The voice came from within the cradle of shadows as Nephis and the Fire Keepers could do nothing but stare into the depths of the darkness.
Nephis did not know whether she should draw her blade or not. She could not see the Saint, and her shoulders tensed.
"There is no need to worry. I have no intentions for conflict, Changing Star," the Lord of Shadows said.
Nephis narrowed her eyes. "You are hiding in the shadows, and my people are surrounded by Transcendent and Supreme Echoes."
A pause.
Then—
A deep chuckle came from the darkness.
"Echoes? There are no Echoes here, Changing Star."
His amusement disappeared.
"Only shadows."
Nephis stiffened, ready for confrontation, when the center of the shadows stirred.
A silhouette became clear as the outline of a throne and a man sitting upon it came into view.
[Cassie,] Nephis called.
Cassie's voice didn't come for a moment.
Then—
[T-There's nothing I can see, Neph. I can't see anything about him,] Cassie spoke in bewilderment for the first time in years.
Nephis's eyes narrowed in confusion and a bit of shock. This was the first time something like this had happened.
[Try again, Cass.]
[Okay,] Cassie said and focused.
"You waste your strength, Seer."
The voice of the Lord of Shadows came, this time with more coldness and a hint of amusement.
Nephis and Cassie stiffened.
The Lord of Shadows's voice dropped in temperature.
"Do not cast your eyes on knowledge you cannot bear, child. There is knowledge that is far beyond your comprehension in these realms."
He paused.
"You will do well to know your limits."
Nephis could tell Cassie had frozen wherever she was.
She, too, had not been so tense in the presence of another Saint for years.
'Is he even a Saint?' she thought as her eyes narrowed.
The shadows made it more than difficult to perceive any presence.
Only the outline of the shadow and the direction of the voice made it clear as to where he was.
"How did you know she was watching?" Nephis decided to ask.
An amused snort escaped the shadow dweller as his outline moved to lean the other way.
"What do I not know?" he said. "I am of the shadows, Immortal Flame. I cradle mysteries in my solace, as I should."
Nephis stiffened as Cassie came back to her senses and stared through Nephis's eyes.
'Was that...'
'A hint to Shadow God?'
Both women, and many more people, knew that one of the six gods—
The Shadow God—
Was the god of mysteries, solace, death, and shadows.
And this Saint, living alone in a Citadel and hinting at being the keeper of mysteries in his solitary domain, might be insinuating that he had the mysterious lineage of the Shadow God.
For some reason, the Lord of the Citadel spoke again.
"You ask how I know the Seer watches?" he said as the shadows behind Nephis rose.
The girl stiffened, whipping around to see the panicked Fire Keepers being separated from her.
She drew her sword and got ready for a bout, but nothing came, and she didn't want to jump into the shadows just yet.
"I know she's watching, and I know she can't look into me, or my mysteries," the Saint said, unbothered by her stance.
"Drop the shadows," Nephis said.
The shadows ignored her as the head of the Saint tilted upward toward the sky.
"Song of the Fallen," he called as Nephis narrowed her eyes, ready to augment herself with her flames.
"Even if you have an Aspect of the Sacred Rank, that does not mean you can stare past Divinity."
Nephis's flames died as her eyes widened faintly.
Cassie had gone utterly still.
[W-Who is he?] Cassie's voice came, equally careful and panicked, with a hint of deadliness.
"How do you know that?" Nephis asked sharply.
A light chuckle came from the Saint.
"Because I know her."
The Saint paused, and then added in an amused tone:
"I also know she's never managed to get a boyfriend either."
He chuckled.
Even Nephis wasn't sure what to say to that.
It wasn't that hard to say that everyone had known about Cassie since she came from the Forgotten Shore and led the Fire Keepers until Nephis came back. Cassie had been in the public eye for the better part of a year, and since Cassie didn't exactly have a boyfriend, there wasn't much room for rumors.
However, it was a fact that Cassie had never actually had a boyfriend, even before her First Nightmare struck her.
Now, the Lord of Shadows could have just said that as a joke, but still—
That hurt Cassie.
Nephis, eternally single herself, didn't know what to say mentally.
Before they could broach the subject more, the shadows dropped, and Nephis carefully looked over her shoulder to see the Fire Keepers safe and sound.
Seeing this, she dropped her shoulders and let her flames recede.
