Shadow Slave

Changing Star's words brought the room to dead silence. On both sides of it, people were slowly preparing themselves, dark resentment burning in their eyes. It felt as though the tension reached critical mass and was about to explode into a storm of violence.

Only three people remained calm and unaffected by the direness of the situation: Nephis herself, Sunny… and Tessai.

The giant bared his canines in a grin. His eyes, however, remained cold as ice.

"What a… revelation. And here I was, thinking that you are a great defender of justice. Were you not, Changing Star? Or is your sense of justice reserved only for the crimes of those who don't serve you?"

He sighed and added, his voice full of disappointment:

"That huntress of yours is accused of murder. Why are you trying to prevent me from bringing her to justice? I thought that you, of all people, would not get in the way of fairness."

Nephis frowned.

"Accused does not mean convicted. Why do you claim that she is guilty?"

Tessai stared at her and said, his low voice sending tremors through the stone hall:

"There is plenty of evidence. There are plenty of witnesses. So many people came forward to give a testimony! Her guilt is undeniable. How will you answer that, Changing Star?"

Sunny smiled slightly.

'How peculiar. So many people apparently saw Effie slaughter those fools. Did I imagine killing them or what? I was a bit crazy at the time, to be fair. Ha.'

Before Nephis could answer, Kai suddenly took a step forward and shouted:

"That is impossible! I…"

man hesitated, then gritted his teeth

the imposing giant

changes everything, then. Please forgive me, if you can. I have been away from the Dark City for

Sunny did not take his eyes off

her face, replaced

am coming with her. All of us are, in fact. We are awfully curious to see that evidence and hear those witnesses. And, most of all,

on Tessai's face. With a deep frown, he looked

that

silent for a few moments, calmly looking at him. Then, her eyes suddenly shone with furious white light. In

going to stop

expression. It seemed as though

A masterful performance to hide his true

Triumph and jubilation.

Effie to justice, but his true goal had always been Nephis. She was the one Gunlaug wanted to destroy.

not know was that Changing Star was as far

like a demon

Meanwhile, Tessai slowly shook his head and

Castle, if you want. Bring your rats with you.

***

tall huntress by the shoulder. Her hands were tied behind her back with a flimsy rope — more of a symbolic gesture than a real restraint, considering Effie's strength. Nephis was keeping close,

were grim and full of resentful indignation. Sunny had hidden himself in the crowd, not wishing to draw

moved toward the Castle, more and more slum dwellers

"They got Effie!"

"Bastards! Let her go!"