Shadow Slave

In the morning, they enjoyed delicious food and fragrant wine from Ananke's wooden box. The old woman herself seemed a little bit more energetic today, but the long conversation had tired her out. She ate very little and returned to the steering oar, looking at the flowing water with a distant expression.

She must have been thinking about her city, Weave, which had been destroyed by the Defiled.

Without having to discuss it, Sunny and Nephis decided to give their kind guide some privacy. They had to digest the many revelations of the past day, anyway.

Sunny was leaning his back on the side of the ketch, cradling a steaming cup of tea in his hands. Nephis was by his side, looking at the sky.

After some time had passed in comfortable silence, he used the Blessing of Dusk to ask:

[There is one thing I don't understand.]

She shifted slightly and turned to look at him. Sunny was suddenly painfully aware of how close they were... his pale face was reflecting in the calm depths of her striking grey eyes.

He sighed.

[She said that Weave was destroyed. And yet, she is taking us there. Why?]

Nephis contemplated for a few moments.

[Ananke survived the destruction, so more people could have survived as well. If not, it would be to scavenge for supplies for the journey ahead. We will see when we get there.]

Sunny took a sip from his cup, enjoying the warmth of the freshly brewed tea. The ketch was swaying gently, and the view was heavenly. It was really hard to believe that they were inside a Nightmare.

[What do you think about what we've learned so far?]

Neph's face darkened a little. She looked away and shrugged.

[...The situation is better than I thought. It seems we have a clear enemy, at least. More than that, not all of the Great River is as dangerous as our starting point. I was wary... a little bit... thinking that every Nightmare Creature here is like the Azure Serpent, the Black Turtle, and that horrid butterfly. But it doesn't seem that way.]

She paused, then added somberly:

[However, I am concerned about the others. We all came from the same moment in time, so they should have been sent to the same region of the Great River. Why is there no sign of them?]

grim

of them were easy to kill. He firmly believed that

at least, he wanted

it is strange,

him with a

He frowned.

we get to keep our own bodies, true... but we are still supposed to replace someone from that region and era. Whose place have you

course, her reserved expression had not changed even a little bit - however, Sunny knew her well enough to

It is

for a few moments, thinking. Could it be that the Spell had failed to find suitable hosts for the other members of the cohort that far

he shook his

from the waking world succumbing to Corruption... as far as I

the sky. After a

world have become Corrupted. Every Sleeper that fails the First Nightmare turns into a Nightmare Creature... isn't it the same

waking world already. It was just that none of them had been of a higher Rank than Dormant... because the trials of the Spell killed them long before they could set

suddenly added in a

and brought Corruption to

Sunny raised an eyebrow.

[Me?]

She nodded.

Devouring Tree, you told me about the Lineage Memory you had found in its branches. In its description... wasn't it said that the loathsome Thieving Bird had

shivered, suddenly consumed by

[What of it?]

Nephis shrugged.

Thieving Bird must have been a creature of dreadful power, considering that it managed to steal a daemon's eye. Still, its mind was destroyed by one glimpse at what was hidden in Weaver's pupil. The Seeker saw something that he shouldn't have, and became corrupted. Maybe... he brought the forbidden knowledge back with him. Maybe that is how the Defilement spreads

thinking about what she said. The description of the Drop of Ichor indeed stated that the Vile Thieving Bird had gone mad after seeing the reflection of the unknown in Weaver's eye. Was it perhaps another way

First Seeker? Was the truth buried by Ariel in the heart of the Black Pyramid the same truth Weaver had witnessed

be free of the

remained silent for a while, then

have to be careful about what we

looked at him, lingered for a bit, and

guy... Lost from Light, who was born from the shadows, rightful heir