If the Lord of Shadows wanted to do something, his Echoes—even if he didn't call them that—would have already made their move, and Cassie would have known from her marks on them.
"Now that introductions are out of the way."
'What introduction?'
"If we could get to why you have come here," he said.
Nephis let out an exhale as the Lord of Shadows studied her for a moment.
"I apologize. Let's drop the hostility," he paused. "It has been quite some time since I had non-hostile company."
Nephis furrowed her brow lightly. "But you were approached by emissaries of Song, were you not?"
The Lord of Shadows seemed amused.
"You're quite well-informed, huh? I was approached by the Song Domain, yes. However, I never said they were non-hostile."
Nephis nodded in understanding, and so did Cassie.
They could imagine what had happened and what the Lord of Shadows had to deal with.
"Then I would like to start things from the beginning."
She took in a breath.
"Greetings, Lord of Shadows. I hope you are fine being addressed in that manner, or would you prefer something else?" she asked.
"No, I don't mind. But I'd prefer Shadow. Just Shadow," he said in his deep voice.
"Well then, Shadow, I will not waste time."
She paused.
"I want you."
"..."
Silence settled over the Citadel.
Save for an inaudible gasp from a Fire Keeper at the back.
'He must be thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of the offer,' she thought as she looked at the shadow.
His amusement gradually disappeared.
"Nevertheless."
The silhouette shifted slightly upon the throne.
"I understand your meaning. You wish for me to enter the service of the King of Swords and, when the inevitable war reaches Godgrave, lend my strength to Valor."
Nephis nodded.
"That is why I came."
"I assumed as much."
His voice returned to that deep, cold cadence.
"I am aware of the Transcendents serving beneath the King of Swords, just as I am aware of those serving the Queen of Worms. I know both Domains have spent years preparing for the conflict that will eventually consume this place. Citadels are being secured, Saints positioned, armies prepared."
A faint scoff escaped him.
"They have spent quite enough time sharpening their little daggers and breeding their worms."
Nephis's expression shifted faintly.
That was—
quite a dismissive way of referring to the two greatest powers humanity possessed.
Yet before she could comment, the Lord of Shadows continued.
"More importantly, I understand why Godgrave matters to them."
The silhouette leaned forward.
"I know a thing or two about Supremacy."
A pause.
"And Domains."
Nephis's eyes sharpened.
Cassie went still as well.
That was not knowledge an independent Saint should possess casually.
Information concerning Supremacy was guarded jealously by the Great Clans. Even many of their own Saints possessed little more than fragments.
Yet the Lord of Shadows spoke as though the subject held no particular mystery to him.
'How much does he know?'
Nephis decided not to ask.
Not yet.
"If you understand all of that, then you should understand why choosing a side before the war begins would be advantageous."
A quiet chuckle answered her.
"Choosing a side."
Something in his tone made Nephis pause.
"You already rejected Song. Valor is the obvious alternative."
This time his amusement became clear.
"What makes you believe I rejected the Song Domain?"
Nephis frowned.
"They sent the Price of Nothing. You destroyed his vessel."
"Ah."
The silhouette shifted lazily upon the throne.
"That."
There was almost satisfaction in his voice now.
"The boy came here to persuade me on behalf of his queen. When persuasion failed, he behaved precisely as one would expect Mordret to behave."
A deeper chuckle rolled through the hall.
"So I dealt with him."
Nephis stared into the shadows.
"That sounds remarkably similar to a rejection."
"Of the boy? Certainly."
The Lord of Shadows paused.
"Of Song?"
His hidden head tilted.
"Those are not necessarily the same thing."
Cassie's voice entered Nephis's mind.
[Technically, he's right.]
Nephis suppressed a sigh.
Of course he was.
"Then perhaps Song simply chose the wrong emissary."
"Without question."
There was absolutely no hesitation.
"Mordret is an unpleasant conversationalist, considerably worse company, and possesses the unfortunate habit of attempting to steal the bodies of people who disagree with him."
Nephis almost smiled.
Almost.
The Lord of Shadows continued, sounding thoughtful.
"A more diplomatic representative would have improved matters considerably."
Then, after a beat:
"Someone more pleasant to look at would not have hurt either."
Nephis frowned.
Cassie went conspicuously silent.
Behind her, the Fire Keepers seemed to collectively stop breathing.
Nephis considered his words.
Song possessed several princesses famous for their beauty.
Beastmaster.
Seishan.
