like a ghostly apparition. She brushed a finger across the Prince's cheek, licking her succulent red lips. Altair felt the Brand of the Incubus hum across his mind, vibrating at a strange frequency, heightening the endorphins rushing toward his receptors.

"I was wondering when you'd show up."

"You knew I was here?"

"I know everything within my Domain," he remarked, brushing her hand away, and looked her in the eye. Tasha held his stare with a devious grin.

"Seems like our pup really has grown. To read spacial fluctuations is quite an amazing feat for a mere third circle."

"What can I do for you, Tasha?"

"Can't I just come see you?" She asked, boldly taking a seat on his lap. She smiled a smile that seemed as dangerous as it was seductive, her voluptuous figure resting soundly in his embrace.

She was warm, much like Syris, generating an intensity that tugged at his inner desire.

"Has Asteroth asked you to seduce me?'

"My 'Father', actually."

Altair nearly raised a brow. He was intrigued. "And who is your Father?"

"The soon-to-be Archduke Gremory."

Faded images entwined along an axis of his mind came into being, along with a shallow sensation of understanding.

"So you are from her infernal line," He said, started by this revelation. In all the Hells, there was only one Fallen who could create demons, similarly to the Mother of Demons, Lilith, and her name was Gremory, known by her children as the Father.

"And does Asteroth know of this?"

"He does not seem to be aware. But Father does work beneath Asteroth, so he might who can say."

Just then, Aurora, followed by Thanatos, entered the throne room. The God of Death ran his eyes across the Lilim, sending a chill across her chest before his eyes swayed towards Altair. He approached, silent as a shadow, stopping short.

"Should I go?" Tasha asked.

"No… Your presence is very much welcomed. Send him in."

Heralded inside, a tall, dignified middle-aged man strutted in with his head held high, dressed in the High Order Gown of Genesis. He bowed and spoke in a sharp voice.

"I greet you, King, Altair Blackwood; I am Sado Veri, Ambassador to Genisis."

Altair gestured for him to rise. "So Genesis recognizes my rule?"

"Without question, so long as you approve our entry into Babels Tower."

Altair scuffed. "Then I guess you don't approve."

"Our deal with the former—"

"Those of the past are dead: Their late laws are what I decide are valid. And whatever business you had with the previous rulers is now over."

Sado Vari lifted a brow. "Then you will be removed to—"

"Tenebrae, the Lady of the Night, recorded Earth into Genesis Records," Said Thanatos sharply. The very planet that became a part of Babels Tower. It is not hard to confirm the relationship between Altair Blackwood and The Night Mother. So unless Genesis seeks to anger the Oldest Primordial, you will do well to watch who you threaten. The last thing anyone needs is her calling in favors.

God knows how many owe her."

"And who's to say the Twelve Zodiacs might not rush in to protect Lord Blackwood?" Tasha mused.

"A demon…" Muttered Sado Vari darkly. Recognizing the breed that carried the stench of the Nine Hells.

"A devil," she corrected. "A Lilim, to be exact. Care to test me?'

"Down," said the Prince, patting her bottom until she purred with the hum of the Brand of the Incubus resonating with her touch. He looked at Sado Vari and said," Genesis will recognize my rule, and you will pay a standard fee if you wish to enter Babels Tower because I'm not as defenseless as I might appear. I've quite a few allies. Both from the Hells and the Heavens."

"So? Can we start our negotiations? Or do you need to report to your superiors?"