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.

have decided to grace the generations to come with a vision of my matchless beauty. They deserve the privilege of witnessing it, as well! Who am I to devoid

terrifying marble monster, scratched the back of his head,

bad, but it is just the first attempt. Luckily, I have plenty of these slabs to practice. Hmm… seven

sure that it looked more like a monstrous gargoyle than Noctis. Then, he shook his head

we have retrieved the Ruby Knife.

sorcerer remained silent for a while, then sighed

guess it's time to take a break. Come, let's have something to eat… and drink, of course… and discuss the future. Now that the knives are in

***

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

must be curious about

four of them glanced at each other,

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, they will hold a

a sip of wine

send a herald to give me some sort of an ultimatum. And only then, after their polite request is denied, will they act, joining forces to invade my lands, capture me, and make me bitterly regret the fact

his

other hand, shivered and

about? How are we

silent, then

well. Simple, really.

wine and looked up, at

first. We will

their stunned gazes, Noctis

like you should have learned by now that having more power doesn't always mean achieving

paused, and then looked at them, his eyes glinting with a