Shadow Slave

The Black Skull was a death trap, so no one would be able to escape the Nightmare Desert through its Gateway. However, there was at least one other Citadel in this infernal region of the Dream Realm - the Tomb of Ariel.

The black pyramid that always loomed just beyond the horizon like an ominous mirage, but never grew closer no matter how far one went into the sea of white dunes. One of the main reasons why the great clans had come to Antarctica, in the first place.

Now that the expeditionary forces of both clans had been wiped out and the daughters of Ki Song fully withdrew from the race, Morgan decided to make one last, desperate attempt to reach the daemon's tomb.

Which was a piece of good news for Sunny and other members of the cohort. Sunny knew that reaching the pyramid was their best - and, perhaps, only - chance of getting out of the desert alive. The others understood, as well. Having a powerful Saint and a princess of Valor with them was a great boon.

Summer Knight and Morgan could make the lethal task of traversing the Nightmare Desert slightly less impossible to accomplish.

There was just one problem...

Without showing any emotion, Sunny stared at the reflection of Mordret through the shadows. The Prince of Nothing looked rather chilling... he was terribly wounded, his armor battered and covered in blood. Where one of his hands was supposed to be, there was now only a bloody stump. Even one of his eyes was gone, replaced by a gaping hole.

He looked like a corpse.

Nevertheless, there was a familiar smile on Mordret's face.

"Sunless. Ah, I am so glad to see you in good health!"

Maintaining a calm facade, Sunny furtively glanced at his companions. None of them seemed to have heard Mordret's voice... it appeared that it was being transmitted directly into his head. Maybe what Mordret was actually talking to was not Sunny, but instead Sunny's reflection. In any case, it was a little disconcerting.

'Great. Now I hear even more voices...'

Mordret lowered his bloody arm and coughed awkwardly.

"Oh, right. I guess you can't answer without announcing my presence to everyone. How about you nod once or twice to indicate..."

reached out to the reflection with

happened, he sent a mental message to the mangled

and go die someplace

Mordret blinked.

a pleasant surprise. We can actually have

sighed. He was

to talk to you, bastard? This is all your fault! If not for your machinations, there would have been no battle. Then, I

of Nothing looked at him

really uncalled for, Sunless. Ah, I'm a bit hurt. Sure, I might have pulled a few strings to make the battle happen, but how was I supposed to know that you would decide to participate in it on my family's side? After all, it was you who told me over and over again that you didn't want to have anything to do with the great clans. So... blaming me for everything is a little unfair. In fact, I'm the one who

Mordret's smile widened.

to put my grievances

turn his

he

He slowly exhaled.

[...What do you want?]

from Sir Gilead.

that my sister has decided to try reaching the Tomb of Ariel. I suppose you are tempted to

Sunny frowned slightly.

Skull is now in the hands of a great

stared at him with a

it's not. Don't listen to my sister, Sunless - she is young and inexperienced. In fact, none of you can

hide his face from the members of the cohort, Morgan, and Sir Gilead, he looked at

yeah? How would

of

already seen Asterion try it once, and fail. So, let me ask you a question - if a Sovereign failed to reach the Tomb of Ariel, what