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.

also get paid by the research faculty. So much money! Aint't it a

She giggled.

Sunny, is

what is that

meanwhile, looked east and asked with a bit

the Saint who rules this region? What's

a bit, then said

bit of a recluse. I don't really know. But her husband is a really

smiled lightly and didn't continue

third day, they finally reached the

to how high-profile both Raised by Wolves and Nightingale were, the trio was invited to have a meal with

pleasant enough, but when the plates turned empty, the

Tyris looked at Effie and Kai with her usual expressionless severity and

of the new generation had decided to visit my remote and unremarkable Citadel. If you forgive my

point, there was no

politely

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

the Seed is years away from blooming and doesn't pose

Master Roan frowned.

on the

Effie pointed down.

it, we'll have to descend into the depths of the Sky Below. Song of the Fallen will

blinked a

least that

lingered for a few moments, then asked

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

wild smile appeared on Effie's

are right, of course, but the circumstance of our Awakening was not ordinary. Even though it only happened recently, between the four of us, we already share a decade

away to look at

Kai cleared his throat.

you going to try and dissuade us,

remained silent for a few moments,