Shadow Slave

Two forces stood against each other, the desecrated expanse of the great hall separating them… for now. The tense silence was full of bloodlust and dark apprehension.

Sunny slowly made his way to the first row of the crowd, staring at the opposing mass of armored warriors with a complicated expression. From his point of view, followers of Changing Star had little chance of winning this battle.

They simply had no advantage against the Castle Guard — with the exception of the fact that there were more bodies they could throw at the sharp blades of the enemy. Even if everyone here was mundane human, that would not have helped them prevail against a better-armed and trained force.

The fact that every single human in the throne room was a Sleeper only made things worse. The potential difference in power between two Awakened was much more vast than that between two mundane fighters.

And yet, he didn't think that Nephis was going to lose — for that same reason.

The Guards might have been better equipped and more experienced than the slum dwellers, but they didn't have Changing Star on their side. They didn't have Effie, Caster, and Gemma. They didn't have Sunny.

They only had two truly fearsome champions: Seishan and Tessai himself.

At the end of the day, the outcome of this battle was going to be decided by those few who stood out from the sea of Sleepers, impressive as everyone still surviving in the Dark City might have been, like tall and unassailable cliffs. Among the Awakened, individual power was so much more important. And in terms of exceptional individuals, the Changing Star's side was far superior.

So yes, Sunny felt confident that Nephis was going to win.

But at what cost?

Out here on the Forgotten Shore, people had nowhere to retreat. So this battle was going to end only after one side was totally annihilated. And the closer to utter annihilation a faction would come, the more desperately its members would fight… like rats driven into a corner. When that happened, the bloodshed would only grow more terrible.

Was it only going to stop when just a handful of the strongest and most resilient was left alive?

As if reading his thoughts, Tessai suddenly chuckled and looked at the crowd of people gathered in the throne room with a bloodthirsty smile.

'Is… is that bastard actually looking forward to the slaughter?'

The morose giant then looked directly at Nephis and grinned:

"Changing Star. Ah, we meet again. But… wait. Who is that beside you? Is that Gemma, my old friend? What a pleasant surprise! How considerate of you, to bring him here. Now I won't have to search the whole Castle for that filthy cockroach…"

With that, he slowly rose from the throne, put his terrifying mace on his shoulder, and descended from the stairs, dark fires igniting in his eyes.

here to die,

her head and looked

came here to

Stepping on the marble floor, he stopped beside

was like an incarnation of destruction and violence. His skin had turned slightly blue because of the invisible

of the Handmaidens was reserved and elegant, but no

regal dress, its velvet the color of red wine. There was an intricate silver necklace resting

not her beauty, but her skin. It was grey like stormy clouds, smooth like silk, and devoid of any

whose appearance had been changed by their Aspect. But in her case, that change was far more pronounced. It gave her an

of the kind that put both longing and fear

and stared coldly at the crowd of slum dwellers. Many of them shivered

hammer appeared in her hand, one side of its head forged in the shape of

The morose giant laughed.

ran away like a cowardly dog. What makes you think that

chin slightly and met his mocking gaze

Tessai shook his head.

going to teach you how to beg, girl. So, what do you say? How about we finish this mess

with contempt and dark

was about to

answered Tessai, her

"...Let's."

moment, time

bestial smile, the giant stepped forward. He opened his mouth, ready to give his soldiers

behind, Seishan silently moved to follow

the back of Tessai's head,

the same time, the Handmaidens who were standing behind the Guards attacked the unsuspecting men with long knives that appeared out of their sleeves. These knives were not Memories, and as such, did not take any time to weave themselves into reality or shine with ethereal light

plunged into the flesh of the Guards, ruthlessly slaughtering them. The Handmaidens were aiming for their throats, hearts, and eyes. Blood streamed on the marble floors once again, and screams of terrified agony

what was happening, it was already too late. They had no chance to resist the treacherous

having a chance to raise their weapons. Their corpses lay on the floor, a look of

was still