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!"

wave of voices then joined that first one, all

of the Immortal Flame! She won't

that Lady Nephis is currently

Immortal Flame cannot

sorrow,

Only faith.

Kai. Both seemed to be a little bit sad,

do

for a

alive from there, it's Princess. It sounds

silent for a

believe, too. Or… or at

words, he looked around

devastated. Have you

him grimly, then

earlier. She

was nowhere to be found. To

then rubbed his

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

Sunny shrugged.

have a pack of military-grade stimulants to keep me awake for a few

glanced at them

honest… I am dying

***

dinner, and observed with dark fascination as Effie

the huntress was done with the food and leaned back tiredly in her wheelchair, full

life. Sunny, go

with

you the last three trays. Why don't you ask

Effie grinned.

out of your league. Why would

to bring the young woman a few