Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 61: One Year

Overlooking the highest peak beneath uneven land, both tall and short, fixated with stones forged of condensed Mana that stood like mountains, carving valleys that stretched for miles. A young boy stood locked in the lotus position. By his side stood two strange manners of humonoids. Their skin was a pale eerie grey, with tone physiques, while their eyes burned an inhuman amethyst.

"Master," Jörm called the vigilance in his eyes never fading. "It's time."

The Master grinned. "One year..." He said, carrying a devilish charm unbefitting of his age. He graciously stood to his feet, opening his eyes that eternally glowed within the darkness. Altair turned to Kirr and Jörm, his Eye of Sacrilege dimming the world around him. "It's been a while since I saw the moon."

Kirr nodded, his handsome expression untouched by the scars of his past life lit up. "We can finally leave this place."

Jörm rolled his eyes. "It's just snow outside. Nothing special."

"I've never seen snow!" Kirr childishly exclaimed, turning to his brother. "What is it like? Is it slippery? Sticky? or oozy? Maybe..."

"Ok-ok," Altair said, cutting in over the excitable Kirr. "You'll see it in a few days. First, let's leave."

"Master... House Aros is sure to have sent assassins to take you out," Jörm warned, his eyes narrowing with a fiendish light. He bowed his head. "If you would... Allow me to—"

"Do you still want revenge?" Altair patiently asked, knowing his Shadows could not lie to him.

Jörm fell to a knee. "No, my lord. I only seek to aid you. It's why I abandoned the name Dillian Aros." he lowered his head to the damp dirt. "I only wish to protect you."

"Then protect," Altair commanded, stepping past Kirr and Jörm as they dissipated into nodes of black light. The Prince proceeded ahead over the hundreds of thousands of bodies and bones, both fresh and decayed. When the winds blew, death followed, as did the whimpered roars of monsters and cryptids.

From mountain to mountain, the Prince journeyed through valleys and swamp lands, with silencing being his only friend. There had been no manner of beast or monstrosity that had dared to strike. From the moment the presence of death appeared, none dared to move.

[Divine Being, 'She who Hunts' is hungry for a hunt]

"Again?" Said the Prince, shaking his head. "We slaughtered a den of lizard men yesterday."

"The rivers were dangerous." He replied, wrapping his arms around her waist, shaking. "I've missed you, big sis."

Luna felt her heart warm. "When I told you to go find yourself. I did not mean to spend a year in utter darkness." She sighed, patting him on the back. And looked up at his head of hair, Matted, littered with lice, and the unspeakable. She dragged him towards a lake a few miles away. "Go take a bath.

No way Reina is seeing you like this."

'So this is Masters Sister." Jörm muttered with reverence.

"She's pretty!" Kirr added. "Hey, Master, can I swim in the snow?"

"You can't swim in the snow, you idiot."

"Wanna bet!"

When they arrived at the small cold spring, Altair could see the cold air rising from out of the lake. He'd not seen such clear water in such a long time. And as his reflection appeared over the mirrored image of the water, he all but gasped at his disheveled appearance.

"I look homeless!" He cried, leaping into the water far below freezing. Coldness burrowed into his bones, eating away the dirt and filth gathering around his flesh. For a whole five minutes, Altair did not rise, wrestling to cleanse his body.

He rose a different man. One who appeared untouched by the elements themselves, the charm he carried seemed only to intensify. Free and unburdened, Altair grinned like a little boy befitting his age. "Wanna join me, Big sis?"

"How old are you now? Eleven? Soon to make twelve?" Luna mused, dipping her bare feet in icy waters. She observed the playful child she'd been watching over. "Don't forget to clean your ears. And crotch."

"Big Sis!!" Altair blushed.

Luna smirked. " Not my fault you smell like a graveyard." She pointed out, kicking her feet back and forth. She opened her palm, summoning shampoo, body wash, and conditioner, and tossed it to him. "Clean yourself well. You wouldn't want Ren to say you are smelly. You know how sensitive her nose is."

Disrobing within the icy waters, Altair thought back to the time he left, finding a bright smile. "How is she?"

The Goddess of the Moon mischievously lifted her lips. "You'll see."