章節 20: The Serpents Outreach [F]

Snapping his dark amethyst eyes open, Altair felt every fiber of his being hum to life, quivering with an enthralling power. He smiled, clenching his fist, overwhelmed by the power hidden beneath his flesh.

"Your up!" Tenebrae sang, rushing from out of the woods. " Looks like I made it in time!" She took him into her arms, pressing his head between her breast. " How I've missed my baby! How are you feeling, little Alt?!"

His cheeks flared with color. " Mother! Not in front of Onee-chan" He glanced towards the porch to the sitting goddess, glaring at him with piercing eyes. And a chill prickled his skin.

Arms folded over her lap, the chilling Luna stared grimly as a layer of frost touched her serine expression. 'I want hugs too.' She thought, rising to her feet with grace. Her piercing gaze intensified. 'How does Luna get hugs? Wait… did he call me onee-chan? AHHHHHH!!!!!~'

She approached him, her cold expression melting away. "How are you feeling…little brother?"

"Onee-chan is so pretty." the boy said, popping up his head to me her warm smile. " I feel great! Never better!"

Luna chuckled. " That's good. Mother, is everything ready?"

Lifting his head high to see his Mother, Altair suddenly noticed a strange backpack on his mother's back. He stared at her questioningly.

"Luna is taking you to a dungeon today. You're going to spend a year or two there." she settled him down, removing her backpack. Altair could see a bow, arrows, a spear, and several daggers poking out of her bag. "Luna is going to stay with you for six months. Teaching you how to survive. After that, she will leave."

"Eh?"

Dread fell over his small heart as he stared at her, unable to stop the pool of tears from rising over his cheeks and the sudden heat pressing against his heart.

"Your… you're not coming?" he stammered.

She shook her head, a bitterness of love pressing over her lips. " I'm afraid not." She graced her fingers through his silky hair holding back her tears and a broken heart. LadyTenebrae shook. " You're growing to be a man, a Monarch of the Ages. Mommy has already sent you information about Enigmatic Step. It should take three months for the system to register it if you train it properly."

"I don't care about that… Mom. I want Mom." Altair mumbled, sniffling as the pang of anguish shimmered like a fire. He looked up at her only to bow his head.

"Remember, a king must never bow his head—"

"You're my mommy… I'll bow it to you." He insisted.

Warmth showered Tenebrae as she smiled. "Then how about we talk every week? But only if Luna approves of it. Your cold sister will be your guardian and mentor. Kay?"

Altair snapped his head to Tene. "Really!"

"Of course. But you must do something for Mommy."

"Anything!"

"Then I want you to conquer the dungeon. Mommy doesn't care if it's illegal. You got to conquer it, ok?" She lifted her pinky, and Altair did the same.

"I promise, Mommy!"

Shaking on the promise, Tene grabbed her little man and hoisted him on her neck. "Let's go, Luna. The dungeon awaits." she gestured towards her house, and a blinding flash flickered through the door as Endmyian appeared. "Take a deep breath, Altair. Mommy is going to Teleport."

Startled for a moment, Altair sucked in a deep breath as though it were his last. When suddenly, space twisted as though he'd been in a mirage. Light contorted and contracted into itself till only a sea of darkness awaited him, and then light.

He appears within another forest dozen of miles away from the Aros Estate.

"Halt! Who goes there!" An angry voice thundered.

"Reporting to HQ, we've three unidentified. Targets are at The Serpents Outreach. I repeat three unidentified—"

"Sleep" And as if her words came from heaven or hell, a lifeless gleam filled the two guards as they fell to their knees. Tenebrae glanced around, catching sight of the camera monitoring everything. She said nothing and glanced toward the swirling vacuum of congealing mana.

She nodded at the Dungeon Gate.

"How did you do that?" Altair feebly asked, his face pale as the nausea of teleportation struck him hard. He grunted, trying with all to hold back the erupting tang of acid in the back of his throat.

"Luna will teach you," Tenebrae said, lifting him off her shoulder. She smiled, handing him Endymion. "Train hard, ok?"

"I will… and… will father—"

"I'll make sure his bitch ass pays you a visit.." Tenebrae coldly said. "Even if I have to drag his ass out of the Nine— Well, I promise he'll pay you a visit on your tenth."

"Let's go, Altair." Luna coldly said, approaching the Dungeon Gate. She stood before the spiraling vortex, awaiting Altair's arrival.

"I love you, Mommy!"

"I love you too, my Altair. Now off you go. A few pests will be arriving soon." Tenebrae said, sensing dozens of Tri-Circle warriors heading her way. "Remember to look at my Grimoire." She kissed his brow and turned as her feet lifted themselves into the air.

"Come along, Altair. Lest things get… complicated." Luna said.

Staring at his mother soar into the air, Altair nodded and ran toward Luna.

[Ding]

[Would you like to Enter The Serpents Outreach]

Time Limit: Five Years

Capacity: 144/150

Objective: Slay the Corrupted Serpent

Restriction: Fifteen Years Old Or Younger

[Yes or No]

"Yes," Altair said, his grip tightening over the scabbard of Endmyian when a soft palm settled over his head.

"You'll see her again. Our Mother is a Monster."

Light flared over the horizon as Altair felt himself being sucked through the Gate. And as if he'd stepped through a door, a new world onto itself opened up for him.

He gasped, enamored by the fast greenery scene stretching further than the eye could see. He stilled when a sudden sense of knowing jolted through him. The boy fell to one knee as a vicious claw swept over his head, cleaving the air in half.

Curiosity rather than dread swept through his heart as the thought of what manner of beast that attacked him flickered through his mind. He kicked off his feet, rolling, catching sight of a five-meter wolf-like monster baring its fangs. Its arms and legs were nearly twice the size of the young Prince.

Milky yellow saliva pooled from the beast's mouth as its golden red eyes stared at Altair. The beast circled the young Prince. Marking him its target.

'A Black Mamba… Seem it's taking the shape of a wolf. I want a polymorph skill too. How cool would that be!' Altair thought calmly, eyeing the beast and his surroundings. He reached for Endymion when the Black Mamba whipped towards him. Faster than anything he'd seen before, a searing heat ripped against his chest as he leaped back, barely dodging a fatal blow.

The Black Mamba charged just as Altair landed, its arms and feet dissipating as it hurled itself through the winds like a vicious beast, baring its fangs at the Prince's neck.

Ruby-red blood swelled from out of Altair's tunic. But he didn't dare pull his gaze away. Intense focus swelled within his mind as deep within his chest, the Circle of Gluttony began to spin even faster, twisting the dense mana around him to its will. A violet darkness began to gather around the Prince.

He stepped towards the advancing Black Mamba, performing a quick draw through the beast's jaws. A crescent arc of dark light trailed Endymion as his sword whipped through the beast, as he used the serpent's own movement against it.

A fountain of blood danced through the air, catching the young Prince's face as he severed the beast from jaw to head.

[Black Mamba Felled: Exp Gain]