Shadow Slave- Back in time.

Hidden Component

Behind the abomination, a slender young woman with silver hair was revealed, holding a mirror-like sword.

There was an expression of surprise on her beautiful face.

Grinning behind the mask, Sunny gave her a small bow and said, his cold voice hiding a hint of dark glee.

"Welcome to Godgrave, Lady Nephis."

With that, he looked around.

"I hope you don't mind the mess..."

She smiled.

"I don't."

She turned around to slash at a creature lunging at her.

Sunny went to deal with the most dangerous monsters, slicing effortlessly through them like a hurricane.

Two days later, Lady Nephis and the Fire Keepers were standing in front of a dark temple, surrounded by shadows.

A man in a fearsome armor appeared.

"Welcome to my humble Citadel."

His voice sent shivers down the spines of the Masters. They knew they were allies, but still, they couldn't help but tremble in his presence.

Their Lady entered without a worry in the world.

Sunny had been waiting for her for a while. His mind was constantly planning and throwing away plans for their date in that lovely place. He knew they couldn't go on a romantic trip then, they were both busy with the start of the war, but having her at his side filled him with an indescribable joy.

He had something to show her. He had discovered a new component of his Citadel. He thought he'd known everything about the temple, its current conditions, at least, but that was a nice surprise.

Finally, he and Neph were left alone.

He took her hand and teleported her to the underground floor.

"What are you doing?"

"I want to show you something."

She looked at him curiously and followed him.

The lantern lit up the hall as he ordered the shadows to fall back.

Nephis stopped dead in her tracks.

She had been told of it by Cassie, of course, but there was a Great River between being told and seeing.

She took in the suggesting sight, her gaze lingering on the magnetic circle.

Sunny, meanwhile, was admiring her face.

"What is that?"

Just next to the enthralling circle, was a hole in the wall. It looked like a violent blow had managed to break the wall.

"The place within the new component is."

"How'd you find it."

The Lord of Shadows shifted his weight on his legs. He seemed a little... embarrassed.

"I,huh, threw Imp at the wall."

"Imp?"

"My, huh, Supreme Devil."

She was looking at him like he was insane. She was right! But she was insane, too.

"You named Imp a Supreme Devil."

"Well, when I got him he was just a Transcendent Devil, and he was much smaller..."

His voice died down. His heart ached as her expression, from smiling, frowned, and became emotionless.

"How did you find it?"

"I threw the Supreme Devil at it. Don't ask."

They walked in.

A small circular room was revealed.

There was a single lantern illuminating the hall, anchored to the ceiling by a small chain.

Just below it, was a small altar, made of the same materials of the temple. They were the only things in the room.

"So, what does it do."

Sunny, who had removed his mask, smiled at her sheepishly.

"No clue. Do you have any ideas?"

She examinated it for a couple of minutes.

"I don't know."

He grinned.

"Only a way to find out!"

He poured essence into the altar. He felt his essence being instantaneously drained and fell unconscious.

[Aspirant! Welcome to the Nightmare Spell. Prepare for your First Trial...]