Revel.
Moonveil.
Perhaps—
"Are you suggesting you might have accepted my offer if I were prettier than the Song princesses?"
Silence.
Then the Lord of Shadows laughed.
Not loudly this time.
Just enough for Nephis to know she had apparently said something amusing again.
"No, Changing Star."
The silhouette leaned slightly to one side.
"Quite the opposite."
Nephis's brow furrowed.
The Lord of Shadows did not leave her wondering for long.
"If beauty were enough to purchase my allegiance, Valor has already sent a considerably stronger argument than Song could hope to provide."
Nephis became very still.
Behind her—
someone inhaled sharply.
The Lord of Shadows continued with maddening calm.
"I doubt the Queen of Worms has a daughter more beautiful than you."
A pause.
Then his voice became almost contemplative.
"Actually..."
"I would say you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
"..."
Silence reclaimed the temple.
Nephis stared into the darkness.
The Fire Keepers stared at the darkness.
Cassie stared through Nephis's eyes at the darkness.
And the Lord of Shadows simply remained seated there as though he had commented on the weather.
Nephis's expression remained composed.
Internally, she was considerably less certain what to make of the situation.
Minutes ago, this man had warned Cassie not to gaze upon knowledge beyond her comprehension.
He commanded a Supreme Devil.
He had defeated Mordret and called him a boy.
He lives alone within a Death Zone.
He apparently possessed knowledge concerning Supremacy that he had no reasonable means of acquiring.
And now—
he was flirting with her.
Shamelessly.
[Is he like this with everyone?] Cassie asked.
[I don't know.]
[Because Mordret attacking him is becoming somewhat easier to understand.]
Nephis ignored that.
Behind her, a Fire Keeper whispered:
"Do you think he said this stuff to the Song princesses too?"
"Shut up."
"I was just wondering—"
Nephis glanced over her shoulder.
Silence.
Immediately.
When she turned back, there seemed to be faint amusement emanating from the throne.
Nephis exhaled slowly.
"Your opinion of my appearance is irrelevant to the negotiation."
"Regrettably."
Her eyebrow twitched.
The Lord of Shadows chuckled.
Then his demeanor changed.
The humor disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared, leaving behind the mysterious, oppressive Saint who had first welcomed them into the temple.
Nephis noticed the change immediately.
"So I will ask more directly."
Her grey eyes settled on the silhouette.
"What do you want?"
The shadows stirred.
For several moments, the Lord of Shadows gave her no answer.
Then:
"Why should I tell you?"
His voice was quiet now.
"My goals are my own. My intentions are my own. My secrets are most certainly my own."
The shadows surrounding the throne seemed to deepen.
"Neither Valor nor Song has earned the right to know them."
Nephis considered him carefully.
An independent Saint occupying an invaluable Citadel in the future battlefield between two Domains.
One who refused to swear allegiance, possessed inexplicable power, and apparently intended to remain precisely where both Sovereigns would eventually want him gone.
"They will not simply ignore you."
"I don't expect them to."
There was no concern in his voice.
"They may bargain. Threaten. Scheme. Send their Saints."
His head tilted faintly.
"They may even attempt to take this Citadel."
The shadows around him shifted.
"They are welcome to try."
Nephis narrowed her eyes.
That was not bravado.
Or if it was, the Lord of Shadows was exceptionally good at hiding it.
His statement carried the simple certainty of someone describing a fact.
"You seem very confident."
"I have reason to be."
"And you have no intention of telling me what that reason is."
A deep chuckle answered her.
"Now you're beginning to understand me."
'Insufferable.'
Then—
"However..."
Nephis's attention sharpened.
The Lord of Shadows leaned forward.
"If you truly wish to uncover one of my mysteries, Changing Star, perhaps you should earn it."
Nephis's eyes narrowed.
"How?"
The shadows surrounding the throne moved.
Not vanishing.
Merely withdrawing enough for his silhouette to become clearer.
Powerful.
Lean.
Armored.
Still utterly obscured.
One hand left the armrest.
Then—
Shadow whispered softly through the temple.
A sword emerged from the darkness.
Nephis's entire demeanor changed.
The Lord of Shadows slowly rose from his throne.
Saint raised her head.
Fiend's infernal eyes burned brighter.
Far above, the colossal coils of Soul Serpent scraped softly against ancient marble.
The Fire Keepers immediately tensed.
Nephis did not.
