Shadow of the Abyss

Luna went still as the dead at the boy's words. Her shoulders trembled while her pupils contracted to a fine point. And an exultant hush rippled out amongst the gods watching. They, too, could not believe what they had just heard.

"Can… Can you repeat that?" She asked him.

"No…" Altair mischievously stated, eyeing his chat that exploded with hundreds of thousands of comments.

[ Archeon: 2x Skill Points! That is Demon-level Battle Advancement! No, it's even better!]

[Daddy: My boy came from my balls with all my talent. Proud of you!]

[Titan Fall: Does it work with spells too!]

[She Who Hunts: Exp! Exp! Exp!]

[Piercing Owl: Aura's can be stacked. Holy shit, that's OP!]

[Bone Ripper: And that's only the first effect. Imagine the second or third! Maybe even fourth!]

[Flaming Sword: Cap!!!! ]

[Eyeing Truth: The Boy isn't lying!]

[Passion of Sorrow: Interesting]

[Golden Pope: Who the hell is Daddy? Go fuck yourself!]

[Daddy: Shut your pedophile ass up!]

[Strahasad: If trained right. Altair might become a high ranker.]

[Daddy: Bitch Please ~ ╰(*°▽°*)╯ My son is reaching the Omnis Ranking. Anything less is an insult to my balls.]

On and on, the chat continued, monitored by the Prince, who was grinning, knowing he'd gained the momentum he so craved. 'It's only a matter of time before one of them delivers to me an offer.' he told himself, enjoying the blank expression over his big sister. It wasn't every day he saw her shellshock.

Luna had been sure Altair didn't grasp the level of complexity that came with the first effect of his aura. That much, she was certain. What was delivered to the gods was no hint but an offering to salivate even the greediest of gods. And it was then she knew she had made a mistake. 'Silence was a gift.' that much she knew.

She ran her fingers through his silky black hair, combing it with gentle care. Marveling at the tender features he held. He felt fragile in her hands, like glass that could break at the slightest touch. "Good Job… Little Brother. Are you ready to resume lessons?"

"Do I have a choice?" He couldn't help say.

"You do," Luna said seriously. "I've never forced any of my students to do anything. And you'll be no different. What do you want to do, Altair."

The icy winter lands of fresh dawn rustled against the young Prince. His long, silky jet black hair fluttered wildly. He looked into her eyes, the coldness in his dissipating. "Really?"

"I'm not your Master. I'm merely teaching you. And your Ten. A man by Earth standards. That's a hell of a low age requirement, by the way. What the hell happened to Earth?" She coughed into her palm.

"But yes. Tell Big Sis what you want to learn."

The young boy beamed. "I want… I want to explore my power."

"Oh?"

Altair gazed at his palms. "I can finally sense Mana. And I feel like… Like I'm finally coming into my powers. I want to try necromancy. I want to learn more spells from my grimoire." He snapped his gaze up to meet her enthralling eyes. " I want to grow my power!

Can you teach me for real?"

"No…" Luna coldly uttered, but she didn't dare to disappoint her cute Prince. "But this world can. You know the basics. Go out and explore. You can survive on your own. So do so.

One truly doesn't know themselves until they are alone." She bent a knee, gazing at him as equals. "If you can't survive being alone, you aren't ready."

"What about Ren!"

"She has me to teach her. And she isn't you, Altair." Luna said. "She has a firmer mind than you. She also suffered far longer. A spiritual journey like this would not do her any good. What she needs is structure, much like what you had growing up." The boy's head dropped for the first time in months, and a warmth filled the Goddess's heart.

She cupped his cheek, kissing his head. "If you really want to grow. Spend a Year alone. If you can't handle it three months."

Altair pursed his lips, hesitant. He glanced around the camp, finding Reina missing. "Can I wait till she re—"

"No," Luna said, her gaze filled with mischief. "Just run. Run and don't look back."

".... That doesn't seem right." He told her, sensing her response to be somewhat fishy.

"Trust big sis," Luna assured him, holding back the laughter with a straight face. She glanced at the Chimera heart in the snow near the fire. Focusing her will, a small incision appeared within the heart as an azure blue shard emerged, flying into her palm. She handed it to him. "Take the Heartstone. Swallow it whenever you want.

Just make sure you are in a secluded zone."

"Aunty, are you sure I shouldn't say bye to—"

Luna gave his ass a fine kick sending him flying dozens of meters into the snow. " I'll see you in a year. So you better hurry and run."

The Prince grimaced, glaring at his mortal enemy. He sat up, grabbed Endymian and his bag pack, and left without another word. The ice winds biting away at his goodbye as he left.

When dawn dissipated over the horizon, Altair stood before the familiar cave he wished to explore with Reina at his side. He was a bit sad, touched by the unfamiliar loneliness that came with her absence. And the fact he couldn't even say his goodbyes. He sighed, glancing down at the crystal Luna gave him. And stepped into the small entrance.

[Divine Sin, Daddy frowns at your stupidity.]

[DIng]

[Divine Sin, Daddy is requesting a Private Video Chat do you accept?]

The Prince did not hesitate to accept as the image of Arsene Snow appeared before the young Prince. His flaming eyes ablaze with a rich evil that made even the evilest beasts shudder.

"Beelzebub fuck right off! I'm in the middle of a call!" Became the first thing Altair heard from his father, bellowing towards someone in the background. His footsteps came to a halt. "This is why you don't get hoes!"

"Fuck your phone call and your tea! I want an Answer! Where the Hell is Nessa?"

'Nessa,' the Prince thought.

"Sorry about this guy. I'm still dealing with him." Arsene responded with a bright smile, gazing proudly at his son. He nodded, measuring the small, subtle changes he gained since he last saw him. "Anyway. Dark Moon Blade is a skill you first awakened. So always have it active.

Always. This Trial Luna and I prepared for you is quite difficult. Even if it means emptying your reserves before an enemy, you must have Dark Moon Blade active. Arsene Out!"

[Private Video Chat has ended.]

"... Gods," he swore. "What the hell was all that?" he scratched at his cheek but understood his father's words as well as his concerns. And without hesitation, he willed the moonlight to drip into a sword.

[Ding]

[Dark Moon Proficiency Increased by 4%]

[Multiplyer: 4x]

[Proficiency: 20% → 36%]

[Ding]

[Circle of Gluttony Proficiency has Increased by .05%]

[Multiplier: 2x]

[Proficiency: 1% → 1.1%]