Shadow Slave

A vast white plain was shining under blinding sunlight. It seemed deceptively endless, devoid of any features. No living thing was moving across its surface, and none would dare to.

Changing Star of the Immortal Flame Clan, the Sword of Valor, was kneeling on that plain. She had been kneeling there for three days without moving a muscle, and even her right hand was frozen in the air, holding the hilt of a silvery sword. lts blade was like a radiant mirror reflecting a boundless white void.

I-Ier impassive face was showing signs of fatigue, but her beautiful grey eyes were cold and sharp, full of indomitable resolve that bordered on obsession.

Her silver hair was moving slightly in the wind.

"Lady N—ephis... the wind..."

Staying still like a statue, she spoke. without looking back:

"I know. Stay strong."

There were a few moments of silence, and then another voice spoke:

"I... don‘t know how much longer I can endure."

Nephis answered evenly, white sparks igniting in the depths of her calm eyes:

"Stop talking unless you want to die."

She wasn't threatening the man, simply stating a fact. In response to her words there was silence.

wind blew across the white plain, crashing into her with furious force. There were a few gasps from behind Nephis, and yet, no member of her retinue allowed

torn veil of ominous grey clouds. It swirled and flowed, slowly obscuring the merciless sky... not

easy to look at. As Nephis watched the radiance dim, her face remained motionless... her heart,

sword was extinguished, reflecting nothing but

out

and pained groans tore apart the silence. Nephis remained motionless for a few moments, then lowered her sword and slowly

'This one was long.‘

as they tried to recover from three days of torturous stillness. Shim, Kaor, Shakti, Sid, Gorn, Gantry, and Erlas... they were the Fire Keepers that had followed her into the Death Zone on this mission. The rest were in less dangerous regions

Far away.

the Dream Realm, was separated from Ravenheart by an immeasurable distance. Ravenheart was situated

the last few decades. Led by the Great Clans, humans had greatly expanded their area of influence in the

Domain and the Song Domain bordered the Stormsea, which was ruled by the House of Night. In the north, the Hollow Mountains stood

Domains were separated by a Death Zone — or rather, several of them, stretching from the Hollow Mountains all the way to the Stormsea. This deadly territory widened in the south, but was comparatively

in the north. This place, which had taken the lives of many powerful Awakened, had no official name. However, people often

it was

the distance, a titanic skull was laying on the misty slopes of the Hollow Mountains, staring back at her with one colossal, empty eye socket. Deep darkness nestled in its gaping chasm, still

skull, had been entirely shattered by some unimaginable blow. The bone splinters, which had rained down thousands of years ago, created

was connected to a white spine, which stretched south from the Hollow Mountains. In fact, it was connected to an entire skeleton of inconceivable proportions. From the top of the skull to the right knee joint, which was the southernmost intact point of the skeleton,

was the Death Zone. It was called Godgrave because Awakened, shocked and frightened

not

case, the right hand of the skeleton lay in the Song Domain, while the left hand lay in the Sword Domain. By climbing the skeletal arms, one could travel along the bones