Shadow Slave

He looked around, studying the barrier and the crowded pier that could be seen through the mesh. Then, suddenly, Sunny heard a familiar voice:

"Move back, damn it! Don't push! If you have a spot in the queue, present an ID! If you are a member of the First Army, come that way! Get a hold of yourself and behave like people!"

He looked around and saw a tall, handsome man with indigo eyes and hair that seemed somewhere between black and blue standing in front of the barrier, struggling to hold back the panicked crowd.

Sunny raised an eyebrow.

Pushing closer to the man, he called out:

"Naeve? What the hell are you doing here?"

The man — it was indeed Master Naeve of the House of Night — blinked a couple of times, then looked in his direction with a confused expression.

"...Sunny? Gods, it's you! What are... ah, doesn't matter. I'm now in charge of boarding, I guess."

Sunny led his group to the barrier, stopping right in front of the Nightwalker. Naeve gestured for a nearby Awakened to assume his position and took a step to the side.

He gave Sunny a somber look.

"That ship over there is where I'm assigned to. We are going to leave once we're at capacity… actually, we are already over capacity. But a few more people can still be squeezed in, so..."

Sunny frowned.

"What about Bloodwave?"

The Nightwalker sighed.

"He led the other ship away a few hours ago, with Saint Tyris aboard. There will be more ships tomorrow, and more the day after that… if the Winter Beast does not arrive sooner. But Uncle won't be coming back. He'll guard the strait until the… until the relocation is over. And then, we will resume evacuating people over the ocean, to the Northern Quadrant."

Sunny nodded.

'Figures.'

"Listen…"

Naeve spoke first, interrupting him:

"Do you need to get on the ship?"

Sunny grew quiet, suddenly ashamed for no reason. Strangely, he felt thankful to the Nightwalker for not forcing him to say it aloud.

of awkward silence, Sunny

me. I just need

in the Antarctic Center, a Saint would then be able to bring them back to the waking world, to a safer region. Granted, there were no Saints on the Ivory Island, so Sunny

not an instantaneous process. It required some time and absolute concentration, so doing it in the middle of a battle was usually impossible. Any Ascended that remained in the city would have to travel to the Dream Realm before the Winter Beast arrived, or risk

on a

.

to stay and try

He looked at Naeve.

need one. But

at Beth, Professor Obel, and the members of his cohort. Naeve looked

His face fell.

hesitated for a few

will give you those. Beyond that, however… I can get the rest of your cohort onboard, too. Members of the First Army have a priority right to be evacuated. But those additional spots, they will come at the expense of civilians with officially issued tickets.

paused, and then

have to make it quick. This is

barrier suddenly slid into the ground with a metallic screech.

for a moment. His face grew

'So…'

His heart grew heavy.

is what

spots... or having to displace civilians who had a spot in

what Naeve said. Sunny turned around, looking

he supposed

'Curse it all…'

the faces of his soldiers, Belle,

giant man looked at Sunny and slightly shook his

a moment, Sunny felt as though his heart was pierced by

then looked at Professor Obel. The old man met his gaze, and the two of them remained motionless for several

of frightened refugees crowding behind the line

He sighed.

hell did I want to be an officer? Gods… no amount of the damned contribution points was

Sunny straightened his back

Obel. You

her forward. They

Professor Obel silently took a

same time, Sunny pushed Kim and Luster. His push, though, was not too gentle. The two stumbled past Naeve, ending

later, the barrier rose with a screech, and

and Belle

Luster, and Beth were