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.

became visible, flowing through the darkness of the Sky Below as though on water. Its sails were pristine white, and around

had succeeded in repairing the

the polished wood, and here and there, the structure of the

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

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

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

slowed down, and landed on the wooden deck

swayed a little and looked at the Fire Keepers that surrounded

fell down, instantly losing

the terrible day… no, a terrible month

***

head and a warm blanket covering his body. He still felt terrible, but mostly due to the soul

seemed that while Sunny was out of it, the

actually alive. What a

sat up, then stared into the darkness for a bit. The ancient vessel was swiftly flying through the abyss, descending into its depths. Due to that, his body felt nice

dismissed the outer layer of the Undying 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

looked around, noticing Cassie sleeping nearby. Her face was calm and

over. Of course, in

were free

'What a fiasco…'

on his frustration for long, however, because a delicious smell suddenly reached his nostrils, and a few moments later, Effie appeared nearby, carrying two

glistened, and his mouth instantly

and handed him

go,

attacked the food like a ravenous beast. Effie sat down on the deck and placed the second

sound of energetic chewing. At some point, Kai landed nearby and joined them,

was done with his meal and pushed

proposal of

She scoffed.

"Pfft! You wish."

darkness that surrounded them from all