Shadow of the Abyss

"How much Longer?" Admiral Vaiga Darkfire asked from on Deck, her gaze locked on the shrieking stars of light barreling past them.

"Few minutes, if even, Sir." Captain Vennos of the fifth battalion said, seated in his chair, his finger fidgeting over the various buttons on the Captain\'s chair. He looked up, peeping a glance at the raven-haired woman. "Are you worried by chance? It\'s been twenty years since you last saw Earth."

The crewmen lowered their heads, pretending to be busy.

Rumor within the Navel Academy was that Vaiga had severed ties with Earth, joining the Joint Military alliance between the Republic of Genisis and Earth. It was said that she was once a noblewoman who fled, fearing that her family would force her to marry.

Admiral Darkfire scuffed. "And what do I have to worry about?" She asked as two icy gleams of black flames whirled through her violet eyes.

"Your sister Maylar…"

"Our mission, Captain, is retrieving the young boy held within the Aros estate." She said candidly, turning to Vennos, her voice thick with authority. "My former Affiliation isn\'t of concern. Genesis, as well as the Imperial Family of Earth, wants that boy." she snapped.

A virtual screen appeared, portraying a large undead chimera bearing its fangs at a child, a young adolescent who looked to be in his teens.

"This is Altair. Age Twelve." She pointed out and slid her finger to the Chimera. " And this is a tier two monster, capable of tier three spells. Now watch."

When the video began to play, the crew, alongside the Captain\'s eyes, went wide at the sheer force Altair used to obliterate the Chimera in a single move. They marveled at the step that carried the force of a mountain.

"Monster… \' One of the crewmen uttered.

"Sir… where did this information come from?" The Captain inquired.

"We believe the boy himself took it. Altair isn\'t a normal child. From what we saw, a God is likely aiding his growth. If not… then this Altair is more terrifying than we were led to believe." She said. "We were not the only ones to receive this video. Dozens of military organizations both on Genisis and Earth have received this video.

Altair CCed it in an email and made sure we saw it."

A few of the men chuckled.

"Yes… It\'s a bit shameless but a smart move. Especially since Altair made sure to send this video to many of House Aros\'s enemies." the Admiral continued. "I\'ve been ordered to recruit the boy. Check your Neurolink for more information. It\'ll be sent to you soon."

"Exiting subspace in T-minus ten seconds." One of the Navel Officers said.

Soon, a shudder rippled through the confines of space following the slowing of the shrieking stars over the horizon. Mana billowed from around the ship\'s hull in a powerful shudder as the stars came into focus.

Vaiga turned and stared at her former home, its once-blue surface seemingly untouched for many eons. She marveled at its beauty and turned her back to it. "Altair sent this message three months ago. Which oddly enough matches up to when the Aros estate is holding a tournament where they\'ll invite various planets to participate."

Vennos bellowed with hard laughter. "That son of a bitch. He\'s using us as his cover."

"Indeed," Vaiga affirmed, smiling. " He\'s a smart little brat.  We… no, all of the enemies of House Aros watching will be his cover. And since Altair isn\'t an official member of House Aros, there shouldn\'t be an issue recruiting him."

"Sir…" Ensign Aston Grey raised his hand. Tall with a slender physique to match. His golden blonde hair shone with life on top of his white uniform.

"Speak." The Admiral said with a measuring eye.

Aston puffed out his chest to make himself seem big. "What incentive does this Altair have to join us?"

"You were not born on earth, were you."

"I was born on Thalma, Sir," Aston said, curious why she asked such a question.

"Thalma isn\'t a militarized world." She explained. "Earth is. All Earthlings are required by law to serve for at least five years. So we don\'t have to beat the other organizations, just the other military branches. Assuming Altair still wants to live on Earth, he wouldn\'t risk revoking his citizenship. But we doubt he\'d be so brazen." Vaiga chuckled soon after.

"But this is the beauty of his little scheme. No matter what happens. All these foreign or domestic organizations will be scouting or grant him sponsorships in the hope of joining them once he\'s done with military service. All we have to do is convince Altair to join us."

