Shadow Slave

Soon, several instructors appeared. In a solemn and sonorous atmosphere, each of them gave a small speech, congratulating the survivors of the Dreamer Army on overcoming the immeasurable hardships and returning to the real world alive. They also spoke about those who had fallen, and offered words of solace, saying that their sacrifice would not be forgotten by mankind.

After all, mankind only continued to exist because of young men and women like them.

To Sunny, those words rang hollow and empty, but they affected many people in the crowd. He saw a few people crying, the others trying to keep a brave face. Everyone had lost a friend, a companion, or a loved one during the tumultuous last days on the Forgotten Shore.

Finally, Instructor Rock took the stage and spoke in length about the meaning of being an Awakened, their duty to safeguard humanity, and what they should do and expect in the next few days. However, at some point, he was interrupted.

"Lady Nephis! Tell us what happened to her!"

A hum of voices rose above the crowd, everyone joining in that plea. Instructor Rock sighed.

"Calm down, Awakened. I'll tell you everything we know."

The survivors of the Dreamer Army grew silent, staring at him with piercing intensity.

The mighty man hesitated for a few seconds, then said:

"As all of you know by now, the Gateway of the Forgotten Shore seemed to have been destroyed. Changing Star, who took it upon herself to distract the Fallen Terror to allow her people to escape, did not make it through in time."

A heavy, tortured tension hung in the air. The young men and women gathered in the hall kept silent, but their faces betrayed the storm of painful emotions raging in their hearts.

Instructor Rock continued:

"However, she is still alive out there, in the Dream Realm. Her vital signs and brain activity readings are all stable. It seems that Lady Nephis managed to escape the Terror, at least."

He didn't need to say the rest. Everyone understood what it meant: she was trapped in the Dream Realm, with no way to come back.

Sunny glanced at the newly Awakened around him, wondering what their reaction would be. Guilt? Sorrow? Fury?

However, he was surprised by what he saw.

A few moments later, a voice resounded from the crowd, full of adamant belief:

"She will return! If anything can do it, it's Lady Nephis!"

that first one, all expressing

Star of the Immortal Flame!

Lady Nephis is currently roasting its meat, looking at a map and thinking where

Flame cannot

no guilt, sorrow, or

Only faith.

Sunny turned to Effie and Kai. Both seemed to

uh... what do

for a few

there, it's Princess. It sounds impossible,

silent for a bit, then

I believe, too. Or… or at

looked around with

must be devastated.

him grimly,

earlier.

today the blind girl was nowhere to be found. To his

sighed, then rubbed his

I really want to sleep. It's tough, staying awake

Sunny shrugged.

military-grade stimulants to keep

at

all. However… to be honest… I am dying from hunger. There has to be food here somewhere,

***

and observed with dark fascination as Effie was finishing her fourth serving. There was a small mountain of

done with the food and leaned back tiredly in

go bring me something to

at her with a dark expression and

last three trays.

Effie grinned.

brat! Also, Kai and I are bigshots now. Way out of your league. Why would I ask a valiant True Name Awakened to serve

gritted his teeth, then obediently stood up and went to bring the young woman