Shadow Slave

Ever since coming to Antarctica, Sunny had been to so many underground strongholds and attended so many meetings in windowless rooms that all of them started to blend together. They all looked the same and felt the same. Even the people inside the rooms started to seem the same after a while.

This time, however, he found himself in a stately and luxurious hall, which was a nice change of pace. The interior was tasteful, but lavish. The tall windows let in natural sunlight. The filtered air was cool, crisp, and fresh. What was there not to like?

He was relaxing in a comfortable chair, idly waiting for Wake of Ruin to arrive. Jet was nearby, in a similarly laid-back pose. The Transcendent had summoned them immediately after the expedition force had reached the siege capital... and yet, he was running late.

Neither of them minded. They had barely had time to wash the dirt of the road off themselves before coming to the spacious hall. After weeks spent in the wilderness of East Antarctica, every moment of leisurely peace was like a precious gift.

Sunny was lazily thinking about the outcome of the latest battle. After the swarm of crows had descended on the Nightmare Creatures, hundreds of them were torn apart in an instant... and the slaughter did not stop until the column was safely behind the city walls. The sight of it was frightening and magnificent in equal measure.

'What a powerful Transformation...'

Of course, he wouldn't go so far as to say that Wake of Ruin's transcendent form was more powerful than that of, for example, Saint Tyris. Rather, they were best suited for different tasks. The government Saint excelled in battles against large numbers of Nightmare Creatures or potent adversaries that did not possess a lot of physical defense.

He was also extremely hard to kill, since that would require exterminating every single one of the myriad of crows... although there would probably be some repercussions for Saint Cor if the swarm sustained heavy losses.

Sky Tide, on the other hand, could deliver a much more dire punishment to a single powerful enemy. Her ability to control wind and lightning also made her a more versatile and well-rounded Saint.

Sunny tried to imagine what would happen if the two Transcendents clashed. The mental image of a giant thunderbird being swarmed by a vast whirlwind of black crows in the dark skies was... truly an awesome one. Who would win? He was not sure. Saint Tyris would be at a slight disadvantage due to being robbed of one of her trump cards, true. She often relied on aerial superiority to slay her foes...

But then again, Saint Cormac had also been a flying beast. That had not prevented her from tearing off his wyvern head.

Jet glanced at Sunny and smiled.

"...You're thinking about murder again, aren't you?"

He turned his head and gave her an impassive look.

"Yes. Why?"

Soul Reaper laughed.

"No reason..."

a contemplative expression. Come to think of it, her crow Echo was a strange one. Was there, perhaps, a connection between it

that moment, the doors of the palatial hall opened, and Wake of Ruin himself walked in, looking as tall and

followed the old man like

His sharp, pale face was framed by unruly raven-black hair, and his dark eyes were staring at them

Jet, however, a hint of cold fondness

Reaper. Ascended

voice was hoarse and a bit

walked in, so he gestured for them to sit. Then, Wake of

did your last mission

other. Jet was the

out a Corrupted Tyrant, met up with the Wolves and the Nightsinger, and helped them take the creature down. Casualties were

slain... which was only expected. As the field commander of the entire operation, Saint Cor must have been receiving reports like this quite

however,

like it

lingered for

like it

old man shifted his gaze, subjecting

you, young

was a hidden

a good

studied him for a

advanced scouts.

with slightly startled expressions.

proper paperwork is

'...What?'

Sunny stared.

like that, they got a

many questions burning in Sunny's mind, but she asked the