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.

and that, to express their gratitude, I guess. If

man inside, Sunny directed him toward the kitchen and

lodge. If this went on, he would have to share his room with some random stranger.

approaching hunt. This morning, there were several hunters from other parties surrounding them. The cohort had been planning a big joint hunt for a

they just...

the group of hunters and greeted them. Caster smiled at him,

knew who stands

to the discussion. One of the hunters

Awakened creatures living there have an incredibly sharp hearing. Attacking them in large

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 by the craftsmen of the outer settlement. There were monster hides and decorations hung

even a large map of the Dark City on one of the walls, with various symbols marking

hunter was pointing at a particular spot on

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

Caster shook his head.

know how formidable those bizarre creatures are. I still think that south of the

finding something that he could be helpful with,

have a bell that

his voice drowned in the buzz of the conversation. No one paid attention to his

for a few

of my

with a brilliant idea. Everyone listened to him, turning

what's even

for a minute or two, feeling awkward, angry, and utterly stupid. Then he simply

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 the shadow slip back into

sent the

enthusiasm,

was he the only one who couldn't

friends. He was currently helping the red-haired girl who was

Sunny frowned.

right with Harper. He couldn't put his finger

people, learning their names, and asking questions about how things worked in the Changing Star's party. It seemed as

But something was wrong.

into the 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. Deep in the darkness of that alley, a

frowned, recognizing one of the high-ranking Guards from

all this

and asked in a rough, unfriendly

"Well?"

down, his fear and anxiousness

Yes, uh, sir. I've done what you

The Guard smiled.

It seems that you really do

glanced up, a desperate light igniting in