Shadow of the Abyss

A/N: I'm still out of power, but I'll release chapters every now. Make-up chapters started Friday when they said power would be back online.

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It was a three-day ride towards the Vargan provenance, through the Raven Woods, struck by odd shape shadows and writhing tree branches, overrun by marshes, said to kill the unsuspecting, preying upon children and woman alike. Bandits roamed, though they didn't attack the House Nier battalion, which wore its banners high.

"A few more ours, my lord," Ser Ian Vastnar shouted on horseback.

"How are the men?" Altair asked, unable to recall the last time he had ridden a stallion this fine, flying across the earth with grace. He felt free beneath the

"Strong," said Ian firmly. He glanced to his rear at the men of three hundred strong. "But I'd suggest we slow our pace to—"

"No,' Altair silenced him. "If they cannot keep up, then they don't deserve the title of knight." His voice echoed into each of the men's ears. "Count Kinvar has said to have secured the city of Inka, but given his forces, he'll only last four days. Three have passed. I don't want any of the Viscount men to escape, commonborn or not."

A baleful aura shrouded the young emperor, quelling the whispers of discontent amongst his forces. Fourth Circle, though he might be, his spiritual might brought a sense of dread and comfort no one could deny.

"Nia, how does it look?" Continue your adventure with empire

The dual pupils, Shadow, frowned, "The Crest of the Golden Trident is the mark of the Imperial Family, is it not?"

"Yes," said Ian, glancing towards the woman ordained in the Crest of the Black Moon over her leather black surcoat. It wasn't one of the houses he was familiar with. "You can see that far?"

Nia didn't respond to him. "I count twenty, but it seems Lord Kinvar's men are barring entry. The Imperial Guards don't look too happy. They look like they're about to kill everyone."

Altair frowned, glancing down at his horse. His finger flashed, piercing through the skull, killing it in a single motion. "Arise," he spoke before the horse could stumble, spreading his Vale Qi within the beast. Black flames danced across the surface of the stallion, writhing uncontrollably.

Altair appeared as if he was riding a great ball of fire that took towards the skies at such a speed it seemed incomprehensible.

The men shouted, pointing towards the heavens in shock.

In but a few breaths, a thinly veiled line connecting the heavens to the earth came as Altair dove, his stallion's feet striking the earth with shattering force. Shadow flames danced, billowing uncontrollably, as the Shadow Beast turned its yellow eyes towards the palanquin holding a member of the Imperial family.

"The City of Inka is currently under Martial Law, under the will of House Nier. Unless you possess a signed ethic from the king, you will not be allowed passage. I suggest you leave."

Just then, one of the Imperial Guards pointed his spear towards the Young Master. "Who are you, boy!"

Altair didn't glance at him; his eyes locked at the golden ones, peering at him through the palanquin. He smiled, wrestling with an internal sensation reaching out from beside those golden eyes. He did not move until Tasha appeared like a vaporous ghost, touching his shoulder; then he returned to himself.

"My Lord, Count Kinvar is expecting us." She lifted the Seal of House Nier, an obsidian gold Fang, and showed it to the spearman standing guard. "Let us through."

"Then we'll be off," Altair said to the figure onside as the spearman ushered him through the gates. "That was a spiritual attack." He said once the gates were closed. "it felt different from the Imperial tutor."

"That's because they were trying to read your mind," Tasha happily replied. "It's a rather weak ability."

Weak? How could you say that?" Altair could not help but ask. He'd want to rely on his Omnciense for answers, but he would need all his mental and physical strengths later. He couldn't afford to experience Soul Exhaustion.

"Your palatine, Your Grace," said Tasha, a little taken back by his reply. You might not realize it, but your blood protects you in ways that you can't even imagine. Anyone can read minds, even me. It's an innate skill, but it's useless with a bit of Soul Resistance. You were only drawn in because that person was a Transcendent, but they can't read your mind. No one can."

Sending his stallion back into his Shadow, Altair sighed, deciding it was best he took a few months to get to know more about his lineage, about Tenebrae, rather than play with Tasha beneath the night. Not just his but Reina's as well; he had a feeling that the Blood of a Nephilim was far more powerful than anything he could imagine.

