Shadow Slave

The outer settlement had changed from the time Sunny saw it last.

At the point where the white road widened into the vast platform that the settlement stood upon, a tall stone barricade was built, with watchful sentries observing the approach to the crest of the hill. Each of them was wielding a Memory weapon and a sturdy armor, their faces full of dark determination.

The makeshift watchtower constructed on the roof of Neph's lodge loomed above them, with several archers ready to rain arrows on any Nightmare Creature that wandered close.

The slum itself was much the same, but the people populating it seemed different. Many of them were bruised and bandaged, but their eyes shone with the subtle light of hope that wasn't there or as strong before. That hope was contrasted against the suffocating feeling of tension that hung in the air. From time to time, someone would glance toward the castle and frown, a dark expression appearing on their face.

There was another detail that surprised Sunny. On the sleeves of many slum dwellers, a piece of pure white cloth was tied, as if announcing their allegiance to some god or goddess.

There had been none of that when he left this place a few months ago.

There were also graffiti drawn on the walls of the most derelict hovels, some of them depicting a shining star, some the image of a beautiful bronze spear.

'...What is that all about?'

The white armbands and the star were, obviously, meant to represent Nephis. But when had Effie suddenly become an apostle?

Glancing at the voracious huntress, he raised an eyebrow.

"Anything you want to tell me?"

She scratched the back of her head, then shrugged.

bit of a folk

his head and

'Whatever...'

their faces first became shocked, and then lighted up with intense

Nephis! It's

"Lady Nephis has returned!"

"She is alive!"

hum of voices spread through the entire settlement in an instant. If Gunlaug had not known

before the people of the slum ever laid their eyes on their

the outer settlement, at the mighty walls of

its Lord throws them a

wanted to see that Saint Nephis was alive and well with their own eyes. The other members were bathing in attention,

"Effie!"

"Huntress Athena!"

home, Effie!

in bewilderment

there were a few faces that did not share in everyone's joy. They were the leaders of the outer settlement's hunting parties. The gazes they threw at Nephis were grim and full of

handed her. Slowly unclasping it, she spoke, her calm voice effortlessly

City. The past few months have been harsh on me and the members of my cohort, but they must have been equally as harsh on you. However, we have persevered. You here in these cursed ruins, and we out there in

she took something from the bag and tossed it to the ground. Suddenly, a deathly silence settled over the

a terrifying, jagged black talon, which was as

then, another one fell near it, and another,

blades lay in a pile in front of Nephis — thirty from the six front limbs of