Shadow Slave

The Ivory Island was separated from the rest of the city by a wide chasm. Once, it had been connected to seven islands by seven unbreakable chains.

Now, only two remained.

There had been several arching bridges leading to it, as well, but most of them long collapsed. Only one still stood, arching and monumental, built of pristine white stone.

An old man with a wrinkled face and grey hair was sitting on the steps leading to the bridge, dressed in a white tunic. It was different from the clothes most of the citizens wore, resembling that of a priest. The man had a frail body and pale blue eyes.

The old man's face was strangely calm. He observed the burning city with solemn indifference, as if the weight of years made him numb to the cruelties of the mortal realm. Even though his world was ending, the elder remained poised and dignified.

Noticing the approaching devil, the old man tiredly leaned on his cane.

"Stop, creature! This is a sacred land… you are not allowed to go further."

Sunny stopped a few meters away from the stranger and studied him for a few moments. Then, he sighed and said, his voice even:

"Why the charade? Drop it, Mordret."

The old man looked at him with confusion, then suddenly grinned. His whole presence suddenly shifted, becoming much more energetic and unrestrained. He laughed dryly, and then shook his head.

"Ah, what a pity. What gave me away?"

Sunny shrugged.

"I knew that you would show up sooner or later. And there's not much of later left."

Mordret, who inhabited the old and frail body, smiled.

"True, true. Thank you very much, Sunless! You have fulfilled my request to keep Noctis alive very well. In fact…"

His face darkened a little.

say that you even performed a little bit too well. Who could have thought that the Beast of Twilight would still win, despite not having the Night Oracle's support? That… ah, it makes me feel as though all my ordeals in the north were a

old man sighed,

I was very serious. Sorry to say this, but you

little, staring at Mordret with a

How are you going to kill that damned dragon without my knife? I am sure you know that I visited the Temple

gave

was rather spectacular. But, Sunless… you see, that is exactly why I

Sunny frowned.

you

at him

torturous effort I put into preparing everything. Remaining in this feeble body all that time was not very pleasant, you know… but there are very few people that the Ivory Lord allows to

teeth,

the hell do you actually hope to achieve, Mordret? You are clearly not planning to free Hope… what else can end this

old man blinked a couple of times, confusion appearing on

"Free… Hope?"

then shook his head

not here to free Hope. That is

a disturbing glint

here

***

at the frail old man with a

kill Hope?! Have you completely lost

banished prince shifted slightly, then said in a

"...Not completely."

his fists, then shook his head in

How are you, a

shrugged, then looked at him with a

have you never wanted to

him with wide

rather high opinion of myself, but I am not delusional. I