Shadow of the Abyss

"Please~," Said Ren all cutely.

Before Altair could answer, nearly bending to her sparkling eyes, the familiar voice of Syris sounded. "Altair? Ren?"

"Syris!" Said Altair, smiling, catching a glimpse of her accompanied by Lyain. He beckoned her over. "Just in time. Ren said she wants to visit a brothel."

'Oh, that's a swell idea!" She explained brightly. "I've always wanted to see what's inside a brothel."

Altair wanted to cry. 'Am I the only one not interested in this?' he thought, forcing a smile. He ignored Lyain's spiking killing intent.

"My Lady," said Lyain in haste. "Such a place is not befitting of a lady."

"But I'm curious," Syris said flatly, shooting an eye at Thanatos. "Hello, my name is Syris."

"A celestial… no…" Thanatos' eyes narrowed, startling Syris, who backed away. "A High Human. How interesting." His lips perked before his expression became one of indifference. " My name is Thanatos."

"You're scaring her, Thaan," Said Altair calmly, shaking his head. "Forgive my friend. He lacks a sense of decorum when it comes to private matters."

"It's not my fault she did not attempt to hide her bloodline." Said Thaan, rolling his eyes. "Aside from fulfilling curiosity. Is there any point in heading to a brothel?"

Altair tried to think when Ren spoke first. " Of course. What are the chances of the people who framed Zag still frequent that very brothel? I'm sure they'll have some girls they like, no?"

"I see. Well, I'll leave it to you. But you'll not see me in any of those places. If you need me, I'll be in the Red Raven. " Said Thaan, taking his leave but not before deciding to visit Zagreus within the imperial holding cells within the castle.

The trip to the cell had been rather simple as he shrieked from shadow to shadow with the aid of [Shadow Cloak]; he arrived beside Zagreus with a busted lip and smiled, making himself known.

"Already getting into fights?"

Zagreus rustled his disheveled hair and rolled his eyes. "How'd you get in? There are fifth and sixth circles guarding this place."

"The Seven Schools of Magic aren't as well known or studied within this Era. Rather than create skills themselves, they try to gain skills via the system. And if they can't, they give up on the idea." Said Thaan calmly, glancing around at his empty cell that held neither a latrine nor mat for one to lay their head. "I'm sure you can break out if you so choose. You've still got a sliver of divinity."

"Naw. But I am curious about something. Is Altair here yet?"

"He is. And he's trying to get you out. Though I suspect it'll come down to force." Thanatos remarked, studying Zag's busted lip. "Who did that?"

Zag touched his lip, smiling. "Oh, this? One of the guards did. Quite an interesting thing these mortals are. They aren't that much different than the Gods of Olympus."

"You mean corrupt?"

Zag laughed. "Think Athena figured out we self-reincarnated?"

"I do. I've had a few interactions with Athena. She's smart, and I'm sure she'd have recognized me. Though there isn't much she could do."

"Think we should reach out?" Zag asked, narrowing his eyes.

"I'd rather you reach out to Dionysus. He cares little for most of the godly affairs. And he is one of the few you got along with. If necessary, I'll deal with Athena. I'm sure she is waiting for us to contact her."

With a distance silence, Thanatos looked down at his half-brother, studying his lips once more. "Take care of your self brother. I'd hate for you to die and I not be there to reap your soul."

***

With the rapid decline of temperature Vesim, there had only ever been a single Brothel filled with as many young girls as a man could want or need. The Red Fox, it was called, and it had been as depressing as Altair had thought it to be, though no one else seemed to share his opinion.

The air was as sultry and moist as the women, grinding against one another while the men watched, cheering them on as they tossed coins of bronze and silver. Chamber doors hung throughout, filled with the moans of women and men alike.

Altair had caught a glimpse of the inside. It was plain, funky with the scent of mold, and barren.

"M'lord, care for a ride?" said a dark-skinned whore, with a narrow face and full lips. Her eyes were dead, but though she was pretty, enough. A man jerked her away before Altair could deny her advances. He wondered how many of them were here against their wills. He was sure these chambers were where they lay their heads and where they'd spread their legs.

