The wind continued to whisper in the eerie night of the forgotten shore, playfully twisting Sunny and Nephis' hair as they stood motionless looking out. Both were silent, watching as from yonder a gargantuan bridge of shadows extended from the darkness—surrounding shadows moving to aid in the construction—finally connecting it to the platformed land.
Nephis was still, however her face expressed a look of utter bewilderment at the sight before her.
On the bridge…..two figures were walking towards them.
A short blonde haired girl draped in mystical garments that seemed to absorb the surrounding light. But most shockingly of all….
There was another master.
No matter how hard Nephis tried, her scrutinizing gaze couldn't differentiate a single detail out of place. It was also inconceivable for it to be a copy. Even from this distance she struggled to keep her gaze steady, a chilling feeling creeping up her spine causing both her body and soul to slightly shiver as his figure approached them.
It didn't seem possible.
Nephis was already wary of the mysterious person. He proclaimed himself of the Supreme rank, yet she couldn't help but feel he was something more powerful, more terrible.
So why was such an ominous being….casually holding the hand of a girl beaming beside it?
A single bead of sweat slid down her neck as she turned and looked up.
"What…Who is that?"
Sunny turned to her, glancing back at himself and Cassie nearing them. He shrugged, replying in a loose tone.
"That's one of the others I mentioned."
Nephis held his gaze, remaining silent for a moment. Then she raised an accusing finger towards the two people, her voice low, a mixture of cautiousness and concern.
"No, how are there two—"
"Ah! It's you!"
The words died in Nephs' mouth as an aloof voice cut her off. She turned to face the newcomer, now a few steps away.
Her eyes widened, furrowing as her face hardened with realization.
"You."
Cassie lightly smiled.
"I have a name, I told you last time."
Nephis didn't react, her expression unfaltering. Eventually, she replied with a tone less accusatory.
"Cassie..."
In reaction Cassie nodded, her expression pure. Then it slightly faltered as she looked at the person beside her, another one of her…..friends?
Glancing up and down she turned to the Sunny beside her, tilting her head as she asked in a confused tone.
"Why is there another you?"
Sunny looked at her, then looked at himself across from then. His grin widened behind his mask.
"That? Oh, just another me."
Both of the girls slowly looked between the two, their eyes briefly meeting. They both opened their mouths to respond, but then paused. Eventually Nephis raised a slightly shaky finger, pointing between the two.
"Wha—what does that even mean? Which….which one is the real you?"
Both Sunny's turned to face her, causing Nephis' shoulder to tense. Then they turned to Cassie who held an equally dazed expression.
He was glad his faces were hidden.
The amusement exploding within him couldn't be explained. It was so pure and fulfilling, like a child's infatuation with sweet treats during youth.
'Oh Gods, how many times will I be blessed with these types of interactions? And the others aren't even here yet! I'm really starting to understand Effie's joy in teasing…'
Maybe there were some small positives in this reality he didn't belong.
Chuckling in sync, both incarnations pointed at the other, before turning the finger towards themselves.
"What, this guy? We're both the real me!"
Then to both Nephis and Cassie's confusion….
Another figure rose to the right of all of them. It was another Sunny, identical in all aspects. Nephis and Cassie felt their jaws drop as the incarnation looked at them before, pointing at itself—a boastful voice sounding.
"I'm the real me."
Then to their left…another identical figure rose from the shadows, pointing at the third.
"Don't listen to him! I'm the real one!"
A flapping noise sounded as shadows cast over them from above. Nephis instinctively brought her sword up to face the adversary, but then faltered—her grip loosening as she looked up—eyes comically bulbous at what she was seeing. Cassie held an even more bewildered look, her mouth opening and closing like a malfunctioning robot.
Landing not two far away, the two new incarnations of Sunny dismissed the wings on their back, nonchalantly walking over to the group.
Stopping, they looked at the four other incarnations and the two very confused looking girls.
