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.

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 that

Sunny directed

were now coming to their lodge. If this went on, he would

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

just... start without

them. Caster smiled at him, while Nephis simply nodded. The other hunters glanced at

knew who stands before

with these childish thoughts, Sunny listened to the

good choice, but the Awakened creatures living

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.

headquarters of a small, but prosperous Awakened cohort. There was even a large map of the Dark City on one of the walls, with various symbols

pointing at

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

Caster shook his head.

those strange living statues. We all know how formidable those bizarre creatures are. I still think that south of the lighthouse is better. We just need to think of a way to

could be helpful with, Sunny

have a bell

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

for

use one of my two sound-producing Memories

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

what's even the damn

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

second-storey addition and sat there, solemnly watching as the sun slowly climbed up. After a while, Sunny sighed and closed his

Not surprised, he sent the shadow around the lodge, watching all the people who were busy making Neph's mysterious

of energy, enthusiasm, and a sense

he the only

castle, Harper, had already found some friends. He was currently helping the

Sunny frowned.

He couldn't put his finger on

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

But something was wrong.

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

one of the high-ranking Guards from

that's what all

Guard, meanwhile, glared at Harper and

"Well?"

his fear

done what you

The Guard smiled.

do want to

up, a desperate light igniting in