Shadow Slave

Sunny froze, trying not to move a muscle. His face grew pale and solemn.

"W—what is going on? Master Welthe?"

The woman stared at his back, the blade of a slender saber pressed against Cassie's throat. She remained silent, as though unwilling to answer. However, Pierce spoke in her stead, a dark grin appearing on his lips:

"Don't worry… we'll tell you shortly."

With that, he commanded two Echoes to step forward. One was holding a large wooden box, its surface engraved with a complicated weave of a beautiful, but disorienting pattern. The other was holding a folded piece of black cloth.

Pierce carefully took the box, then placed it on the floor in front of him and closed his eyes for a moment. A loud click resounded from inside, and its lid rose by a few millimeters. He didn't touch it, though.

Instead, the fearsome Master sighed and took the folded cloth.

Sunny stared at the wooden box with a bit of apprehension.

"What is that thing?"

Welthe finally spoke, her voice cold and even:

"It is a mirror trap. A very special artifact created by the elders of our great clan. With its help, we can capture and bind the prince."

He blinked a couple of times, then forced out a weak smile.

"Well, that is… good? Right?"

Pierce snarled.

"Indeed… the problem is, the ritual requires some time to be performed. And that monster has proved to be too devious to be held back long enough for it to work. Every time we cornered him, he simply destroyed the vessel and slipped away. Because we were always a step behind, and he was the one in control of the battlefield."

The Master smiled.

"Well… that is about to change."

Sunny frowned.

Behind him, Cassie suddenly spoke:

want to lure him into a trap? By using us as

Welthe shook her head.

companion. He is

The other knight chuckled.

isn't it only fair

step forward and looked

Why else would he have gone to such lengths to frame and excommunicate you? Going as far as to risk sneaking

The Master scowled furiously.

be the ones in control. He won't escape us again. So… you wouldn't mind making a sacrifice for the greater good, would

for him to go

I do

Pierce smiled.

her life at the hands of the escaped murderer… while heroically assisting the great clan Valor and saving

gritted her teeth,

"Sunny! Don't do it!"

Welthe moved her saber, making the blind girl fall silent.

"Quiet…"

around the chamber, as if searching for something to save him. But there was nothing he could use — only the two

"I… I…"

and then suddenly hung his head, as if

don't… don't hurt her.

too much…

struggled in

"Sunny! No!"

he spoke, his voice sounded stifled and frightened, but also certain and

…Almost heroic.

At least this way… this way, one of us

that, Sunny faced Pierce

what do I need to

handed

Get down on your knees,

Slowly, Welthe moved to stand side by side with Pierce, and the Echoes dispersed, hovering near

He closed his eyes.

"...Now what?"