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.

moments of awkward silence,

me. I just need to place a

tether remained 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

was 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

up a spot on a ship would be

.

Sunny had long decided to stay and try

He looked at Naeve.

don't need one. But

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

His face fell.

hesitated for a few moments, then

I have three spots reserved, as a member of the crew. I 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

paused, and then added

This is going

suddenly slid into the ground with a metallic screech.

a moment.

'So…'

His heart grew heavy.

is what

spots... or having to displace civilians who

turned around, looking at them. Kim, Luster, Dorn, Samara, Belle… Beth, Professor

he

'Curse it all…'

studied the faces of his soldiers, Belle, Dorn, and Samara briefly glanced at each

looked at Sunny and slightly shook

spoken. And yet, for a moment, Sunny felt as though his heart was

gaze, and the two of them remained motionless for several seconds, as if having

frightened refugees crowding behind the line of the barrier, all desperate to be

He sighed.

an officer? Gods… no amount

Sunny straightened his back and

You go in

her forward.

Professor Obel silently took

not too gentle.

were one of the last people to be let through. A moment later, the barrier rose with

Obel, Samara, Dorn, and Belle remained on one

and Beth were