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 sails were pristine white, and around the main mast, a young tree was growing, its branches brimming

Keepers had succeeded in repairing

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 a magnificent sight

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

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

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

then slowed down, and landed on the wooden

feet, Sunny swayed a little and looked at

he sighed, and fell

no, a terrible month he had,

***

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

while Sunny was out of it, the healer of the Fire Keepers, Shim, had

am actually alive.

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

conscious, he would be able to stitch it up,

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

to be over. Of course, in the future, he was going to have to deal with its consequences… and even before that, the Second Nightmare awaited, perhaps much

least they were free of the damned Night

'What a fiasco…'

however, because a delicious smell suddenly reached his nostrils, and a few moments later, Effie appeared nearby,

and his

huntress grinned and handed him a

go, doofus. Welcome

then attacked the food like a ravenous beast. Effie sat down on the deck

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

Sunny was done with his

of yours… I

She scoffed.

"Pfft! You wish."

into the darkness that surrounded them