Shadow Slave

'Ah. So that is how it works.'

Initially, Sunny had suspected that the mysterious Shard Memories were just rewarded to those who managed to slay certain powerful Nightmare Creatures who dwelled close to the headless statues.

The truth, however, turned out to be more complicated. The creature itself, most likely, did not even matter — it was the act of vanquishing a powerful foe after coming in contact with a statue that summoned the Memory from oblivion.

That was why they had received the Midnight Shard before even learning about how important these ancient monuments were. Sunny, Nephis and Cassie had taken shelter atop the statue of the ancient knight and killed the Carapace Demon long after.

But no, that didn't make a lot of sense. If this was true, Sunny would have received another Shard Memory after defeating the Corpse Eater. So… not any powerful abomination would do.

Each statue seemed to have a... a Nightmare Champion tied to it by some invisible bond. The Carapace Demon, whom the creatures described as cursed soldiers of the fallen legion used to obey, was connected to the statue of the Knight.

The Iron Matriarch was tied to the statue of the Hunter.

Which statue had the Dawn Shard come from? The Builder, whose monument had somehow come to life and was now wandering the Forgotten Shore? Rumors said that the First Lord chased it around the Labyrinth for a long time, after all.

But somehow, Sunny felt that the metal headband had nothing to do with the walking colossus.

'So many questions.'

How many champions were still around, anyway? Nephis had not even tried to search for one tied to the Builder, nor for one tied to the Priestess. How many Shard Memories were already in the hands of humans?

Among the members of the cohort, there were now three. And they were about to challenge some abominable horror for a chance of receiving the fourth one.

'...Why do I even assume that there are only three?'

Sunny tilted his head.

Zenith Shard, and the Dawn Shard did not mean that Changing Star had not gotten other ones already. Not counting the Memory they were currently hunting,

had

He smiled darkly.

later. Right now, however, there is a

at Nephis,

happens if I get the Memory? As you reminded so astutely, I am not one of your lackeys. That would throw

Star leaving something that

surprise,

it, if you

He frowned.

nonchalant about the possibility of a Shard Memory falling into his hands? Wait… why was she so indifferent about him already

held the Shard Memory — as long as it was in human hands. The other explanation… made Sunny

would push the two in the same direction. If this was true, then it didn't really

a bit, then shake his head and

waiting for? You didn't really expect any of us to stay

creature guarded the hidden statue, he was almost excited

of them were

Himself in particular.

***

the depths of the draconian mountains. The cavern was large enough to fit the entire Bright Castle — and the hill it stood upon — inside of it. Witnessing

over the vast cavern, Sunny couldn't help but

of the cavern stood a giant pillar of dark stone. It was surrounded by massive scaffolds, which nevertheless looked

discernable, cut from the giant pillar by the unknown sculptor.

was struggling to free himself from the pillar

giant's armor and shield. They were eerily similar to the armaments that the