Shadow Slave

On the way back to the Sanctuary, Sunny tried to impart as much knowledge about the Chained Isles as he could to Kai and Effie.

The archer, in particular, needed to go through a tough adjustment. His main combat tool was his ability to fly, which was obviously restricted in this strange land.

Looking at the clear blue sky with a bit of trepidation, Kai asked:

"So… that Crushing. How deadly is it?"

Sunny grimaced.

"Deadly enough to kill a Saint. But it is also situational. After a bit, you'll develop a sense of how high or low the island you're standing on is. When it is at its lowest point, like right now, you will probably be able to rise several hundred meters into the air before feeling any pressure. The exact margin depends on how long the chains of the island are."

He paused, then continued:

"However, when it is ascending or descending, you'd better either stay on the ground or not fly more than a dozen meters up. And if it has already reached the peak… well, you really should have already escaped to another island. But if you failed to do that in time, lay on the ground and pray. If the chains are short enough, you will survive."

Kai studied the Sky Above some more, then looked down.

"What about below the islands? Can I fly freely there?"

Sunny nodded.

"Theoretically, yes. The Sky Below is generally safe, there's just nothing there. But that is only true for its depths… the underside of the islands is actually much more dangerous than their surface. The creatures that dwell there are the true horrors of this place. Some of them stay put, some move through the darkness as they hunt and migrate between islands. So flying under the islands is lethal in its own way."

…Effie was less concerned with the Crushing, since her mighty constitution allowed her to withstand it on par with someone like Master Roan or Sunny himself. She was, however, very interested in all the kinds of Nightmare Creatures that populated the region. The huntress was determined to finish saturating her core in the month left before their departure.

Sunny shared all the knowledge he had about the inhabitants of the Chained Isles. He had spent many months fighting local abominations, so he knew a lot — which creatures frequented which island, how they attacked their prey, what their weaknesses were, and so on. He also knew which islands had to be avoided at all costs.

By the end of their journey, even Effie seemed impressed by the amount of knowledge he had accumulated.

"I, uh… I guess the Academy doesn't pay you for nothing. You really did do a lot of research."

Sunny grinned.

I hunt Nightmare Creatures, I get to sell their shards, and also get paid

She giggled.

is that you are very

is that supposed to

and asked

this region?

thought for a bit,

But her husband is a really

lightly and didn't continue the

day, they finally

were, the trio was invited to have a meal with Saint Tyris before visiting

dinner was pleasant enough, but when the plates turned empty, the real conversation

looked at Effie and Kai with her usual expressionless

two more of the most brilliant Awakened of the new generation had decided to visit my

other. They had discussed what to say in advance… at this point, there was no reasonable way to keep their intention secret, so it was easier to just let the cat out of

politely

charming enough to make a crowd of women feint on the spot, but Sky Tide

intention of challenging a Nightmare Seed. Sunny… Awakened Sunless discovered one not too long ago. Since the Seed is years away from blooming and doesn't pose a threat to the waking world at the moment,

Master Roan frowned.

on the

Effie pointed down.

of the Sky Below. Song of the Fallen will also be joining us. We plan to use that ancient ship the Fire Keepers are

a

least that explains a few things,

Tyris lingered for a

sure that you want to enter a Second Nightmare? It has been less than a year since the four of you Awakened. Most people take much more time to prepare for the rigors of the Spell's trial. And even then, many don't

appeared on

but the circumstance of our Awakening was not ordinary. Even though it

away to look at the vista of the

Kai cleared his throat.

you going to try and dissuade us,

a few moments,