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.'

was simultaneously excited and scared to find out what was going to happen once he saturated

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

could cost him

like I can do anything about it

continued his climb and soon reached the very top of the coral pillar. Standing on it, Sunny looked in the

wet suddenly fell on his hand. Looking down, he saw a drop of blood rolling off his skin.

across his

bleed? What

of it, why did he feel so

stared at his hand in confusion, a violent ripple suddenly

***

of the Dreamer Army were at the precipice of

few minutes 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

more, and the dark sea had retreated. The sun shined brightly in the sky, drowning

claws and fangs

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

and why the cursed 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

suddenly stumbled and slowed her sword dance. A confused, alarmed frown appeared on her face.

monsters for a few short moments, she

looked at

***

her, Kai was

'What is happening?'

against the crushing wind, dodging bolts of lightning and the cursed Spire Messengers, pushing the limits of both his body and mind… the exhaustion

Let alone react…

well. His whole body ached, and his vision