Shadow of the Abyss

"That one in the middle was a bitch," Syris said quietly. "I wonder what type of stick she has up her ass."

Altair turned, eying Syris. "She can hear you, you know."

Syris shrugged. As if she cared about such things. "Good. Then she can hear that she's a damn fool. I'm not sure if it's because she stood on her throne for so long, but insulting the man by giving them opportunity is idiotic."

Altair was in agreement. The new gods had been on a mission. And he wasn't sure why. But they were killing off the Old Gods, taking what was theirs without regard for morality. Stepping into power, news outlets on Genisis had reported the deaths of many Old Gods.

The New Gods were united, unlike the Old Gods, who sought only to live in seclusion or upon their pedestal.

Sauntering towards his new target, one Athena had told him much about. He smiled, holding the stunning figure of Hestia, surrounded by chattering men and women yet secluded from sight.

He approached her, and men and women parted to make way. "May we sit?"

"Emperor," Hestia said, her soft eyes and lovely lips rising in surprise. "Why, of course."

Altair did so and began with a musing grin. "I have in my possession your disciple."

"That you do," Hestia said, voice still soft. "Can I ask what you want from me?"

"You," Altair said.

"Me?" Hesita said, stunned, her lips thinning. "Why?"

"Your acolyte did not motion to draw her blade at me, but neither did she wisely join Artemis's acolyte." Altair paused, allowing his words to reach the deepest regions of Hestia's mind. "She stood to gain with my death. A crime. But one I am willing to forgive."

"For me… for my assistance," said Hestia softly. "Why so… generous with me?"

"Because of Artemis," Altair said.

"Do not lie… it's unbecoming of you," Hestia said gently. "Why?"

The Emperor chuckled. "Medusa claims you fought for her the day she was abandoned by Athena. It was you who hid her away within one of your abandoned temples. She said if not for your kindness, she'd have been slain long ago."

"That child… you have her?" Hestia asked, a smile rising once more on her serene lips. "My brother, released her to you?"

Altair nodded. "She is in my gardens tending to the flowers. She seems to love it."

Hestia arose. "Altair I—"

"Want to see her? Please sit. Hear me out."

Hestia obeyed, a look of concern rising across her extremities.

"I will take her to you. But I want you and Demeter to grant my land your blessing. I want to foster stable homes stable men and women. The conditioning of men and women this world faced was intended to breed life, not proud men or women. When I look around my world, I see that women are used as tubes to produce soldiers. And nothing more.

Men are merely killers, lacking the sense of will to direct themselves without proper leadership."

"Not all are like that," Hestia said.

"True. Not all, but the majority are. I don't want that. I want you, Hestia, to improve such things. I want strong men but caring ones—ones who will do anything for their families. I want women who care for their children and not see them as tools to further political gain."

"Presently, we are tied together thanks to the fusion of Gaia. This world is greatly tied to Olympus, the place you call home. New Gods are constantly threatening to destroy your pantheon. If you—"

"I'll assist you," Hestia softly agreed. I do not wish to see any more families torn apart, but I cannot say Demeter will agree. That is especially true if you seek to kill her daughter, Persephone."

Altair smiled. "Why do you think I would kill her?"

Hestia closed her eyes. "I do not partake in political endeavors, but I am not unaware of the turmoil Persephone caused in my brother's life. Her infidelity was not something I saw coming. But Demeter is still the mother of Persephone. And she will do everything in order to protect her life."

Altair did not deny that fact. He suspected that Hestia had only known of this fact through Thanatos or Athena or perhaps through her understanding of her brother. Either way, it was clear Hestia knew. And a chance Demeter herself was aware of that fact.

"I will speak with her then…" he said, drowned in lengthy thoughts towards a 'knowing' he might reach.

He managed a smile, gesturing to Syris to show Hestia the way to Medusa. They left soon after, leaving the Emperor to himself and his thoughts to lead him towards Hephaestus. A hideous-looking thing of a man. If it could be called a man with the many boils and stretched grotesque flesh appearing both burned and dismembered.

Hephaestus was bent over against his humpback and snarled a smile. "Emperor Blackwood."

Altair did not offer a greeting. He merely stared, one could perceive as contemptible. It was as if he were looking not at a man or a god but a worm, a thing that held no worth.

Hephaestus, flustered at the blatant contempt, was prepared to speak when Altair cut him off before the first syllable was spoken, "What can you offer for your Acolyte life?"

"My craft—"

Altair cut him off again.

"—Means little in a world where I can purchase anything I deem acceptable. So I ask, what can you offer that'll allow me to give you access to your champion?" Find exclusive stories on empire

"You!" He hissed beneath his breath, teeth clenching within his crooked jaw. He'd never mind abandoning Azar but stayed the intent.

Azar had been the first Godling since himself to be able to wield the flame of the Third Rite, a flame created from the very source of fire itself, the Primordial Spirit Ifrit. And unlike him, the flame did not bend, change his appearance, or warp him into some twisted abomination for which there had been no cure. Azar had remained pure. Untouched by the primal force.

He couldn't lose such a valuable asset. But he could…

"I could give you the Embers of the Third Rite."

Altair grinned. "That's better," he said. "Place the Flame Rite in a crystal and deliver it to me on the morrow. You'll have your acolyte… if he doesn't choose death."

Hephaestus looked as Altair sauntered past him, a hideous smile rising across his lips as he thought, 'Just as I look to be a monster. So too shall you take on my appearance.'

***

As the party began to die down, Altair made an early exit, having spoken to most of the Gods that had caught his eye. A few were missing, such as Zeus, Apollo, and Ares, but that didn't matter to him.

He'd gotten much from out of the Gods present, except Demeter, who had made an appearance but had left early on while he was making his rounds. Still, he'd not lost or gained anything as of yet, and for that, he was thankful.

Presently, he stood in the imperial Garden of the Sunset Palace, tired, as if he were out at sea for days, swimming back to soar. Maintaining his domain, alongside the Will of the Abyss, the Sword Path, and his Presciences, had left him mentally drained. So much so that the moment he felt himself alone, he tumbled onto a bed of lavender, pulling in its lovely aroma.

Hungry for blood, sex, and war, he looked up at the skies to the endless cluster of constellations forming never-ending patterns.

His throat was dry, growing dryer by the second as he sighed. "I hate that I'm always like this… Each day, it's getting harder and harder."

"What is my Lord?" Nia said, sauntering into the garden. You look terrible, by the way. It looks like you're about to die from an illness." She looked down at him, grinning. "You alright?"

"I haven't had sex in three days. What do you think?"

Nia flushed. "D-Don't tell me that!" she snapped, turning her head away as he laughed at her shy expression. "Pervert!"

"Is that how you talk to your emperor? For shame, Nia!" Altair joked, slightly pulling himself out of his funk. He stood up, the throbbing his head rattling like the cry of hundreds of children. "What brings you here? Aren't you supposed to be at the party?"

"I had to leave… so many guys were asking me to dance," Nia moaned. "I had to get out of there."

"Did you?"

"Of course. I quite like balls, but it was just a little too much this time around," Nia expressed, turning to face her Master, then the delicate flowers billowing with the moonlit breeze.

"I see… And training the new recruits, how is that going?"

"As you suggested, I created a new technique for the children. I hope you don't mind, but I started training them in Glaives instead of swords. Since glaves have more reach, they'll have an advantage against various opponents.

The Emperor chuckled. "That's good. Then do you suppose you can show me?" Altair said, creating a Vale Sword as he drew on Nia. "Show me the skill you've prepared for the children of my kingdom.'