Shadow of the Abyss

It had taken nearly three and a half days for Altair to finally feel the effects of Soul Exhaustion fade from his consciousness. During that time, he had done nothing but filter through the memories of Nox De Nier to the best of his abilities, while at night, he'd Dual Cultivate with Tasha, devouring her blood to refine his Fourth Vale Star, slowly blossoming.

Presently, Altair stood beneath a peculiar tree billowing azure blossoms. He'd learn this had been Nox's favorite spot, where he'd meditate or absorb Mana. Nox had always found this particular spot peaceful. It was secluded, away from the manor, but not too far; he couldn't see it. If he looked to his left, he could see his dukedom, the city run by House Nier, the Fifth Star City, Akrim.

It was as if nothing had changed despite the fact that over a thousand years had passed. It still looked as old as it was majestic, having withstood Seven Realm Wars and somehow the test of a hundred thousand years.

"I am finding myself envious of Nox," Altair muttered, his thoughts drifting to the technologically advanced city of Zamphis. In comparison, Akrim seemed quaint and uncomplicated. He shook his head, refocusing on his task. Opening his pores to the Circle of Gluttony, Altair willed the Mana that surrounded him into his body.

The Mana that had been invisible to the naked eye slowly became dense, revealing themselves to the realm. They clustered into streams, their multicolored essence dancing along Altair's body, eventually entering his meridians to be cycled and refined. The process was simple, growing easier with each cycle he performed.

However, with the recent purity gained his mana, it didn't matter how much Mana Altair absorbed. It simply wasn't enough. Either he absorbed a Mana Shard or Heartstones that held the Energy of a Seventh Circle or higher, or he gave up entirely and allowed his body to wither.

It had only been three days, but he could feel his muscles beginning to atrophy as the Circle of Gluttony began to devour his physical strength. Ashen Blood ensured a swift recovery, but with each use of Ashen Blood, he risked higher levels of soul exhaustion. He couldn't continue this way.

"I'm wasting my time," he said, rustling his silvery hair. He stood up, leaning over the truck of the tree, and stared at Akrim. It was still early to let others know he'd awaken, but he needed resources. Resources that didn't come from his realm. From the reports he'd from Aurora, the last thing he wanted to do was use money when he didn't have to.

House Nier didn't carry large sock piles of Heartstones or Mana Shards; the ones they did have were drained days ago by him.

"Master!" Tasha shouted, running up the hill. Her breast that hung loosely in her robes bounced wildly, reawakening his inner beast. "I've found a merchant with a high amount of Mana Cores. It's a fire type. I hope that doesn't matter."

Altair had never absorbed Mana, that had been heavily influenced by the elements around him; however, he couldn't see why that would be an issue. It was still mana.

"It doesn't; when can we meet?" Altair asked excitedly.

"Today, but…" Tasha hesitated, causing Altair's brow to rise. "The Merchant refuses to come to the Manor. He says that he'll lose more business if he closes for the day just to make the trip."

That didn't surprise Altair much. During his travels with Tenebrae, he'd seen worlds that had been refined by mana. While the world itself grew stronger, so did to did the elements. Gravity, depending on the level of refinement, could be nearly a hundred times stronger than Earth's. Stones he could crumble with his fist alone required a burst of mana simply to crush.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Depending on the world, gods would oftentimes feel like mortals bounded by higher-level laws.

So it wasn't surprising that any merchant would want to close down their shop simply to make the grueling trip to House Nier.

"We could force him," Tasha suggested. "I can send a Raven too—"

"It's fine. In form the knights that I'll be leaving for the first time in a thousand years." Altair commanded. Tasha bowed and hurried off with a flicker of light.

By the time Altair had returned to the manor, his carriage had been prepared with a small squad of knights to the ready. He smiled, entering the luxurious carriage where Tasha, Alyssa, and Therion waited for him.

The trip to Akrim was three hours, giving Altair enough time to complete some paperwork. Now that he had omniscience, he didn't necessarily need to read each file, for he knew everything they held. By the time he was done, he sighed as the carriage came to a stop.

"That was hell," Alyssa exclaimed, slouching in her chair. "Master should have left me dead."

Therion couldn't help but agree. "Master, this form of travel seems way too inefficient. We could have flown here."

"With the high density of Mana, technology is rather hard to use," Tasha informed him. "Only tech from Genisis would work," she added, glancing at Altair, who held a Neruolink Genesis.

