Shadow Slave

The dark sea was gone.

And all the horrors that dwelt in its cursed depths were gone with it, too.

The world was bathed in pure sunlight. The surface of the Labyrinth suddenly became vibrant and bright, with stark shadows hiding under the jagged pillars of the crimson coral. The furious white sun burned above the Crimson Spire, as if frozen in the middle of the sky.

Sunny even had to cover his eyes for a few seconds.

Laying on the ground, he allowed himself a few moments of rest. A short laugh escaped from his lips.

'I actually did it?'

Speak about the unlikely events...

Unfortunately, he couldn't really rest yet.

The battle wasn't over. The horde of Nightmare Creatures was not defeated yet.

…And somewhere in the Spire, the Crimson Terror itself was not defeated, either.

With a deep sigh, Sunny collected himself and rose to his feet. They were almost there. They almost escaped. Now, all that was left was to make one final push. Even if it was going to be the hardest one yet...

Looking at the tall mound of coral towering above him, he squinted against the light and began climbing it.

Was it always so bright?

As Sunny climbed, he summoned the runes and glanced at them.

Shadows: [Marble Saint].

'Thank gods.'

He knew that Saint was alright, but still wanted to check. The taciturn demon had been heavily damaged and was bound to spend a long time restoring herself, however, her existence was not in danger.

his eyes

Shadow Fragments: [999/1000].

'...Crap.'

was simultaneously excited and scared to find out what was going to happen once he saturated the Shadow Core. It was bound to be beneficial, but

weeks, as Saint had? Or suddenly become incapacitated amidst furious combat, as Nephis had

could cost him his

like I can do anything about

very top of the coral pillar. Standing on it, Sunny

of blood rolling off his skin. A moment later, another fell on the vambrace of the

hand and swiped it across his

nose bleed? What the

it, why

in confusion, a violent ripple suddenly ran

***

Dreamer Army were at the precipice

they had been drowning in the rising flood of black water and the relentless onslaught of the horde, lost in the

the dark sea had retreated. The sun shined brightly in the sky, drowning the battlefield in its light.

claws and fangs reaping one life after another. But the survivors of the Dreamer

they steeled their hearts and fought with zeal, fervor, and murderous will. More and more Nightmare Creatures fell

sea had retreated, but their faith in Changing Star now burned even brighter. She had promised to guide them out of

not impossible anymore. They could

sword dance. A confused, alarmed frown appeared on her face. Dodging the claws of an attacking abomination, she thrust her sword

the swarming monsters for a

at the

***

her, Kai was

'What is happening?'

speed, struggling against the crushing wind, dodging bolts of lightning and the cursed Spire Messengers, pushing the limits of both his body and mind… the exhaustion was catching up with him now, making it

Let alone react…

body ached, and his vision was slowly turning blurry.