Shadow Slave

Five hundred people stood silently in the magnificent great hall of the ancient castle. Beams of sunlight were falling through the tall windows, making the air appear bright and effervescent.

There was no sign left of the terrible bloodshed that had happened in this hall just a few weeks ago. The bodies were dragged away, the blood washed off the marble floors.

But the memory of it remained.

On the steps leading to a beautiful throne of white marble sat a young woman with silver hair. Her ivory face was distant, and her clear grey eyes were calm and heavy. Hundreds of people were looking at her, waiting quietly for their lady to speak.

Finally, Changing Star sighed. A moment later, her voice resounded in the throne room, reaching far and wide:

"Dreamers of the Forgotten Shore. A week ago, I sent several scouts into the Labyrinth to look for those young men and women who, like us, were sent to this cursed place. Among them was Nightingale, whom you all know. He spent seven days searching for them. But he didn't find anyone. Not even a single sign of their passing. This year… no one has come."

A wave of stunned whispers ran through the crowd. Sunny glanced at the faces of people gathered in the great hall, noticing different expressions on them. Confusion, fear, shock. However, it wasn't as bad as he had expected. No one seemed to become consumed by utter despair.

Instead, all of them turned to Nephis, hope burning in their eyes.

She was their hope. Until Changing Star was with them, they weren't going to give in to despair.

Indifferent to hundreds of eyes observing her every move, Neph continued:

"Many of you understand what that means. To those who don't, I will explain."

She lingered for a moment, throwing a glance at the walls of the ancient citadel. When she spoke, her voice seemed solemn:

"For many years, this castle served as a fortress for the humans sent to the Forgotten Shore. Some of you enjoyed the safety it offered, while others survived in the shadow of its walls. But none of us would have been here if not for the Bright Castle. It offered us protection against the dreadful beasts of the Dark City. It offered us shelter. However, this shelter was never free."

A dark expression appeared on her face.

"Some people lost their souls to preserve it. And many more lost their lives. Every year, hundreds of human lives were sacrificed to allow the Bright Castle to exist. And every year, hundreds more came to be thrown into its maw."

scoffed. She was making it sound as though the Castle was some creature that fed on human lives… not unlike the Soul Devourer, really. The meaning was

'...Insidious.'

Meanwhile, Nephis continued:

Dark City this year, just like no one will come after that. Without new people, the losses we suffer will slowly accumulate, until there is no one to man the walls, no one to fight off the Nightmare Creatures, no one to keep these halls

and then said calmly and with frightening

"...is inevitable."

storm of emotions. Their eyes widened and their faces paled.

if to hammer the last nail into the

thing. We cannot remain in the

the crowd, full of disbelief and terror. There were many things people were

"What do we do?!"

we save

…And:

"Save us, Changing Star!"

Sunny smiled.

her. And then, white flames ignited in her eyes, making everyone fall silent. Her voice resounded once more between the walls of the great hall, penetrating through the

ago, I

over the crowd like a shining, ruinous

Follow me. Only I know how to save

making it seem as though their faces shone with an inner light. Her

the most

The light of hope.

was synonymous with

the steps, her words

lead you out of this hell. Follow me, and I will show you the path back to your homes. But make

remained silent for a few long moments. When she spoke again, her voice sounded

Heavier.