Shadow Slave

Effie and Kai climbed over the rubble of the shattered gateway and entered the crumbled fortress. Both were tired and covered in layers of dirt, their armors dented and their weapons nicked. The travel to the very edge of the explored lands had not been easy.

Even though they had made stops and rested at human Citadels along the way, it took a lot of strength, endurance, resolve, and a bit of luck to reach the Chained Isles alive.

However, both Raised by Wolves and Nightingale were calm and vigilant, their eyes sharp, their hands steady. They were ready to face any danger… luckily, there were no enemies inside the ruin.

Instead, several Nightmare Creatures lay dead on the ground, some of them cut to pieces, some strangely lacking any wounds, but utterly broken — as though something terrifyingly powerful had crushed their bodies with inhuman strength.

The shadows suddenly moved, and a split second later, Kai already had his bow drawn. However, Effie gestured for him to lower it.

Out of the shadows, a tall and graceful figure in elaborate black armor stepped out, two ruby flames shining behind the visor of her helmet. In one hand, she wielded a steadfast kite shield forged out of dull steel, and in the other, an austere sword, its blade still dripping with rancid blood of the slaughtered abominations.

Kai cautiously studied the menacing creature.

"Is that Sunny's Echo? She looks… different?"

Effie grinned.

"Yeah… she does that sometimes. Hey there, beautiful! Where's your sneaky boyfr... I mean, master?"

The taciturn demon tilted her head a little, stared at Effie for a few moments, then silently turned around and walked away.

"...I guess we should follow."

The three of them left the crumbling fortress and walked along the edge of the island. Soon, the heavenly smell of roasting meat reached their nostrils.

A few seconds later, both Effie and Kai froze, their mouths hanging open.

A firepit was built in the shadow of an ancient wall, strips of juicy, generously seasoned meat roasting over the coals.

But that was not all.

also fresh vegetables and succulent fruits, a copper cezve producing the unmistakable smell of freshly brewed coffee, and a few more things

person responsible for all this revelry was sitting in a comfortable folding chair, lazily enjoying a slice

saw them, an impish smile appeared on his

guys! You

young man jumped out of the chair, reached into a pot full of ice, and then placed two frosty bottles of cold, expensive beer into

Sunny grinned.

to the

***

his folding chair and was now sitting on the ground. He was inwardly lamenting the fact that Covetous Coffer was not

sip of his beer and glanced at the branded bottle in his hand with a

stuff? Are you on

Sunny laughed.

Aiko had not hounded you for an endorsement hard enough… or maybe too hard, and you're suffering from trauma-induced amnesia? I mean, you are basically a co-founder! The first

Kai smiled.

on your behalf in

Sunny nodded with enthusiasm.

successful entrepreneur. I guess it's true what they say about business… you know.

charming archer blinked a couple of times, but

on the other hand, did. Finishing her beer, she glanced at the empty bottle with regret and

No, seriously! I am reformed. I swear I won't tease you anymore… I won't even mind you having a girlfriend! Just continue supplying me

He sneered.

Denied. You shameless

face, then threw her head

"Oh, well. Alright then."

a little bit

the plan? How

took out his map of the Chained Isles and placed it on the

and Kai got closer and

southernmost point on the map and