Shadow of the Abyss

Disturbing Chapter:

The twin guardsmen, Brad and Rick, glared at one another in a debate over Riena having only been seen in passing. It had been Roy, a young tower guard, who'd spotted her. Who'd describe her with such precision and grace? Every guard had felt themselves salivate. Especially so at the mention of Luna. The other who mysteriously vanished without a trace.

It had been seven years since they last seen a clean woman, one untouched by the Breeders of House Aros. Ones whose skin did not feel sticky or smelt of another man. These two were sure to still be pure. Sure to have been fresh and innocent.

A/N: This feels so uncomfortable…

"You sure Roy saw what he saw? That drunken fool has goofed more times than he's wet his cock." Brad spat, spitting thick yellowish bile from his lips. He snorted, groping his crotch.

Rick, a skinny fellow carrying a deep gash over his right eye, sneered: "Then leave. I'll be sure to toss her to you after I've had my fun. You have always been a shotgun last type of bitch." He poked at the thick leather hide fashioned from the plethora of Black Mamba around.

Brad's expression turned sour as he scuffed: "Piss off. I'm sick of being here. Eight years, Rick! Eight."

"You know the rules. Ten years, mate. Ten and were free to leave this hell. The captain has been here for ten years. From slave to captain. Quite a feat, eh?"

"Not really." Brad denounced, shaking his head. "They castrated him. Chopped his balls off and scorched it shut. That's not a win, no matter your position. What's the point of freedom if you can't spread it with your kin? The man can't even get it up."

"For real?"

"No point lying. You should see the Cap drunk. Fuck, it's depressing. He just cries. Ever seen an amputee shake from Phantom Pain? Well, he got that shit in his nuts."

"Pssff!"

Listening above, Riena and Altair lay, their small bodies poised for action. Altair had originally planned to execute them but held out. The existence of these men had mystified him. How could there be grown men when there was an age limit on the dungeon?

He glanced at Riena, nodded, and without an ounce of hesitation. Everything had happened so fast it surprised even Altair, as Riena's entire being lit up as she flashed. Knowing he could not fall behind and disrupt the sync attack, he kicked off the branch. Shattering the stem as his sword whipped through the unsuspecting guardsman.

The strike was so clean and precise that Rick's head did not fall until he turned to look at Altair with a curious look. He staggered forward, his eyes swaying to the gruesome strike of Brad's head rolling on the floor.

It was not until the sight of red caught up with his consciousness did everything cut to black. His head tumbled from his shoulders with the rainfall of blood painting the grass a beautiful, unmatched red.

[Guardsman Felled: Exp Gain]

[Level Up! Stats have Increased]

Altair

Age: 9

Mana Circle:75% complete

Class: Young Prince Lv 2 [First Awakening]

Strength: 2

Dexterity:4

Constitution:2 → 3

Wisdom: 5 → 6

Charisma: 5 → 6

Mana: 2

As if a storm had gathered within him, Altair trembled for a brief moment as all his senses seemed to expand. Colors were blending and twisting, deepening his connection to nature. His vision had presented an entirely new world.

"You ok?" Reina asked, poking at his cheek. The blood stains over her eyes, glimmering beneath the rays of sunlight.

"I leveled up." He said, kicking the headless body away without remorse. He could smell the scent of wine, which was probably what he had earlier this morning. Altair didn't know, nor did he care. His mind was fixed on the peculiar sensation his arms experienced cutting through the guardsman's neck.

It was eerie, but it had also been so easy. So simple. But different when compared to slaughtering his former brethren. Back then, he felt nothing but a sense of hunger and a will to survive.

"Altair?" Reina whispered, her beastal senses connecting to his emotions.

"It's nothing," He replied, patting down the headless body for any clues. "I—"

"You did a wonderful job!" Luna remarked, emerging from the shadows like a ghost, smiling. " I'd have thought you know nothing of humanity's drive of procreation. It seems I was wrong."

"I don't understand it." Altair acknowledged. " But Mother explained it to me. Said that those who can't control their baser instincts are no different than animals that need to be put down. Whether they are friends or allies, there is a line that shouldn't be crossed. Did I do good?"

Luna had watched the trickle of a smile that cut like a knife presented itself upon the young boy's tender lips and approve of his words. And while he could not grasp the meaning behind the wisdom it presented, he would in time, or perhaps he already did.

"You should get going. I—"

"Why did you leave?" Altair was the first to ask. Not understanding why."Why did you just vanish like that?"

"Oh? I'm not your protector. I'm your teacher. And I'm not even that. I will not baby you, little brother. If you wish to be a man or command some authority in your lifetime, you need to learn to think independently." And her lips curled down, deepening into cold shards of ice.

" You'll either rise. Or you'll fall with everyone you love. That's life."

Luna gave him a long, measured stare only to vanish back into the shadows as though she were an apparition. This alerted Altair for a brief moment of danger. Goosebumps were quick to prickle his skin and even faster to spread down his spine as he stilled.

"Don't you know Gods can't intervene in matters of mortals? I believe it has something to do with the Shadow Proclamation."

"But they can warn, can't they?" Altair spat coldly. "Or do you not value your life? All it takes is one mistake, one wrong move, and that's it. Everything you work for is gone!" He whirled, shoulders trembling with fury. "Let's go before reinforcements arrive. We'll alternate between ground and tree branches to mask our tracks."

Reina watched as Altair took off. Ever since he had returned, she'd found him off. Some days, he seemed happy and mischievous. Other times cold and distant. But there had never been a time he'd raised his voice at her. Never a time where he'd shown such anger.

She pondered no more than a second and followed after him, tracking his every step as her mind wandered off.

Name: Reina Of The Moon

Age: 9

Race: Nephilim [Unawaken]

Circle: [First Circle Complete], [Second Circle 1%]

Class: Blood Knight Lv 1

Strength: 2

Dexterity:3

Constitution:2

Wisdom: 11

Charisma: 11

Mana: 6

Passive: [Curse of the Nephilim (S+)], [Alchemy (F)], [Mana Manipulation (F)], [Blood Poisoning S]

Skills: [Polymorph (F)], [Infernal Rage(F+)], [Ice Manipulation (F)]