The feeling of someone suffering only grew the more he came closer to it.
It was like it was crying, like it had been through so much pain the wounds still hurt, and it couldn't help but cry.
Sunless was on Dreadwing's back, accompanied by Seishan and Nephis by his side, Kai was in the air, using his Aspect to cruise through the sky. They were being followed by two flying Echoes belonging to the Firekeepers, some of them on the backs of their creatures.
"Is it far?"
Nephis asked with seemingly indifference, but the fire in her eyes told a different story.
Sunny furrowed his brows.
"I think… We're close."
They passed through a couple of floating islands.
The few nightmare creatures that stood in their way were electrocuted by Dreadwing's lightning or evaded by going around them, even if Sunny could take on a Corrupted Beast, he would rather not face them in the sky, where the only ones that could fight effectively were Kai and the Echoes, especially not when Nephis and Seishan were in his Shadow's back.
They also made sure to fly carefully to not deal with the crushing.
The Firekeepers accompanying them seemed to be nervous and hesitant about this trip, which was understandable.
Different from Nephis, Sunny was mostly a mysterious figure for them. Truth was, although he helped tremendously in the Forgotten Shore and was the one that opened the Crimson Spire for the Dreamer Army, he wasn't in the front for all to see.
What he did, who he was, even his group, the Shadow Watchers, were a mystery to the survivors of the Forgotten Shore. Even after Awakening and the truth that he was a Song came out, they still didn't know much, the Prince wasn't exactly a public figure that came out a lot, the only thing people knew was that he mostly hunted in the Blightlands.
There were rumors that the reason the only son of the Raven Queen didn't go out was because he was dealing with the… Less elegant parts of being a Great Clan. Some even speculated that he dealt with this part even before the First Nightmare.
It had some foundation, each of the daughters of Song were responsible for a part of the Clan's inner workings.
The most popular, Beastmaster, was mainly responsible for their public image in events, and the primary workforce, using her thralls to carry resources around Ravenheart and protect most of the territory.
Silent Stalker and Lonesome Howl were responsible for the edges of the territory, the silent sister mainly hunted down powerful nightmare creatures while the brutal sister held off the incursions on the front lines.
Moonveil, and now Seishan were more in tune with the inner workings of the Clan, the administration and logistics, which didn't mean they didn't go to battle, Moonveil especially enjoyed fighting when she could.
Nobody really knew what Death Singer did, but based on her personality, they thought she did nothing besides being the family's seer… They weren't that wrong.
Which left two siblings, and ironically the ones people see the least and the ones that looked like they were true siblings, Lightslayer and Hollow Death.
The only sightings of the eldest daughter of Ki Song were on missions, and even then they were rare, so the common theory was that Lightslayer dealt with the underworld of the Song Clan, and since Hollow Death had a similar power and was also commonly absent from the spotlight… People thought they worked together.
So Sunny's reputation among the Awakened wasn't one of a shining saint that protects all, but more of an assassin assisting Changing Star. That view was only exacerbated by Song of Light and Shadows, which portrayed Sunless as an Edgelord.
To counterpart, his reputation on the mundane part of the population was mostly positive… Mainly because he was 'badass'... And because he was hot.
Yet, the Firekeepers were still grateful to Sunless for all he did, and they knew that he went on a date with their leader, so he must be a good person.
Sunny observed each and every island that he passed intently, each very different. Nephis kept her gaze focused at him, curiosity tearing at her, Seishan on the other hand was staring at her, numerous thoughts passing in her mind.
But Nephis was not oblivious.
"What is it?"
She turned to Seishan with the same indifferent face she always had.
Seishan's once serious expression was replaced with a mysterious smile.
"I just find you fascinating."
At first glance, Nephis's expression didn't change, but if looked closely, her brows furrowed a little, letting Seishan continue.
"You know very well that you may have to kill our mother, yet you want to be with him."
Seishan looked at Sunless, who was too focused on finding whatever he felt.
"How do you think he will feel when you kill her? Or will you forgive her?"
Nephis stared at the Princess of Song for what it seemed like a long while.
"That depends on her. Don't misunderstand, until I listen from her own mouth, I won't forgive her…"
She looked at Sunless and hesitated, remembering all their story and everything she learned about the mysterious Raven Queen.
"But… I'm willing to give her a chance."
Seishan didn't say anything, but her smile permeated. She was beginning to like Changing Star.
Suddenly Sunny shifted, snapping his head to the side.
