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 slid

Shadow Fragments: [999/1000].

'...Crap.'

find out what was going to happen

had? Or suddenly become incapacitated

could cost him his

like I can do anything about

unease, he continued his climb and soon reached the very top of the coral pillar.

saw a drop of blood rolling

hand and swiped it across his

nose bleed?

of it, why did he feel

his hand in confusion, a violent ripple suddenly

***

the island, the remnants of the Dreamer Army were at the precipice of turning the tide

ago, they had been drowning in the rising flood of black water and the relentless onslaught of the horde, lost in the fury of a cataclysmic storm. But now,

in the sky, drowning the battlefield in

to attack the humans in a frenzied rage, their claws and fangs reaping one

with zeal, fervor, and murderous will. More and more Nightmare Creatures fell to their

the cursed sea had retreated, but their faith in Changing Star now burned even brighter. She

impossible anymore. They could

on her face. Dodging the claws of an attacking abomination, she thrust

the swarming monsters for a few short moments, she

looked at

***

above her, Kai was

'What is happening?'

a terrible 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,

Let alone react…

ached, and his vision was slowly turning blurry. A sickening feeling of