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.

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

succeeded in repairing

stood out on the 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

of light Memories illuminating the ship, an especially bright one burning at the tip of a long and sharp

at the swiftly approaching ship, stunned by the sight of it. It was hard to believe that this had been the same

looked almost the same as on the

down, and landed on

solid surface under his feet, Sunny swayed a little and looked at the Fire Keepers that

sighed, and fell down,

terrible month he had, some

***

came back to his 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, but mostly due to the soul damage Mordret had dealt him — the physical wounds were not bothering

that while Sunny was out of it, the healer of the

am actually alive.

into the darkness for a bit. The ancient vessel was swiftly flying through the abyss, descending

his chest, where 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

with his state, Sunny looked around, noticing Cassie

with the fact that their harrowing adventure seemed to be over. Of course, in

they were free of the damned Night

'What a fiasco…'

suddenly reached his nostrils, and a few moments later, Effie appeared nearby, carrying two plates

eyes glistened, and

huntress grinned and

go, doofus. Welcome

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

spent in silence, disturbed only by the sound of energetic chewing. At some point, Kai

was done with his

that marriage proposal of yours… I might have changed

She scoffed.

"Pfft! You wish."

chuckled, then glanced into the darkness that surrounded