Shadow Slave

1495 Still Water

Sunny had begun the Nightmare under the pure azure sky. Then, he traveled to Fallen Grace, which was bathed in the crimson light of an eternal sunset. Now, he finally reached the waters where the soft twilight of nascent dawn suffused the world with a gentle glow.

The flowing waters of the Great River were like a calm mirror that reflected the dreamlike palette of the vibrant morning sky. As such, it seemed as though the graceful vessel was sailing on heaven itself.

It was a beautiful sight that soothed the soul and took one's breath away… if not for the dangers that lurked beneath the splendor of the wondrous current.

Cassie had long used the Guiding Light to point the way to Kai... the fact that the sacred staff still responded to his True Name filled Sunny's heart with hope. It meant that his friend was still alive, at least.

Now, they were traveling downstream in search of the lost city of Twilight, where the charming archer stranded. The problem was that instead of distancing itself from the Edge, the Chain Breaker was instead drawing closer and closer to it.

So, they had to be wary not only of the Nightmare Creatures hiding beneath the waves, but also of the current itself.

The closer they were to the Edge, the more violent the currents became, trying to pull the ship into the endless waterfall. Even now, a few days of sailing away from it, it was almost impossible to keep the Chain Breaker on course. In the end, Cassie had given up on struggling against the current and raised the flying into the air.

They were staying low to the water, flying along its surface, to avoid being attacked from above — or at least have more time to react if an attack came.

Of course, such a strategy also left them more vulnerable to the enemies lurking below the water. But after witnessing the dreadful swarm of monstrous butterflies, Sunny extremely wary of the boundless expanse of the dim sky.

Days slowly passed.

Sunny continued to advance in his endeavor to turn the Covetous Coffer into an Echo. Gradually, though, his mind drifted away from that riddle, turning somber and grave.

companions wore

of blood, perhaps. Of a battle that was going to test the very essence of their resolve,

The sounds of laughter that used to echo above the deck of the Chain Breaker disappeared,

calm and collected, preparing for battle with cold

I can

spill, but its scent had already

attacked their ship — perhaps because even abominations struggled to stay alive this close to the Edge. As the days went by, however, their numbers dwindled even further, until none remained at

worrisome. No place in the Tomb of Ariel was supposed to be safe, and since even Nightmare Creatures were reluctant to venture into these waters, humans like them

saw something rising from above the surface of the river. As the Chain Breaker drew closer, and they

long rotten away, leaving behind only an empty husk. A forest of arrows was rising from the cracked shell, and there were broken harpoons floating

were gaping holes littering the carapace, as well, as if someone had torn through it with sharp teeth, ripping out huge chunks of flesh in

that he recognized the marks

Daeron kill this

to his city. There was something eerie about

it still

into the abyss. Judging by the look of the carcass, the abomination had been slain countless years ago. And yet, it still remained,

Cassie,

"Don't approach."

pushed the steering oar, sending the Chain

studied it silently for a

do you think

Sunny pursed his lips.

the Twilight people, before the city was lost.