Shadow Slave

Soon enough, it was time to say goodbye again. Effie and Kai were returning to the government-controlled section of East Antarctica with Wake of Ruin and Saint Tyris, while Jet was leaving with the forces of Song.

The joint army had already withdrawn from the battlefield and traveled some distance away from it. Now, it was ready to break apart... before it did, however, Sunny managed to find an opportunity to talk with Soul Reaper in private.

The long column of vehicles had come to a stop, and they found each other among the busy chaos of imminent separation.

"How is living with the Song clan treating you?"

Jet smiled a little, then shrugged.

"It's treating me fine. I am often reminded of why was it exactly that I never wanted to be a part of a Legacy clan... but it's fine. Weirdly, I feel a bit of kinship with these women."

Sunny raised an eyebrow.

"Kinship, really? Why?"

She lingered for a few moments.

"A thief knows a thief, as a wolf knows a wolf. It's just a vague feeling, but I think that their Flaws are similar to mine... not exactly the same, but similar. I have no solid proof, of course, but there are ways to tell. A thing like that influences you in many subtle ways."

Jet looked away and let out a wistful sigh.

"All of Ki Song's daughters are adopted, you know? Many of them were taken from the outskirts when they were very young. Who knows, in another life, I might have been a princess of a great clan, as well... wouldn't that be a sight?"

Sunny looked at her gloomily, trying to imagine Soul Reaper in the traditional wine-red attire of the Song clan. However, his imagination failed him.

...No matter how hard Sunny tried, he just couldn't imagine Jet wearing a dress.

He scoffed.

"I do know, and yes, that would be a sight. However, I like the current you much more."

Soul Reaper laughed.

too, Sunny, me too. You are maybe a bit too young to understand the sentiment, but... I fought long and hard to become the current me. I wouldn't trade it for

from her face, and she looked at him with a somber

know that things are about to change in East Antarctica,

prompting

you

silent for a few moments, then

too stupid. It's hard to tell,

his face for a while,

stay in

away, heading for the departing force of Song's

should have told her more. He had already warned her to stay clear of Mordret... as for informing Jet of the presence of his shadow, that would do neither

play. I have no idea how the situation will unfold, for the both of us... one thing is certain, though. We'll cross paths again, soon, before

went to

had been dismissed, and they were going to be traveling by using

possession of Echo mounts, and would be riding them across the

was going to catch a ride with the Fire Keepers, but before that, he sneaked into a small crevice that was drowned by

scrawny frame of the little fiend like a balloon, looking

the Shadow turned its head

closed his eyes for a moment,

little wretch. Can you

at him lazily, and then

"...Wretch!"

Sunny scowled.

calling a wretch, you

Imp did not deign to answer, so he sighed and dismissed the Shadow, sending the scrawny

those Nightmare Creatures that had to do something with steel and metal.

few familiar faces inside - the members of Cassie's former cohort. The healer, Shim, Kaor and Shakti,

they all became

were a real terror

the hell did you become

Maybe I'll