"It's nearly evening. No wonder the merchant didn't want to fuck with us," Alyssa mouthed off. She gave her arms a stretch, pushing open the door to the carriage, and rounded on her heel, offering a palm to her Master to help him down.

Altair lifted his brow. He was curious if Alyssa was aware of the meaning of her action. He took her hand nonetheless. He couldn't have taken five steps before a tendril of sweat slipped from his brow.

"Damn." Even the dying heat of a planet hadn't felt as intense as Almor's sun. "How do people stand this? It's hell."

Tasha seemed to sigh in remembrance of the Hells. "It's not so bad, m'lord, though I can't say much for the humidity."

"My Lord," Captain Taren shouted on horseback, trotting to his side. "We've secured the area."

Altair gave his thanks before his eyes swayed toward the shop. It was two stories with a sign that read in great bold letters, 'River Mor.' The outside was nothing special, but on the inside, Altair felt the cool release of ice magic against his skin. It wasn't hard to imagine why the merchant refused the call of House Nier, though there would be consequences.

"Lord De Nier!" a startled voice came from around back as a large, pudgy beast of a man waddled forward. Lordlings that had cleared House Nier's Personal Knights turned to face Altair with looks of disbelief. It was only then that the recognition began to settle in.

Calmly, Altair glanced at Tasha and whispered, "Wasn't the order of my awakening supposed to be kept hidden?'

"It was," Tasha replied.

Altair had half suspected something like this would happen. After all, they were within his father's dukedom. There was bound to be someone who recognized him. He simply didn't think it would be the one he notified of his arrival.

Masking his discontent with a nobile smile, he did not reach for the slimy palm of Dale Cartan but rather looked at him with a curiosity that was more alarming than any sort of rage. The merchant gulped, his smile slowly growing awkward as he lowered his hand, glancing around at the various Lordlings watching.

"When did you wake?" Dale finally asked.

"A few days ago," Altair answered. "Please. I'd like to get down to business, Mr. Dale. I've little time for conversation."

'Of course," said Dale in a tone that hid the shame in his voice. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so embarrassed, but with the looks everyone was giving him, along with the one before him, Nox De Nier, he was grateful he could lead him away.

Altair had been about to speak when a notification flashed across his Neurolink from Aurora.

[My Lord, Athena has returned to the Serpents Outreach. She fainted when she saw your Lord Father.]

Altair smiled to himself, replying, 'Inform me when she wakes.' And his attention returned to Dale, leading him into a private room. He ignored the smiling face and whispers of various nobles echoing behind his back as he followed, losing his nobile smile the moment he entered his private room.

The room felt as if it dropped several degrees as Altair's frown became all the more noticeable. He took a seat on the settee and said, "You're quite the brave one, Mr. Dale."

Dale gulped. "My Lord?"

Altair cleared his meaning. "By imperial law alone, I would be in my right to hang you and your entire family for this offense. Were my instructions not clear of anonymity?"

"My Lord! It was a slip of the—"

Tasha's palm flashed a scarlet light that punctuated the air, tearing a large chunk of his flesh off his body.

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The squeal that left Dale's lips was equal parts animal and despair, leaving everyone within his store shaken. They gulped, some running to the door, but Therion held them at bay. A vale sword flashed into his palm as the thrum of the blade left those who heard it lightheaded.

"My instruction had been clear and precise," Altair continued once the screams began to die. "Now, before I place your head in the fireplace and set it ablaze for your insolence alone, get me a listing of every Heartstone and Mana Shard available."

Tasha leaned beside his ear, whispering, 'Mana Shards are called Mana Cores here."

Altair nearly forgot and was about to correct himself, but by the look in Dale's eyes, he seemed to have understood. Flying out of the room with such haste, he returned with an itemized listing of everything he owned.

He was on his knees, presenting each one, as blood pulsed from his cheeks in slow utterances, leaving Altair slightly hungry. He glanced at Tasha, half listening, finding her neck becoming more and more appetizing. He sighed, pushing Soul of the Indomitable to its limit to refocus.

"I'll be taking everything above the Seventh Circle. Have someone deliver them to my Manor by day's end. Oh… and Mr. Dale. Next time you think of refusing House Nier, think of the consequences. My family owns the land on which you run your business.

The food you eat, the whores you fuck: They all belong to my House. Remember that next time, you think of refusing us."