Shadow Slave

An echoing silence fell on the great hall of the ancient castle. The fateful words had been spoken, and now there was no turning back.

For better or for worse.

Gunlaug tilted his head and stayed quiet for a few moments. Then, the sound of his laughter rolled over the crowd.

"The right of challenge? Oh, that old thing. You are awfully fond of that tradition, it seems. Not even a full year since you have arrived under my roof, and I had the pleasure of hearing you say those words twice. Insolent girl…"

He paused for a few moments and then leaned forward. His voice suddenly turned cold, full of dark undertones.

"To be honest, I am very tired of your insolence, Changing Star."

Before Nephis could answer, the Bright Lord suddenly rose from his throne, towering above the crowd like a statue cast from pure gold. Then, he took a leisurely step forward and began descending the stairs of the dais. With each step, the sound of his serpentine voice resounded, growing lower and lower, until it turned into a fiendish, wrathful growl.

"Your little games were fun at first, but the more I observed your clumsy attempts at playing the hero, the more disgusted I became. I couldn't believe how naive, self-righteous, and stupid you turned out to be. It made me sick. It made me want to do things that I promised myself to never do again. Ah, I expected better from the daughter of the Immortal Flame! To disappoint me so thoroughly…"

His growl reverberated through the great hall and then abruptly disappeared. A moment later, Gunlaug suddenly threw his head back and laughed brightly.

"Oh, but then it hit me! I was such a fool. You fooled me so beautifully! Brilliantly done, Changing Star. Please, do accept my compliment! After I saw the real you, ah, it was such a joy to watch your performances."

He left the stairs and stepped on the marble floor of the throne room. The crowd of the Castle inhabitants parted in front of him, people hurrying to get as far away from the oppressive aura of the golden armor as they could.

The Bright Lord sighed.

stop now. You see… while I can't help but applaud your effort, in the end, you still turned out to be just another

at Effie and asked, his voice

don't think it's your place to demand such a thing. You are not the one accused of the crime, after all. If someone has to invoke the right of challenge,

the psychic pressure. Refusing to turn

of your minions said. I am responsible for the actions of my people.

expression hidden. Neph's pale face was reflected in his mask, staring

logic. Who are you

hesitated for a few moments, then said

it was that passed

The Bright Lord chuckled.

by the same logic...

darkly and glared at him,

the one

the great hall, sending hundreds of people gathered there into a state

***

'So, this is it.'

two groups. Those who were going

in the Dark City was going to descend into utter chaos. If Changing Star was killed, her followers would make her into a martyr and

held this whole place together. Without a tyrant enforcing some semblance of order, no matter how ghoulish, things would get really

any case, there was going to be

done worrying about these matters. In the