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.

eyes slid

Shadow Fragments: [999/1000].

'...Crap.'

his teeth. He was simultaneously excited and scared to find out what was going to happen once he

go into a slumber for several weeks, as Saint had? Or suddenly become incapacitated amidst furious combat, as

cost him

I can do anything about it

very top of the

drop of blood rolling off his

across

bleed?

to think of it, why did he feel so

Sunny stared at his hand in confusion, a violent ripple suddenly ran through

***

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

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

brightly in the sky, drowning the battlefield in its

humans in a frenzied rage, their claws

with zeal, fervor, and murderous will. More and

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

was not impossible anymore.

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

of the swarming monsters for a few short moments, she

looked at

***

above her, Kai was still alive…

'What is happening?'

flying at a terrible speed, struggling against the crushing wind, dodging bolts of lightning and the cursed Spire Messengers, pushing

Let alone react…

and his vision was slowly turning blurry. A