Shadow Slave

Just like that - and, perhaps, just as expected - the last opportunity to avoid disaster slipped away from their grasp. Saint Cor desperately tried to salvage the situation, but it was hopeless.

The armies of both clans were fully prepared to annihilate the enemy, and perhaps be annihilated themselves, on that cold November day. Their bloodlust could not be quenched with words. The fates of countless civilians were about to be decided on a battlefield where humans would be killing other humans, not the Nightmare Creatures.

No... there would be Nightmare Creatures, too. A sea of abominations would be killing humans on the orders of a Saint. Somehow, that fact made the whole situation even sadder.

'The gods and the daemons had fought side by side against the Unknown, too... but, in the end, they slaughtered each other.'

The battle did not start immediately. Sunny half-expected the emissaries to lunge forward without wasting even a single second, but after exchanging murderous gazes, they simply turned around to return to their soldiers. The cold sky was full of heavy clouds, plunging the world into grey twilight.

The leaders of the two armies were leaving to prepare for battle. Mordret stared at the backs of Morgan and Madoc for a few moments, then threw a quick glance at Sunny and smiled. With that, he left with Seishan, and his Reflections followed.

Wake of Ruin was motionless, looking at the ground. Somehow, he looked older than usual. A heavy sigh escaped from the Saint's lips.

"Ah... the world is changing too quickly. Or is it me who can't keep up anymore?"

He lingered for a few moments, then looked at the Ascended of the Evacuation Army with a heavy gaze. Wake of Ruin hesitated, as if wanting to say something, but then simply shook his head.

"Withdraw."

The Ascended shifted, preparing to follow his command. ...But Sunny didn't. Instead, he grimaced and took a step away, in the direction where the emissaries of Valor were walking. Noticing his movement, Saint Cor frowned.

"What do you think you're doing, young man?"

Sunny stopped and looked at him calmly.

"What am I doing? I'm doing my best to make sure that as many people as possible are evacuated safely. That's the mission I signed up for when I joined the First Evacuation Army. What are you doing?"

old Saint stared at him incredulously. Then, sparks of dark anger ignited in his eyes. Standing under the wrathful gaze

has never broken its neutrality! That is the only way to sustain this world. That is how we prevent it from being destroyed and

he had nothing

Saint Cor without looking away, Sunny gritted

the people who are going to die because we did nothing today that their lives were sacrificed for the sake of your damned neutrality. Better yet, go to the outskirts and explain to the people there how the government is sustaining them. Or don't... to be honest, I don't care. I'm still going to

Wake of Ruin grimaced.

today, but what will

a moment, Sunny even

away from the government Ascended and stood shoulder to shoulder

Saint Cor scowled.

what the hell

Jet shook her head.

time anymore. You said it yourself - the world is changing. Old tactics won't work. Going forward, there won't be

she

you, watch your tone. The old man is right, too. If the government decides to start openly choosing sides, there won't

while Saint Cor pierced her with a cold

you're standing by his

Jet shrugged and grinned.

banner of Clan Valor. But... a couple of renegade Masters? No one will bat an eye. The government must stay neutral, but that

was as if the temperature of the air

shook his

do anything stupid,

moments, unmoved. Eventually, Wake of Ruin grimaced and turned away. He didn't say anything more,

the old Saint walked away, Kai and Effie looked at Sunny with tense expressions. He could understand a lot from their eyes, as well. It was as though the three of them

the end, Sunny just shook his