Shadow Slave

Sunny glided through the dark sky above the luminous expanse of softly shining water. The wind was caressing his skin, and tranquil silence ruled the world. If not for the need to pierce himself with the sharp needle over and over again, he would have found the situation relaxing.

Of course, there was also the monstrous sea serpent that patiently pursued him, staring at the perfectly black canvas of the night sky with cloudy eyes.

He also had to constantly remain on high alert - there was no telling what else could attack him from above.

After a while, Sunny let out a sigh.

'How tiresome.'

He was starting to miss the days of plummeting into the Sky Below. At least he had the dead mimic to sit on back then. Now, there was nowhere for him to rest - Sunny continued to fly forward, surrounded by nothing except empty air.

He had the Sin of Solace with him instead of Mordret, too. It was really hard to tell which one of them was worse company.

"What? Have you lost... I strongly protest against this comparison!"

The apparition glanced at him with contempt, then looked away.

Sunny sighed again.

"Yeah, yeah... you are way more handsome than that guy. Sorry. I went too far."

The Sin of Solace scoffed, and they continued forward in silence.

After a long while, the faint radiance of the flowing water grew a little dimmer. The eastern horizon brightened, and then, the first of the suns appeared from below in a crown of lilac hues.

day

the water one after another. Soon, the western horizon was once again wreathed in the

else, it was bright

serpent into a pincushion. Even if

be the only one

essence. He wasn't willing to waste it

teeth, Sunny steeled his will

hour went by. Then,

the Great River were too bizarre and unreliable to use them for measuring the time. He just guessed how much of it had passed based on intuition, but

any case... more time flowed past him. Or was it Sunny who was

really

at a certain spot on the

a black dot had finally appeared atop the sparkling

'Land?'

of the water right below him. Then, he changed the direction of

save him from the great abomination. But maybe he would be able to rest,

as he glided along the current of the Great River, moving - perhaps - further into

grew larger, and he was able to

not very large - no more than a kilometer across - and consisted entirely of black, weathered rock. It had steep slopes, with deep grooves and twisting

were vast patches of green moss scattered across the surface of the island, as well as towering outcroppings of something that resembled tarnished silver. The glistening edges

a bit

If the abomination wanted to follow Sunny to the surface, it would have to leave the water entirely - and fighting on land would be very advantageous to

ancient serpent would not climb out of the river at

even if it did, it would be out of its element. With Sunny, Saint, Nightmare, Imp, and the five shadows... maybe they stood a chance

of the jade blade promised immense power to those who succumbed to its madness... and, judging by how real the sword wraith