Glancing at each other, one of them spoke.
"What are these idiots doing?"
The other shrugged.
"Being idiots."
The first four incarnations looked at the newcomers. Comedically, they all pointed accusatory fingers at them, voices dripping with spite.
"Idiots? Who are you calling idiots! We're all the same person!"
Before the barrage of insults could continue, a tsk of disapproval sounded from above, causing everyone to turn in the direction to the cave entrance. From the shadows, another figure emerged.
But this one….was different.
Its stature and features were the same, but there was a difference. Its hair was pure white, like untouched snow from an alpine peak, in comparison to the others which was black, resembling inky spider silk.
What's more is that the mask it wore exuded a suffocating presence that seemed to warp the world and the wielder itself—amplifying an eerie snarl that came from it.
"Fools. Claiming to be me…..there is only one me. And that is myself."
The voice rippled over them like a mysterious fog, making it hard to concentrate on anything around them except their audible breathing.
Suddenly Nephis and Cassie couldn't tell if they were identical to the others.
Were they taller or shorter than the rest? Was it their imagination or was the daemonic visage carved into the wood, twisting and grimacing at them?
They couldn't tell.
Which made them all the more sure that this, somehow, was the real version.
However that assumption was shattered. The other incarnations around them violently disagreeing with the matter.
"Liar! Who do you think you are to say that!
"Yeah, just because your hair looks cooler doesn't mean you're better than the rest of us!"
They took turns spitting curses, one of them even throwing a rock at the distinctive incarnation, bouncing off its body harmlessly. After a while it finally quieted down, all falling silent as the one next to Cassie coughed, snapping the two from their trance.
"Sorry, I got a little carried away there. But yes, when I say that we're all the same person I'm telling the truth."
He looked down at the non-functioning Cassie, tiling his head.
"Didn't I tell you I'm the most honest person in both words?"
Cassie remained unresponsive. Then she quietly spoke in an unsure tone:
"Then…..all of that…..was just you?"
The words hung in the air as Nephis blankly nodded in agreement. Sunny looked at the two, the realization setting in as he sheepishly nodded.
"Well I thought it was funny until you pointed it out. Seemed like a fun way to help you guys be less tense."
Cassie just stared at him, prompting Sunny to continue:
"How are we supposed to have a welcome dinner when everyone is too nervous to speak?"
Sunny watched in delight as both girls comedically blinked in response to his reply, the words visually registering in their minds as their eyes briefly twitched. Sunny waited patiently as the two stood ambiently.
After a good few seconds of collecting their thoughts Nephis finally spoke up, her tone careful as to not mislead the mysterious being into messing with them further.
"So…you want to kill the Sovereigns, but are unable to assume their roles for certain reasons….therefore you are nurturing a select group of people to ascend….to then fill the empty spots…."
She paused, carefully choosing her words before finishing in a quiet tone.
"...and to commemorate the beginning of your plan, you want to treat me, Cassie, and…..the others, to a meal?"
The words hung with uncertainty in the air as Sunny stared at her with all seven of his incarnations. Was his silence a sign of approval at reading the lines? Or was there something bigger they were missing?
Cassie and Nephis held their breaths—anticipation heavy—unsure of what he could possibly be thinking of…
Yet an unseen storm of emotions was brewing in his mind.
'What the hell?! Since when was the young Nephis so socially attuned! Where's the diligent yet socially unaware airhead I know!?'
Of course, there were no negatives to Nephis becoming more adaptive….but that wasn't the point!
Sunny had been greatly looking forward to nonchalantly messing with Nephis in the beginning before she started to develop an immunity to his antics. Dropping revelational pieces of information, showing his skills, surprising her with a few tricks.
Sure she was a healthy young adult with a developing mind…..
But her adaptability was too alarming compared to the Nephis he knew from the forgotten shore!
Sunny could only curse internally.
'Is this because it's a new reality or is this a resultant shift in the course of events because of my presence….'
