Shadow Slave

Sunny knew how to write, of course. That said, he certainly did not have a lot of experience writing by hand, let alone had a signature — simply because people at large, and especially those in the outskirts, almost never used paper and pens to relay information. Why would they, if everything was usually stored digitally?

However, he was in a better position than most. Out there in the Dream Realm, many long-abandoned traditions had found a new life, so Sunny managed to scribble down his name on the piece of synthetic paper with at least some semblance of finesse.

Handing it back to Master Naeve of Night, he smiled awkwardly.

"Here. I… hope your daughter likes it."

The scion of the great clan received the piece of paper with gratitude and hid it in the pocket of his coat.

"Thank you very much. I am away a lot, so this will go a long way. Next time I see her, she will probably already be six… and terribly peeved that I've been gone for so long. Coming back with a present is bound to help!"

He looked at Sunny with genuine mirth. Then, a knowing spark gleamed in his strange indigo eyes.

Naeve gestured at the ocean and asked:

"You are not too comfortable on water, are you?"

Sunny lingered for a moment, then scoffed.

"You must have seen the movie yourself. Is it really a surprise that I have a complicated relationship with the sea?"

The handsome Master smiled.

"Oh, yes. I haven't thought about that, sorry. Still… at least you are familiar with it. Most people just don't understand."

was that people failed to understand. For a moment, the two men shared a strange feeling of closeness. Both

studied the massive silhouettes of the iron ships for a few

are our chances of making

Naeve laughed.

can happen. But

pointed to the especially fearsome dreadnought that moved in front

one cohort of experienced Awakened warriors of my clan on each vessel. We know what we are doing, so… very few things can threaten the fleet. It will reach Antarctica, have no

lingered for a moment, then added

times, bringing the refugees away and returning with reinforcements for the government army. Each of the four fleets was made to be nearly indestructible. Still… that doesn't mean that our

at the handsome

you don't have to worry about that. I have already memorized the whole thing, more or less. I may be lacking in many regards, but being unreasonably paranoid is not one of

Naeve smiled.

truly remarkable trait to have. I wish more people were

***

with the Nightwalker for a few more minutes before taking his leave. Master Naeve had turned out to be unexpectedly friendly and pleasant to be around. He was not at all like the arrogant representatives of the

lot better about his current circumstances. He

patronage of a Sovereign, but wielded an irreplaceable

was that advantage,

had experienced twice before — one time in the shrine

the deity of depths, oceans, darkness, stars, travel, guidance, and disaster. The aspects of the Goddess of the Black Skies were all eerily related to the role the House of Night played in

great clan, an enigmatic Awakened of the First Generation known as Nightwalker, had inherited the lineage of Storm God and

all six divine lineages

of Night had inherited the lineage of Storm

had inherited the lineage of Sun