Shadow of the Abyss

"Master, what shall you have me do?"

Reluctantly, Altair said, "Later, if my calculations are correct, someone should be contacting us if they haven't already."

"The Medarc came by earlier today," said Tasha. "He wanted to check up on you, but I refused him."

"Good." Altair acknowledged. He hadn't been sure of all the capabilities of a Medarc or how deep their knowledge went. No one did. All that was ever said was that Medarc's were some of the best Doctors known to the Myriad Heavens. Yet one was on the lower floors of Babel's Tower.

"The memories of Nox don't have him recorded at age 20. So he might have come at a later date."

Tasha gave an unusual look. " Master, how do you know that? Did you turn Nox into a Shadow?"

"Unfortunately, no. Nox's soul was a bit too strong for me to glean everything. But I was able to look through a few years of life yesterday before dinner."

There were a few reasons Altair acted the way he did at dinner. He needed to show House Nier that he had been betrayed. That the honor in which he held in his heart for his house was broken. They had abandoned him. Had tossed him into a worn, torn annex to rot for a thousand years.

Nox had always been arrogant, but it was an arrogance that was built on warmth towards his house, as well as pride. Altair couldn't say what Nox might be feeling at this moment, but he wasn't Nox. All he could go on was the building blocks that would have been built during Nox's twenty years of life.

Tasha lips perked up. "You used the eye of Sacrilege on the young Veil Hunter. As a Ninth Circle, I feel ashamed not realizing you'd done that underneath my eyes."

Altair grinned. Her subtle way of flattery had not gone unnoticed. "So that's your true form, huh? I like it. It's far more delicious than your human appearance."

"Only you would think so, Master," said Tasha softly. And she would be right. Were it not for Altair's Almighty Resistance cupped with the Essence of The Vale, alongside his lineage and Authority, most would feel a sense of primordial fear. To her knowledge, most who saw devils, true bodies, usually killed themselves in a state of panic.

Abrouply, Altair stood up. "Dress me. We'll come back to last night soon."

Tasha seemed reluctant at first, throwing on a tunic over her master, followed by an emblemless black leather surcoat. She stopped, finding her naughty smile when it came to his trousers; there, she saw his spear saluting her as if to say, 'I'm ready.'

"Master, shall I make it soft?"

Altair didn't answer, leaving It to her discretion. Instead, he began shifting through his notifications.

[Brand of the Incubus has Increased Your Charm]

[Charm: 25 → 29]

[Your Mana Has Increased by 60]

[Mana 340 → 400]

[Your Strength Has Increased by 100]

[Your Dexterity Has Increased by 100]Nôv(el)B\\jnn

[Your Constitution Has Increased by 100]

[Your Wisdom Has Increased by 100]

[Your Charisma Has Increased by 100] Discover more stories at empire

[Your Omniscience Recognizes a Path of Evolution for the Brand Of The Incubus]

[Soul of the Indomitable Proficiency has increased by 40%]

[The Lilm, Tasha has entered a Master-Slave Relationship with you]

[Tasha(Slave) has recognized you as her True Master]

'That's a massive jump! And what the hell is this Charm stuff?' Altair thought, jerking straight up as he grabbed Tasha by the horns. The deep groan, as pleasurable as they came, reached up from the back of his throat, up through his lips.

"Are you getting better? He asked, nearly falling back onto the bed.

Tasha grinned feverishly, cleaning him up before she pulled up his trousers. "I've only just started to learn how Master likes it. I'll only continue to get better."

The thought frightened Altair more than he wanted to admit. Though the elation he just felt was more than enough to quell his worries.

"Get dressed. Anything but white."

"You don't like the color?" She asked, pulling herself off her knees, up to her feet, as she began combing his hair, tying it into a neat ponytail.

"I don't like it on you, is all," he admitted, allowing Tasha to tend to him before hurrying off to get changed.

Altair didn't wait for her, heading towards the Medarcs Office, situated on one of the two Spires. There, he saw the dutchess beside her boy as the Medarc poured a stimulant down his throat, whispering something Altair could not make out, not that he cared.

