Shadow of the Abyss

For the next few days, Altair enjoyed his peaceful life, commanding his growing kingdom and nights where he trained with Raven. He ate when he was hungry and slept when he felt mentally drained.

He especially enjoyed seeing how irritable Syris had become. Every minute of the day, she was either glaring or cursing. It had gotten so bad Altair had noticed Raven had taken up swearing. Something Aurora did not find amusing whatsoever, nearly washing Raven's mouth out with soap.

Today, however, marked the day he had been waiting for since his descent back to Earth. The day his father would deliver him the information on the First Family.

"My Lord?" said Aurora kindly. Noting his absent awareness.

Lord Blackwood shuddered, returning to himself, driving the madness bordering the surface of consciousness down like quicksand. He forced a smile, "Yes… continue."

"I was saying we have to hire more workers and some imperial soldiers. Lady Darkfire suggests we use the citizens within the undergrove. There are many who are not necessarily criminals. I am sure there will be many willing to serve for their freedom to the surface."

It wasn't a bad idea, he thought. "Do it. But to earn their freedom, a minimum of twenty years is required. However, should they have children in their service, they will be born free."

"And might I recommend we purchase some more drones to aid in the clean up to—"

"That won't do,' said Syris suddenly. "We can't simply hand the work off to machines. We need to improve the economy. We need to give work to the people, and the best way to do so is to use people. It might cost more, but it's how we improve the standard of living."

"We?" Aurora nastily smiled. "Lady Syris, I wasn't aware you were a citizen, or are you now a Blackwood or perhaps—" she looked at her belly perking her lips—" Are you now carrying our Young Master.'

Syris had the grace to blush, clutching her belly that still carried the heat of his seed. The sensation was not something she could ever forget. She chewed her lip, glancing at the pact throne room of eyes turning to her.

Zagreus was trying not to laugh. Betrayed by his turnt head and trembling shoulders. Even Thaan carried something of a half smile.

The worst had been Raven, who rushed towards her, touching her belly. "Is a Little Master inside?"

All Syris could do was hold her head high, holding a solemn grimace. "I am in Altair's court, am I not? If my input wasn't necessary, then why even have me here?" she looked towards the Prince, now King, her gaze asking if she was needed.

"She is right, Aurora," said the King. He could tell she was still mad regarding the incident with Raven, but such discord would serve no purpose in his court. "And Syris is no guest. She is an honorary member of my court and kingdom. Please show her the same decorum you show me in court."

Aurora bowed. "As you command, my Lord."

"Ummm, Big Sis, are you pregnant?" Inquired Raven, tilting her head and glaring at her belly, afraid she might miss it kick or move.

***

As court ended, Altair exploded into laughter, nearly busting a gut at the sight of his almost empty court."I can't believe she asked that!"

"It's not funny!" shouted Syris, glaring. She was chewing her lips, touching her belly. "That was so embarrassing. Raven was out of hand. Aurora, too!"

"Who's bloody fault is that? You literally cursed someone out using every word in the book. Raven is very impressionable. She's not used to people… well, living people." Altair lightly explained, gesturing her over, noting her discontent. "Are you still mad at me? It was just a bad—"

"Am I ugly?"

Altair looked all the more startled, taken back by her bashful appearance. "Ugly? You?"

"Is that why you won't…" she began to squirm. "You know… Is that why you used the band of the Incubus on me? Did you not like what we did?"

Altair could not believe what he was hearing; he felt it his right to explain himself, "The effects of the Brand of the Inncubus should be able to affect you. But with your powerful soul, its effects are very much temporary, as for why I used it on you. Well, I didn't. It's a passive of my physique." He gestured to her with a finger that slowly began to glow a misty red.

Syris obeyed, plopping herself on his lap.

Without conscious thought, the tip of his finger lightly brushed against the tip of her breast, stimulating her nine senses. A fiery heat jetted from between her legs, wetting her trousers with viscous fluids.

She screamed, reeling into his arms like a frightened fawn, shuddering uncontrollably as the sensation penetrated her loins, ravaging the walls of her vagina until she experienced the sensation she had been craving these past few days.

He patted her bottom until she purred, and her tongue lulled from out her mouth.

