Shadow Slave

They crossed most of the remaining distance to the edge of the breastbone plain that day. Night never graced Godgrave with its presence, but anywhere else, the sun would have already been rolling toward the horizon.

It was never dark in this strange and terrible place. The grey sky shone with diffused light, and white bone was colored here and there by fields of vibrant vermilion grass…

Or rather, it was never supposed to be dark.

Nephis slowed her steed as she peered into the distance, a complicated expression appearing on her face.

«What is that?»

Out there, far away, it was as though someone had dropped a can of black paint on the world.

The darkness, which was not supposed to exist in Godgrave, swallowed the plain, and the scattered light of the stormy sky was powerless against it. The deep shadows persisted, unperturbed by the bright daylight around them.

«How is this possible?»

Soon, they drew closer to the wall of darkness. Strangely enough, there were much fewer abominations in this area of the titanic skeleton, and even the scarlet flora seemed scarcer…

It was as though even the Nightmare Creatures were wary of the land of shadows. Nephis frowned slightly, not showing her hesitation to the Fire Keepers.

«Advance slowly.»

As they proceeded further, the light slowly dimmed, and the growths of red grass became smaller and smaller, until they disappeared entirely. Soon, they were surrounded by nothing but impenetrable darkness, with only Neph's eyes shining in it like small stars.

«Stop.»

for a moment, listening to the

«Dismount.»

Their surroundings were illuminated for a few moments, and by the time the sparks dissipated into nothingness, they had already summoned

weak

did see something now that

the ground, its grotesque bones towering above the plain. The creature must have been enormous

What killed it?

it for a few moments, spending a

what do

a while, then shook

a sword, but something had gnawed on the bones. There are teeth marks everywhere, and by the look of it, the creature's flesh was devoured by

expression grew a little

are, this carcass must

If so, the rumors of his power might not be exaggerated. Many Saints were capable of slaying Great Beasts, but very few could finish such a powerful abomination with

to say something else, but at that moment, a terrifying

and to the side of them, while Shakti and Erlas hid behind the melee fighters

remained where she stood, calmly looking into the darkness. Her lance had changed form once again,

«Be ready.»

scraping against bone as the Nightmare Creature approached

reach the Fire

in the air, and they heard the familiar, gruesome sound of flesh being severed by sharp steel. Something crashed heavily onto the ground, and a moment later, a monstrous head rolled into the light, a

«One strike.»

looked at the abomination's severed head for a split second, then turned to face

crimson flames ignited, staring down at