Instead—
the faintest smile appeared on her face.
Finally.
Something straightforward.
The Lord of Shadows descended from the throne, his blade hanging loosely beside him.
"Fight me, Changing Star."
His distorted voice carried faint amusement again.
"Show me whether the sword of the Immortal Flame is as impressive as I have heard."
Nephis summoned her own blade in a shower of white sparks.
"And if it is?"
"Then I may reward your curiosity."
Nephis's grey eyes gleamed.
Cassie's voice entered her thoughts.
[Neph. We know almost nothing about him.]
Nephis tightened her grip.
Her smile grew by the smallest degree.
[Exactly.]
The Lord of Shadows raised his sword.
For the first time since entering the Citadel, Nephis felt genuine anticipation.
He had concealed his face.
His Aspect.
His motives.
His history.
Even Cassie's eyes could not uncover his secrets.
But there was one language Nephis had always understood better than words.
Combat.
And if the Lord of Shadows refused to reveal himself through conversation—
She would simply have to learn about him through his sword.
The shadows finally moved.
The silhouette rose from the throne and stepped forward.
Darkness trembled around him.
The great serpent coiled behind the throne dissolved silently, its enormous body bleeding back into the surrounding shadows.
And for the first time—
The Saint became visible.
With every step, more of his figure emerged from the darkness, accompanied by the unmistakable presence of a Transcendent.
But what caught their attention was his face.
Or rather—
What covered it.
A demonic mask of dark wood concealed his features, three horns rising from its crown while fierce fangs protruded from its visage. Combined with the black attire covering the rest of his body, the mask seemed truly worthy of someone who had made a Death Zone his home.
A savage killer dwelling alone in Godgrave.
Nephis, however, was not bothered in the least.
Her eyes remained calmly fixed on the Saint before her.
Confronted by the mysterious Saint at last, a sense of satisfaction settled over the Fire Keepers.
It would have been a true shame if they had been forced to leave without ever seeing the man emerge from his shadows.
"You wish for a duel?" Nephis asked.
The masked Saint raised his chin slightly.
"Why, of course. How else can I see if you're worthy of knowing my intentions?"
He stepped forward, clearly unwilling to waste more time on idle chatter.
Nephis summoned her blade.
Flames danced within her eyes.
The two Saints stopped at an appropriate distance from one another as the Fire Keepers hurriedly retreated, unwilling to be caught in the coming duel.
Nephis moved first.
Drawing her blade, she dashed forward and swung.
Shadow moved just as quickly.
He twisted aside, flowing into a spin as he threw a punch toward her head.
Nephis ducked easily, stepped past him, and swung again.
Shadow dipped beneath the blade.
Nephis immediately reversed the swing, using her control over the sword to send it back toward him—
Only for Shadow to step inside her reach.
One hand pressed against her right elbow, stopping the motion before he drove a knee toward her side.
Nephis disengaged immediately.
She jumped back and raised her sword into a guard.
This time, Shadow took the initiative.
He closed the distance and thrust an open palm toward her, seemingly ready to slap her guard aside.
Nephis read the movement.
She stepped back and swung from left to right.
Then Shadow did something unexpected.
His left hand rose—
And caught the blade between two fingers.
Nephis's eyes widened faintly.
Instead of stopping the swing outright, Shadow allowed its momentum to carry the sword past him, turning his body with the motion.
Her guard opened.
His fist shot forward.
Nephis tried to retreat—
Too late.
The punch struck her across the face.
Her head snapped aside.
But there was no pause for dramatics.
Nephis lunged forward again, faster than before.
Shadow leaned back just in time to avoid the first cut, only to be forced into a retreat when the attack transformed seamlessly into a thrust.
His own movements accelerated in response.
'He's faster too?'
Nephis's eyes narrowed.
She was holding back.
Apparently—
So was he.
The next several moments passed in a blur.
Nephis's sword flashed again and again while the Lord of Shadows danced around its edge.
He ducked.
Twisted.
Slipped past thrusts by fractions of an inch.
Occasionally, a hand would flash outward and slap the blade aside before disappearing just as quickly.
Neither warrior managed to find an opening.
Until—
Shadow slipped beneath another swing.
Nephis immediately followed with a thrust.
This time, instead of dodging, Shadow caught the blade between his arm and torso, locking it beneath his elbow as his leg whipped toward her side.
Nephis reacted instantly.
