Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 378 Silent Run I

Elena had many questions. From the droplets of blood she'd seen to the existence of the shadows, and yet, no matter how many times she asked, neither Tasha nor Alyssa bothered to answer.

It was after dark when they came upon a cave that hid a small clan of Kobolds that bore a rather stronger lineage of Dragon within their blood, or so Tasha explained, as she tore them limb from limb. There were screams that Elena could not help but close her heart to. It was unnecessary and cruel the way she tormented them.

Kobolds were a greedy race, but they were highly intelligent, possessing their own language, culture, and god. They were no different from humans or other humanoids. To see them torn asunder had not sat well in Elena's gut. It had been said that if there were one Kobold, there would be a thousand hidden away underground like sewer rats. Even the smallest of clans hid hundreds at a time. And yet…

"I've never heard of anyone ever eating Kobolts," Elena said finally, not bothering to hide her disgust.

Moonlight spilled through the cave to the large metal cauldron Tasha found raiding the Kobold's stash of stolen treasure they had managed to take from passing merchants or unsuspecting men and women.

Tasha lifted an eye towards the woman. Despite how dark the cave was, the crackle of fire and the moonlight reflected Elena's face as clearly as day. She nearly scowled. In the hell, food was a luxury. No one there could ever die from hunger, but that didn't mean they couldn't feel it. The Monarchs had seen that no matter how powerful one was, they had to eat.

If they couldn't, they'd be forever burdened by the pain of starvation. A pain that would continue to build until one was forced to consume themselves.

Despite her royal lineage, nearly a third of her life she'd spent burdened by hunger, forced to carve a piece of her flesh off her body to sustain herself. Usually, a piece of her thigh or forearm to remain partially sane. Every time she did, she'd be rewarded by her sisters.

As palatine, there hadn't been a single creature in the known myriad heavens that she couldn't consume for a substance. If she wanted to, simple rocks or dirt could relieve her hunger, so why not Kobolts, who held a sliver of Dragon in their blood? Even if it was of a flood dragon or weaker, she hadn't found it any less shameful than forcefully consuming parts of her flesh to keep her sanity.

"Then don't eat," Tasha said, slowly dissecting the elation of one of a handful of kobolts souls to merge with her dish. She smiled, tasting her stew, nodding to herself. "Damn. Thats good. Infernal Cooking is the best. Alyssa, try this."

The Amazonian Shadow did not hesitate, opening her mouth as Tasha fed her a spoonful. She flushed.

"Tears of the Black Moon!" she swore, covering her mouth. "That's amazing! How'd you get the meat so tender? And what is that flavor?! It's so nostalgic!"

Tasha threw her head up high, proud. What Alyssa was tasting wasn't her nostalgia but the kobolds mixed with elation. It didn't matter if what she ate was good or bad. Before the cooking dishes of the hells, everything was sinfully decadent. She skipped the explanation, patting herself on her back. "I'm just that good!"

"Throw some pepper in, and it'll be even better!" Alyssa exclaimed.

"Would if I could." Tasha's expression faltered slightly. "Master doesn't have anyone him."

'Damn. Everything is better with a bit of spice. "

Tasha nodded in agreement, missing the sting of heat on their tongues. She handed Alyssa a bowl full.

"Are you all seriously fine with this? Kobolds are no different than eating people!" Elena snapped, unable to believe her eyes. "If killing them wasn't enough, you're eating them? That's sick!"

Tasha made a disgusted face. "Please don't tell me you're a vegetarian. Worse yet, a vegan?"

"Neither!' Elena said, partially offended. "But this is wrong!"

"I fail to see how," Alyssa said. "You'd eat a dragon, I'm sure. Anyone would, especially if it was to bolster you into Transcendence."

"Damn. Alyssa out here spitting facts." Tasha threw an eye at Elena. "Is she wrong?"

Elena flushed. "That's different."

"Is it? To my knowledge, dragons are not only mild-mannered but can integrate into most societies, especially if they come from Bahumut's lineage. Although, I prefer Tiamats linage best. It's a wilder flavor." the Lilm smiled, remembering. "But I digress.

The only distinction between eating a dragon and a Kobold is that one will help you break through, while the other's only purpose is to fill one's stomach. Which do you think is more important?"

