Shadow Slave

Laying on a makeshift raft that was being pulled through boundless mist by a powerful current, Sunny suddenly burst out in laughter.

"Ah. Ah, I see now..."

Sin of Solace glanced at him with curiosity.

"What is it that you see, if you don't mind me asking?"

Sunny remained silent for a while.

"No, it's just that... I suddenly remembered an old conversation."

Years ago, in the ruined cathedral of the Dark City, Effie - who was mostly a stranger back then - had told Sunny a strange thing.

She had told him that the Dream Realm was not hell, like everyone believed, but instead a paradise... a dark and cruel one, but a paradise nevertheless. The kind of paradise they all deserved.

He knew now that Effie felt that way because she had been trapped in a broken body and constrained to a wheelchair in the waking world, but received a chance to be healthy and vibrant in the Dream Realm... however, that was not the only reason.

Effie also believed that the waking world was dying - not because of the Spell, but because of what humans themselves had done to the ecosystem they needed to exist. It might have even died already if it wasn't for the Awakened and the gifts they had received from the Spell.

The last thing she had said to him back then... was that one day, in the future, more people would consider the Dream Realm a paradise, just like she did.

'This is what it comes down to, isn't it?'

If Sunny tried to think realistically about the future, then the destruction of the waking world did not necessarily have to mean the destruction of humanity. Humanity was going to persevere... the small part of humanity that had access to the Dream Realm, to be more precise.

There were hundreds of thousands of Awakened in the world, a few hundred Masters, and a few dozen Saints. But these numbers were going to swell soon... if the Chain of Nightmares was any indication, the Nightmare Spell was starting to run rampant once again. There was going to be an incredible amount of infected in the coming years... numerous new Sleepers, numerous new Awakened.

There would be much more Masters, too, and even much more Saints.

live on in the small part of the Dream Realm that had already been conquered by humanity. Many things would be lost, but the Citadels were not that far

is it? This

just a

remained motionless, staring

of Solace

is the future the Sovereigns

had long given up on the waking world. Now, he understood better why, and what for. The great clans had been concentrating on creating a landing zone for humanity all this

was grim

Sunny stirred.

it is not

was also the

sinners - not because they had destroyed her family, but because they had given up on trying to resist

that Supreme conquered the Fifth Nightmare and became Sacred... or even Divine, maybe... then

if a god was born from humanity, a

it a sweet

It was not realistic at all. It was impossible... just

help but allow himself to bask in that unrealistic

turned his head, staring at the lone rune that was carved into the ancient wood of his makeshift

Wish.

he knew that a miracle would not happen, he still

But then...

Sunny's

be free. Despite everything, he still wanted to be free. He wanted to have a choice, to be the master of his

Strong enough to break his chains, and protect those he

live a

the big picture and concentrate on what exactly I

cared about were now inside this Nightmare. There were a few of them in the waking

his goal