She tore the sword free and twisted away from the kick, allowing the motion to flow directly into another slash.
Shadow leaned back.
Too late.
The blade passed across the side of his neck.
Blood scattered through the darkness.
Shadow jumped back and landed several meters away, his boots scraping across the marble as he skidded to a stop.
A crimson line had appeared beneath the edge of his mask, running down the side of his neck and disappearing beneath his collar.
The wound was not shallow.
Nephis lowered her blade slightly.
For the first time since the duel began, the Lord of Shadows remained still.
He raised one hand and touched the wound.
His fingers came away stained red.
For several seconds, he simply looked at the blood.
Then a quiet chuckle escaped from behind the demonic mask.
Nephis's eyes narrowed.
'Was he enjoying this?'
The Lord of Shadows straightened.
Then, to her surprise, he gave her a slow and respectful nod.
"Accept my apologies, Lady Nephis."
Nephis studied him carefully.
"For what?"
"I have not answered your sword with the respect it deserves."
The shadows beneath his feet stirred.
Darkness flowed upward, gathering around one hand before slowly solidifying into the shape of a blade.
Nephis's expression changed.
The Lord of Shadows wrapped his fingers around the hilt.
"In truth, I am a swordsman myself."
Nephis blinked.
Until now, she had naturally assumed that hand-to-hand combat was his specialty.
There had been no hesitation in his movements.
No awkwardness when fighting against a weapon with nothing but his hands.
Yet the moment the sword settled into his grip—
something changed.
His stance relaxed.
His shoulders lowered.
The blade rested naturally in his hand, as if it belonged there.
Nephis immediately understood.
He had not merely learned how to use a sword.
He was a swordsman.
"In fact," the Lord of Shadows continued, "the sword was my first weapon."
His masked face tilted slightly.
"And the one I have honed the longest."
Nephis tightened her grip.
A faint irritation rose within her.
So he truly had been holding back.
The Lord of Shadows seemed to notice.
A quiet laugh escaped him.
"Do not misunderstand me, Changing Star."
Nephis said nothing.
His voice lost its amusement.
"You have already shown me enough."
The sword in his hand slowly rose.
"Your skill far surpasses what your reputation suggests."
His stance settled.
"And using anything less than the best of my ability against your sword..."
A pause.
"...would be nothing but disrespect toward the perfection of your art."
Nephis went still.
Whatever irritation she had felt faded.
In its place came something sharper.
Anticipation.
The Lord of Shadows raised his blade fully.
"So allow me to correct my mistake."
Nephis's lips curved faintly.
"Good."
For the first time since the duel began, both Saints assumed proper sword stances.
The shadows around them trembled.
Nephis raised her blade.
The Lord of Shadows did the same.
And then—
they vanished.
The Fire Keepers were stunned by the display.
They had not expected more.
Then—
CLANG!
Sparks exploded through the air.
The wind shifted.
CLING!
Another collision rang out several meters away less than a second later.
CLANG!
CLING!
Steel flashed.
Empty slashes tore through the air.
The two Saints disappeared into motion.
Until now, Shadow had been forced to fight under a restriction.
Without a weapon, he had mostly dodged Nephis's attacks, caught her blade with his bare hands, or danced around its edge.
But with a sword of his own—
Nephis finally got to see how fierce the Lord of Shadows truly was.
Shadow blocked another swing and pushed her blade aside before answering with a slash of his own.
Nephis blocked.
Steel screamed against steel.
Shadow flowed immediately into another cut.
Nephis ducked beneath it and slashed toward his stomach without breaking her stride.
Shadow slipped aside.
Nephis's sword changed direction and flashed toward his neck.
He leaned back.
The edge passed within a hair's breadth of the demonic mask.
Then he lunged.
Another furious series of blocks and slashes followed as the two Saints danced across the battlefield.
'Beautiful.'
Nephis couldn't help but think.
Until now, Shadow's movements had been restrained.
Neither Saint had truly been trying while he was unarmed.
But now?
Now Nephis could see exactly how the Lord of Shadows had managed to make a Death Zone his home and subjugate such mighty beings.
Already, he was proving himself stronger than most Saints in the world, living up to the rumors of being one of the most fearsome Transcendents alive.
Nephis could not imagine many members of her cohort being able to keep up with this man.
Not when his swordsmanship and physical prowess alone were enough to impress her this much.
