Shadow Slave- Back in time.

Ch. 31

Days blended into weeks, weeks into months as time passed, witness of the great change that was taking place in the Forgotten Shore. It was not instantaneous, but rather like the constant erosion of the water slowly dripping on the rock, eventually breaking it. The effects of the arrival of Changing Star, Lost From Light and yet-to-become- Song of the Fallen weren't immediately noticeable, but they were there.

Ever since the first day, the cohort had been building their reputation within the outskirts. Gunlaug based his power on resources and strength. He had acquired the most useful Echoes and Memories, and the warriors who could successfully hunt the dreadful creatures of the Forgotten Shore had all pleaded their loyalty to him. Those who stood up against him were snuffed out with an iron fist.

He was the only one who could provide food and protection. Those who could not afford to pay the taxes where deemed useless and discarded like a broken bottle, and lived in the misery of the slums, dying of starvation. They had lost hope, and cared only about surviving. However, the abominations inhabiting the Dark City and the Labyrinth were far more imposing than an ordinary Sleeper.

Nephis had destroyed that cycle. The cohort had given food for free, organised the outskirts. The barely standing huts were now solid buildings. The infrastructure was unrecognizable, with small towers and barriers to defend themselves form the monsters that occasionally ventured there. Water and food were available at all times. People were healthier and less thin. Jokes and smiles were not the unusual anymore. Eyes shone with hope and happiness.

The outskirts were thriving, at least as much as someone could thrive in the hell that was the Forgotten Shore.

Those responsible were loved and respected by everyone in the outskirts. Their names hadn't taken much longer to reach the ears of the Bright Castle's inhabitants.

Changing Star of the Immortal Flame, Caster of the Han Li Clan, Cassie, the lovely oracle, Effie, the already well known huntress. Sunny, that little scrawny kid who would slit your throat if not taken seriously. And an inescapable teacher.

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It had been about a month since they had reached the Dark City.

"Wake up, Sunless! Your Nightmare is over. Wake up, Sunless! Your Nightmare is -- "

Sunny slammed the rock to the ground. He rubbed his eyes and yawned, the dismissed the Rock, which was mightier that the word. He basked in the embrace of his Shadow Bed for a second more before standing up. He was not in the priestess's quarters, but in the room he had taken in the outskirts. It was a curious coincidence that his room was next to Nephis', who was no longer living in the headquarters. In fact, if one looked closely enough, he would be able to notice a little passage through which a small person. Even more interesting was that Sunny was by all standards but one-two, if one considered his mental age- little.

He prepared himself for the day, washing himself and putting something on.

As he finished, the Spell whispered in his ear.

[You have slain an Awakened Monster, Crifret Binder]

[Your shadow grows stronger.]

The voice announced his kills for a few seconds, making a smile appear on his face.