Shadow Slave

The journey back was, sadly, uneventful. Sunny had hoped that they would stumble upon a few Nightmare Creatures, but this close to the Sanctuary, there weren't many — except for those too powerful for the cohort to attack without a serious reason and thorough preparations.

Come to think, these powerful abominations were probably the reason why the weaker ones kept away. Perhaps that was why Noctis had not eradicated them.

Well… that, or he was simply too lazy.

They returned to the sorcerer's stronghold at dawn, and went to find him without wasting any time. However, Noctis was not at his residence, and the wooden door remained shut. Eventually, they located him at the far side of the island, where the immortal was… making a statue.

There were several giant slabs of marble laying on the ground, and a dozen or so chisels hacking at them without anyone's help. The sorcerer stood some distance away, his luscious black hair powdered by marble dust, and watched it all with a satisfied expression on his face while sipping from a glass of wine.

The first of the statues seemed to be close to completion, and resembled… something. It might have been a human, or a horse. Sunny found it hard to tell.

Noticing them, Noctis grinned.

"Oh, you're back!"

Then, he looked at the hideous stone abomination and raised his chin proudly.

"What do you think? Majestic, right?"

Sunny hesitated for a few moments, and then said cautiously:

"Uh… that is one word to describe it, without a doubt. But… what is it?"

The sorcerer frowned with confusion.

generations to come with a vision of my matchless beauty. They deserve the privilege

terrifying marble monster, scratched the back

bad, but it is

a bit, quite sure that it looked more like a

for you. Meanwhile, we have retrieved the Ruby

remained silent for a

drink, of course… and discuss the future. Now that the knives are in our possession, the future will surely be upon us soon

***

that grew in the heart of the Sanctuary. Noctis poured himself some wine, then

be curious about what happens

four of them glanced at each other, then

Lords already know that I am collecting the knives. The death of the One in the North would have distracted them for a bit, but at the same time, it would have made my actions look much more suspicious. So,

sip

is not an easy task. It will take them some time to come together. After that, predictably, they will send a herald to give me some sort of an ultimatum.

shook his head, then

other hand, shivered and asked, his voice

something to laugh about? How are

silent, then shook his

well. Simple, really. We

sip of wine and looked up, at the flying ship

first. We will

stunned gazes, Noctis

These expressions are priceless. However, even younglings like you should have learned by now that having more power doesn't always mean achieving victory. The three Lords

and then looked at them, his eyes