Dare she say it—
The Lord of Shadows was one of the most skilled swordsmen she had ever encountered.
If not the most skilled.
Nephis lunged.
She drew her blade back for a thrust.
Across from her, the Lord of Shadows stared through the eyes of his demonic mask, his own sword lowered loosely in his left hand.
Then—
Nephis thrust.
Shadow's sword flashed upward.
CLANG!
Her blade was deflected.
His sword immediately descended toward her.
Nephis's eyes narrowed.
She leaned to the left—
SLASH!
Blood flew.
Pain exploded through her arm as the black blade tore through flesh, its edge painted crimson.
Nephis did not hesitate for even a moment.
Her Aspect flared.
White flames danced across the wound, healing it even as the agony of her Flaw assaulted her.
She answered with a vicious slash toward his torso.
However—
Shadow disappeared.
Nephis's blade passed harmlessly through empty air.
She stopped.
Silence lasted for the briefest moment.
Then Nephis looked over her left shoulder.
The Lord of Shadows stood several meters behind her, his back turned.
His masked face was tilted just enough for his gaze to meet hers over his shoulder.
Neither moved.
Then—
The two swordmasters turned to face each other.
For a moment, they simply stared.
Analyzing.
Learning.
Adjusting.
Without a word—
Both lunged.
CLANG!
Their swords met.
And the deadly dance began anew.
With every exchange, their strikes became sharper.
With every step, their movements grew more graceful.
With every passing moment, they adapted further to one another.
It was a level of swordsmanship the world rarely had the privilege of witnessing.
Light and shadow tore across the battlefield.
Occasionally, an edge slipped through.
Blood was drawn.
A shallow cut appeared across Shadow's side.
Another across his shoulder.
Nephis received fewer wounds—
But whenever Shadow's blade did reach her, it bit deeper.
Her flames erased the damage moments later.
Shadow possessed no such luxury.
Yet he continued regardless.
To the Fire Keepers, most of the duel was impossible to follow.
They could only truly see the two Saints during those fleeting pauses when light and shadow separated, standing across from one another as they silently studied their opponent.
And strangely...
It almost seemed as though they were admiring each other.
To a degree, at least.
As the duel continued, however, one thing became apparent.
For now—
The battle seemed to be leaning slightly in the Lord of Shadows's favor.
Until—
CLANG!
A deafening collision rang out.
Both warriors were thrown apart.
Nephis skidded backward.
Shadow did the same.
Nephis steadied herself and immediately prepared to attack again, the faintest upward curve touching her lips.
She was enjoying this.
But before she could move—
Shadow raised one hand.
"Stop."
The command was firm.
Nephis paused.
For a moment, disappointment flickered through her.
Nevertheless, she obliged.
The duel was over.
Silence settled across the battlefield.
The Lord of Shadows studied her while the remaining wounds across Nephis's body disappeared beneath white flame.
Nephis, in turn, noticed that the wounds she had inflicted upon him had already stopped bleeding.
The Fire Keepers looked between the two Saints.
So...
Who had won?
The Lord of Shadows tilted his head.
"I'd like to say I won."
Nephis raised an eyebrow.
"But that would be a lie."
Her expression shifted slightly.
Shadow glanced at the blood staining his black blade.
"I may have drawn more blood..."
His gaze returned to her.
"But only a fool would think that was because I was the better swordsman."
"But only a fool would think that was because I was the better swordsman."
Nephis's eyes narrowed as the Lord of Shadows lowered his sword slightly.
"Your wounds are misleading. They aren't mistakes," he said calmly as his gaze settled on the places where his blade had cut her moments ago. "You accept injuries most swordsmen would avoid at any cost, not because you're careless, but because you can afford them."
Nephis remained silent as his masked face tilted slightly.
"Your healing isn't separate from your swordsmanship. It's part of it. You willingly sacrifice flesh to create openings. A cut across the arm means little if it allows your blade to reach your opponent's throat, and a pierced shoulder is acceptable if the exchange gives you their heart."
Nephis's expression sharpened.
"You've trained yourself to ignore instincts that govern almost every other warrior. Most people retreat from pain. You use it."
That was closer than she expected.
The Lord of Shadows rested the flat of his blade against his shoulder as he continued, "Your Aspect allows you to restore damage that would permanently cripple another fighter, so naturally your Battle Art was built around that advantage. You trade wounds for position, pain for opportunity. Your own body becomes another resource to spend."
