Chereads / Shadow of the Abyss / Chapter 28 - Tenebrae's Request

Chapter 28 - Tenebrae's Request

Stationed in her room, placed under house arrest, Tenebrae rested on her bed, her half-naked body sprawled about as she looked up into empty space, kicking her feet back and forth.

"I miss my baby!" She touched her womb, a bitter-sweet smile plaguing her tender lips: "It's good Luna is there. But why is she getting all the hugs and kisses? He's my son. Stupid daughter." Snorting at the thought, the Goddess hoisted herself up, downing a stylish black tunic and trousers that gave a regal air to her being. She whirled, vanishing into an eldritch of light.

She appeared on the fiftieth floor of the Tower of Babel, stationed before a towering modern building, carrying the crest of a Scythe as its signature. The streets were a blistering oasis of mortals racing back and forth, their gaze seeming ignorant of the building that held the Lord of the Underworld.

Tenebrae tapped her lips, glanced around, and entered through the automatic doors to the sight of a woman with long black hair and eyes. Nearly similar to Tenebrae herself, she bowed her head, performing a curtsy befitting her status.

"Night-Mother," Nyx greeted. "Forgive my current state. I had no idea you'd be—"

"It's fine. Where is Hades? I've business with your Husband."

Nyx looked up at Tenebrae, unable to help her silly giggling: " Hehe, Hades is my husband." She bragged quite dreamily.

"Silly child."

"Night-Mother…"

"Just call me Tene or Tenebrae; this isn't an official meeting," Tenebrae warmly said, glancing at the lifeless eyes of the employees and back to Nyx. "Do you guys like the upgrade?"

"... Hades both hates and likes it; he is not a fan of change." The Goddess of Night admitted, leading Tene towards the elevator and up to the fiftieth floor. "He is a little unsettled by A. I and computers in general."

'And you?"

'Me? I love it. My God. I love it. Now I have more time to spend with Mr. Workaholic. But that dummy just complains that his work is being taken over. He got so mad that he ran to Asphedel to relax."

"... isn't Asphedel a form of Hell in your Pantheon."

Nyx glanced at her with a hue of exhaustion: "Please try explaining that to him. I've never seen a man so happy to relax in Hell. Funny enough, he compares Hell to walking alongside Mortals."

"Well, this is the 50th layer. There hardly mortals."

"But their battle prowess is so mediocre most of the Old Gods would kill them with a snap if not for the Shadow Proclamation," Nyx explained, the disdain quite clear in her tone. "Have you any idea how many attacked us, believing a high cultivation was the key to our defeat?"

"You killed them?" Tene asked, stepping off the elevator behind Nyx as she led her to Hades.

"What good would that be? We enslaved them. Those that had potential were allowed some freedom, becoming indentured servants, while the others were full-on slaves."

Tenebrae didn't seem surprised. Rather she was quite impressed. Few would enslave their enemies, fearful of the risk of escape.

"And how is Hade's other wife?"

"..." Nyx froze as she sighed. "Difficult. That situation with quite annoying. And while I've made my piece with it. Hades, that coward feels guilty. He had no memory at the time when he got together with me, but—"

"I'm sorry I asked. Forget I said anything." Tene cut in, regretful she asked. She knew those troubles too well.

"Naw, it's fine. Shit happens." She replied, giving a knock as she opened the door.

Almost immediately, Hades rose, ready to fall to a knee. He had wanted to be the first to greet Tenebrae but held back due to his station and Tenebrae's tendency to be secretive. But with a raise of her hand, a compelling grip seized control of the God of the Underworld.

"This isn't an official visit. In fact, I'd appreciate it if neither of you mentioned my arrival." She said as the door closed behind her. A barrier instantly appeared around the three of them, wrapped in such a degree of profundity Nyx and Hades gulped: "I am here with a request."

The barrier wasn't necessarily strong, but Hades knew not even the strongest gods would be able to spy on them.

"A request?" Hades muttered, shooting a glance of caution to Nyx, then back to Tene. "Is it from the Abyssal Sin or the Silver Devil?"