"b~a~s~t~a~r~d"

"That is one of the powers of the Brand of the Incubus. I would use it more, but it requires a lot of Mana. Plus, I enjoy the effects of Dual Cultivation better. How was it?" He placed a finger in her mouth, embellishing the way she mindlessly suckled at his thumb. When her eyes slid to him, opening wide with realization, she hopped up like a startled cat.

"Y-Y-You!"

"There's is my fiery girl. I—" he stopped, taken back by the masked stranger within his court. The man, if it were a man, stood tall, carrying with him an ordained black mask that bore the symbol of Zero like a crown.

"Altair Blackwood, Syris of Zyvara, I am Zero. The man who will guide you on your quest to annihilate the first family."

"Father sent—"

Zero snapped, phasing them through time and space into a conference room across the palace grounds.

By the time Altair could speak, he was already seated around the conference table. Beside him sat Syris and Thanatos.

"Zero, " said Thanatos calmly. "I'm surprised you materialized. Is it that serious?"

"The moment Zariel heard Cain was involved. He sent me to manage the situation."

"Zariel… is my uncle correct?" Asked the Prince.

"Yes. He is a Snow. I'm sure if Cain knew of this, he might have thought twice about touching you. Now, first things first, the Palace of Stygian, in your absence, has received several updates via our Order. The biggest is its ability to hide itself from Fell Gods, in this case, people like Cain or me. Two, it's now integrated with the current times.

Three, several defensive and offensive spells have been added and will come online once the Palace gains either power cells or enough Mana, which leads me to point four. The—"

"Ummm," Syris raised her hand. " How many points are there, and how did you know I'm from Zyvara? I've never told that to anyone."

"There are 783,453 points, " said Zero. As for her last question, he didn't answer. Nevertheless, Altair gaped while Thanatos sighed.

"That's ridiculous…

"That only section 1.1.A. By the end of the day, we should have completed all 6,973,345 total points, half of what I have written down."

"fuck… "

"Holy Shit… your kidding, right?"

"I don't, kid, " said zero coldly. " Interrupt me again, and I'll rewire your mind to think rather than speak."

***

It had taken nearly three full days for Zero to finish his lecture about The Palace of Stygian before he moved on to the First Family, but by then, Altair and Syris felt like their minds were about to collapse.

Still, Altair was both astonished and humbled by the shared level of understanding Zero had taken in explaining everything. By the time he was done, he knew everything about the palace of Stygian alongside all the various contingencies installed, which left Altair asking how Zero was able to accomplish all of this.

He never got an answer but rather a word of warning.

"If you can't handle it. Don't be too ashamed to call if you need help," Said Zero before departing before anyone could thank him.

"that might have been the most hellish study session of my life…" Altairr muttered, sprawled out over his bed. "Zero is hella crazy! The man documented everything."

"and sent us everything via email," said Syris, sharing his exhaustion. "he should have sent over that shit first. An entire week was wasted. A week Art."

"I know, " he said, though his lips lifted in a wicked arc. "But now we have a plan."

"You really think you can take down a Fell God?" Syris asked, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "The most powerful type of god?"

"Defeat him? No. But I'll make damn sure they suffer a defeat that'll make all their hard work burn like ash through their fingers."

Just then, he turned on his side, jerking her into his chest until his scent penetrated her senses. He smelt of pine and cinnamon.

She gulped, looking into lustful eyes. "Now you want me?"

"I wanted you before."

"Liar," she muttered, though she did not deny his touch.

Peering deep into those pale blue eyes that carried doubt, the Prince cupped her cheeks, his rough, calloused hands curling gently against her face as he brushed his thumb gently against her lip.

She kissed it.

Once

Twice

Thrice

He had to admit, Syris had been one of the most lovely women he'd ever seen. Silvery hair, blue stary eyes, full lips, and breasts that riled him up each time he glimpsed her at angles. It was as if the Gods had taken extra care crafting her beauty.

His thumb tugged down at her lower lip, revealing her porcelain white teeth. He grinned feverishly. "I'm not sure you realize how sexy you are."

'Stop it…" she blushed, pulling away. '...Bastard."

He held her steadfast, peering into her pearly blue eyes, taking her all in, "You will be mine. And only mine, Syris of Zyvara." Chapter Discover:

"B-b-bastard… I'm… I'm no one's," she muttered in defeated defiance.

Altair grinned all but turned wicked. "That mouth of yours. I think I'll find some good use for it."