A brief silence followed.
"And that makes judging this duel by blood drawn rather pointless."
Nephis stared at him.
He had understood far too much.
And far too quickly.
The Lord of Shadows seemed amused by her silence. "I suspected it after the first few exchanges. By the end, I was certain."
"You learned all of that from one duel?" Nephis asked.
"Enough of it."
His voice became more serious.
"Your Transcendent Battle Art is impressive, Changing Star. To willingly experience that degree of pain again and again, while deliberately turning it into a weapon..."
He paused and gave her a respectful nod.
"Most people would lack the resolve. You have my respect."
For a moment, Nephis said nothing.
Praise itself meant little to her, but this was different. He was not complimenting her strength, her Rank, or the reputation she had accumulated over the years.
He had understood the art beneath it.
A faint smile touched her lips.
"You're observant."
A quiet chuckle came from behind the demonic mask.
"I try."
Nephis dismissed her sword, white sparks scattering through the darkness. "Then you understand why I don't consider this your victory."
"I never did," he answered immediately.
Nephis looked at him.
The Lord of Shadows glanced at the blood staining his blade before returning his gaze to her. "If we continued, perhaps one of us would eventually prove superior. But that wasn't the purpose of this duel."
Nephis raised an eyebrow. "And what was?"
The Lord of Shadows lowered his sword as the shadows beneath his feet stirred.
"To see whether you were worthy of an honest answer."
Amusement returned to his voice.
"And fortunately for you, Changing Star..."
He tilted his masked face slightly.
"You are."
"And fortunately for you, Changing Star..."
He tilted his masked face slightly.
"You are."
Nephis remained silent for a moment before dismissing her sword, white sparks scattering through the darkness as the Memory disappeared. The Lord of Shadows did the same, allowing the blade in his hand to dissolve back into streams of darkness that sank beneath his feet.
"So?" Nephis asked. "Your answer."
The amusement lingering in the Lord of Shadows's voice faded.
"I have no intention of joining Valor."
Nephis's eyes narrowed slightly, although the answer no longer surprised her.
"Nor do I have any intention of serving Song."
That, however, made her pause.
Nephis studied the masked Saint standing across from her. "Then what do you intend to do?"
The Lord of Shadows remained silent for a few moments before turning away from her. He walked toward his throne at an unhurried pace, blood still staining the side of his neck and several places across his black attire.
"You continue to misunderstand my position, Changing Star."
Nephis followed him with her eyes.
"I did not wander into Godgrave by accident. I did not happen upon this Citadel and decide to make myself comfortable because I had nowhere better to go." The shadows shifted around him as he climbed the steps. "And I certainly did not establish myself here while waiting for one of your Sovereigns to decide what should become of me."
Nephis's expression sharpened.
The Lord of Shadows stopped before the throne and turned back toward her.
"The King of Swords may rule his kingdom. The Queen of Worms may rule hers. What they choose to do with their domains is their concern."
He rested one hand against the arm of the throne.
"But I have concerns of my own."
Nephis caught the wording immediately.
"What concerns?"
A quiet chuckle escaped from behind the mask.
"Now, now. I said you had earned an honest answer, not every secret I possess."
Nephis frowned.
The Lord of Shadows sat down, allowing the darkness to slowly gather around his figure again.
"You've placed yourself directly between two Sovereigns preparing for war," Nephis said. "Whatever your intentions are, you'll eventually become involved."
"I am counting on it."
Nephis went still.
The answer had come too easily.
Cassie's voice entered her mind almost immediately.
[He chose this location deliberately.]
'I know.'
That changed things.
The Lord of Shadows had not simply claimed a valuable Citadel.
He had deliberately chosen to place himself somewhere both Domains would eventually be forced to contend with him.
Nephis's eyes narrowed. "You want their attention."
"Perhaps."
"Why?"
"Another secret."
Nephis stared at him.
The masked Saint seemed amused again.
"I have already given you considerably more than I intended today, Lady Nephis. You know that I will not become the King of Swords's servant. You know that I will not become the Queen of Worms's servant. And you know that I have no intention of abandoning Godgrave simply because the two of them have decided to bring their quarrel here."
His voice became quieter.
"For now, that is enough."
Nephis did not particularly like the answer, but she could tell that pressing him further would accomplish little.
Still, something bothered her.
"You understand what their war could do."
