Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 254: Land of the Amazons

It had taken nearly seven days for Altair to regain control of his emotions as far as Syris was involved. He had so many questions, wanting to join her in her dungeon diving, but he held himself back. It hadn't been his place to ask such a question.

Not that he even knew how to broach the subject.

And so he held his tongue, almost as if to allow her to keep her noble barring before him, smiling each time Syris would return for a rest or had dinner. He kept his smile, swallowing his pride until she was ready to broach the subject.

"Master! Are you ready?" Alyssa asked, wrapped in the formal attire, bearing the Crest of Tenebrae on her back.

"You ever had that feeling where you really don't want to leave your house, but you lowkey have no choice?"

Inside a cruiser bound for the Amazonian Dungeon towards the North, Tasha found herself self-exchanging glances with Alyssa, giggling at one another.

"Of course not. You're just in a bad mood." Said Alyssa, patting his shoulder, smoothing out any wrinkle that caught her eye. "Are you sure you're not just scared of meeting a god? Athena is quite known for her infinite wisdom and beauty. I'm sure that can be quite intimidating."

"You seem a little too zealous," said Altair, smirking. "I know all about Athena thanks to you. Or at least all I should know."

"Then allow me to inform you that Athena is not a kind god," said Tasha as a matter of fact. "In fact, most of the Old Gods are absolute monsters who don't seem to be able to tell the difference between right and wrong."

Altair merely shrugged. "Well, I can't really blame the Old Gods. I've already gone mad. It's the price of power, is it not?" when he felt his Cruizer dock, he yawned, forcing himself up. "Look at you. I still allow you by my side, and I'm quite sure you're not alright in the head."

"I'm offended," said Tasha, feigning being hurt with a teasing grin. "Lord Blackwood, I am, of course, a sane woman. I just enjoy letting loose every once in a while. And to prove it to you, I even returned from the Hells to acquire some cooking material."

"You really went to the Hells just to acquire some cooking material?" The mere idea seemed so out of pocket off the Cruzer Altair was gaping.

"Quite. " said Tasha in the affirmative, pleased with herself. "Gluttony, My dear King, is a sin. And what better place to indulge in all your desires than the Hells?"

Just then, a shrill laugh caught the air as Vina, one of the two guards of the Amazonian Portal, caught sight of Alyssa.

"Sister!" she waved, her eyes meeting Lord Blackwoods. Dread penetrated her innards like a cold shard of ice, stifling her voice until it did not remain. Vina went paler than a ghost, losing herself within those fathomless black eyes.

She dropped, falling over dead.

It hadn't been an intentional thing, but Altair was shocked to see her reaction.

"Is she ok?"

Paint the sand red." He turned around, conjuring a brush and some canvas.

The female warrior looked stunned before she exploded in laughter; she raised her sword, " SIsters—"

"That is enough; all of you stand down." said a cold, effeminate voice, emerging on the beach like a ghostly apparition, bleeding a strange, oppressive aura, weighting the very air.

Altair smiled, his gaze sweeping across a woman in all white. But the order had been given. And who was Alyssa, if not his a Knight of his court?

Without pause, Alyssa's fist closed the distance between the Amazonian Warrior, her palm plunging through the breastplate and breast exploding out the back in a geyser of red against the stand.

"My king demands death," she intoned, opening a palm, crafting sword, shield, and armor form out of raw Infernal Lightning. She looked every bit like a goddess of war, unleashing a dreadful wave of presence onto the beach.

"Bastard!" shouted the unnamed woman.

"Hmmmmm~" Hummed Tasha, resting her chin onto the woman's shoulder, to her surprise. "I really want some cookie points with Altair. So, despite my distaste for involving myself in mortal affairs, I have no choice but to kill you, Silia. No hard feelings, right? A half-transcendent like you ought to understand, right?"

Silia drained of color, unsure how she had gotten so close without her notice. She was practically on her. "How do you know my name? I've not spoken it in over five hundred years!"

"We devils see the true names of all. The benefits of forming deals," said Tasha, removing her chin from her shoulder. Her gaze narrowed dangerously, "Anyway—"

"Don't kill her," said Thaan, his voice echoing through the Devil's Soul.

"Sorry. I don't listen to you," said Tasha, ready to drive her palm through Silia's chest when she saw Altair's smiling face. She shook, lowering her palm, thinking, 'Why is he testing me? Did I make a mistake?'

And said, patting the young woman's shoulder, "Just kidding! Call off your little party here. And I'll let you live. No need to kill them, right, Lord Blackwood?"

"I did order it... but we are on a diplomatic mission. I guess mercy is in order. What do you think, Thaan?"

Thanatos elegantly bowed. "Mistakes were surely made on their apart, my Lord, but I don't believe killing everyone present is the most diplomatic solution."

Altair did not look convinced, weaving brush across the canvas, his eyes lifted towards the scene. He nodded, "I am in agreement, but... they raised a sword against me. What is a sword if not a weapon meant to kill? But now I'm curious. What gift does Athena have for me? Alyssa, my knight, kill everyone aiming their bows at me."

Thaans silently stared at him, confused.

"Tasha, bring that woman here. Of everyone present. Her life is far more valuable to me."