"You wanted to see me?" He said, announcing his presence. The two seemed to jump, surprised by his arrival. It had become something of an instinctual habit by now, but Altair always kept his Spirit locked away in his heart. Ever since Thanatos taught him Shadowheart, it had become something he actively sought to Master.

"How did…No. Are you alright? You seemed pale when I saw you this morning." the Medarc asked. Kegan was his name. And from every account, he seemed normal. He had a narrow face and nose, full lips, and like all Medarcs, he had dark skin and eyes, standing a few heads shorter than Altair.

"I was trying to recover some memories but experienced minor Soul Exhaustion. It's why my maid sent you away."

Kegan touched his chin. "I checked your soul three hundred years ago. And it was in a state of Extreme Exhaustion. So much so I was sure you would not wake." He glanced suspiciously at Altair and said, "Would you mind if chec—"

Altair lifted a palm. "There will not be any of that until my trust is restored, as well as my memories. The only person I trust in this manner is Tasha."

"You called Master?" Tasha responded from around the corner from which she came. "Oh, are you here to see little Noct? Kyaaa! He is so cute!"

'Said the woman who poisoned him.' He thought. And said, "Actually, I'm curious if the Doc has anything for Soul Exhaustion."

"Soul Exhaustion is an affliction that can't be remedied. However, by adding Soul Essence into the body, we can keep you awake long, though the Exhaustion will remain until it naturally disburses. Despite what people claim, you'll still need sleep or meditation to truly recover."

Altair didn't use his Omniscience to confirm if what Kegan had said was true. He had abused it all yesterday and was feeling it today.

"So all I have to do is sleep in?"

"You can't!" The Dutchess exclaimed. Perhaps too sharply. "I mean, you can't. Your Grandfather would like a word."

"Grandfather? Hmmm. Does he have a name by chance?"

"Lord Elgar De Nier," The Duchess said. She sounded a bit sad.

"And little Noct? How's he?"

The Duchess's look improved, even finding the strength to smile. "He awoke an hour ago but fell back asleep. He even asked for you."

"Transcendent though you might be, there are still benefits to Sleep," said Kegan softly. "Allow me to Prescribe you a sedative, my Lady. The Tear of the Ludrain will put you right to sleep to help ease your anxiety."

"I'd have to agree with the Medarc. You look like shit."

Corsant anxious complexion turned from anger to rage in a single second. She opened her mouth to speak, but Altair cut her off, adding, "You looked as if you slept in a barn. Bags under eyes, hair a disheveled mess. If I were a servant, I'd assume the lord of this manor was abusing you or you were on some type of drugs. It is unbecoming, is what we are trying to say."

The Dutchess touched her face, turning to the Medarc to confirm, who, with a forced smile, said, "You don't look great, my lady. That's why I recommended the sedative."

She blushed.

"Did you think I was attacking you?" Altair smirked. "How cute. Such things are beneath me. Doc, get the lady the stimulant less she threatens me again."

"I–"

"It's alright, Mommy Number Two. We all make mistakes. I forgive you."

The dutchess had not felt more shame than ever then in that moment, recalling the way in which she treated Altair. She blushed, turning her head to face her son.

"I'm…Sorry…but I'm not sorry. Even if it's shameful, I will do anything to protect Noct," she said, brushing her hands through his hair.

"Any mother would. But you'd best understand I am not without limits. Don't test my patience, Corsant. Now then. Has the culprit confessed?"

"So it would seem," Corsant remarked. "Although it doesn't make sense."

"What doesn't?"

Corsant glanced at Altair and pulled herself to her feet. "All servants have been conditioned. For them to betray us simply doesn't make sense. What I can't understand is how anyone knew I invited a Veil Hunter. And yet one claims they were hired hours before the assassination."

Altair's expression did not betray his traitorous thoughts, asking, "And Anna? What became of her?"

"We hanged her by morning," said Corsant coldly. "The bitch knew nothing, only how to scream and beg."

"Well... I can't say much for your servants. But I will be hiring my own by week's end."

The dutchess did not seem taken back. She'd expected as much."Then I shall speak to the accountant to—-"

'That won't be necessary." Altair said with a mysterious smile. "Since I awoke, they have been by my side."