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.

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

young man inside, Sunny directed him toward the

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

window, discussing the approaching hunt. This morning, there were several hunters from other parties surrounding

they just... start

Sunny walked over to the group of hunters and greeted them. Caster smiled at him, while Nephis simply nodded. The other hunters glanced at the new

you knew who stands

Sunny listened to the discussion. One of

but the Awakened creatures living there have an incredibly

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

but prosperous Awakened cohort. There was even a large map of

hunter was pointing at a

spot right here is much more promising. Blood Fiends are known to dwell in these parts.

Caster shook his head.

close to the territory of 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

could

I have a bell that

buzz of the conversation. No one paid attention

waited for a few seconds, and

we can use one of my two sound-producing

a brilliant idea. Everyone listened to him, turning their

even the

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

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

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

seemed full of energy, enthusiasm,

only one who couldn't

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

Sunny frowned.

right with Harper. He couldn't put his finger on it, but

mood, Sunny concentrated on watching the timid Sleeper. Harper seemed to do just what any newcomer would do: helping people, learning their names, and asking

But something was wrong.

gaunt young man made sure that no one saw him and hurriedly dove into

one of the high-ranking Guards from the

what all this is

glared at Harper and asked in a rough,

"Well?"

looked down, his

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

The Guard smiled.

seems that you really do want to return to the

glanced up, a desperate light igniting