Shadow Slave

Sunny considered Kai's words. An ability that allowed the Awakened to fly was not unheard of, but it was rather rare. And here on the Forgotten Shore, where a cursed flood of darkness devoured the world every night, it was nothing short of priceless.

Sunny couldn't even imagine how easier it would have been to traverse the Labyrinth with someone like Kai by his side.

Suddenly, it made a lot more sense why someone like him would possess a small fortune of soul shards. It also explained why his captors were so gentle in their attempts to force the Memories out of the young man. He was much more valuable alive.

Sunny remained motionless for some time, thinking things over. After a while, Kai spoke again, his pleasant voice tinted with a bit of apprehension:

"Well? Will you help me?"

Sunny sighed and walked back to the dark fissure of the well:

"Alright. I'll remove this grate, and you can fly out. However, I don't really need your shards. If you want to come out of there alive, you'll have to do something for me instead."

The prisoner of the well hesitated, then cautiously asked:

"What?"

Sunny smiled.

"I'll tell you when you need to know. Don't worry, it's nothing serious. I just need help completing a few errands inside the castle. So, do we have a deal or not? If not, I'll be on my way. I've wasted enough time here already."

Kai didn't have to think about it too long. Soon, his voice resounded from the darkness once again:

"We have a deal."

It sounded strangely relaxed, as though the young man had become resigned to fate.

Sunny slightly frowned and said:

"Great. One more thing: if you break our agreement and simply fly away, I will find and kill you. This is not a threat, just facts. Do you understand?"

Kai lingered for a bit before answering.

"Yeah, no problem."

Sunny gazed into the black cavern of the well and hesitated. He was more or less sure that Kai was human, but had to be prepared to act immediately in case he was not.

Following his silent command, the Stone Saint came out of the shadows and kneeled near the well, grasping the grate with her hands. The steel of her gauntlets scraped against the ornate iron, and with some visible effort, she slowly moved the heavy grate to the side.

against stone. The Midnight Shard appeared in

well, he

into the circle of pure darkness in front of him, waiting

more

a few

Nothing happened.

'Uh…'

his head, then asked with some

you going

of a delay, the charming

just thought

and lowered his sword

"What is it?"

some time, then answered with

grate is so heavy that it wouldn't even budge when I tried to move it. It took all six of my captors to put it

He hesitated.

we have already established that we are both human, and it's not that I doubt your honesty, but would you mind explaining to

The honorifics were back.

his breath. This guy was even more

left him with no other choice. Glancing at the

I was lucky enough to

seemed to suddenly become very

indeed lucky! Very few people in the castle have an Echo. I think I know every one of

a short

the way, what

his eyes and

"My name is Sunless."

Depending on what Kai was going to say next, Sunny might

the young man with a beautiful voice, but

Meanwhile, Kai suddenly laughed.

That name does not sound like something only a soul-devouring demon

time with a hint of

Kai's laugh was very pleasant to the ear. More pleasant than his charming voice, even, but Sunny was in no mood

'Goddammit!'

anyone ever trust him? He was such an honest young man! The most honest young man in the world,

said in a

come out of that well

Kai stopped laughing