Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 18: The Infinity Circle

Flames, the color of a vibrant jade, painted the night skies in a whirlwind of everlasting light, folding into itself into what seemed like a pillar of hellfire and brimstone, expanding over the slave quarters: Stones began to melt as if touched by magma, grass began to wilt, and trees began to burn, as did those resting beath the moon, carrying with it the screams of the slaves.

"What's going on?" Altair asked, staring up at the emerald skies. A curious expression was prest as he turned to Tebrae standing beside him on the porch. He noted the hard line of her tder jaw and glanced up at the pillar of flames in a guarded manner.

"Danger," Tebrae replied after a momt of silce. "Or perhaps opportunity." She turned to him, "Can't sleep?"

Altair chuckled wryly " Well... After Awaking, I was tired but not anymore... the momt the sun fell, I felt awake. I hope I don't have insomnia."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about it. I like spding my days during the night anyway. It's peaceful beath the moon." Tebrae softly explained, rustling his hair.

"I feel weird though...." He replied.

"Wierd, how?"

He shook his head, lifting his gaze to the night. " I... I don't know how to explain it. I think it has something to do with the Heart of Darkness Skill. But it's hard to describe."

"Oh? Isn't it just a defsive— Wait. Heart of Darkness?" Tebrae said, lifting a brow. She'd never heard of such a skill. At least not by those touched by Darkness like Altair.

"It says N/A," Altair interrupted, gazing at the moon's soft ethereal glow. He closed his eyes, almost as if he could feel the moon's transcdce against his skin.

'So not ev the system can describe it?' Tebrae thought, curious regarding the nature of what her child had be gifted: 'The system must have discovered the name of the skill but couldn't comprehd its nature. Was such a thing possible for a child? No, age isn't a factor. It never is. It's... his blood. It must be a combination of Abyssal and Myriad.'

"Alt, tell me what you know about Mana?" Tebrae said after a momt of deliberating silce, she got a grip on her turbult emotions.

"Nothing, really," The Prince said, oping his gaze to the tranquil moon, a sse of peace in his eyes. He turned to his mother. "Magister Illyo speaks of it but... I get he doesn't understand it. Not really, at least. It seems like—"

"What happs wh... Wh I reach the peak, th?" The prince asked. A question many would scuff had they heard. "How do I control the Infinity Circle?"

Tebrae's grin turned macing. "I have the answer... But I'm not going to tell you. You're a man now. An Awaked. You're going to have to make a choice. Will you risk your life, or will you seek fortune elsewhere?" She stared into the boy's eyes, quickly finding something odd.

She could see anxiety, doubt, hesitation, but... there was no fear. No inkling of dread.

There was only a devouring light within his obsidian eyes, leaving bearly room for the concept of fear.

"Th... I... "Altair pondered for a bit longer. His face focused on the Circle. "I accept. I want it... Can you teach me!"

"The Infinity Circle can't be taught, only giv." She told him, peering deep into her child. Through the outer tissue of flesh, to the flowing of his blood, to the sheets of pristine bones, to the core of his very being.

And thought: His skin isn't growing red, and his meridians are also empty of Mana despite so much suring him, yet it's also being devoured. It would seem giving him this Circle was the right decision. What a strange physique. Where is all that Mana going? But a bigger question is why he can't sse Mana yet. It should have be innate.

Tebrae narrowed her eyes, suspicion writt on her face betrayed with a hint of worry. She dismissed the Infinity Circle, calming the Mana within the air. And smiled.

"Your big sister, Luna, will be visiting either tonight or tomorrow morning. She's a lost soul, so it's hard to tell. But she will take over your training from here on out before we pass you on to your True Master."

"EHHH!! I have a big sister!" The boy shouted, his breathing returning to normal. But the blame in his vibrant obsidian eyes burning with betrayal. ' You never told me that! And what's this about a Master!"

"Well... not by blood. But you've got a lot of brothers and sisters." Tebrae muttered, scratching her cheek. " I forgot to tell you, oops. My bad." And th she grinned, a mischievous glow in her eyes. " But I'm sure you'll like Luna. She's a very lovely daughter.

Play your cards right, and I'll give her to you."

"And wh have I ever be your's to offer as if I were some piece of meat? My Dear Mother?"