Shadow Slave

There were lookouts hiding in the shadows of the five towers. Of course, Sunny had no trouble noticing them - all of them were Masters, and in a very rough shape. Just like Sunny, they had gone from participating in a bloody battle to entering the Nightmare Desert and being forced to fight for their lives without a real opportunity to rest.

Masters of the great clan Valor, great clan Song, and the government were working together without a second thought. Even though some of the wounds they bore had been delivered by the other humans in the group, no one thought about continuing the feud. All conflict had been forgotten in the face of the ruthless desert.

'How sweet.'

Indeed, the Spell had a way of bringing people together.

...It also had a way of bringing Nightmare Creatures and people together.

As soon as their party of five entered one of the steel fingers through a narrow crack, Sunny's expression darkened.

There were about twenty humans sheltered in the cool darkness of the hollow tower. Some looked like they had just returned from exploring the dunes, while others were busy with various tasks - preparing food, refining the carcasses of dead abominations into valuable materials, drawing maps of the surrounding area...

Even though Wake of Ruin had abandoned the group, the Ascended did not seem willing to give up on their survival.

Perhaps it was because of a certain person who had taken charge and driven them forward.

'So she survived, too...'

Morgan had lost her intricate plate armor, and wore a black tunic. The scarlet cloak was wrapped around her shoulders, falling to the ground like a waterfall of blood.

The Princess of War seemed tired and reserved. There were no wounds on her body, but the usual sharpness of her vermilion eyes was strangely dulled. She was standing in the center of the hollow tower, listening to the reports of the scouts.

As the five of them entered, Morgan looked up from a crude leather map and glanced in their direction with a distant expression. Then, her eyes shimmered.

"My sister is alive."

Her voice was hoarse and emotionless.

The scouts were confused for a moment, then turned around. Their faces grew excited.

"Lady Changing Star!"

"It's..."

However, the words were drowned out by a happy shout:

"Doofus! Princess!"

walked over to them with ginger

"You guys made it!"

grinned, and suddenly grabbed startled Nephis into a tight

uh... Effie, I can't

at the two of them with sparks

the two of you pale

friendly manner, but right now, he did not pay Effie a

he was carefully studying the other Ascended gathered in the

His expression was neutral.

His mind, however...

'Damnation.'

relaxed gaze, the souls of the Ascended shone with bright

all

were hiding a boundless expanse of vile, virulent darkness...

the twenty Masters here, seven were no

same creature that had worn the skin of Ascended Xu as

all going to

lingered for a few moments, then looked at

you haven't eaten all these people yet. I mean, I know your appetites. And is it

He had to

couple of times and smiled softly... which would have made Sunny shiver in any other

I'll

they did, the atmosphere in the hollow tower

"Song Seishan."

Morgan's voice was even.

met her piercing gaze with the grace of a person who had survived a

"Morgan."

two stared at each

another. Sunny hesitated, then sent him a mental

you tell us that

at

wasn't here in the morning... there won't be trouble, right? The two

the hollow tower, and the ancient metal