Shadow Slave

Despite all his misgivings and unease, Sunny had never expected that this hunt was going to change everything. He was just going through the motions, somewhat on edge because of the scale of this joint operation, but also strangely reassured by the large number of hunters surrounding him.

The unusual hunting party left the outer settlement at noon, heading east, to the massive ruin of a collapsed lighthouse that was situated at the edge of the city. There were almost twenty of them gathered together, all carefully making their way through the deadly maze of narrow streets, with Effie serving as the chief pathfinder and Sunny helping her by scouting ahead.

The plan was as straightforward and simple as possible. However, nothing was really ever safe in the Dark City. Everyone was prepared for the worst.

And pretty soon, their fears came true.

Halfway to their destination, a sudden sound made Effie freeze in place. Raising a fist to signal everyone to stop, she peered into the fog, a dark and foreboding expression on her face. Feeling that something bad was about to happen, Sunny commanded his shadow to return and moved closer to Cassie. His hand was ready to grasp the hilt of the Midnight Shard out of the air.

For a few moments, everything was quiet. Then, Effie's pupils suddenly widened.

"Scatter!"

As soon as the word left her mouth, the experienced hunters dashed in different directions. Sunny himself grabbed Cassie and lunged to the side, dragging her along with him.

Then, something large and heavy crashed from above into the cobblestones where the Sleepers had been standing just a second ago. Luckily, most of them were already somewhere else due to Effie's timely warning.

However, a couple of people were a little late to react. Their screams drowned in the sickening sound of tearing flesh.

Sunny cursed.

leaving him with no choice but to fight without its aid. He spun around, summoning the Midnight Shard… and froze for a

massive, winged creature was standing on the cracked cobblestones, its pale body and black feather stained by the blood of the unfortunate hunters. Its

A Spire Messenger!

watched, momentarily paralyzed by fear, a long red tongue snaked out of the creature's maw

'Move!'

Sunny gripped his sword and prepared to fight for his

…His and Cassie's.

had a simple choice to make: either separate into smaller groups and retreat into the ruins, risking encountering something equally as or even more terrifying, or stand their ground and try to drive the Fallen Beast away.

how dangerous, a familiar enemy was

'Unknown…'

had. Even though their Memories had no chance of breaking through the skin of the terrible creature, each strike still hurt it. Those who had Aspect

to wound a Fallen Beast. However, if their assault was ferocious enough, the Messenger could retreat to

only made the abomination angrier, however, most of them were going to die. More than anything, trying to resist creatures

The Messenger easily shrugged off the rain of attacks and lashed out with its beak, piercing one of the hunters clean through despite the man's mighty build and heavy armor. Another was almost torn apart by terrifying talons, but at

that his shadow would come back in time to give him a chance

the end, it was Effie

moving like wire ropes under the olive skin. As though turning into a spring, her

causing a stream of blood to shoot out. The creature screamed, and then lashed out

into the ground, she leaned forward and received the terrifying blow. The cobblestones under

she grinned crazily and twisted her weapon, causing more damage and

hurt by them. Letting out another scream, it waved its wings to send the Sleepers