He didn't know, nor did he care all deeply.
Well….maybe he did care a little.
So what if he couldn't mess with her as much as he'd hoped?
…..
He still had Kai to tormen—tease!
Oh, they were going to have so much joyous interaction to make up for this!
Pushing the thought aside, the incarnations all nodded in unison.
"Very sharp, I'll let you have first pick of the food. And before you throw all the questions you have, could you save them for while I'm cooking? Proper cuisine takes, etiquette, time, diligence and preparation, meaning I need to start early if I want to balance quality and quantity."
As he finished speaking the incarnations closest to Cassie and Nephs' right rippled, three pairs of great nebulous wings sprouting from their backs.
Looking at the two girls—they briefly waved—before launching into the sky with one fluid motion, their speed so great their three figures had already blended with the night sky in the distance.
They wanted to ask where they were heading, or more importantly who they were gathering.
But it seemed questions were on pause as one incarnation began to move.
The incarnation beside Cassie shifted, walking forward as it passed Nephis, the incarnation beside her falling to the ground as a shadow which swiftly connected to its feet.
The other two doing the same.
Now only one of the fearsome beings remained, the relinquish in pressure seemingly allowing even the air to breathe a sigh of relief.
Cassie hesitated but didn't remain idle, quickly moving up until she stood beside Nephis.
The two quietly walked a few feet behind Sunny, following him as he moved towards a more flattened part of the terrain.
"It's nice to see you again." Cassie quietly remarked.
Nephis continued to look ahead, her attention fully captured by the mysterious being. From the corner of her eye Cassie's arm swayed forward, an alluring tattoo of a coiling serpent catching her eye.
"Why were you chosen? How did you meet?"
Cassie blinked.
Then she brought her hand up to stifle a chuckle, making Nephis turn her head.
"You really aren't one for conversation, are you? This is my friend I told you about, well, now that he's shown himself. Those annoying rumors of me going insane can finally be put to ruin. As for being chosen? I don't really know what you mean, like with the mention of these Sovereigns—people. I'm just here because I cherish him as a friend."
Nephis listened, responding in a tone of curiosity.
"You would throw all that away for a friend? Even if it means going against the world?"
Cassie turned to look up at the voice, her mouth dropping as her cheeks visibly paled.
"Going against the world!? I never signed up for that!"
Nephis continued to stare at the now panicking girl.
"Did he not tell you anything?"
"Well what did he tell you?"
Looking ahead at the walking figure, Nephis thought for a while. Repeating the claims and promises he had spoken of, and his creepily insightful knowledge about her and the world.
Contrasting with the dark sky, white sparks briefly flashed in her eyes.
"He promised me vengeance….power…..an opportunity to climb to heights that a normal Sleeper would dream of. I don't trust him at all. But what choice do I have?"
Cassie quietly listened, responding in a estranged tone:
"Uhh…that's inspiring. He promised to be my friend….make me waffles…..oh, and he gave me a nifty tattoo that lets me see through the shadows."
She paused.
"There was also some stuff about stealing from the Gods, living for thousands of years, seeing things alone that would evoke madness—but I wasn't really thinking straight when he mentioned all that stuff."
Silence descended between the two as they continued to walk, now processing who they were getting involved with and more importantly what they would be involved with in the future.
Their minds however were having a hard time creating plausible correlations about his mysterious origin.
Mostly because they were stumped by his brief, erratic, and somewhat childish behavior.
Neither of them knew how Daemons acted, but they had a hard time believing that they used their vast powers to argue with themselves.
It was all very concerning, even more so endearing.
Just looking at his soundless shambling form they couldn't help but burn with desire to know.
'Just who the hell really was he?'
Suddenly they came to a halt. Sunny looked a piece of land up and down, muttering something indiscernible before letting out a sigh of dejection. Beneath him his shadow rippled….And a large cottage suddenly emerged before them.
