Shadow Slave

Wind Flower walked along the path in the forest, with Sunny following behind. Although he was certain that there was a long way to go, they arrived at the hidden bay in mere minutes.

It looked... different without the gloomy mist obscuring everything in sight. The white sand sparkled in the bright daylight, and the black cliffs cast deep shadows on the beach. For the first time, Sunny noticed how similar to the Nightmare Desert this place looked.

The Chain Breaker was nowhere to be seen in Wind Flower's dream, but the line of lonesome footprints was still there, leading to the edge of the island.

Sunny stared at it for a moment, then asked out of idle curiosity:

"Whose footprints are these?"

The charming Saint smiled.

"Whose else? Aletheia's. That is where she left the island. It happened countless years ago, of course... but because of how twisted time is here, it also just happened yesterday."

He scratched the back of his head.

"I... see."

So, the footprints belonged to the First Seeker. Sunny honestly did not know what to think of that.

Hiding his unease, he pointed to a particular spot on the beach.

"This is where our ship crashed. Right... it's a flying ship. But currently, it can only fly during dusk and dawn. As soon as I find a way to get the fifth member of our cohort back, we'll wait for the right time and fly away."

His expression darkened.

"Of course, there's also that... thing in the sky above the island. I'll need to find a way to escape from it, as well."

Wind Flower looked at him and remained silent for a while. Then, she sighed.

"I'm sorry to tell you this, Sunless... but even if you get your companion back, you won't be able to escape the island."

heart skipped a

Sunny lingered for a few moments before opening his mouth. Eventually, though, he

why

Wind Flower shrugged.

anything once it's caught in its maw... no one is powerful enough to defeat its

Sunny was not amused.

at her

think, my lady? You said it

She nodded.

he was strong enough to overcome the pull of the

Sunny's expression dimmed.

sea serpent he had fought was not powerful enough to

did he

Flower simply pointed

is that supposed

the white sand beneath

mean... that the only way to escape the island is to dive into the

She smiled.

the island is not much easier than braving the whirlpool... but your flying ship should be sturdy

He frowned.

hidden below the

Flower lingered for a

the horrors that dwell in them. Usually, diving that deep would mean certain death, but the vortex... it creates a tunnel, of sorts. As long as you don't plunge into the

mystical tunnel that led to the depths of the bottomless Great River? Staying clear of the water? What about these obviously lethal things, exactly, told her that

He sighed.

the other

The beautiful Saint hesitated.

to be dangers there. But the important point is that one can make their way back to the Great River by following the inner wall. At least that was

took a

be? You