Shadow Slave

After the shocking revelation about the cruel futility of their long and arduous journey to the Dark City, the desire to reach the promised castle that kept the three of them going for so long had diminished significantly. However, they still wanted to get there as soon as possible. There was a tiny remnant of hope still burning in Sunny's heart. Perhaps… perhaps Effie was lying to them, or wrong about everything.

Somehow.

He didn't really believe it, though. The beautiful huntress seemed sincere and competent, if a little eccentric. More than that, her words made too much sense.

But Effie wasn't in a rush to leave the granite tower.

"There's not enough daylight left to traverse that much distance. Moving through the ruins is a slow ordeal. Get comfortable and rest. We'll leave tomorrow at dawn."

After that, she got busy dressing down the monster carcasses with a long knife that appeared in her hand. She even summoned a Memory that looked like a leather apron to avoid getting blood on her tunic. Whistling an upbeat melody under her nose, the vigorous young woman looked like an enthusiastic gourmet chef.

Nephis, Sunny and Cassie were in no mood to talk. Each of them sat somberly by themselves, trying to digest the awful reality of their new situation.

Sunny was utterly disheartened.

He felt as though someone had pulled the batteries out of his body, leaving him with no strength or desire to do anything. The world had become dim and tiresome.

'That's hope for you.'

He didn't even have enough motivation to get angry. It was as though… as though he had run an exhausting marathon and crossed the finish line, only to find out that there was another race waiting for him on the other side.

he would have to keep

Jet and Teacher Julius again to thank them for the advice and teachings that had helped him survive, and maybe even repay their kindness. He would never become an Awakened and learn more mysteries of his strange Aspect. Most

Which hurt the most.

'Figures.'

an effort to find some semblance of solace in

if you think about it… I'm still

shadow glanced at him,

the big picture changed for the worst, but our immediate situation has actually improved a lot. We are safe from

and experience meant everything in the Dream Realm. By becoming a part of a human collective, they were going to shed most of the burdens

its thug of a master, of course. If Sunny

settlement. Effie seemed to be doing just fine as an independent hunter. She

be the most contented person I've ever seen. Seriously, how can she be

a sidelong glance at the

head and a limitless supply of delicious food, provided that she hunts it down herself.

had envisioned his future, but it was not that different from struggling to survive in the slums of the real world. Actually, in a lot

she was so damn

must be it. Problem

side in this calamity, he didn't feel any

dread and unease flooded his mind, only now, it was so much more profound and

Crimson Spire had fallen on the Dark

waves crashing against stone informed them of the coming of night. Not in