Shadow of the Abyss

As Altair had suspected, it had taken nearly six months for them to recover; despite being fed demon blood on a daily basis, their bodies were so battered, Thanatos claimed, that they should be dead. Still, they somehow managed to slowly recover despite the resources Zag and Thanatos harvested.

Thanatos had placed them on a tight, strict diet, forbidding any form of dual cultivation, claiming they'd only do more harm than good, and for a good reason, for when Altair looked at his stats, he understood why.

Altair Blackwood

Mana Circle: [Third Circle 74% → 99%]

Physique One: [First Vale Star Complete] [Second Vale Star Complete]

Physique Two: [Fallen Primordial]

Class: [Prince of the Vale Lv 61]

Strength: 201 → 301

Dexterity: 197 → 297

Constitution: 204 → 304

Wisdom: 220 → 320

Charisma: 172 → 272

Mana: 32 → 60

With his Mana Attribute practically doubling, he was sure that, in his weakened state, the flow of Mana in his withered meridian might rupture. Thanatos had even forbidden him from cultivating, though the Circle of Gluttony was continuously absorbing Mana. That became a bit of an issue. The most Altair was able to do was slow the rate at which he absorbed.

Reina, on the other hand, had gained so much from Altair aside from the Prince's physique. When he saw her stats, he turned green with jealousy as she not only acquired his physique but also his attributes.

Name: Reina of the Moon (Blackwood)

Mana Circle: [Third Circle 81% → 99%]

Physique One: [Fallen Primordial]

Physique Two: [First Vale Star Complete], [Second Vale Star Complete]

Class: [Blood Nephilim Lv 61 ]

Strength: 169 → 301

Dexterity: 65 → 297

Constitution: 93 → 304

Wisdom: 172 → 320

Charisma: 172 → 272

Mana: 30 → 60

It had appeared to Altair that Duel Cultivating with a Nephilim for the first time had more benefits than he could imagine. Never could he ever imagined he could acquire two physiques, or if that was even a thing. Yet he had.

Neither Zag nor Thanatos seemed to show much concern or reaction when he brought it up, saying, "It's the Myriad Heavens. Shit happens." Ending the conversation. It was an annoying response, but there had been nothing he could do about it.

He sighed, grimacing to himself, as he looked up towards the night skies blanketed by machinery shrieking through the skies, laying waste to the demons that couldn't fly. Thanatos had told him that the Earth forces had air superiority for the first six months of his coma, but once the demons adjusted, they began creating new spells, manipulating elements to grant them the gift of flight.

In a matter of months, the only advantage the humans had was their advanced weaponry. And even then, the demons were learning every day. Lesser demons or not, all demons from the Nine Hell held an innate talent when it came to combat. The curve in which they learned made it nearly seem that they were all geniuses.

"How long do you think this one will last? An hour, maybe two?" Came the voice of Reina, taking a seat on his lap.

Her hair had lost its blood-red color, turning raven black like Altairs. And unlike six months ago, she was thicker, regaining back all the lost muscles and more.

Altair cupped her waist, looking out. "Ten—" The ship erupted in a fireball of flames, and a wry smile crept up his lips. "Ten seconds it is. Good thing those were just drones."

"Sure is pretty isn't it." She mused, licking her lips. "So? " She turned to him. " What's the plan?"

"Well, thanks to someone, I'm public enemy number one. And honestly, I've no clue. Escape. This planet is unfixable." He said, shaking his head. "Although I plan on opening up a gate to the Serpents Outreach, my Mana is pure enough to open up the gate without needing tons of Mana. I plan to summon Kirr, Jorm, and a few others to begin excavating the mines I found a few years back.

We ought to be able to make a few million Sols. More if Aurora can properly invest our earnings."

"I see, " Ren said.

"But… I also plan on having a shadow of mine begin investigating your issue as well." He narrowed his eyes but didn't dare speak their name, unsure if they were watching. "But first, we need to leave this God-forsaken realm."

Ren silently agreed. Now that they had nearly recovered, it was about time they left. And tomorrow was the day all bans would be lifted on their freedom. Or so Thanatos said.

Reina had turned a bit silent regarding the topic of the Court of Shadows. She had wanted to say many things but compelled herself not to. Yet the very idea of them made her blood boil and her face red.

