Shadow Slave

This high into the foothills of the mountains, they didn't have to look long for a suitable shelter. In fact, they could have simply camped in the open.

The dark sea couldn't get to them anymore.

As the night descended and enveloped the world in the familiar veil of absolute darkness, Sunny volunteered to be the first one to stand watch. Gazing down the sloping surface of the rocky ground, he watched as the black water slowly rose from the distant crimson forest of the Labyrinth.

It crawled up the steep slope of the foothills, straining to devour as much of them as it could, but then stopped hundreds of meters away from the place where the cohort had made their camp and swayed gently, unable to move any further.

Just like the headless colossus had not been able to.

Looking at the powerless waves, Sunny finally allowed himself to believe that they were now outside of the Forgotten Shore.

Or, more precisely, at the very edge of it. In any case, the cursed sea was no longer a threat to them.

'How strange.'

Sunny had grown accustomed to living in the constant fear of this transient abyss. Even in the Dark City, he was constantly aware of its oppressive presence. No one was free of the frightening thoughts about what would happen if the seemingly unassailable wall of the city finally gave in and fell, opening the way to the flood of darkness.

But now, they were safe from it.

…For now.

With a sigh, Sunny summoned the Blood Blossom. An intricate pendant in the shape of a beautiful red flower soon appeared, hanging on a black thread around his neck. He admired it for a few short moments, and then hid the charm under his armor.

It was better to be safe than sorry. Relaxing now was not the brightest of ideas.

Yes, the dangers of the dark sea were now behind them. But he was ready to bet that actually escaping the clutches of the Forgotten Shore was not going to be that easy.

And who said that the place beyond this desolate hell was any better? With his luck, it was only going to be worse.

Consumed in thought, Sunny stared at the dark sea and waited.

***

cohort prepared to start the search. But before they could get to it, Nephis suddenly stopped them and peered at the towering peaks that loomed above

dark expression

a large rock. Straining her muscles, she crushed it in her fist and then looked at the

the shattered pieces away

later, Nephis spoke in a heavy

where we

that supposed

thought, Effie

princess. The southern edge of the Forgotten Shore, about two thousand

shook her head and stood

mean I know where we are in

Everyone froze.

what did you just

wide. The words Changing Star had said hit them like a

draconian peaks

north of the Hollow Mountains. I am

'Hollow… mountains?'

couldn't quite put his finger on where exactly he had heard it. Glancing at the other members of the cohort, he noticed that everyone shared the same expression — except for Caster, who seemed to know something. His

lingered for a few moments, and then

very large, but it has been slowly expanding for the last thirty years. There are three great Citadels, the most prosperous of which, Bastion, is ruled by the noble scions of the Valor clan. And numerous lesser

Then, she grimaced.

to conquer one lesser Citadel after another, expanding human territory

right. I think I heard that from teacher Julius. The northern border of the human

Sunny frowned.

Hollow

Star gritted

Actually, beyond that. The mountain chain stretches for thousands of kilometers, forming a whole

regions of the Dream Realm populated by Nightmare Creatures of the three highest ranks — Great, Cursed, and

of them was a death sentence to anyone below the Saint rank, and even Saints had only a slight chance