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.

darkness of the Sky Below as though on water. Its sails were pristine white, and around the main mast, a

had succeeded in repairing the

replacement boards still 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 ship, an especially bright one burning at the tip of

It

that the ancient vessel was repaired, it looked almost the same as on the golden coins he had sacrificed to

more, then slowed down, and

feet, Sunny swayed a little and looked at

sighed, and fell down, instantly

month he had, some

***

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 him too

while Sunny was out of it, the healer of

am actually alive.

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

Chain and studied 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 the gash with a bandage… as well as properly take

Sunny looked around, noticing Cassie

adventure seemed to be over. Of course, in the

they were free

'What a fiasco…'

didn't get to dwell on his frustration for long, however, because a delicious smell suddenly reached his nostrils, and a few moments later, Effie appeared nearby, carrying two plates of somewhat that seemed like real, freshly cooked

and his mouth

and

go, doofus. Welcome

flashed her a smile, and then attacked the food like a ravenous beast. Effie sat down on the

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

Sunny was done with his meal and

About that marriage proposal of yours… I

She scoffed.

"Pfft! You wish."

the darkness