Shadow of the Abyss

Renfi Ironblood's expression was cold like iron, her handsome face hard as tempered steel. To any who didn't know, it would seem she was furious, and perhaps it was true, for her Aura thickened.

"Queen Dowager," the Marquess said coolly and respectfully. "My daughter." He had been keeping Elena alive from her dreadful presence, but should her spirit continue to rise, then…

Renfi's aura did lessen, but it was not enough for it to matter; from Altair to the Castilian, she spoke. "I needn't explain the disrespect I faced simply at your gates, should I?"

The Castilian faltered to speak, but it was Altair's voice that sounded his words. "That was under my orders. The Imperial Family has been rather active in my family lately, and I couldn't risk them interfering in the north."

Renfi snarled. "Your orders?" Her voice said nothing of the rage dwelling in it. "You barred me entry. You, who is not even a duke, command the Castilian to bar me entry."

"I forbid everyone from entering," Altair said smoothly. His eyes took in the white and blue uniform she wore. She wore it as well as any man would. "Not you personally."

The men were all pale, holding themselves back in fear of the Red Queen's anger.

"You are very… impertinent," was all Renfi said.

"Thank you," Altair responded, almost shamelessly. He saunted forward, lowering himself and plucking Elena off her knees like a kitten by the nape of her neck.

Elena was pale, but the moment his palm touched her, the pressure of a transcendent became hot air. She breathed as if she had just learned how.

"How can you kneel, my dear?" he shook his head. "When your husband stands. Stand there. No, not like that. Lift your head. She's not going to eat you.

She's not a monster. No Ironblood are, right?"

If Renfi was perturbed, she did not let it show. "You know us Ironbloods?"

"Of course. I've saved one once and fought by their side in battle. It was—"

"You lie!" An earth-shattering roar nearly took him off his feet. It might have if not for Medusa opening her palm to create a sort of forcefield around him. It was unlike any barrier he had ever seen; it seemed to be made out of not Mana but… the Soul.

'I'll have to ask her about that. How strange.'

Renfi seemed to drain of color, rising from the throne as if readying herself.

Medusa lowered the barrier and backed herself behind Altair, though her eyes seemed alert, veering to strike if the moment demanded it, much like a snake. Enjoy new stories from empire

'A cute little snake'

'Shall we see how wide her throat can stretch? I hear snakes can swallow just about anything.' The Vale King's voice sounded, and Altair hoped he didn't choose now to appear.

He stifled a gulp, maintaining a smile. "You seek something from me, from us? Shall we get right to the point?"

Renfi did not return to the throne. She stood tall, as tall as he was, from the dais. The distress that had flashed across her face now faded. She was back to calm like cool steel.

'She is at least trained in politics,' he told himself, studying the woman.

"You have something that doesn't belong to you," Renfi said coldly.

"I have many things. Swords, Jewels, women, men. Just today, I picked a new toy for my servant to torture."

The slightest movement of the lower eye was all the indication Altair needed to confirm his suspicions. He grinned. "Is he perhaps yours? Conall? Or is it Conall Ironblood?"

"Impossible!" The Marquess said hastily. "No Ironblood can simply walk free the—"

"Be silent," Renfi hissed. "You've said enough! Leave us. All of you! I will speak the boy alone, save for…that wench."

"Medusa," Altair said. "Her name is Medusa."

Therion flat-out refused, but under the eye of his master, he folded like hot metal, reluctantly leaving with the other, though not before glaring at Renfi without the slightest hint of fear. No one else refused, almost glad to be out of her presence.

When all was gone, Renfi slid from off the dais to Altair. Neither he nor Medusa moved.

"Is what you say true?"

"Everything I say is true."

"Arrogant." She scuffed. "Is Conall harmed?"

"Physically, no. Mentally. Well, my Sword Maid has quite a way with a soul. He squealed so loudly about an hour ago that some of the guards had to run to the temple to be cleansed."

Renfi flinched. "If he is ruined, then you will die!"

