Shadow Slave

Some time later, Sunny was pondering his life choices while sitting in the back row of a crowded theater. The lights were already off, which obviously meant nothing to him. People seemed to be really excited to see the movie, though… especially Effie, who was to his side, munching on something called popcorn and staring at the screen.

In the darkness, somber music started to play, reverberating through the entire space and making the audience shiver. Effie suddenly jabbed her elbow into his ribs.

"Do you know who is the composer for this thing? It's Griffin! I don't know how they managed to get him, but he scored the entire movie. Such an honor! Can you believe it?"

Sunny had no idea who this Griffin guy was, but judging by Effie's reaction, he was someone famous. Massaging his ribs with a grimace, Sunny offered a stifled answer:

"I can."

On the screen, the interior of a spacious and beautifully lit room appeared. A small girl with silver hair was playing on a carpet, while a handsome man with dark circles under his eyes was shown studying a map.

'What the hell…'

Was that supposed to be Nephis? If so, her hair should have been black. It only turned silver after her First Nightmare.

Effie giggled.

"So cute!"

The girl, meanwhile, approached the table and reached to touch the strange sword that lay on it. The blade of the sword was short and misshapen, as though shattered a long time ago.

Before the girl could cut herself, though, the man lifted the sword and brought it out of her reach.

"This is not a toy, Nephis!"

Sunny palmed his face and grimaced.

why is

The man smiled.

it is broken? It is still

shoulder and looked at her with

a sword too, darling. When you do, remember one thing: we, Awakened, only raise arms to protect humanity. As long as we don't

Sunny tilted his head.

doesn't

already over. The screen turned black for a few moments, and the movie transitioned into the future. Nephis — now a languid jade beauty with a slim waist, generous figure, long eyelashes, and mesmerizing grey eyes — was entering the Academy. What followed was a long training montage showing her defeating every other

up hope", or "remember

so tacky and laid so

young man with masculine

'Oh, no. Oh, no…'

movie was obviously hinting at the nascent romantic feelings between the two. Their conversations in the

actors had mad

but the audience was clearly enthralled by the

this preposterous thing for long, though… because right about then,

he Spell

was a teenage boy of about thirteen years of age, with a mischievous grin and a face that, for lack of better words, simply begged to

was

outrage, only

casting director for this movie, I need to send

his shadows were laughing.

exact revenge on Kai and Effie for making him endure this, and

the Dream Realm and found herself on the Forgotten Shore. The coral labyrinth and the dark sea were recreated with such detail that he

they did their

Neph's journey to the Dark City. The terrifying nature of the dark tides and the deadly battles with Awakened Nightmare Creatures