Shadow Slave

Like a demon of chaos, Mordret had appeared out of nowhere and thrown everything into utter disarray. Antarctica, which had been like a powder keg for a while now, finally exploded into a conflagration of violence because of the macabre gift that he had delivered to his sister in an elegant lacquered box.

Sunny had not realized the full complications of what had transpired in the courtyard of the port fortress until some time later. He knew that Knight Shtad was a highly regarded Ascended of Clan Valor who had been entrusted with an extremely important mission in the Dream Realm. So, he simply assumed that Clan Song managed to pull off another victory in the simmering conflict.

This was important, of course, but not groundbreaking in and of itself.

However, his misconception was corrected by a short message from Jet: "Our colleagues from Ravenheart are mobilizing their forces. They seem pretty angry."

He stared at the screen of the communicator for a few moments, frowning.

'What?'

Why would Clan Song be preparing to make a big move in a hurry if the death of Knight Shtad was a part of their plan? And why would they be angry? Unless, of course... What Mordret had done was not something they expected, or even went directly against their machinations.

Sunny's eyes narrowed slightly.

'Don't tell me...'

Had Beastmaster, perhaps, received something like that black lacquered box, as well?

'What the hell is that madman doing?'

Feeling an ominous premonition, Sunny deactivated the communicator and hastened his steps. He was walking across the inner courtyard where the confrontation between Morgan and the Reflection had happened not too long ago, heading toward the main keep.

His shadows were already inside. They were trying to get closer to Morgan, Madoc, Nephis, and Sir Gilead, who had all gathered for an emergency meeting after the discovery of Shtad's skull.

conversation

Sunny's frown deepened.

'Black Skull Citadel?'

The clan in possession of a Citadel would gain a staggering advantage in the task of reaching the Tomb of Ariel, so Morgan and Madoc had put a lot of effort into keeping that information secret. They had even kept reinforcements to a minimum to not risk revealing Knight Shtad's location through

Mordret had somehow managed to not only learn of the clandestine mission, but also intercept and slaughter the force tasked with capturing the Citadel.

logically mean that the Black Skull had

However... it had not.

fact that Song was mobilizing their forces in a great hurry. If Sunny knew of it, then Morgan surely

nor Song

the hell

The answer was obvious.

was Mordret. Mordret

might as well have as meant that the Black Skull Citadel was

powerful the Prince of Nothing was, a single Master was like an ant when compared to the might of a great clan. Even

the Nightmare Desert in his hands,

skull to Morgan, he had painted a target on his back.

"Come and get me."

anything about Mordret, then the message sent to Song would

they get

revealed that he had usurped the Black Skull, the two great clans were in a race to take it from

why had he

cadence to the conflict between Valor and Song. It was a complicated dance that followed a subtle, but ruthless logic. Awakened, Masters, and even Saints were like game pieces. By moving pieces around the board,

game was nearing the end of its early stage. Both clans were still acting with caution, laying the groundwork for the true assaults

that pace, and made a mockery of