Shadow Slave

Some time later, all five members of the cohort finally found themselves alone. The Fire Keepers were still around, but decided to give their leaders some much-needed privacy. As the result, only Nephis, Sunny, Cassie, Effie, and Kai remained in a spacious hospital room.

Changing Star was standing by the window, looking at the peaceful landscape of the Academy ground with a strange, still expression. She seemed to have regressed to her old self, which had trouble communicating emotions and interacting with people. For that reason, it was hard to understand what she was thinking about.

The others gave her some space. Despite the fact that Nephis was standing right in front of them, it was not too easy to come to terms with the fact that she was actually, truly back. They were still struggling to get used to this new reality, but a warm wave of relief and happiness was slowly rising in their hearts.

Sunny was no different. It was just that his joy was somewhat overshadowed by a contradicting feeling of unease and apprehension.

Finally, Nephis sighed and turned around. A pale smile appeared on her face.

"You… you are all Masters. I did not expect that."

Effie, who was sitting comfortably on a cushy chair with her legs stretched, laughed.

"You're one to talk!"

Neph studied the four of them, then let out a slow sigh.

all of you managed to survive. I… I hoped, of course. So I am very glad to see that you did. And

on Kai's face. He remained silent for a bit, remembering the events of the Second Nightmare, and then

were completely alone, all that time. Lady Nephis, please

away

wasn't really completely alone,

the hospital bed and sat

Crimson Terror was in its most vulnerable state when I reached the top of the Spire. Unrestrained by the dark sea, she had absorbed countless souls

to the incredible accomplishment of slaying a Fallen Terror, but Neph seemed reluctant to dwell too much on that part of her story. She also decided to skip the part about their confrontation with Sunny entirely. Instead, she looked at the window

became unstable. The Gateway collapsed, and the tower itself soon followed. I barely escaped the debris. The artificial sun of the Forgotten Shore was extinguished, as well, submerging it into absolute darkness. The

She sighed.

Sun, many powerful Nightmare Creatures fell to my blade. For a while, I entertained the idea of trying to

a moment, then continued

mountain chain stretched further than Ravenheart in the west. There was no passage there. Going north meant moving further away from human Citadels. So, it only left east. There was a chance that the Hollow Mountains were not as tall and unassailable there, or even that there was an end to them somewhere in those unexplored regions. It was only a chance, but it was all that I had. So, I left the Dark City and retraced the steps of the journey that Sunny, Cassie, and I had made before… avoiding the Ashen Barrow,

their encounter with Soul Devourer. He had not forgotten his promise to come back and destroy the damned tree… granted, he had no

he would still be able to exact his revenge on the

Star, meanwhile, continued her