"Of course, cultivation!"

The Lilm grinned. " What an interesting reply."

"See, I just knew there was something wrong with you!" Alyssa said, laughing. "I called it! Who talks like that? I'll tell you who! Selfish bitches!"

"I—" Elena tried to explain herself but was nearly laughed out of the cave.

"It's funny how hungry the very sensation that drives nearly everyone to live is less important than cultivation. Are you fucked?" Alyssa was seriously asking. "Or maybe it's righteous indignation that's clouding your judgment."

"Those Kobolds were sentient!"

"And now there in my belly," Tasha said indifferently, gripping a bowl. She hoisted Altair up on her hip to feed him.

In the hours of twilight, Therion returned at the behest of Alyssa to get something to eat. Despite not wanting to, he returned nonetheless.

"It's good, ain't it?" Tasha teased him.

He flicked her off, stuffing his face, before saying, "I spotted several tracks heading in this direction."

Elena was unsure how they were so positive that there was anyone after Nox or her. After all, the Golden Fork was a prominent trading route. On a bad day, it saw over a thousand merchants. It made sense that there would be tracks.

"It could just be bandits or a brave merchant," she suggested.

"Kill them all the same," Tasha replied, unable and unwilling to take the risk of their location being exposed. It was better that everyone died than there be a chance that someone would discover her Master in such a defenseless state. Find your next read on empire

"You've got to be kidding me!" Elena snapped. "You can't just kill people like that!"

"They'll reincarnate," Tasha assured her, though by the look of her face, that didn't seem to matter.

"Are you insane? Are all of you blood insane?!" Elena felt as if she was the only sane person present. From the cruel slaughter of Blackcoaks or the mindless killings of kobolds, she nearly thought Tasha and her compatriots were demons. They certainly had the heart of one.

"I was going to suggest the same thing," Therion said, "We should kill everyone within several miles of our position."

In mounting surprise, Elena stood up. "No!"

The cave grew silent with nothing but the crackle of the fire against the cauldron of boiling stew.

"Enough mindless murder! Enough—"

"Who is this again? Can we kill her?" Therion suggested.

"She's Nox De Nier's fiance," Alyssa sighed. "Best we don't. Not without Master's permission. Heavens, pray that the Tear saves us all."

Elena's lips were a tight line; her fingers balled into fists. "Monsters. The lot of you! What the hell happened to Nox that he would have monsters like you by his side!"

The three exchanged glances.

"Arn't you fucking someone else? Didn't only like a thousand years pass. Thats what? Like ten seconds for some cultivators? A blink of the eye, maybe." Alyssa said. "Are you seriously judging us?"

Therion nodded. "That level of shamelessness is something. I quite approve. It takes a real… bitch to not see it."

"I believe the word you're looking for is narcissist." Tasha communicated.

Elena went red. "Nox was gone! And there was no hope of him recovering! I did what I had to do in my best interest! I'll not apologize for that!"

The three laughed, with Therion laughing loudest. " No one is asking you to!" he said. "In fact, no one here cares. You are the only one feeling shame over the matter."

"We—" Tasha stopped, her ears perking up at the rustling of movement across her sea of consciousness. With a flourish of her palm, the fire died as a domain of silence expanded around the cave.

Therion stood up, swallowing the last of his stew. He threw the bowl to the ground. 'I'll take care of it,' he expressed to Alyssa through their mental link that connected all Shadows.

She nodded, but it was Tasha who stopped him. She had laid several wardings around the forest to mask their location. It was why she was confident about lighting a fire in the midst of twilight. For anyone to break through her wardings meant they either had a Rune Master by their side, or they themselves were powerful.

'Transcendents,' Tasha Soul Whispered to the three. Her gaze focused on Elena. Those outside were either the ones her father sent after her or assassins. Either way, she couldn't take the risk. Not when her Master was so weak.

'How far away is Nia?' Tasha continued.

"Ten hours away," said Therion. 'She has the Medarc with her.'

Tasha frowned, nodding nonetheless. "Let's head further in the cave. Kobolds are known for their tunnels. There are sure to be several escape tunnels." Let's go. Alyssa—"

"I got him," the Amazonian said, taking her Master into her arms and propping him up on her back."

"Let's go."