Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 20: The Serpents Outreach [F]

Snapping his dark amethyst eyes op, Altair felt every fiber of his being hum to life, quivering with an thralling power. He smiled, clching his fist, overwhelmed by the power hidd beath his flesh.

"Your up!" Tebrae sang, rushing from out of the woods. " Looks like I made it in time!" She took him into her arms, pressing his head betwe her breast. " How I've missed my baby! How are you feeling, little Alt?!"

His cheeks flared with color. " Mother! Not in front of Onee-chan" He glanced towards the porch to the sitting goddess, glaring at him with piercing eyes. And a chill prickled his skin.

Arms folded over her lap, the chilling Luna stared grimly as a layer of frost touched her serine expression. 'I want hugs too.' She thought, rising to her feet with grace. Her piercing gaze intsified. 'How does Luna get hugs? Wait... did he call me onee-chan? AHHHHHH!!!!!~'

She approached him, her cold expression melting away. "How are you feeling...little brother?"

"Onee-chan is so pretty." the boy said, popping up his head to me her warm smile. " I feel great! Never better!"

Luna chuckled. " That's good. Mother, is everything ready?"

Lifting his head high to see his Mother, Altair suddly noticed a strange backpack on his mother's back. He stared at her questioningly.

"Luna is taking you to a dungeon today. You're going to spd a year or two there." she settled him down, removing her backpack. Altair could see a bow, arrows, a spear, and several daggers poking out of her bag. "Luna is going to stay with you for six months. Teaching you how to survive. After that, she will leave."

"Eh?"

Dread fell over his small heart as he stared at her, unable to stop the pool of tears from rising over his cheeks and the sudd heat pressing against his heart.

"Your... you're not coming?" he stammered.

She shook her head, a bitterness of love pressing over her lips. " I'm afraid not." She graced her fingers through his silky hair holding back her tears and a brok heart. LadyTebrae shook. " You're growing to be a man, a Monarch of the Ages. Mommy has already st you information about Enigmatic Step. It should take three months for the system to register it if you train it properly."

"I don't care about that... Mom. I want Mom." Altair mumbled, sniffling as the pang of anguish shimmered like a fire. He looked up at her only to bow his head.

"Remember, a king must never bow his head—"

"You're my mommy... I'll bow it to you." He insisted.

Warmth showered Tebrae as she smiled. "Th how about we talk every week? But only if Luna approves of it. Your cold sister will be your guardian and mtor. Kay?"

Altair snapped his head to Te. "Really!"

"Of course. But you must do something for Mommy."

[Ding]

[Would you like to Enter The Serpts Outreach]

Time Limit: Five Years

Capacity: 44/50

Objective: Slay the Corrupted Serpt

Restriction: Fifte Years Old Or Younger

[Yes or No]

"Yes," Altair said, his grip tighting over the scabbard of Endmyian wh a soft palm settled over his head.

"You'll see her again. Our Mother is a Monster."

Light flared over the horizon as Altair felt himself being sucked through the Gate. And as if he'd stepped through a door, a new world onto itself oped up for him.

He gasped, amored by the fast greery sce stretching further than the eye could see. He stilled wh a sudd sse of knowing jolted through him. The boy fell to one knee as a vicious claw swept over his head, cleaving the air in half.

Curiosity rather than dread swept through his heart as the thought of what manner of beast that attacked him flickered through his mind. He kicked off his feet, rolling, catching sight of a five-meter wolf-like monster baring its fangs. Its arms and legs were nearly twice the size of the young Prince.

Milky yellow saliva pooled from the beast's mouth as its gold red eyes stared at Altair. The beast circled the young Prince. Marking him its target.

'A Black Mamba... Seem it's taking the shape of a wolf. I want a polymorph skill too. How cool would that be!' Altair thought calmly, eyeing the beast and his surings. He reached for Endymion wh the Black Mamba whipped towards him. Faster than anything he'd se before, a searing heat ripped against his chest as he leaped back, barely dodging a fatal blow.

The Black Mamba charged just as Altair landed, its arms and feet dissipating as it hurled itself through the winds like a vicious beast, baring its fangs at the Prince's neck.

Ruby-red blood swelled from out of Altair's tunic. But he didn't dare pull his gaze away. Intse focus swelled within his mind as deep within his chest, the Circle of Gluttony began to spin ev faster, twisting the dse mana a him to its will. A violet darkness began to gather a the Prince.

He stepped towards the advancing Black Mamba, performing a quick draw through the beast's jaws. A cresct arc of dark light trailed Endymion as his sword whipped through the beast, as he used the serpt's own movemt against it.

A fountain of blood danced through the air, catching the young Prince's face as he severed the beast from jaw to head.

[Black Mamba Felled: Exp Gain]