Shadow Slave

Leaving the mouth of the tunnel and the swirling white mist behind, the cohort cautiously went further into the darkness. As they walked, they summoned the Memories that produced light to illuminate the way.

The tunnel leading into the mine was wide and spacious. Despite the ruthless flow of time, it had remained in perfect condition — just like the ancient wall that surrounded the Dark City. The floor was inclined and led down, deep into the belly of the mountain.

Sunny sighed, not happy with the idea that they had to travel further into this deadly region of the Dream Realm. Who knew what horrors lived in the darkness at the roots of the Hollow Mountains? The only thing that consoled him was that, with some luck, the cohort wouldn't have to go too far.

They just had to find the remains of the doomed expedition that had disappeared somewhere down below. He wasn't entirely comfortable hoping that those people had died sooner rather than later, but they were dead either way.

What Sunny cared about the most was for him and his companions to not follow suit.

Walking at the back of the party, he glanced at the five people in front of him.

How did Changing Star's cohort stacked against that of the First Lord? Were they weaker, stronger, or just about the same?

His brow furrowed.

Regarding Nephis herself, he doubted that the young man who had led a group of Sleepers to conquer the Bright Castle could have been more powerful or driven than her, at least not at the start. However, he had much more time to accumulate power and resources before venturing into the Hollow Mountains to find his death.

years ago, when he had entered the Dream Realm and got stranded on the Forgotten Shore, things were much different from now. The Immortal Flame clan was yet to fall, for one. In fact, it was not long after Broken Sword, Neph's father, had become the first human to conquer

the way out and returned to reality? Yes, most likely. If the era of the Nightmare Spell had shown anything to humanity, it was that

that Sunny knew about the First Lord, a man like him could have done a lot to improve the position humanity was in. What a shame that he had perished in this godforsaken hell, the story of his incredible deeds known only to a handful of people as unfortunate as

brilliant youths, killed

written by the best, but by

front of him, Sunny couldn't

many of

at least an equal to the First Lord, her companions were most

and carefree demeanor, it was easy to forget how fearsome of a warrior she was. The huntress had not survived three years of stalking monsters on the

incredible Aspect Ability, outstanding skill, cold intelligence and the wide arsenal of

but his ability to fly coupled with the mastery of the bow and the Ascended arrow that Sunny had sold him made him a real menace in a battle,

any combat Aspect Ability could ever be. Especially so

then there was Sunny

of them all. If he wanted to, he could have killed every member of the cohort twice

the exception of

of them had to face each other in battle, he didn't count his chances too

…At least for now.

***