Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 199: Festival of Chaos: Davos

With a step of trepidation forward, the iridescent eyes of the Kistune swayed toward the Prince. 'So much does he resemble his majesty.' she thought, that a sense of hope blossomed within her chest.

"My name is Kara,' she said, entering the dimensional rift to the Serpents Outreach.

Altair grinned and gestured for Kuu to follow. He closed the rift and laughed a cry of victory. His kingdom was growing. Even if Kara's arrival is a temporary endeavor, he had gained a potential ally.

"Altair... she said Ancient and Seraphim. That sounds like—" Ren was saying, and Altair nodded before she could finish.

"Your parents. I know," he whispered, studying the tinge of coldness in the way she spoke. 'Was she angry?' "We'll talk to her in a few days when we've time. Right now, we must make note of how strong these Soul Kings are."

"They are all Old Gods,' said Syris calmly. "It's imperative to either kill or recruit them. I suppose that's your intention."

The Prince did not deny it, rather admired the way in which she caught hold of his purpose. "It is. Kara mentioned that the Astral Sea is where she laid her head. So perhaps this is true for the others. How much do you know about Astera, Syris?"

"The Prime World?" She paused, thinking, then, " Not much, but I do know it's ruled by a young man who goes by the name of Jin. I believe that based on the rate at which he grows mentally and physically, he is about eighteen. Though, not much is known about him. The Reverend Mother only said that he was not to be crossed."

Ren was slightly confused. "The rate at which he grows?" She repeated, "What do you mean?"

"Just as it sounds. Higher lifeforms don't live like humans. Simply put, we age slower. That includes mentally. Jin, for example, is technically considered an Old God despite most considering him a New God. However, he's only just become a man based on his mental acuity."

Syris thought for a bit longer. "No one really knows why this phenomenon exists; however, it affects most higher lifeforms. Causing them to be extremely childish or naive. From what I've read on Genesis, the last Era, known as the Age of Night, that brought forth the Monarch of Night. Children of Gods were born as Gods, requiring almost ten thousand years to reach the mental age of ten.

And for extremely powerful gods, that number is even higher, requiring cycles if not Dao or Chaos Cycles."

Altair and Ren were incredulous, with many questions spinning within their minds.

"That said, there is a way to speed line this process if you will. And that's by tragedy. Force a child to grow up with the horrors of the world, and this strange phenomenon will vanish entirely. I can't say much about Altair, but Renia's blood is something that is extremely pure. I'm sure you're one of these special souls. At least you were one of them."

"Lord Raven knows the answer!" the crow shouted on top of Ren's head. "It's known as the Invocation of Innocence," she said with a caw! "Most newborn souls, and I mean newborn souls, fresh off from the boat tend to be attuned to the One's Ancient Aura, making them sort of immortal in a sense. They see things and hear things most cannot even begin to comprehend.

That's why it's so important to hone the child during this state."

"So this Jin is one of them? Of these—"

"Absolutes, they are called,' said Raven, saluting with her wing.

"Whatever. So Jin, the King of Astera, is one of them?"

"Prince, not king," Syris informed him. "Strangely enough, I can't get much information on the King and Queen of Asteria.

Altair folded his arms, annoyed. Annoyed by his own ignorance surrounding the Myriad Heavens. There had been only four Prime Worlds, each of them with their own Gods and histories dating back far beyond what people ever hoped to comprehend in a single lifetime.

"Demonic Lighting, eh?' he laughed, opening his palm, catching the infernal lighting bolt with his bare hands. Crackles blazed and burned, but as if held by some intangible force, it could not harm Davos.

[Daddy: Damn!]

[Archeon: I hate Astral users. They trivialize all long-range attacks.]

Altair felt his jaw dropped, unable to believe his eyes, when [foresight] warned of danger.

Hurling the lightning back towards Auroar at three times the speed, Altair barely had time to appear, slapping the lightning away with his understanding of how it worked. Stones turned to magma and magma to vaper in the blink of an eye beneath the sheer force of the lightning.

DING

Name: Davos ???

Race: Dragon [Transfiguration]

Str: 100

Dex: 100

Con: 100

Wis:100

Chr:100

Mana: 100

'He's just like Master? Their stats are the same. But how the hell is he—'

"That eye?" Davos said darkly, sensing something invading his soul. He scowled and moved like a blur; his image became like an iridescent ribbon arriving before Altair in a flash.

Altair felt his heart skip a beat at the terrifying speed, reacting only based on instinct. His palm clashed against Davos's, sending shockwaves through the city. Altair held his ground, gritting his teeth, feeling his bones vibrate. He flicked his wrist, seeking to sever Davos's arm with Shadowclaw.

But in a frightening sense of awareness, Davos danced away with his mysterious footwork, flicking his finger as if to gesture his opponent to follow. Altair was jerked toward him with the aid of telekinesis.

"Bastard!"

Davos only laughed, ducking beneath 'Ice' that came like a wild storm above his head. He pioved back off the tips of his toes.

"You two are nice! Green but nice. Don't worry, I won't kill you. But... you'd better entertain me, well." He said, transferring energy into his Spirit Domain. "If you don't, I might accidentally tear an arm or two off."