Shadow Slave

'Well… that's just damn great!'

The corner of Sunny's mouth twitched. The worst part was that he couldn't even disagree with Pierce's reasoning… because his own conclusion was more or less the same.

Of course, Mordret was perfectly capable of making one of the Lost his vessel in hopes of traveling to the Sanctuary — or a more remote human Citadel, if need be — and stealing another body there. But why would he settle for a vastly inferior option when a perfect candidate was right there, his for the taking?

Maybe that was the reason why he had not tried to seek out Sunny in the previous weeks. Mordret might have wanted to leave him for last.

…Thanks to Cassie, Sunny had a general idea about the Aspects of both Welthe and Pierce. The fearsome Master seemed to possess powers that made him highly resistant, if not outright immune, to various forms of attacks, while his more friendly counterpart specialized in enhancing her combat prowess and debilitating the enemy.

Noting that only Welthe was wearing the strange anvil amulet, he made a guess that she was protected from Mordret's Ability by its enchantment, while Pierce was capable of countering the possession simply through the might of his Aspect.

Cassie could not be taken, too, due to her blindness. One had to look at the reflection to be possessed, which she was incapable of.

That left only Sunny…

But more than that, Mordret had secretly watched him for months, and knew perfectly well how powerful Sunny actually was, as well as how he spoke, behaved, and carried himself. Who were his friends and who were his enemies. Mordret knew everything he needed to know to impersonate him perfectly, as well as how much would be gained by stealing his Aspect, Shadows, and Memories.

Truly… Sunny was an ideal vessel.

It was almost as though this role had been predetermined for him from the very start.

'Damnation…'

He hesitated for a bit, then glanced at Pierce and Welthe, this time not even having to fake worry.

is the

for a bit. Then, Welthe

bind that monster again. At this point… at this point, we don't have enough numbers to trap him anymore. However, he also has no way of infiltrating the inner sanctum, and the vessel that made time his best ally is destroyed. So, we will just wait. In about a week, maybe even less, Saint

a passive approach, since, in a sense, this was as good as admitting defeat. But

was barricade themselves inside the impregnable inner sanctum and wait for the cavalry

forced out a

is… a

Welthe nodded, then turned

you a helpful vision, don't hesitate to inform me immediately. Now, please

like that, the conversation was

gazes of the Lost, filled two bowls with tasty-looking porridge, took a couple of opaque jars of water, and found a pair of empty straw mattresses in a

something that was not synthpaste. The meat porridge wasn't much, but to

Cassie said quietly while pretending to

"What do you think?"

took a sip of water, and answered as he continued to

sanctum, somehow.

of the sentinel who could turn

he ate some more, then added without looking at the blind

happen is that things are going to go south very soon. Welthe and Pierce will wait and observe for a bit, and then probably try to use us as bait to lay

a few moments,

"How do you know?"

He smiled.

I would have

continued to eat, preoccupied with their own thoughts. A few moments passed before Cassie spoke again, her voice