Shadow Slave

Neither Nephis nor Sunny wanted to climb down from the wall, because that would leave them with no path of retreat should something terrible happen. Without the need to discuss it, they had decided to explore the nearest tower and see if there was a suitable way to descend from the wall inside of it.

They followed the slightly bending wall north, keeping an eye on the ruins below. From time to time, Sunny was able to notice the shapes of creatures moving through the desolate streets of the ancient city. However, nothing seemed to be interested in scaling its tall granite bulwark.

For the time being, they were safe.

However, he didn't feel safe. Instead, he kept glancing at the distant axis of the Crimson Spire and shivering.

That thing was seriously way too ominous.

'Good thing we will be out of here soon…'

That was the only thought that kept him from falling into an irrational panic. Their journey through the Forgotten Shore was about to end. They had endured a lot and survived through a lot. At times, he had not even been sure that they were going to make it out of here alive. But now, all their suffering was about to be rewarded. The path to freedom was already in their sight… they just had to overcome this one last hurdle to return home in glory.

...Soon, they were closing in on one of the mighty towers built into the wall. The structure was round in shape, rising above the main embankment by a good dozen meters. There was a wide wooden gate leading inside the tower, which was broken a long time ago, with only a few splinters remaining on the ancient iron hinges.

Behind the doorway, there was nothing but darkness.

Sunny felt that the sight of this entrance was a bit creepy. Of course, darkness was nothing to him. And yet…

Suddenly, Cassie tugged on his shoulder, forcing Sunny to stop. Both him and Nephis turned to her, their hands outstretched and ready to summon their swords.

it, Cassie?" Sunny

situations, the blind girl was able to recognize danger before they could. Her keen hearing and sense of smell allowed her to sometimes perceive things that normal

on Cassie's

"Listen."

hearing to the limit. Soon, he was able to discern a strange sound coming from

Chomp. Chomp. Crunch. Chomp…

like… like something was being devoured there, flesh and bones being ground by sharp teeth. The nauseating sound of

usual, before the two of them moved forward, Sunny sent his shadow to

stones, quickly approaching the tower. Then, it dove into the darkness and

was able to see

trails left on the stone floor suggested that their massive bodies were dragged here by something very powerful. They were cut apart and eviscerated,

them still had pieces of meat stuck to them, while others were split apart and

saw was… a fire burning in a circle of stone shards, with

chomping and crunching

…It was a human.

seemed to be only slightly older than the three

Sunny blinked.

athletic, with perfectly defined lean muscles rolling under the dewy olive skin with each movement. And there was…

Nephis was slender and lithe, this stranger radiated a sense of vitality and vigor. Everything about her was lavish and generous,

was an absolutely relaxed, comfortable, and happy expression on her face. In the months spent on the Forgotten Shore, Sunny had never, even for a second, allowed himself to