Immediately, Dreadwing stopped and switched directions, making the winds rumble in the sudden stop of momentum, now flying to the left.
Kai felt the sudden burst of winds and was forced to the side, but he soon gained his bearings again and flew behind Dreadwing, followed behind by the Firekeepers.
"Sunny, did you find it?"
Nephis asked while grabbing onto the armor of the raven.
"I think so."
A big building came into view, one that encompassed the whole island, in a way, the island was the building. It had the shape of a black cube, with smaller islands surrounding it with towers on them, as if they were guarding the cube.
Dreadwing stopped and began floating in the same place, Kai and the Firekeepers catched up with them.
Sunny immediately knew what the building was, and Kai confirmed it.
"That's an island that hasn't been explored yet, Master Roan calls it the Box, from what we know, it's similar to a prison."
Everyone turned to Sunless, he would be the one to decide what would happen now.
"It's there, whatever is calling me, it is in there."
Kai hesitated, but decided to warn Sunless nonetheless.
"Sunny, we have no idea what's in there, the few Awakened that tried to explore came back traumatized. Are you sure you just want to waltz in?"
Sunny couldn't help but scoff.
"Of course I'm not sure. I'm scared as hell, but curiosity is tearing at me right now, and I have a feeling that if we don't get in there right now, whatever is calling me will die."
The Firekeepers looked at each other with uncertainty, none of them wanted to get in.
Nephis stared at Sunny, seeing the determination in his eyes, she breathed in and declared.
"We're going."
— —
The way to the entrance was… Unsettling, mainly because nothing happened.
No nightmare creatures, no mind attack, no traps.
They simply flew to it.
There was no bigger threat than the one that waited, it didn't help that they felt something was in the Box, something oppressing.
There was a platform that served as a type of landing zone, it was connected to a bridge that served as the normal way into the Box if you didn't have any wings.
The grand entrance was imposing, big black gates with engravings that showed warriors oppressing being shrouded in mist. Two big rings being connected to the gate by suspenders with the shape of lions.
Sunny approached the gates and touched the engravings, closing his eyes as he felt the shadows that…
Sunny almost fell back.
Kai was right behind to catch him, not letting him fall.
"Sunny!"
Seishan and Nephis approached him as Kai helped Sunny keep standing.
Breathing heavily, Sunless snapped his head towards the prison.
"This place… It is not just a prison… Its a torture chamber."
They all looked to grand gates, until Nephis asked the important question.
"Torture chamber for what?"
Sunless hesitated, but he had to answer.
"For Shadows."
Silence fell onto the landing pad as all understood what he had just said, especially because they knew Shadow beings existed, and also because Sunny described the being he was sensing as a Shadow.
Meaning the Shadow had been tortured for a long, long time.
"Do you still want to enter?"
Sunny trembled, he hesitated, every instinct, every nerve in his body, every shadow inside the Box was telling him to run, to not enter, to ignore this place…
Even the one who was suffering.
He looked at the gates again, the Shadow that was suffering seemed to have noticed his presence, it was calling for him, pleading to not enter the place. It even tried to hide its own suffering.
But that only steeled Sunny's resolve.
"Yes."
His shadow expanded, and two knights grew out of it. Saint and Igris stood in front of their master, gripping their weapons tightly.
"Let the Firekeepers patrol the Box, we'll enter."
Nephis furrowed her brows and nodded. Turning to her followers and giving them orders.
Kai tapped Sunny's shoulder.
"Are you alright?"
"No, Gods no… I'm horrible. But I bet that guy is worse…"
Seishan sighed, looking at her brother, she questioned what he was thinking.
"What's your plan?"
Sunny tried to smile, but it came off wrong…
"Simple, I'll enthrall whatever is inside this place."
—
Technically, that wasn't Sunny's plan, only part of it.
He wanted to put the Soul-Devouring Tree against the Box and see what happened.
If Awakened already tried to explore this place and were able to escape, it meant that the being inside it was not Corrupted, if it was, no one would escape alive.
That meant it was at least a Fallen Terror, seeing as a Titan wouldn't make a nest. And that meant it was the Soul-Devouring Tree would at least have some effect on it, little as it would be, it could be a huge advantage.
So after the Firekeepers began patrolling around the prison, leaving the platform, Sunny summoned his enormous Shadow on it.
Even if the platform was big, the tree barely fitted on it, having to use the walls of the Box to root itself on the platform.
