Shadow Slave

After about a month of living in the outer settlement, Sunny woke up one morning with the feeling of not belonging anywhere in this world. This familiar feeling had pursued him for most of his life, and had returned recently after being gone for some time.

With a sigh, he rose from his narrow cot and summoned the Puppeteer's Shroud. The stone lodge was already full of sounds and voices. The tempting smell of breakfast filled the air.

Coming out of his small room, Sunny saw a bunch of Neph's helpers rushing here and there, busy with various tasks. Some of them stopped to greet him, others did not. He paid no attention to them and went outside to wash his face and take a look at the sky.

The grey sky of the Forgotten Shore looked as it always did. Nothing ever really changed in this loathsome hell.

On his way back, Sunny noticed a gaunt figure standing hesitantly near the doors of the lodge. The ragged young man looked very familiar.

Reaching into his memory, Sunny identified him as the friendly, but nervous receptions from the castle. His clothes were much less clean and tidy than they had been before, and his face had become even thinner.

The young man had clearly seen better days.

'What is he doing there?'

Coming closer, Sunny called out to the young man:

"Uh… Harper, right? How come you're here?"

Harper flinched, then looked at him with anxious eyes:

"Oh… Sunless! It's, uh… it's so nice to see you."

Sunny stared at him for a while, then asked bluntly:

"Did they kick you out of the castle?"

Harper's face instantly fell. Lowering his gaze, he stayed silent for a few moments, and then said quietly:

"I haven't been able to pay the tribute anymore. So… yes. I guess they did."

Then he glanced up, hesitated, and asked in a weak voice:

"I… I heard that I can get some food here?"

Sunny tried to give him a reassuring smile.

"Sure. Usually, we give out meat after the hunts. But if you're hungry right now, I'm certain there's something we can do. Just talk to… uh… a girl with red hair. She's in charge of breakfast, I think."

Harper smiled, too, the weak light of hope igniting in his eyes.

"Really? They will just give me a meal for free?"

Sunny shrugged.

not? We have enough food right now. Most of those guys and girls are always here, anyway. They're like guests that won't le… uh, doesn't matter. They help around, doing this and that, to express their gratitude, I guess. If you feel guilty just eating for free, ask them for some chore. This might not be the Bright Castle, but you'll see

man inside, Sunny directed him toward the kitchen and

on, he would have

the main hall, he noticed Nephis and Caster standing near the window, discussing the approaching hunt. This morning, there were several hunters from other parties surrounding them. The cohort had been planning

just...

greeted them. Caster smiled at him, while Nephis simply nodded. The other hunters glanced at the new arrival and didn't

knew

listened to the discussion. One of the hunters

good choice, but the Awakened creatures living

broken furniture were long gone and replaced. Some of the new pieces of furniture came from the ruins, some were made right here by the craftsmen of the outer settlement. There were monster hides and decorations hung on the walls,

large map of the Dark City on one of the walls,

at a particular spot on the

are known to dwell in these parts. They hibernate during the day, so if we manage to find a lair or

Caster shook his head.

those bizarre creatures are. I still think that south of the lighthouse is better. We just need to think of a way to deceive the hearing of

he could be helpful with,

have a

drowned in the buzz of the

waited for a few seconds,

one of my two

at that moment, Caster seemed to come up with a brilliant idea. Everyone listened to him, turning their backs to Sunny. It

what's even the

awkward, angry, and utterly stupid. Then he simply turned around and

roof of the lodge, he climbed on top of the second-storey addition and sat there, solemnly watching as the sun slowly climbed up. After a while, Sunny sighed and closed his eyes, letting

sent the shadow

seemed full of energy, enthusiasm, and a

only one who couldn't

Harper, had already found some friends. He was currently helping the red-haired girl who was

Sunny frowned.

finger on it, but the gaunt young man

do just what any newcomer would do: helping people, learning their names, and asking questions about how things worked in

But something was wrong.

slum. With the shadow stealthily following him from behind, the gaunt young man made sure that no one saw him and hurriedly dove into a secluded alley.

of the high-ranking Guards

all this

Guard, meanwhile, glared at Harper and asked in a rough,

"Well?"

his fear and

I've done what you told

The Guard smiled.

you really do want to return

glanced up, a desperate light igniting in his