Shadow Slave

After Sunny and Morgan shook hands, the official part of the not-so-clandestine meeting was over. Of course, there were plenty of details left to discuss - what troops would be stationed in the Nameless Temple, how their accommodations would be organized, who would provide provisions to feed them, when the first mapping expedition would start, and a thousand more. But all these things could be decided at a later date, and in a less ostentatious company.

Morgan leaned back in her seat and raised her wine glass, smiling with satisfaction:

"This calls for a toast, if I do say so myself. The three of us will be fighting side by side soon, so... to loyal comrades. May we fare well."

Nephis took a sip of wine without saying anything, while Sunny simply stared at the table, full of regret.

He wasn't that attracted by the wine, but there was also a veritable feast in front of him, all dishes prepared by masterful chefs and both extravagantly expensive and endlessly delicious, without a doubt.

However... he was wearing a mask. So, none of these delicacies were destined to land in his mouth.

'Damn.’

Morgan looked at him with a smile.

"You aren't drinking, Lord Shadow?"

He stared at her silently for a few moments, then picked up the wine glass.

"To loyal comrades."

Sunny did not move, but on a wall behind him, his shadow picked up the shadow of the wine glass. It brought the shadow glass to its lips and leaned its head back, as if drinking. Then, it lowered its hand and returned to its previous position, copying his pose perfectly.

Morgan laughed.

"Fascinating."

Sunny smiled behind the mask.

It was indeed fascinating. The three of them were toasting to loyalty... each planning treason.

Morgan was playing nice for now, but as soon as the war was over, she would give the Lord of Shadows an ultimatum - submit or die. Sunny was promising to fight for Clan Valor, but he intended to betray them before the war reached a conclusion. Nephis was playing the role of an obedient daughter while planning to kill her adopted father, the King of Swords, and usurp his Domain.

This toast of Morgan's was quite funny, Sunny put the glass down, contemplating the ease with which Morgan had accepted his demanda. Was there really no other reason than to prevent him from siding with Song?

Claiming a Citadel in Godgrave could very well be the deciding factor of the entire war. Valor would not have given up on the Nameless Temple easily. Unless...

He turned his head and stared at Nephis, who was savoring her meal quietly.

'She wouldn't...'

Would she?

He lingered for a few moments, then asked in an indifferent tone:

"Why didn't you insist on claiming my Citadel, Lady Morgan?"

but there was a benefit to playing the role of a reclusive, aloof, and eccentric Saint. If Sunny wanted to be direct, he could very well be as direct as he

seemed amused

glanced at Nephis, then said in a pleasant

answer, but if you share what I say with anyone else, there'll be

didn't even sound like a treat,

He stared at Morgan,

a Citadel in Godgrave. The side that manages to win the race will be able to unleash the power of its Sovereign upon the

scowled behind the mask, not liking where it was

sip of

The only Citadel among those

at her

of cold

"Are you insane?"

Nephis smiled.

I've been asked that

Sunny shook his head.

above Godgrave? Do you have a death wish and fancy

lingered for a moment, then

wanted to keep your Citadel, Lord Shadow, and that was the price. Now, you can have the Nameless Temple, while the Sword Domain has a chance of gaining a

Morgan chuckled.

Song must not know the details of our plans,

for a

‘These damned fools...'

she had agreed

Neph's idea to bargain on his behalf, or Cassie's?

need to rethink a few things. The presence of the Ivory Tower in Godgrave seemed very

in for a very

Sunny contemplated silently,

atmosphere of the underground chamber was suddenly broken by

Sunny frowned, recognizing it.

'Really? Now?’

paused for a moment, then reached elegantly into the inner pocket of her suit jacket and pulled out a slick communicator. At the same time, Nephis unbuttoned

of them studied the screens in silence. After a few moments,

to dwell in the Dream Realm, so he naturally

already knowing

an emergency notification was blinking

EMERGENCY ALERT

EMERGENCY ALERT

ACTIVITY DETECTED IN YOUR

ETA: ~37 minutes

EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!

‘Thirty-seven minutes...'

after the conclusion of the Chain of Nightmares, but it had never quite managed to return to its past stability. Thirty-seven minutes was much