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

had 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

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

swiftly approaching ship, stunned by the sight of it. It was hard to believe that

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

even more, then slowed down, and landed on the

a little and looked at the Fire Keepers that

fell down, instantly

month he had, some rest

***

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

was out of it, the healer of the Fire Keepers, Shim,

alive. What

bit. The ancient vessel was swiftly flying through the abyss, descending into its depths. Due to

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

state, Sunny looked around, noticing Cassie sleeping nearby. Her face was

course, in the future, he was

free of the damned Night

'What a fiasco…'

suddenly reached his nostrils, and a few moments later,

and his

grinned and handed him

you go, doofus. Welcome

smile, and then attacked the food like a ravenous beast. Effie sat down on the deck and placed the second plate near Cassie, who stirred

the sound of energetic chewing. At some point, Kai landed nearby and joined them, an easygoing smile

his meal

Effie. About that marriage proposal of yours… I might

She scoffed.

"Pfft! You wish."

then glanced into the darkness that