Shadow Slave

In the end, Sunny had once again drawn the map of Aletheia's Island on the ground. Only, this time, it was much more detailed. He also knew where most of the truly dangerous Nightmare Creatures would be at any given point... his time map was complete.

The members of the cohort studied it for a while, listening to his explanations. Sunny described the prisoners of the nightmarish island in as much detail as he could, sometimes relying on Cassie to provide the most crucial pieces of information. As the two of them spoke in turns, the faces of their companions grew more and more somber.

Eventually, Sunny looked at the map with a dark expression and fell silent for a few moments. When he spoke again, his voice was even:

"Destroying the loop will not be easy. However... it is what comes after we destroy it that is truly dangerous."

He pointed to the map.

"We will still be trapped on the island after the loop is broken. And... the rest of its prisoners will be, as well. These terrible Nightmare Creatures, as well as Undying Slaughter and Devouring Beast. But this time, none of us will be revived by the loop, should we die."

Sunny looked at his companions.

"Which means that we will have only one attempt to escape this hell alive."

Despite his solemn tone, Effie suddenly chuckled. He threw her an annoyed glance at her, then asked:

"What's so funny?"

She shook her head.

"No, nothing. Sorry... but that's how it usually goes, isn't it? If you die, you die. Cassie and you might have been living by a different set of rules recently, but for the rest of us, everything is pretty much how it has always been."

He sighed.

'Well... she's not wrong.'

No matter how much he tried to avoid it, the loop had messed with his perception of life and death. But for Effie, Jet, and Nephis... what he had warned them about was already perfectly natural.

Sunny shrugged.

"Well, good. Keep that attitude. In any case, what I meant is that there can't be any mistakes. We will have one day to destroy the loop. On that day, three things need to happen."

spoke, the tip of the Sin of Solace traced a few marks on

of the lake before entering the tower. Once inside, we will be able to achieve our

His voice grew somber:

know where the Nightmare Creatures are anymore - once the loop is broken, most of the knowledge Cassie and I have so painstakingly gathered will become worthless. Returning to the Chain Breaker will be just as dangerous as

Sunny grimaced.

Well, at least I think we did - I wouldn't

of them studied the map somberly. Eventually,

need to go to the Chain

smile appeared

gets it. Good

with

to satiate their Flaws. So, the smartest thing we can do

Finally, Sunny grinned.

just before the dust settles, we can slip away, board the Chain Breaker,

at him

a few moments

"Or... we don't escape."

there was

looked at her

"What do you mean?"

had considered this course of action himself, despite how risky it was. It was just that... Sunny

Nephis shrugged.

the island. Why don't we

Jet smiled darkly.

get rid of Undying Slaughter. But, Nephis... you haven't seen that thing. You haven't fought her. Do you know how lethal she is? How are we supposed to kill older, scarier,

Effie, not Neph, who answered. Looking up from where she sat on the ground, the

thing, though. They are us, so... we know their weaknesses. We can

She smiled.

for them to grow weak from hunger, then finish the wretches off to make sure that they

to her, Nephis

After a moment of silence, she

the most useful member of the cohort currently, but I think we should