Nephis and Cassie held their breath as they watched from behind, rooted to the spot as he walked onto the front porch.
Turning around, he beckoned them forward.
"Come in."
Nephis took a step forward but then paused, looking back with concern at Cassie who remained on the spot—trembling in fear—her lips quivering as she took a step back.
'Ah'
Reassuringly tapping the wooden railing, he called out to her in a comforting tone.
"Don't worry, I know it's a Supreme Devil, but it doesn't bite! Well…not anymore at least."
Nephis looked at the harmless looking cottage over, her eyes narrowing with great concern, as she breathed:
"A Supreme Devil…."
Steeling herself, she gently grabbed Cassie's stiff hand—guiding her forward—albeit it while quelling her own concerns. Slowly they made their way onto the porch, each step cautioned as to not even make a sound. Their eyes darted rapidly.
Everything looked normal, even welcoming and tasteful. Yet they couldn't help but dread at how in the next second the chique looking wooden railings would come alive and snap their bodies in half. Or the varnished planks would part, dropping them into a terrible maw filled with teeth, their corpses vanishing without a trace.
Fortunately it didn't as they followed him through the door inside.
Walking inside the two couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief, and slight disbelief at what they were seeing.
The inside….was completely normal. It resembled that of an old fashioned cafe, comfy looking booths strewn about alongside the walls. Bougie warm lamps with mosaic patterns hanging from the ceiling—an open counter taking up the right corner of the room—spread out leather stools at the front, the counter equipped with condiments complimentary to that of a pastry shop and a kitchen—including a brewery, stove, sink and unusually small fridge.
Nephis had never spent time in a cafe or pastry shop, while this place fit every stereotype and factor. Looking warm, comforting and harmless.
Which is why it was all the more concerning considering he had just casually told them that all of this…..was a Supreme Devil.
How could those lavish looking couches be part of a Supreme Devil?!
Cassie looked equally conflicted beside her. Her body tensing less as a false sense of security and hope washed over her, being in the presence of such a place after having prepared herself for her first Nightmare. Yet the muscles on her face twisted, speaking of violent discomfort.
Neph new that she had received a boon from him, possibly from his Aspect Legacy, thus allowing the seer to somewhat see or feel the surroundings through the shadows, mentioned earlier.
Who knew what she was perceiving in the belly or…..body, of this Supreme construct.
Unconsciously taking a stool at the counter with Cassie next to her, she aimlessly watched as he walked to the other side. Entering the service front, he stood facing them from the service gap.
A cheery voice sounded behind the menacing mask.
"Can I get you something before I get started? I have coffee, tea, water…."
Both the girls were silent, Cassie quietly whispering after taking a deep breath.
"Tea would be nice."
Sunny turned to Neph, a little disappointed at her silence and lack of response. But also weirdly a little happy that she was exuding the behaviour of the early Nephis he thought she was.
Grabbing a porcelain mug, his shadow arms began to set some water to boil as his remaining real hand pulled a bag of tea bags out, laying them inside.
To their slight surprise the water began to boil immediately despite the meager looking orange flame lit below the pot, stirring even a tinge of curiosity from Nephis, wondering how they were in comparison to her own.
Pouring the brew into the cup before her, Cassie curtly thanked him, attention pulled by movement in the back.
Nephis and Cassie watched as a couple of shadow arms stretched from the edge of the counter. Some pulled out pots and pans, others pulled out ludicrous amounts of meat from the deceivingly small fridge while the rest grabbed other ingredients.
Though they didn't admit it, the sight was quite…..magical.
The synchronization between the movement and preparation of ingredients while managing different temperatures, something that should require a whole kitchen crew like in the academy.
Meanwhile he was doing all this while leisurely pulling plates from the cabinet behind.
Glancing at the surroundings, Nephis couldn't help but blink. The whole situation strangely reminded her of an old German story of two children brought into a house of a witch at the promise of delicious food. Only….the witch in reality wanted them to lower their guard so she could eat them.
