Shadow Slave

Following the Lord of Shadows, Nephis was descending into the depths of Godgrave. The fissure was narrow and twisting, permeated with the sweet smell of rotten leaves. At times, she had to sidestep to push forward, the polished metal of her breastplate scraping against the white bone.

Her taciturn guide was calm and indomitable, seemingly unconcerned about entering the Hollows. She was calm, as well - the part of her that would have been wary had been swallowed by the pain.

A ball of white flames was dancing on the palm of her gauntlet, illuminating the path ahead.

She was used to that pain.

Bathed in the white radiance but drowning in darkness, the Lord of Shadows seemed especially mysterious now that they were alone. Clad in the fearsome onyx armor, with his face hidden behind the visor of a black helmet, he looked more like a powerful Nightmare Creature than a human being...

Cassie had not been able to glean any information about the master of the dark temple. If not for the fact that the three powerful creatures serving him were Transcendent, and not Corrupted, Nephis would have entertained the thought that he was an abomination.

There were other reasons why she did not, as well.

None of them spoke for a long time. Eventually, though, the earthy smell grew stronger, and the Lord of Shadows halted.

A warm wind blew past them in the direction of the Citadel.

He remained motionless for a few moments, then turned to face her. The visor of his helmet was full of impenetrable darkness, and his even voice was aloof:

"I have a request, Lady Nephis."

She met his dark gaze and raised an eyebrow.

The darkness in the visor stirred slightly.

"Dismiss your weapon before we proceed."

Nephis was surprised. She tilted her head slightly, then asked in a calm tone:

"You want me to enter the Hollows without a sword?"

helmet moved slowly

have a sword.

hesitated for a few

Transcendent Memory of the Seventh Tier. Much more importantly, it was a very special weapon. Not only

to him... just like everyone who wielded the blades forged by Anvil were connected to him, and to each

Lord of Shadows wanted was to be left truly alone with her, without the possibility of her adopted father sensing what they were

Nephis felt

didn't sound quite

sped up

kill her in the Hollows? Luring her into

Saint for several seconds, then unhurriedly dismissed both her sword and its sheath. Left unarmed, she continued to stare at him with

their duel. This time, however, it was not an odachi. Instead, it was an elegant longsword, both its hilt and

the Lord of Shadows and weighed it briefly in her hand, then struck the flat of its blade lightly, watching it vibrate to determine the center of percussion. She was surprised once again -

‘What a convenient Ability.’

an Aspect Ability. She studied the shadow sword for a few moments, then lowered it and summoned the Nameless Sun - a Memory she had received for killing the Crimson Terror of the Forgotten

to her by the Lord of Shadows was not a Memory, and therefore could not be augmented by the Crown of Dawn. The Nameless

Nephis nodded.

"We can continue."

and continued walking into the depths of the narrow passage.

‘What are his motives?’

Clans be known. Now, he requested that she dismiss her sword,

surprising her... a sweet, but distant

be an...,

be so nice, to have someone to rely

remember, after her grandmother's passing, she had been on her own. Carrying a crushing burden without anyone

and so could not really lessen her burden. The only exception was Cassie - without her quiet strength and friendship, Nephis might have collapsed a long time ago. But

everything... most of it, at least. And yet, sometimes, she couldn't help but feel suffocated by the depth and intensity of her own desire, surrounded by enemies and laying awake at