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.

and succulent fruits, a copper cezve producing the unmistakable smell of freshly brewed

revelry was sitting in

them, an impish smile appeared on

You

jumped out of the chair, reached into a pot full of ice, and then

Sunny grinned.

the

***

Sunny had given up his folding chair and was now sitting on the ground. He

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

you even have all this stuff? Are you on such good terms with the

Sunny laughed.

myself. What, you have forgotten about my Brilliant Emporium already? It seems that Aiko had not hounded you for an endorsement hard enough… or maybe too hard, and you're suffering from trauma-induced amnesia? I mean,

Kai smiled.

me to buy on your behalf in

Sunny nodded with enthusiasm.

operation might seem small compared to what you two have seen in Bastion, but here on the Chained Island, I am the most successful entrepreneur. I guess it's true what

charming archer blinked a couple of

hand, did. Finishing her beer, she glanced at the empty bottle

think about it before answering… take your time, too. Will you marry me? 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 with

He sneered.

Denied. You shameless

disappointed face, then threw her head

"Oh, well. Alright then."

she grew a little bit more serious and

the plan? How do we proceed from

sighed, then took out his map of the

and Kai got closer

point