It was red now when Altair booped her on the nose. "Easy. One day at a time." He said.

Ren only curled up around his chest, silently brooding, when she felt his palm lightly patting against her bottom. She shuddered, purring as though she was a cat enjoying the soothing warmth of his hand. She liked it when he did that.

"Thanks, art," She whispered, falling asleep to the rocking of the chair and the touch of her mate.

Altair followed after, finding he'd been needing to sleep more often than not to aid in the recovery of his meridians. The injuries to his flesh had been deadly, but the damage to his meridians might have crippled a normal man.

"Hey!~"

Jolted awake in each other's arms the following dawn, Zagreus laughed maniacally. "Six months and you two look splendidly better. Your wrist, please."

"Can you not scare us like that?" Said Reina, offering her palm.

"Next time, maybe sleep in your beds and not on the patio for all the world to see you, and I just might take you up on your offer." Said Zag, smiling, accepting her wrist. He closed his eyes, nodding. And did the same to Altair. "Good. Altair, I want you to not try to cure the remaining damage with the [Hands of Nirvana]. Let it heal naturally."

The Prince yawned. "Why?"

"Because our bodies are made up of experiences. The wounds you two-faced while deadly is something you might experience again. So why not experience it a hundred percent this time so your body knows what to do the next time it occurs? Because it will occur again. You've no idea how many times we've seen mortals trying to become gods enter into states just like you guys.

The body needs to learn to adapt. It needs to learn how to face similar types of situations. Not all injuries need Mana to recover. So unless you're in a life-and-death situation, let your body naturally recover. You never know. Perhaps you might gain something you never thought possible.

Now then, who's hungry? I can eat!"

"Ren can always eat!" The young lass exclaimed, hopping to her feet. "What do you—"

Cut short by the sudden horn in the distance, they frowned. "Shit… you two stay here. I'll deal with it. Seriously. I hate this realm." Said Zag, rushing out for battle.

Altair eyed him and donned his mask while Ren followed suit and began after Zag. They made sure to hide their auras as they stood stalled upon one of the tallest buildings within the village.

It was then they saw a three-headed demon brandishing two sabers as large as a greatsword in each hand. Tall as nearly eight feet, the demon stood facing Nia and Alyssa, while Olivia stood with an Arrow nock upon her bow, aimed dead at the demon.

"They've grown… They all look so much older," said Altair softly. "Quite a lot of people must've died. I don't see many recruits."

"Or they're all hiding or injured," Ren said, studying the three-headed demon. She frowned, feeling a sense of affinity to the demon. One that was never there before. Her scarlet eyes twinkled, and despite the distance, she spoke in a low hum voice.

"Leave."

The demon stiffened, lowering its twin sabers… it left as fast as it appeared. Gone out of sight.

"you… you can control demons," Said Altair, shocked.

Reina seemed surprised herself. "I didn't know." Her scarlet eyes shimmered playfulness. "Oh, this will be fun."

'Her eyes were golden for nearly a year. Would they be red for the entirety of this year as well?' Altair wondered.

The difference between the two Rens had been night and day. The Golden-eyed Ren was meek, sweet, with a somewhat valiant heart. The red-eyed Ren was bold, naughty, and cruel at times. She did whatever she wanted, so long as it never physically harmed Altair. Anything was fine in her book.

Though he wasn't sure which one he liked best. Golden-eyed Ren was easy to tease, but Scarlet eye Ren was all so wild. He could still recall three nights ago of him waking at the sudden pleasurable ache of something warm and wet. Altair had found Ren between his leg, her slender tongue wickedly dancing around his cock as she looked up at him with smiling eyes as devilish as her tongue.

He'd wanted to keep going, but Ren suddenly ran away, giggling. And a small game of cat and mouse stirred the cottage awake.

Thanatos, who'd been watching over Altair, making sure they weren't partaking in any funny business, was stirred awake from his nightly meditation.

"What do you have in mind?" Altair asked.

She grinned. "I'm just thinking about how I'd punish my enemies. Demons are just so profane you never know what they'll do. Shall we see what they'll do to laros? I'm curious if he's still alive. Teehee!"

Altair felt dread slithered down his spine. "Alright. Lets."