The Shadow attempted to pierce the walls to root itself more easily, however, the walls proved too sturdy, so the Shadow resorted to move deeper to pierce the ground beneath the prison, acquiring the foothold it needed.
Dreadwing landed on one of the Soul-Devouring Tree's giant branches, being a sentinel to any who threaten the Tree.
With that, Sunny turned to the gates. The two Shadow Saints awaited their master as Kai, Seishan and Nephis summoned their weapons.
Kai wielded a silver jian as his bow and arrow would not help much in the presumably close quarters of the prison, Nephis summoned a white, pristine blade that mirrored her flames, while Seishan's claws appeared on her hands.
Sunny breathed in and summoned [BloodRaven], as much as he wished he could use his Transcendent lance, he couldn't risk entering close quarters with a long range weapon.
Serpent was in its tattoo form, ready to get out to transform into whatever monster or weapon its master needed.
"Alright, Saint, open the door."
Saint nodded, turning to the gates, she put her sword and shield on the ground and put her hands on the intricate doors, pushing them.
They were heavy, grand, and Saint needed to exert a lot of energy, but they opened…
And Sunny felt the pressure of various shadows on him. Suffering, pain, anguish, pleading… They wanted Sunny to save them… As much as they wanted for him to save himself…
Darkness was the only thing they could see, there were no lights or torches, only shadows.
Luckily, Sunny could see in the dark, and what he saw was…
Nothing.
Just a big hall littered with cells for inmates, skeletons all over the floor, some small with armor, others with enormous black bone structure. There was no blood or evidence of destruction or battle, just the bones of past people or monsters.
No threats, no danger, only the past.
Igris was the first to enter the old prison, each step he took felt like an eternity, he was careful as to not step on any skeleton and to not trigger any potential trap.
Eventually, he stopped, and signalled to Sunless that the place was clear.
Letting out a breath he didn't even know he was holding, Sunny informed his companions.
"Its clear, there's nothing in there except bones, the real threat must be deeper inside."
Nephis nodded.
"Alright, what's the next step?"
"We'll slowly-"
A big boom resounded in the dark hall.
All immediately snapped towards it, pointing their weapons and getting into a fighting position.
Saint wasted no time as she picked up her weapons and rushed in the hall to support her kin.
Sunny sent two of his shadows to Igris, and one other to Saint, quickly empowering them as he saw through his Shadow's eyes.
The thing that made the boom was a golem that had fallen from the ceiling. It was as tall as the Shadow Saint, big and broad, it was made of the same material as the walls of the prison, with a smooth skin that only showed imperfections on the tendons, other than that, it was plain, like a piece of living wall.
Igris rapidly stepped forward and sliced the being diagonally, not waiting for any chance to let the golem react.
And his strike came true, the smooth skin easily parted to cut the golem in half, letting its body fall down.
Sunny was able to distinguish the message of the Spell from the others.
[You have slain an Awakened Monster, Warden's Guard.]
[Your shadow grows stronger…]
'Warden' s Guard? Makes sense, we are in a prison.'
Saint arrived next to Igris, observing her fellow Shadow as she immediately got into a battle stance as more and more booms resounded around the hall.
More and more golems fell down from the ceiling, and soon, the whole hall was full of golems made of stone. And they advanced, their bloodlust suddenly consuming the room they were in.
"Neph, light up the room."
Nephis complied without hesitation. Entering the hall and activating her aspect, her pristine sword ignited in white flames, lighting up the dark hall and revealing the golems for Sunny's companions.
Without saying a word, all four members advanced, going to decimate the automatons of the prison.
Igris and Saint stood their ground, together, they defended from the attacking golems, sincronizing their attacks in a perfect dance. Each movement of their blades made one golem die, none were able to pierce the perfect formation made by the Shadow Saints.
Sunny smirked as he witnessed his Shadows work so effortlessly, but he couldn't admire for long as he ordered his two remaining shadows to wrap around his body, maximizing his strength and delving into the shadows.
Immediately, he felt different, the shadows, they were desparate, exhausted, in pain…
He couldn't let that distract him, his companions were already engaging the horde of golems, so he joined the frey.
Nephis's sword wisped through the air and burst it into flames, melting the golems that were close and letting her advance deeper into the horde and burn even more.
Seishan was limited in this battle since her enemies didn't have blood, as such, her Awakened Ability was currently useless. However, her claws had no such limitation, cleaving and slicing everything apart.
