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.

of the Sky Below as though on water. Its

Fire Keepers had succeeded in repairing the ancient vessel

wood, and here and there,

of a long and sharp bowsprit. Human figures could be

it. It was hard to believe that this had been the same abomination-invested wreck he

almost the same as on the golden coins he had sacrificed to the

more, then slowed down, and landed

a little and looked at the Fire Keepers that surrounded

and fell down, instantly losing

terrible day… no, a terrible month he had, some rest

***

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

the healer of the Fire Keepers, Shim,

am actually alive. What a

The ancient vessel was swiftly flying through the abyss, descending into its depths. Due to that, his body felt nice and

barely. Now that he was conscious, he would be able to stitch it up, or at least cover the gash with

state, Sunny looked around, noticing Cassie

fact that their harrowing adventure seemed to be over. Of course, in the future, he was going to have to deal with its

at least they were free

'What a fiasco…'

nostrils, and a few moments later, Effie appeared nearby, carrying two plates of somewhat that seemed like real,

and his

huntress grinned and handed

you go,

beast. Effie sat down on the deck and placed the second plate

by the sound of energetic chewing. At some point, Kai landed nearby and

was done with his meal and

that marriage proposal of yours… I

She scoffed.

"Pfft! You wish."

darkness that surrounded