Shadow Slave

Sunny staggered back, stunned by the sudden appearance of Saint Tyris. A tense, dangerous silence settled over the island after she spoke, with only the wailing of the wind breaking it.

Snow danced in the air, slowly settling onto the cold ground.

His heart was beating like a caged animal.

'Where did she come from… what is going on, damn it?'

Cormac scowled and looked at the slender woman with a dark expression on his stern, weathered face. The Saint did not seem amused by the sudden appearance of the leader of the White Feather clan.

"Sky Tide… stay out of this."

Saint Tyris didn't move, still shielding Sunny and Cassie with her slender body. The wind picked up, and the clouds seemed to become heavier, as if expressing her suppressed emotions.

…Only, as Sunny realized, they weren't suppressed at all. Sky Tide just didn't show them on her face. Instead, the world itself did it for her.

"I think not."

Cormac winced, resentful sparks appearing in his eyes.

"You don't know what you are interfering with, Tyris. Get out of my way. This is not your business."

She shifted slightly, the howling of wind growing louder. The violet flowers bent, pressed down to the ground.

"...This is my land. These Awakened are of my Citadel. Anything that happens here, and to them, is my business."

The other Saint sighed, then took a step forward.

"The entire garrison of the Night Temple was wiped out. These two are the only witnesses. Are sure that you want to make their fate your burden?"

Sky Tide frowned, then spoke, her voice even:

"If that is true, we can question them together, back in the Sanctuary."

Cormac smiled darkly, then shook his head.

"I'm afraid that won't be convenient. You might not know my task here, Tyris, but you know who gave it to me. Obstructing me in this matter is the same as obstructing the will of Valor… you wouldn't want to do that, would you?"

A corner of Sky Tide's mouth suddenly twisted upward. She stared at the fearsome Saint, and said, a hint of mocking in her voice:

"What is he going to do? How is he going to punish me? Exile my clan to a remote frontier region, maybe? Oh… wait…"

She took a step forward, as well, her tone changing, becoming darker and heavier. The clouds swallowed the sun, submerging the world into shadows.

am a vassal of the King… not his servant. Six years ago, I looked the other way and allowed your odious scheme to happen. I have regretted it ever since. This is my land, my isles. You are only a guest here. I warn you… do not test the limits of

words, a deafening thunderclap resounded, rolling across the Chained Isles like a herald of

contempt appeared in the depths of his cold, dangerous eyes. The Saint moved his shoulders, as if

I have forgotten, but it is you who doesn't seem to remember. Who I

forward, his killing intent growing thicker and more suffocating,

idea that this is a negotiation? You will stand down, or I will put you down. Either way,

then looked over her shoulder at Sunny and Cassie. Her gaze was calm and

time for the two of

mouth suddenly dry.

"But… but what about…"

steady steps.

the fury of this

edge of the island. He didn't know what a fight between Transcendents would look like, but had no doubt that mere mortals like the two of them had no place in the

has gone

moment later, something collided with a thunderous roar behind them, and Sunny was thrown into the air. A violent shockwave passed through his body, causing a short

back to his feet, then helped Cassie do the same and

them, two vast shadows rose into the

bird of prey, her feathers white, her sharp beak and devastating talons forged out of lustrous, polished steel. Her enormous wings were wreathed in thunderclouds, and bolts

creature was crowned with twisting horns, and in his maw, countless sharp fangs glowed darkly, illuminated by immolating red flame burning in the depths

into the skies, soon disappearing in the veil of storm clouds. A terrifying roar rolled across the island, and then, another shockwave hit,

suddenly streamed from above, falling

'Gods… oh, gods…'

time, a violent tremor threw them to the ground. The hurricane wind threw snow and sharp bits of ice into their faces, and their ears were

to the edge of the island, ready to jump onto the chain, when there was a sudden

the skies, so fast that

that

spreading to both ends of the isle,

and then crumbled, large pieces of stone breaking off and flying into the darkness as more and more

he could sense was that they were sent rolling down once again, this time

and Sunny found himself falling down, down, down. Down into the endless darkness

could do was grab Cassie and hold her close, making

they plummeted into the abyss as all

stones. The seven bells rang mournfully as they disappeared

chain that served as one of the anchors of the Chained Isles shot toward the Hollow Mountains, colliding with their slopes with enough force to make

were still closed, so he didn't

the two Saint continued

Cassie tightly and fell, happy to be getting further and further away from that clash with each

sounds of the

disappeared, too, as well as the last remnants of

falling through absolute darkness in complete silence and solitude, with nothing threatening