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…"

charming young man hesitated, then gritted his

the

Please forgive me, if you can. I have been away from the Dark City for so long, and wasn't informed of these… developments. If this is the case, then

an amused expression. Sunny did not take his eyes off of Tessai,

disappeared from her face, replaced by boundless

those witnesses.

a deep frown, he looked down on Neph from his oppressive height and said in a

do you think that you can come,

suddenly shone with furious white light. In a voice that promised agony and death, she said

going to stop

giant stared at her with a complicated expression. It seemed as though he

was all a mask, though. A masterful performance

Triumph and jubilation.

of bringing 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 from a

like a demon

morose giant with something that resembled pity. Meanwhile, Tessai slowly shook his head and said, his voice full of

the Castle, if you want. Bring

***

back with a flimsy rope — more of a symbolic gesture than a real restraint, considering Effie's strength. Nephis was keeping close,

other. Their faces were grim and full of resentful indignation. Sunny had hidden himself in the crowd, not wishing to draw any attention. Now,

more and more slum dwellers surrounded them, their faces full of

"They got Effie!"

"Bastards! Let her go!"