Having claimed to have familial connections to Daemons….
Wasn't this frighteningly similar?
A mysterious powerful entity promising to fulfill their desires, all at the simple gesture of having a meal with him?
Nephis's eyes narrowed more.
It was all wrong.
How could one be so ominous, menacing….chilling, claim capable of destroying empires with a wave of his hand. And this same person was now humming an upbeat toon while polishing plates and cooking for them.
"You're starring"
She was brought back to reality by the comment, her body now improperly leaning over the counter, her face uncomfortably close yet blank.
Cassie remained seated on her stool, quietly sipping the tea she held up, her eyes darting between the two as a cheeky smirk tugged at the corners of her lips.
Pulling herself back, Nephis looked at the counter. Her fists tightened. Taking a deep breath she looked up, asking in a loud yet tentative tone.
"Why?"
Sunny paused from wiping the plate in his hands.
"Why what?"
Nephis remained firm, his expression unfaltering.
"What is your real goal? How can you make such claims and promises….and then….do all of this. Cooking, joking, chatting with us. What is that mask truly hiding? How do you know all these things? How do you know all about us? What is your purpose in this world? Why are you only appearing now?"
She paused, lowering her head.
"....How can you expect us to trust you like a friend when we don't even know who you are?"
Behind the counter, Sunny stopped.
Although it didn't show…..those words cut him deep, so painfully deep.
He remained silent for a few seconds before grabbing another plate. A weak laughter responded from behind the mask as he looked at the two people he wished he could call friends.
"I know I said you could ask a question later, but that's a bit too much all at once."
…..
"How about this? Seven questions, you ask, I answer."
Pulling the cup from her lips, Cassie asked curiously:
"Why seven?"
"No particular reason, it's just a special number."
The girls looked at each-other before curtly nodding. Nephis leaned forward, her intentions to be first clear as she cleared her throat.
"Who are you?"
'Wow starting off big'
Pausing, Sunny thought carefully, his Supreme mind clicking at the pressure of his flaw which would soon act up. The question was very easy. But for him….it was quite complicated.
He was a person…
He was Sunny.
But he was also multiple. Some knew his existence from tales and personas. Others knew him by names and titles. He had also been other people in his Nightmares. If thought hard he could come up with a very smart sounding analogy of his identity. All of these individualities were unique and were himself, making up his existence—but Sunny had come to know he was.
"I am Sunny….Sunless. A lost shadow looking trying to understand and fix some things.
Nephis frowned across the counter.
"Why so vague?"
Sunny just weakly chuckled in response.
"Is that another question?"
She promptly shut her mouth, undeterred by his ambiguous response—his means of speech reminiscent of slimy businessmen who worked favors with snake-like words. Glancing next to her, she prompted Cassie to take her question.
Tapping the counter she remained silent for a moment.
Then she looked up at the mask, asking in a tentative voice too honest for the world:
"Did you truly stay with me all that time in the academy simply because you cared and wanted to be my friend."
A kindled warmth grew in his chest, contrast to the excruciating flame he felt when resisting his flaw.
"I did. In fact, I haven't had an enjoyable time like that in quite a while."
Cassie smiled at the response as Nephis continued without pause.
"If you are Supreme, why is there no knowledge about your existence? There can't be any information on the only person who found the Shadow's Lineage."
Plating some large cutlets of roasted pork from the grill, Sunny added some new pieces—shrugging without a glance—-his voice reaching over his shoulder.
"Shadow Lineage? Why would you assume I have the Shadow Lineage? It's very rude to judge someone based on their appearance, you know. As for why nobody knows about me. I choose not to enter the public's eyes. Sure the rewards, riches are tempting….but not enough so for me to vandalize what I have planned."
The two quietly listened to his response, glancing at the swarm of shadow arms off to the left handling the kitchen.
Cassie nodded absentmindedly.
