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 a resplendent wooden ship became visible, flowing through the darkness of the Sky Below as though on water. Its sails were pristine white, and around the main mast, a young tree was growing, its

in repairing the ancient vessel after all,

before. A patchwork of replacement boards still stood out on the polished wood, and here and there, the structure of the ship seemed

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

by the sight of it. It was hard to believe that this had been

looked almost the same as on the golden coins he

slowed down, and landed

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

fell down, instantly losing

terrible month he had, some

***

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

it, the healer of the Fire Keepers,

am actually alive. What

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

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 care

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

over. Of course, in the future, he

least they were free of

'What a fiasco…'

smell suddenly reached his nostrils, and a few moments later, Effie appeared nearby, carrying two plates of somewhat that seemed

eyes glistened, and his mouth instantly

and handed him a

you go, doofus. Welcome

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

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

was done with his meal and pushed

Effie. About that marriage proposal of yours… I

She scoffed.

"Pfft! You wish."

then glanced into the darkness that surrounded them