"Look at that one," said Ren, pointing to a beautiful woman with long red hair, sultry-colored skin, full breasts, and long, thick legs. She had been one of the prettiest he'd seen so far, but her eyes seemed dead as she smiled and danced. "I wonder why she's here? I'm sure she'd not have a problem marrying."

"And there lies the issue. How many do you think have sold their daughters to pay off loans? How many do you think were born into this life who can't even read or speak roper Basic? There is a reason so many worlds ban the practice of prostitution.

Imagine if all these women here were sex slaves; would you be able to tell?" Reina could not answer, and neither could Syris, as the glint of curiosity slowly began to fade to sorrow.

'What about those who just want to feed their families?" said Ren softly.

"And there lies another issue. Truthfully, I don't have an answer to that. I don't think anyone does. The entire affair is a complex issue. There'll always be some party who suffers."

As they stepped further in, manipulating their presence so they could not be felt, Altair, Syris, Ren, and Lyain watched on for quite a while.

Ren and Syris had been quite interested in many of the ladies buying some of their time to ask various questions. To which some were more than willing to share; others, however, felt a sense of shame so deep it had taken Altair to compel some of them to share their stories.

The stories had all been horrid, as though they had come out of a nightmare, so much so any and all curiosity Ren and Syris had died. They were ready to leave.

"You know, " Ren began as Altair pulled her from off the couch. "I know my past is messed up, but… it could be so much worse. I never realized how important… no how imperative decent parents are. Most of those big sisters' parents were… gods, they were animals."

Altair was reminded of the City of Sacrilege he visited a few months back. Recalling the way mothers would throw their young into the flames as sacrifices, how they'd offer up their young in the name of Baphomet.

"Looks like I've got too much to learn. I ought to research the effects of single-parent households vs dual-parent households. No, I should research education itself if I am to reduce choices such as this in my kingdom, " he mused silently to himself. Altair pulled his head back as they were preparing to leave, disturbed by a set of eyes lingering on him.

He turned, meeting a set of approaching ashen eyes. A head short, with tawny colored skin. He was handsome and tall, with a strong, lean build and broad shoulders.

"mind telling me why you brought three fine ladies to such a place?" said Vynn sharply.

Altair was confused. "who… " he stopped and laughed. 'Wait, I don't even care.' he thought, walking out with his arms around Ren.

At the touch of the cold air, the trio smiled, feeling the icy gale of wind caress their faces.

"My lady, your cloak," said Lyain, holding a snow-white fur-lined cloak.

"a little longer," Syris muttered, smiling at her puffs of snowy breaths.

"Art, we never learn anything to help Zag," said Ren, looking up at him sad.

"Now you remember him?" Altair remarked, kissing her forehead as he coated her body with his. "I asked a few whores. None of the men were there. I'll visit Zag and see if I can't… persuade his captors to drop the charges."

That had been his original idea, but seeing Ren was so interested in witnessing how some of these night walkers lived their lives. He couldn't refuse and most definitely did not regret visiting. Altair knew he'd gotten a lot of perspective on what to do within his kingdom.

"Good, thanks, Art. Today was fun. I learned a lot." she said, snuggling up against his chest. The cold had never bothered them, but even Altair had to admit that if the temperature continued to fall. This city would die in a matter of months if nothing is done.

"And don't worry, Ren is working hard on your birthday present."

"Oh? What is—" Suddenly, the door came flying off its hinges with a 'Bang!' as Vynn came storming out.

"So not only are you shameless bringing a maiden to such a place, but you are also rude. Did you not see me talking to you?" he said fiercely.

Altair knew there was no point arguing with a man who, by his estimation, seemed like a drunk. So he turned, tickling Ren's ribs as she erupted into laughter. Syris came about adding to it.

It had been quite a surprise how well the two hit it off, though Altair was still worried about Ren's other half.

Vynn had the grace to blush. He had tried playing the chivalrous knight, but he had never been ignored in such a manner.

"Stop it! Art. Syris. I'm gonna pee. Hahaha~"

"Master!!!! Is that you?!"