Shadow of the Abyss

Iliana's amethyst-red eyes twinkle with mischief as they usually did. She stepped in closer, and Altair could just about taste the supple scent of lavender. "You're going to be mine from now on."

Instinctually, Altair took a step back, covering his chest as if he were a maiden on her wedding night. "Master… if others heard you, they'll—"

"Piss on the thoughts of others!" Iliana stepped forward, snatching him by the collar, and said, "If I wanted you. I'd take you. Unfortunately…" She released him, straightening his crumple robes. "You are a tad too weak. But we'll fix that."

Altair flushed, so taken back he was at a loss for words. Perhaps he'd never known his master well enough, but not once had he ever imagined her being so forward with him. Experience more content on empire

Iliana smiled broadened. The more she stared at the blank canvas before her, the more she wanted to steal him away. She had to wonder if her other self knew of his potential.

"Altair…" she tipped his head up with a lithe finger across his chin. "How much do you know about Abyssals? Are you aware of their Hive Mind or the function of Abyssal Qi?"

"You've talked about it before, but I've never met an abyssal aside from you and the Empress," Altair said, reminded of the various lessons Iliana had instilled within.

"Good." she mused. "Now, before I kill the dungeon master for his defiance against the Abyss. I'd like to know something." she beamed, opening her palm as a translucent barrier coalesced around the two, barring the eyes of gods and demons alike. "Have you awakened your omniscience?"

Strangely, Altair wasn't surprised Iliana knew his secrets. Still, he wondered how many others knew this as well. "I have, how'd you know?"

Iliana tipped her head up with grace. "I'm your master, that's how."

"Seriously?"

She beamed. "You ain't the only one who knows things. Do you know why I'm so willing to teach you?"

Altair shook his head. "No idea. Your past self wasn't too keen on the idea."

"Probably because you hadn't awakened. You see, Altair, you possess an ability that isn't used for battle, which truly makes it inferior to the Abyssal Hive Mind, which draws on all the experience, skills, aspects, and concepts of other Abyssals." Iliana nodded, placing her palm on her curvy hips. "And it shouldn't be like that.

As someone with Omniscience, you ought to be able to know everything and perform just about anything with perfect accuracy."

"I need time to comprehend…"

"Piss on comprehension." She gave his forehead a flick. "You are all-knowing. You shouldn't have to comprehend that knowledge with Omniscience active. All that tells me is that you lack control of your power. Your brother and sister. Ves and Iza both possess the ability of causality.

Cause and Effect. At first, they could only see the past, present, and future. But now, they are able to manipulate causality to seek whatever result they want. Do you think that's done out of comprehension? Hell no. It's done because they are the children of the Abyss.

They don't need to understand how it's done. You are the same."

Her eyes were perhaps a tad bit too feverish that it made Altair quiver.

"In all the Myriad, there has never been a warrior to use Omniscience in battle in the way I'd imagine." Iliana licked her lips, eyeing the boy with a look that made him take two or three steps back midair. "There was one who had the chance, but he gave it up for some reason. But you. You're not giving it up. I'll not let you."

"Not to dampen your excitement, but I'm quite busy. I have a coming war back on Terra, and I have the Towers to climb. Do you think we'll have enough time to—"

"I'll just stop time or destroy it. Whatever works." Iliana said nonchalantly. "You're overthinking things. Now, then… let's start on the next floor. I've got to deal with this idiotic Dungeon Master… Look at him…" She squinted her eyes. "He's fled quite a distance.

I'll be back. Oh… might you want his blood? I saw you devouring a blood bag when I reviewed the Time Nodes."

"Ummm… Sure." Altair said, unsure of what to say. He was quite sure he wouldn't be able to devour such blood, but that didn't matter. He could use it for inscriptions or forging weapons. Hephaestus, perhaps, might even enjoy a few blood bags himself.

"Good, see you on the next floor," Iliana said, vanishing with a bloodthirsty smile.

As the barrier disbursed around Altair, he sighed, slowly bringing himself back to the ground.

Tasha held a heavy blush, studying him as he returned. She bowed almost immediately. "Congrats. It seems you've acquired much gains."

