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.

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 that life here can

man inside, Sunny directed him toward

on, he

were several hunters from other parties surrounding them. The cohort had been planning a big joint hunt for a while

just...

them. Caster smiled at him, while Nephis simply

knew

listened to the discussion. One of the hunters was

the Awakened creatures living

month, their lodge had gone through a transformation. The remnants of broken furniture were long gone and replaced. Some of the new pieces of furniture came from the ruins, some were made right here

headquarters of a small, but prosperous Awakened cohort. There was even a large

hunter was pointing at a particular spot

to dwell in these parts. They hibernate during the day, so if we manage to

Caster shook his head.

living statues. We all know how formidable those bizarre creatures are. I still

finding something that he could be helpful

a bell that

drowned in the buzz of the conversation. No one paid attention

Sunny inhaled deeply, waited for a

use one of my two sound-producing

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

even the

minute or two, feeling awkward, angry, 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

expected, no one even noticed his absence. Not surprised, he sent the shadow around the lodge, watching all the people who were

energy, enthusiasm, and

the only one who

guy from the castle, Harper, had already found some friends. He was currently helping the red-haired girl who was in charge of

Sunny frowned.

wasn't quite right with Harper. He couldn't put his finger

the timid Sleeper. Harper seemed to do just what any newcomer would do: helping people, learning their names, and asking questions about how things worked in the Changing Star's party. It seemed as though he wanted very badly to stay in the lodge and become useful.

But something was wrong.

an hour later, Harper left the lodge and went back into the slum. With the shadow stealthily following him from behind, the gaunt young man made sure that no one

of the high-ranking Guards from the

that's what all this

Guard, meanwhile, glared at Harper and asked

"Well?"

looked down, his fear and anxiousness

I've done what you told

The Guard smiled.

that you really do want to

a desperate light igniting in his