"I see," he said before his expression turned hard. His gaze snapped towards the commander, racing forward on foot towards him. His round belly, bouncing out of his armor, seemed almost comical, yet no one laughed.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Brakna Hildroma was transcendent and said to have faced two Transcendents in battle during the Clash of Redima. He alone held the enemy at bay for three years to a standstill, neither side gaining the upper hand.

Round face and belly with arms the size of a boar, Lord Brakna Hildroma towered over Altair like a bear on two feet.

"Sorry for the late arrival, Young Master; I would have greeted you had I known you'd arrive so early." He said, lowering himself before the Young Emperor.

Altair had to stop himself from smiling. Transcendents weren't required to bow, be they commoners or nobles; they had earned the right to be seen as equals. For Brakna to bow meant that he sought to align himself with Altair.

"My arrival was shortened due to the arrival of the imperial family," Altair began, accepting the gesture with open arms. "I delayed the matter, but the pride of nobles isn't something one can control."

"You think they'll break through the wall?" Brakna asked.

"No. I suspect someone will lower the gates for them. Inka is a large city; there are bound to be Imperial supporters." He glanced around, studying the faces of those that met his eye, curious about the face of the man who slept for a thousand years. He smiled back, waving at a few ladies who blushed, turning their heads.

Abruptly, his gaze turned towards the gate. It was soft, almost indiscriminate, but there it was again, the sensation that once tried to invade his mind, latching onto a guard of humble origins.

"My Lord," Said Brakna. "What do you—"

"You don't sense that?" Altair asked in surprise, turning to Tasha. He stopped himself from talking, realizing not everyone was as sensitive when it came to souls as he was. Devils and Demons were a spiritual race that was said to corrupt anyone aside from Seraphs. At the same time, Altair was a Primordial who dealt entirely with souls.

He realized it would be odd if he hadn't sensed that pulse of soul essence.

"I don't understand," Brakna continued.

"Tasha, can you ward this place against such attacks? I'd rather not give that man a chance."

The Lilm bowed. "Of course, my Lord. Soul Combat is my forte, after all."

"Soul Attack? "Brakna's eyes went wide as a surge of energy reached out from inside him, and his eyes landed on the lone soldier. "I-I-I am ashamed. How could I—"

"It's a mess out here," Altair cut in. "Leave it to my maid. Lead me to House Vadica. How many Trancendents do they have, and how many soldiers are ready to die?

Brakna seemed troubled, though his response was quick. "They have three Transcendents left. The Fourth was a woman who killed herself when she heard the news, though not before killing half the women of House Vadica before she was stopped. She imploded her core and died on the spot. Some are calling her a witch, but…"

"She's a hero," Altair said. "Soldiers on a battlefield are nothing more than beasts."

"My Lord, I assure you that my soldiers know better," Brakna explained, ushering the young master towards the Vadica Estate, towards the far east.

Altair smiled, "Doesn't that make it all the more sweet?" Altair was not so naive as to believe that Brakna men would obey the order to simply kill all they found. Some would happily plant their seed into a wench and kill her before carrying on. In the heat of battle, who would know? What brother-in-arms would betray their trust for a family of traitors?

The commander went silent. He knew all too well the cruelty of what was to come.

"How many Transcendents do we have on our side."

"Ten, your grace, the Bannermen of House Nier are here to serve. Those that couldn't attend the banquet in time did send over men, while those that knew couldn't attend hired mercenaries in their stead."

"Make a note of the families that aided us; I'd like to personally thank them." Suddenly, Altair began to frown, noticing the large number of people gathered around. For a city under martial law, the streets seemed offly populated by civilians rather than soldiers.

Tasha caught up with him then, hurrying to his side with a curious look as the throng cleared a path towards the gates that barred entry to the Vadica Estate.

"My Lord…" she whispered in his ear so softly he nearly missed it. 'I sense an aura similar to that Giant that attacked you."

Altair's brow jumped. "The Crucible?"