"Touch him, and you and your entire line will be purged from Babels Tower," Medusa said. Her words did not sound like a threat but more like a simple thing. A nuisance that was too unbecoming of her to move against.

"Who are you?" Renfi demanded. "And how is it you got a God to descend and walk by your side."

Altair kept his smiling mask, hiding his intent beneath Shadowheart. "Well… Knowledge is power. I know who you are; I think it's best you don't know who I am."

For a while, neither of them said anything until Renfi broke the silence, " What is it you want? Women? You appear to walk with your harem. Men. Artifacts."

"I want you to keep your son in check… if you care for him. You seem surprised. Why? I know a woman who killed not just her children but their children until she was the last of her blood. You certainly appear cold. But I cannot say if you are that cold."

Renfi took a step back. Whether it was done out of disgust or fear, he could not say. "That is a mad woman. And hardly even a woman."

"My thoughts exactly."

'Sexy though,' The Vale King added.

'Very… shut up!'

"Give your son my warning not to interfere in the North. I'd hate for you all to be exterminated over something so… trivial." Altair said slowly, deliberately. "My maid will deliver him to you. Though how much of his mind remains depends on how far along she's come."

"Nonsense. Conall has only been in your possession for an hour and a half!"

'So she has spies amongst the Castilans men. How sloppy.' Altair nodded. "And Tasha is quite good at her job." he snapped, and she appeared in an eldritch flash.

A serious look appeared on Tasha's face, marking Renfi as… worthy. She smiled all the same, bowing towards Altair. "You called, your Grace?"

"How is Conall?"

"He now prefers the company of men. Such a shame, really. The mere sight of a woman turns his gut so bad he wants… what?" Tasha blinked, not understanding the looks around her.

Medusa sighed, clasping her head. "I knew it."

"The first step to breaking a man is to make him forget who he is. Taint his pride, and you break him in ways you can never imagine."

Altair coughed into his palm. "Well, as you can see. Minus his desire and fear of women, Conall is fine." he glanced at Tasha. "Right?"

"Not a single hair has been touched." The Lilm assured him, though her smile was anything but kind.

"What say you, Lady Renfi? I can release Conall should you agree to my terms."

"You aren't leaving me much choice."

Altair's smile did not falter. "I am leaving you with a gift. A most auspicious gift. Conall is safe, unharmed, and all you must do is tell your child to back off."

"Fine." Renfi Ironblood decreed. "I accept your terms."

"Then I bid you a good day. Tasha, deliver Conall to her. A shame. I had all sorts of plans. Oh well…" he trailed off, leaving the hall and returning to his room with a smile.

He had nearly forgotten that the Ironbloods had been stationed on the twentieth floor. He shook his head. 'No, that doesn't matter. I need to train with Master to get the Vale King under control. And figure out what the next mission is. Two months is all I have."

Altair narrowed his eyes, calling for Therion. The Forsaken Demon appeared in a mystical mist of light, heeding his master's call. "Get Elena for me. Medusa go get Atelia prepared. We are leaving the manor tomorrow and going back to the Duke Estate. Master is surely waiting for me."

Medusa stared at him. Those serpent-like eyes seeking to swallow him. It took much not to shake, and he wasn't sure why. She was his. Or was she?

Alone in his room, he sighed, curious what he meant to do. Elena was a beautiful woman. And the day was still young.

"Bedding a Ninth Circle will surely aid in your cultivation," the Vale King said. "If you don't have the stomach for it. Give her to me."

Remembering the painting and the scarlet mess that happened in the atelier, Altair glowered. "You've done enough."

"Have I?" The Vale King laughed. "How much longer do you think you can keep this up? You were ready to bed Elena in front of Conall as he dangled limp dick and all. Don't pretend you weren't savoring the idea of it. You are no better than I. Sooner or later, you will become me.

It's just a matter of when."

Maddening laughter sounded, and cool steel burned in the dark black eyes of the King, hard and somber.