Shadow Slave

"Hold on for a bit more!"

The archer strained a little, bearing their weight as he darted through the abyss, his flight swift and effortless. Illuminated by the paper lantern, the three of them traveled through the darkness like a small comet, moving faster and faster.

The wind whistled in Sunny's ears.

He remained silent for a bit, dumbfounded, then asked:

"Wait… was it you who brought Saint Tyris here?"

Kai smiled, looking somewhere far away.

"Of course! When you and Cassie didn't return to the real world, we knew that the negotiation with the representatives of clan Valor must have failed. But when you didn't arrive at Shipwreck Island by November, as the plan had been, it was clear that something went wrong. So, Effie and I waited for a bit, then went to the White Feather clan for help."

He paused for a moment, and then added:

"Eventually, we decided to come to the Night Temple ourselves. That was a week ago. We have just arrived yesterday."

'But the Citadel was sealed…'

Sunny frowned, suddenly catching an inconsistency in Kai's words.

"Wait… a week ago? How did you cross the Chained Isles so fast?"

The archer smiled brightly.

"...Look ahead!"

'What does he…'

Sunny glanced forward, and froze.

They were swiftly approaching another source of light, this one much, much larger. Or rather, it was moving in their direction, even faster than Kai was flying.

a resplendent wooden ship became visible, flowing through the darkness of the Sky Below as though on water. Its sails

Fire Keepers had succeeded in repairing the ancient

polished wood, and here and there, the structure of the ship seemed rickety and slapdash — especially near the bow, which had been previously almost destroyed. However, overall, the vessel was a magnificent sight to

one burning at the tip of a long and sharp bowsprit. Human figures could be seen on the deck, moving around

ship, stunned by the sight of it. It was hard

it looked almost the same as on the golden coins he had sacrificed to the altar of

then slowed down, and landed on the

surface under his feet, Sunny swayed a little and looked at

fell down, instantly losing

month he had, some rest was

***

senses. He was laying near the main mast of the ship, under the branches of the young tree, a soft pillow under his head and a warm blanket covering his body. He still felt terrible,

that while Sunny was out of it, the healer of the Fire Keepers, Shim, had treated

am actually alive. What

and sat up, then stared into the darkness for a bit. The ancient vessel was swiftly

the terrible wound had already closed, be it just barely. Now that he was conscious, he would be able to stitch it up, or at least cover the gash with a bandage… as well as properly take care of the countless smaller injuries on

looked around, noticing Cassie sleeping nearby. Her face

in the future, he was going to have

at least they were free of the

'What a fiasco…'

his nostrils, and a few moments later, Effie appeared nearby,

and his mouth

huntress grinned and

go, doofus. Welcome

ravenous beast. Effie sat down on the deck and placed the second plate near Cassie, who stirred awake

disturbed only by the sound of energetic chewing. At some point, Kai landed nearby and joined them, an easygoing smile on his

with his meal and pushed the plate

proposal of yours… I might have

She scoffed.

"Pfft! You wish."

the darkness that surrounded them from