Shadow Slave

With his back to the stone surface of the ancient statue, Sunny stared as the two tribes of Nightmare Creatures clashed in a cacophony of eerie roars and rustling noises.

Discovering a new target, swarming locusts swiftly fell from the skies and cut into the horde of the Blood Flower hosts, devouring scores of unfortunate primates in mere moments. Torn and eviscerated by the sharp mandibles, their flesh seemed to almost melt in the terrible maws of the flying abominations.

However, the massive beasts were not entirely defenseless. Any locust that lingered for a fraction of a second more than it should have was immediately grabbed and torn to pieces by the powerful primates, its black blood falling like dew on the petals of the crimson flowers that grew from their rotting bodies.

Some hosts even jumped off the colossus to grab onto diving reavers and tumble together to the distant ground.

In just a few seconds, the surface of the ancient giant and the air around him was consumed by utter chaos.

Indifferent to everything, the colossus steadily marched south.

'...Come to your senses!'

Shaking off his astonishment, Sunny swiftly finished off the primate that he had staggered a second before and pushed the heavy creature from the narrow path.

Despite the fact that their enemies were now fighting each other, the pressure on the cohort did not decrease. In fact, it only grew heavier.

Cursing under his breath, Sunny threw the Midnight Shard at another lunging monster, turned his back to the enemies, and jumped. Grabbing onto a crack in the ancient stone, he pulled his body up and nimbly scaled the neck of the ancient statue.

For several seconds that seemed to last an eternity, Sunny was completely defenseless against the potential attacks by the monstrous locusts. However, to his luck, Nephis had chosen that exact moment to unleash her flames on the other side of the statue. A blinding flash of white drowned the skies for a second, confusing the reavers and buying him enough time to reach the stone platform.

Climbing over its edge, Sunny rolled away and sprawled on the cold stone, trying to catch his breath.

His body was in agony. The Blood Weave might have destroyed the flower growing in his lungs, but the damage was already done. Sunny had trouble breathing and felt bloody foam bubbling on his lips. Every time he inhaled, a sharp pain pierced his entire being.

'Not… not too terrible...'

Although troublesome, these wounds were not going to kill him. Sleepers healed better and faster than mundane humans, and Sunny in particular was also transformed by the drop of Weaver's ichor, making him much tougher and harder to kill than most.

like

been through worse and survived. As long as Sunny had adrenaline numbing it to some degree, he was capable of giving

that it would be

moan, Sunny picked himself up from the

turning from

had to resort to using his morbid Ascended Memory. Judging by how pale his face was, he had already missed a few shots, losing a

and hands were covered in blood. It seemed that even the

the flying abominations in melee, having only a fraction of a second to react every time they attacked her. Blood was streaming down her legs, her white chiton torn and soaked with it. Her bronze helmet was gone, lying shattered on the

but his face was dark with exhaustion. Maintaining his incredible speed was taxing on both the mind and the body, so he would not be

dark and menacing visage. She continued to move with elegant grace, protecting the members of the cohort to the best of her ability. But she couldn't be everywhere all

himself, who was in the worst

'Curses!'

to the platform, the abominable primates were

worst still, unlike Sunny, the other members didn't have Blood Weave to

this

of the platform. A moment later, Nephis slid under the golden rope

dancing in her eyes. Her skin seemed to shine with a soft glow, as

fire, if Sunny had to guess, was responsible for annihilating the red pollen as

and seemed to be on the verge of melting, but still held, protecting the last daughter of the Immortal

the

'What is she…'

of the circular platform. Cursing, he grabbed a jagged piece of

an especially large locust suddenly fell from the sky. Batting

anyone could react, its mandibles

wood of the enchanted staff. The blind girl had managed to defend herself at the last

Breaking the improvised barrier with her back, Cassie screamed… and slipped from the platform,

'No!'

in the Soul Sea, and the

stone reached his ears, Sunny saw Kai diving down from the neck of the colossus. Flying with incredible speed, he caught up with Cassie and grabbed