"Uh-uh. Why the mask on all of….you? I know you claim to be burdened with such a beautiful face we're not worthy of seeing. But the inconsistency makes a lady wonder….."
Sunny scoffed.
'Since when did Cassie have a mouth like this. It's like I'm speaking to Effie!'
Still not answering the question, he noticed Nephis raise an eyebrow in curiosity. Was it his imagination or did she have a brief look of anticipation?
Cassie tilted her head, her lips curling more as she waited for an answer. Sunny obliged, letting out a sigh.
"Well if you are so desperate to know…..Yes I am indeed burdened with a face that could be called the epitome of a Jade beauty. However, I choose not to flaunt it around at the security of my identity and also the inconvenience of conversations without one-sided eye contact."
Cassie brought her cup to her lips, once again nodding. A low mumble sounding in response:
"Uh-uh."
Ignoring her antics, he turned to face the penetrating gaze of Nephis who fired away without second thought.
"Who are the others you speak of?"
"Glad you asked! Lets see…..we have a gluttonous giant, an annoyingly dazzling singer…..and in the future we'll be joined by a joking corpse and a spiteful teenager."
Nephis just stared at him.
"Does it hurt to be clearer?"
Sunny waggled a finger on two of his shadow hands, shaking his head in exaggerated disapproval.
"A good businessman doesn't offer more than he's selling."
To his words, Nephis didn't react. Then….she tilted her head, speaking in a coerced tone.
"A good businessman would also value the potential in clients they see profitable….and take extra steps to secure them."
'Damnation! How does she keep getting better!?'
Very few things truly scared Sunny. Nephis was already one of them, which was strange to say considering she was one of the things he loved the most. But now he was beginning to acknowledge a new fear.
The Nephis from this reality.
One that adapted too frighteningly quickly to human interactions and emotions.
Sunny didn't respond, two of his other shadow hands clapping in brief approval before pointing at Cassie.
Tracing her finger on the rim of the empty cup, she spoke a little louder.
"When you said all of those are you….Did you mean that they're bodies you control or that you're each individual consciousness. And are there more of, uh…..you?"
"To put it simply, they are shadows that I control like a Marionette. Except these shadows are not connected by a flimsy string, they are my flesh and blood—completely identical in both power and abilities—and if I don't control them they have their own level of sentience. As of now, there are only seven of me. Funny enough….there were technically nine in the past. An evil version of me I had to get rid of and the…..well, original me that unfortunately had to die for various reasons."
Cassie blinked.
"You just said that the original you died. Does that not make you like a copy?"
Sunny once again scoffed in dejection at the claim.
"My original body."
Tapping the side of his head he continued:
"All of me, myself and I are still right here. When has dying a single time ever been the end of me?"
Across from the table Nephis shifted.
"We don't know, why don't you tell us?"
"If that's your agreed final question."
Faced with their final choice the two looked at each other. Cassie let out a tired breath, lazily waving her hand to express no desire over fighting for the opportunity.
That left Nephis with the choice.
Her pupils moved side to side as she processed what had happened up to this point, and what he had revealed. Still….it was way too much to be concluded in one final question. There would be more opportunities without a doubt.
So for now, she answered one that remained untouched till now.
"Where did the….other three, of you go? And don't say to get the others."
Closing the opened cabinets, Sunny glanced at the stove, nodding in approval—the manifested shadow arms now moving food ontoplates—only a single pan on a low flame remained.
Swirling some butter in the pan he dropped a spoonful of waffle batter, masterfully evening the edges before dramatically flipping it in the air to land on the other side. Over the sizzling he spoke:
"The last settlement of the Forgotten Shore, the Dark City...my kingdom."
Cassie's eyes twinkled both in reaction to the promised waffles and the revelational piece of information. Her curiosity unrestrained as she hurriedly spoke:
"You have a kingdom!?"
Nephis nodded beside her, equally captivated by the reveal.
