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:

you want to lure him into a trap? By using

Welthe shook her head.

Song of the Fallen. Just your companion. He is the

The other knight chuckled.

all this… isn't it only fair that he would be the

a step forward and looked down at

on taking your body above all others. Why else would he have gone to such lengths to frame and excommunicate you? Going as far as to risk sneaking into our camp… the mad prince is ill and unhinged. If we present an opportunity

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

for him to go — Welthe and five Echoes were behind him, blocking the

if I do

Pierce smiled.

her life at the hands of the escaped murderer… while heroically assisting the great clan Valor and saving lives, of course. And you will do as I say,

gritted her teeth, then

"Sunny! Don't do it!"

moved her saber, making the blind girl fall silent.

"Quiet…"

to save him. But there was nothing he could use

"I… I…"

then suddenly hung his head, as

it. Just don't… don't hurt her.

too

in

"Sunny! No!"

looked back, a solemn expression on his face. When he spoke, his voice sounded stifled and

…Almost heroic.

least

faced Pierce and

do I need

Master smirked, then handed him the folded piece

Get down on your

wooden box. Slowly, Welthe moved to stand side by side with Pierce, and

He closed his eyes.

"...Now what?"