Kai was on the back, facing any golem that passed the initial formation, cutting them with his Ascended weapon.
And so, Sunny transported himself to the back of the horde and started tearing through all golems.
[Your shadow grows stronger…]
[Your shadow grows stronger…]
[Your shadow grows stronger…]
There were many, but individually, they were weak, inevitably, they fell.
As the last golem raised their black arm to attack Saint, they were destroyed by a dark crimson odachi that impaled it from behind.
Sunny flourished his blade and looked around with a scrutinizing gaze. He was worried, because it had been too easy, it was obvious there had to be more, the fear he was still…
'Wait, the fear?'
Why was he afraid? He had already faced Fallen Tyrants, and it couldn't be a Titan, so that left…
A theory popped up in his head, and to confirm it, he turned to his companions.
Kai was still trembling despite the battle being over, Seishan kept looking around at the ceiling and at Sunny himself in paranoia, and Nephis seemed to frown much more than usual.
More importantly, the 'fear' he was feeling was subtle, as if something was interfering with it, and the Shadow Saints seemed indifferent to everything.
Sunny sighed.
"It's a Fallen Terror."
Everyone turned to look at him.
"It's using a mind attack to affect our emotions, more specifically, our fear. No wonder everyone that tried to come here came out traumatized, they were becoming food for the Terror. Imagine the more we advance, the more it will affect us."
Sunny wasn't as affected thanks to [Stone Shell], its [Stalwart] attribute gave him protection against mind attacks, little it was.
Everyone absorbed the information, at least they knew what they were up against, that was good, it meant they could prepare.
Seishan immediately smiled.
"Thankfully, we don't have to go."
Kai furrowed his brows, not understanding. She explained.
"You see Kai, my dear brother has two Shadows that are immune to mental attacks, one that is an Ascended Terror, and one that can turn into beings he killed."
The archer's eyes widened, noticing the numerous skeletons that were splattered on the ground.
"You mean…"
Sunny nodded, a small smile appeared on his face as he extended his hand and let Serpent out, already giving it commands.
The 12 meter long Soul Serpent slithered upwards, sticking to the walls as its body started to morph, a mist made of shadows enveloped it. Various arms began sticking out of it, piercing the walls as the rest of the body became growing.
The serpentine body became bones, skeletons stacked on top of each other, skulls and spines making the torso, as it completed, the being stuck on the ceiling became clear.
The Lord of the Dead.
Immediately, the skeletons littered on the ground began to move, rebuilding and surporting themselves to get up.
Soon, Sunny had an army of harrowing skeletons to raid the Box.
— —
Cassie was still in the Firekeepers's base, currently working on her weave with her Awakened needle, and to her surprise, she achieved her objective.
'Wait… I did it?'
The knife she tried to modify didn't break, no message from the Spell, nothing except the knife, now with a new enchantment.
Memory Enchantments: [Devious], [Wieldy].
The new enchantment, [Wieldy], was from her needle, she was finally able to replicate it into another Memory…
'Yes! Now I just need to…'
Create a Memory, learn new enchantments…
She looked down at her wounded hands.
'... And not hurt myself while doing it…'
Cassie sighed and leaned on her chair, at this point, Sunny and Nephis must have already reached the place he will receive his new Shadow, whatever it is.
It gave her a strange kind of peace, being Weaver's Heir was a strange experience since she was aware of many things that were happening while she shouldn't know since she wasn't there.
'Makes you think why Weaver wanted Sunny to have his Lineage… Speaking of, why was Ki Song able to change Fate in the first place? Makes you wonder…'
Cassie hesitated, a new possibility entered her mind as she widened her eyes.
'Wait… Why did I think she was the only one who changed it? Why is Shadow's Lineage so different from the others? Would Weaver really be wrong? He is the Daemon of Fate, he would know better than to simply trust things would go as he pleased, he would plan for countermeasures, if he…'
Cassie stood up. Understanding that they were still too small.
'Who said things aren't going as he wished?!!'
Who knew… That everything she saw was just a fabrication of that Daemon?
'Are we really just prisoners?! Is Sunny even–?!'
Cassie felt a sudden jolt spark in her mind.
For a moment, she stood still, she saw the future, a vision of what could happen.
She fell down, making the chair fall as her body met the ground.
For a couple of seconds, she stood laid down on the floor, letting her blind eyes stare at the ceiling, filled with desperation and pain.
'Why… How?! You shouldn't exist!!"