Altair was inclined to agree but didn't bother to explain himself. Now that Iliana had proclaimed him her disciple before everyone under the Heavens, he was sure more trouble would find him.

"Let's just get the hell out of this floor," he said, lifting the unnamed sword in his hand. He gave it some thought and smiled, "I shall name you Gram, after the Lords of Chaos and Sky within the Hells."

[You have named Unnamed sword Gram]

Name: Gram

Race: ??? [Unnamed]

Str: 150

Dex: 150

Con: 150

Wis: 150

Chr: 150

Mana: 100

Skills:[unbreakable], [Attribute Share], [Infernal]

Souls: 1 [+ 10 Points To All Attributes per day]

"What the hell?" Altair mewled. "It'll be stronger than me in a year's time? That's not even fair."

"Well, that's how Devils work. We feed on souls, absorbing one hundred percent of their strength and then some." Tasha explained. "You'll do well to feed your sword well. It'll only grow stronger as time progresses.'

With a silent agreement, Altair once more felt his attributes sealed once more as his grimoire ring returned to his finger. He didn't say much, only returning Gram to Drupnir. He said," We need to find this Lich King. We've been here long enough."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Everyone nodded before Morrigan strutted forward," We've got bigger problems than that. You killed Varis. The Goddess of Rot will not be pleased."

Altair touched his shoulder, sensing his omniscience stir deep within his consciousness. He couldn't quite place it yet, but he could sense a set of eyes silently monitoring his actions.

'Azura, no doubt,' Altair told himself, curious to know if the mark of cane was able to pierce the vale of Iliana's barrier. 'Does she know about my Omniscience?' he shook his head and, after a moment, said," If it was truly a big deal, she'd have summoned me."

Truthfully, he was curious as to why Azura hadn't contacted him in the last few months. Surely, it hadn't been because the abyss had frightened her.

"You're taking this too lightly, Altiar," Morrigan said. "Even if you possess even the highest backing the world has ever imagined. It will not deter those who bear the Mark. Syris will pay the price, or your kingdom, for that matter. You are not so strong that they cannot find a way to keep you under their boot."

"You seem awfully worried," Altair mused with a slight smile. "Well, don't worry about it. I know what I'm doing. Now, let's skip the hordes of undead and reach the Ascension Gate. I'd like to secure that area before we uproot this entire city to find the Lich King."

Morrigan stayed her words, biting her lip, watching him depart. She stepped to follow, only to find herself walking forward into the lake of rot. She quivered, biting back the sickening heat tracing her face, turning it bright red. It was like a scorching heat eating away at her extremities.

Azura sat beside Cain before the blossoming tree surrounded by the horrid rot that made any man pray they wake from this nightmare.

Cain gestured. "Sit"

Reluctantly, Morrigan obeyed, finding a seat across the two. "How can I help you?"

"Altair… is becoming too… arrogant."

"Arrogant?" Azura scuffed. "The boy is playing with fire. He practically spat in my face."

"That's enough, sister," Cain said.

"You're not the one he spat on. You don't get to tell me that." Azura snapped, shifting her attention back to Morrigan. "It would seem he's forgotten that, though he might be a tad bit useful. Syris is not as protected."

Morrigan stared. "My lady, you'll destroy any sort of goodwill with—"

"What good is goodwill before the Almighty?" Azura blatantly asked, silencing both Cain and Morrigan. "Altair is but a boy who believes himself a man. Why do you think Lilith, or even his supposed master, hasn't removed our mark?"

With a passing moment of thought, Morrigan said," They need time to understand the nature of it, the Mark."

"Correct," said Azura coldly. "But let's assume they could remove the mark. I'd imagine they'd want Altair to act as a spy." she smiled nastily, placing a palm across the table, where a letter appeared from out of nowhere. She slid it to Morrigan. "Give this to Altair Blackwood. Tell him this is the price of his actions.

Tenebrae's child or not. It matters not. A tool that doesn't know its place isn't useful. Don't you think?"

Morrigan gulped, accepting the letter. "What…what is it?"

"A marriage proposal for his dear Syris."