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.

what is

Then, Welthe spoke, her

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 Cormac will return. Then, Prince Mordret will have to face

as good as admitting defeat. But this plan of

do was barricade themselves inside the impregnable inner sanctum and wait for the cavalry to arrive. Surely,

out

is… a

then turned

you a helpful vision, don't hesitate to inform me immediately. Now, please go and rest, you two. Eat your fill… we all need to keep up

like that, the conversation

Cassie stood up, bowed to the masters, then returned to the main hall. There, they endured the unfriendly gazes of the Lost, filled two bowls with tasty-looking

something that was not

Cassie said quietly while pretending

"What do you think?"

of water, and answered as he

inner sanctum,

of the sentinel who could turn invisible, to

some more, then added without looking at the

soon. Welthe and Pierce will wait and observe for a bit, and then probably try to

for a few

"How do you know?"

He smiled.

I

their own thoughts. A few moments passed