"Well it technically isn't my kingdom right now, but it was at one time. Now it's currently handled by a very destable brute that calls himself its ruler."
With that, he tossed the last pancake onto a large stack. Across the counter Nephis lowered her head, asking in a low-tone:
".....So what are you going to do?"
Dropping the overfilled plate onto the counter with an audible clatter, he washed his hands, leaving his back towards them. Yet….an unnatural chill crept into the cosy diner, causing Nephis and Cassie's bodies to stiffen.
Drowning the sound of running water, an eerie snarl encompassed the room, something on the line of what could be considered human.
"Pest control."
**********
Kicking a loose rock, the patrol unit of the Bright Castle continued their routine surveyance from the top of the walls. All of them were armed to the tooth with armour and memories of the Awakened rank.
Weapons of choice were held firm in their sweatied grips, occasionally glancing in the sky for any movement.
Though Awakened armour could save them from immediately being torn in half by most monsters in the depths of the Dark city, there were much more harrowing creatures lurking around. And more importantly…..patrolling the sky.
Although Spire Messengers never came too close to the Bright Castle, it was never an impossibility.
So all of them walked with caution, constantly scanning the horizon for movement.
Then….a yell sounded from down the line.
Heads turned in alarm, searching for the cause of commotion.
It was a well-known middle-aged veteran. Currently he was frantically waving his spear, beckoning at something he seemed to have spotted—the gravity of the situation dense—his fear stricken face visible from even such a distance.
More shouts began to ring out mixed with the metallic clangor of shifting armour.
Everyone strained their eyes, looking into the impossibly dark horizon.
Nothing was visible at all.
But it didn't matter, as something else happened…..
Near the front walls of the Dark City, something stirred. The walls shook, loose rubble clattering as tremors reached all the way to the internal parts of the Bright Castle they resided. Even from such a distance they could hear it.
The frenzied roars of an unknown amount of Nightmare creatures from beyond the walls.
Some guards shook their heads in realization, resuming their patrol.
Then…the roars grew louder.
All of them listened in horror as the sound of scraping appendages against the rocky barricade became more frantic, the now guttural roars twisting into strangely pathetic whiny yelps and cries. Tremors became more violent as the wall continued to shake causing some guards to murmur in horror.
"I-Is….Is it over? After all this time, has the wall finally given in?"
"Since when did Nightmare creature stampedes enter the Dark City?"
And suddenly….
It stopped.
All of the noise abruptly disappeared along with the tremors. Some of the mercenaries held their breath, blinking in confusion. Then their eyes widened as their faces contorted into expressions of utter horror.
From beyond the wall…..blood started to rain. Geysers of terrible murky Nightmare Creature blood erupted all in unison, cascading over the walls—dirtying them a sickening murky crimson. Along with the blood, a litany of bones of all shapes and sizes spewed over, crashing into the rotting structures, stirring plumes of dust.
Some soldiers fell to the ground, while others remained fear-stricken on the spot.
All of them were dreading what kind of horror did such a thing.
What kind of horror had found its way here.
Despairing remarks began to murmur about, a few rushing back to report to their superiors. Panicked cries rang out as one by one they began to flee into the safety of the unbreached fortress.
"G-Gods, oh gods! I-It's the damn fresh Sleepers! The amount caught the interest of something out there!!"
"We're doomed! Just what kind of monster did they bring here!"
Atop the crescent dome of the Bright Castle, Sunny's shrouded figure loomed above them all, his mantle flapping in the wind as he silently listened to their shreeks.
Closing his eyes, he felt the shadows around the Dark City shift and look up in his direction—unfathomably ancient, mysterious, powerful—all of them reacted, whispering indiscernible words of praise and acknowledgement.
All of them bared their existence before him, submitting….kneeling.
Greeting their ruler.
Taking a deep breath of the salty air, Sunny looked into the distance. Beneath the mask, his lips curled into a smile as he whispered.
"I'm home."