"Neither," Tene replied, amused by her Husband's title. She resisted the urge to retort such a silly name.

"So it's from you."

Tene nodded: " I am quite limited due to my role as Arbiter of the Towers. But in truth, I am asking help not from you two per se but rather from your children: Thanatos and Zagreus."

"Than?" Nyx muttered, tilting her head. "Why would you want him?"

"Or Zag of all things. That little bastard is… is nothing like his sister. He has no accomplishments of note." Hades mentioned. 'Why would you—"

"He is a God, is he not? And you're direct, son?" Tenebrae directed.

"Well. Yes. but—"

"Has he close ties to Olympus?"

"No.

"And Thanatos?"

"None."

"Then I'll like for the two of them to enter the wheel of reincarnation. Their divinities shall be sealed, but I will personally purify their attunement to the Darkness. I know I'll have to ask them personally, as they are grown-ass men. But they are a part of your dominion and—"

"Take that little shit." Hades grimaced. "Break him if you must. I don't like comparing my children, but Melione is now even stronger than me. In contrast, that bastard is as weak as the other Gods of Olympus. It's a disgrace. But Thanatos will be difficult. I've never seen a man who loves his work like him."

"You are his Father." Nyx reminded him.

"Surrogate Father."

"And you are the man he respects the most. Honestly, he's like a carbon copy of you. Another workaholic." Nyx attested with a fond smile, trailing her fingers over his sharp features. She turned to Tenebrae. "But what is this about? Why would you need our kids?"

Tenebrae toggled about finding a smile: "I've got a son. A baby boy, about to be ten."

Hades and Tenebrae's eyes shot wide open, their jaws dropping in disbelief.

"A…A Prince of Darkness," Nyx expressed, shuddering with the blissful smile.

"Hmmm." Nodded Tene. " Yes. But I've gotten him an advisor, a master, a Sword Maid, but what he needs most are generals. Brothers that can have his back no matter the situation." She paused in deliberation, and neither Hades nor Nyx dared to speak: " As you know, the basis of adulthood is different for each planet. The First Article of the Shadow Proclamation prohibits Gods from interfering in the matter of mortals they do not share blood with before adulthood."

Hades nodded: " We know. The Council of Omnis agreed on this front. However, the vote was very divided. It was nearly fifty-fifty."

"Yes… It's unfortunate that so many disagree. Nevertheless, we later amended Article One to include Gifts from Gods, deals, Boons, and so on. As long as a God doesn't physically or magically assault another. Gods are allowed to assist under particular circumstances. But once Altair turns ten, he'll be considered a man by Earth standards. I cannot raise him as I wish since I am considered a God. I'll not be able to keep him safe. Once a child becomes a man or woman under the eyes of their current world, I become affected by the Proclamation. It doesn't matter the relation I hold with my Altair. That's why I'm here. To gain your support."

Nyx bowed her head: " So that's why… that's why you need Thanatos and Zag. And why you are sealing their divinity."

Hades frowned: " Do the Fallen or Angels know of Altair?"

"No."

He narrowed his eyes: " Are you certain?"

"100%" Tenebrae guaranteed.

As the Ruler of the Night, the First Primordial, Tenebrae held some of the Myriad Heaven's deepest secrets, held onto artifacts capable of turning even the purest of Angels, the Seraphim, into bloodthirsty monsters.

And she had done everything in her power to ensure Altair's safety.

"Does the Silver Devil know?"

"He does."

"And Arsene?"

"He is the father. So, of course, he knows."

"Arsene has a big mouth." Hades remarked. He knew him well. It was only a matter of time before the secret was out.

"Altair merely needs to become transcendent before the age of a hundred. He's already tapping into the Realm of Spirits. Once he steps into that realm… He'll be ready for the Abyss, Arcadia, and all that our Myriad Heavens have to offer." Tenebrae beamed, stretching out her palm. " So Hades, Nyx, what say you? Will you allow your children to rise with my Altair?"

CONTINUE FROM LAST READ?
Chapter 431, Identity I