Hours later, once the Lurvain had been docked, Admiral Darkfire, Captain Vennos, and a squad of five took a shuttle out of their base within the eastern seas of Korea, flying directly towards House Aros.

When they arrived before the towering estate stretching well into the horizon, parades of scantily clad women swarmed the streets filled with joy as fireworks took to the skies, erupting in glittering stars falling over the heads of those watching. Vendors shouted, displaying weapons, jewelry, wine, slaves, and more from within the estate the size of a small town.

"Welcome! Welcome!"

When Vaiga turned to the vibrant voice, her expression turned to ice. She looked at the Head Bulter, Bennard, an elderly fellow with a head of hair neatly tied in a ponytail and a clean beard.

"Oh!" The Head butler started. "Lady…Ash—"

"Admiral Darkfire of the Imperial Alliance," Vaiga corrected through narrowed eyes. Her four-point star badge on full display.

With a wry smile, Bennard bowed. "My mistake. We had no idea you were doing so well for yourself. Shall I inform the Duke?"

"You may do as you see fit. Inform him that Genisis Military Academy is willing to offer seven spots." She said, stirring everyone silent.

"Does this come from the King and Queen!"

Vaiga sneered, " And what good would telling you do? Inform the Duke." She commanded, stepping past him as her men followed suit in sync with her movements.

Captain Vennos chuckled. " Did that feel good?" He teasingly asked, amused by her childish face.

"Fucking good. That bastard is a piece of work." She exclaimed when her perception alerted her of a familiar aura around the Fifth and Sixth Circle. She felt her stomach dip with displeasure at the sight of the Viscountess decked in finery and a bright smile on her face. By her side, the Master of Arms, guarding her son, baring the cross-shaped scar on his face like a trophy.

The one she\'d given him twenty years ago when she tore her engagement contract before the King and Queen, humiliating House Aros

And if they felt her icy stare, the two felt their faces drain of color as their eyes met. The Master of Arms even reached for his sword, pausing as many eyes found him. Watching his every movement.

"Twenty Years, and neither of them has gotten stronger. Pathetic." Vaiga mused. She didn\'t bother to greet them. Rather, she looked at Laros, sensing the flames his blood carried, and lifted a brow. "Not bad… Is he her son? Not bad at all.

If trained right, he might enter the realm of Transcendent." read-only-on-MvLeMpYr

"Is he that good?" Aston questions, eyes on the lookout for any sort of danger. He glanced at the kid half his age.

"He\'s not that bad…" Captain Vennos said. "Though I\'ve seen better. Genesis is full of better options." He turned to Vaiga. \'You want me to deliver an invitation? I know there is some—"

"My disdain for my former House and House Aros is irrelevant. I\'m here to enlist the best candidates. Send the boy an invite." Vaiga said non plus. She couldn\'t be bothered to care about bloodline.

Without warning, a vibrant shout caught the air. " Admiral! Admiral Vaiga heard someone call to her rear. Bernard hurried forward, rushing her way, sweat trailing down his cheek. He stooped when a blade pressed against his throat.

"Easy, Ensign," Vennos said to Aston.

He lowered his blade, and Bernard gulped. Slivers of blood caught on his collar. " T-The Duke would like to meet you, Admiral," he said through frightened, sharp gasps, feeling his soul nearly plunging into the wheel of reincarnation.

"Where is he?"

"Bernard," The Viscountess called sharply. "Are you alright?" approaching with cold, unfealy eyes, she turned to Vaiga. "Do you not know how to control your men? He could have killed someone."

"In a den of lions, one needs fangs." Vaiga mused. She glanced at Aston and gave him a thumbs up.

"Forgive me, my Lady." Bernard quickly said. " But the Duke would like to meet Admiral Darkfire."

"Admiral? You!" Maylars gasped, her breath catching in the back of her throat at the sight of her badge on her chest. "Impossible. How could the likes of—"

"Watch it, Maylar," Vaiga warned her sister, resisting the urge to tear her head from her body. "People are watching. You had better choose your next words wisely. Less you damage not just House Aros pristine but your sons." She signaled to Bernard, and the meaning was clear.

"Right this way, Admiral. The Duke is waiting."