The Lord of Shadows became silent.
Nephis continued. "If both Domains commit everything they possess to Godgrave, thousands will die. Perhaps far more. Citadels will fall. Great Nightmare Creatures will be disturbed. Entire regions could become impossible to control."
For the first time since the duel ended, there was no hint of humor in his posture.
"I know."
The answer was simple.
But something in his voice made Nephis pause.
Not indifference.
Quite the opposite.
The Lord of Shadows leaned back against his throne.
"There are people who become so consumed by what rests at the end of the road that they cease to notice what they trample beneath their feet."
His masked gaze remained on Nephis.
"Kings are particularly susceptible to that disease."
Nephis said nothing.
The words could have been aimed at Anvil.
Ki Song.
Perhaps both.
Yet there was something else hidden within them that she could not quite grasp.
The Lord of Shadows continued, "Humanity has survived too much to have its future carelessly squandered."
Nephis's expression changed faintly.
That was the first time he had said anything that hinted at a motive beyond himself.
"Is that why you're here?"
The shadows stirred.
"Perhaps."
Nephis almost sighed.
He chuckled.
"Do not look so disappointed, Changing Star. A man should be allowed to keep at least a few mysteries."
"You seem to have more than a few."
"I work hard at it."
Nephis's lips almost moved.
Almost.
She looked around the ancient temple once more. Saint stood silently near the entrance. Fiend remained motionless farther away, while the presence of Soul Serpent could still be felt somewhere within the darkness above.
Then her gaze returned to the man on the throne.
She had learned more than she expected.
And considerably less than she wanted.
"I'll relay your answer to Valor."
"Please do."
Nephis turned toward the Fire Keepers, who quickly gathered themselves after witnessing the duel.
Before she could leave, the Lord of Shadows spoke again.
"Changing Star."
Nephis stopped and looked over her shoulder.
Only the outline of his body remained visible now as the shadows reclaimed the throne.
"It was a pleasure."
Nephis blinked.
The words sounded surprisingly sincere.
"Likewise."
A moment passed.
Then the amusement returned.
"Far more pleasant than having my Citadel forcefully appropriated, at least."
Nephis's expression flattened.
There it was.
She turned away.
A low chuckle followed her as she left the hall.
---
Saint escorted Nephis and the Fire Keepers through the territory of shadows until the Nameless Temple had disappeared far behind them.
The journey outward was considerably quieter.
Nephis found herself looking at the countless corpses scattered across the dark land with different eyes.
Before, she had simply seen evidence of power.
Now she saw intention.
The territory had been cleared deliberately. The Citadel had been secured deliberately. The Lord of Shadows had positioned himself in Godgrave deliberately.
Even his refusal to choose between Song and Valor felt deliberate.
'You want them to come here.'
The question was why.
He had spoken about humanity's future.
About kings becoming consumed by the end of their road.
It did not take much imagination to understand what he meant. Both Sovereigns desired something beyond their current Rank, and whatever methods they intended to use would eventually force their Domains into conflict.
Yet the Lord of Shadows had placed himself directly in the path of that conflict.
Not beside it.
Not far enough away to remain safe.
Directly in its path.
Nephis glanced back once.
Nothing remained behind them except darkness.
'What are you planning?'
There was no answer.
---
The Nameless Temple became silent again.
The great hall stood empty now.
Saint remained near the entrance while Fiend disappeared somewhere deeper within the Citadel. Soul Serpent had dissolved completely into the surrounding darkness.
The Lord of Shadows sat alone.
For several moments, he did not move.
Then he sighed.
"Truly a shame."
His fingers tapped lightly against the arm of the throne.
"Had you not chosen to stand beneath the banner of the King of Swords, I doubt I could have found a more suitable Awakened to stand beside."
The darkness shifted around him.
His head tilted slightly, almost as though contemplating something distant.
"But such things are rarely simple."
A few seconds passed.
Then his voice became colder.
"The heir of Death can never ally with the heir of War."
The shadows rose.
And the Lord of Shadows vanished within them.
---
Several days later, Nephis stood within one of the grand halls controlled by Clan Valor.
The difference between the two Citadels could not have been greater.
There were no impenetrable shadows here. No ancient black marble swallowed by darkness. No monstrous servants standing silently at the edge of sight.
Instead, the hall was bright, enormous, and filled with the oppressive dignity expected from the seat of a Great Clan.
Several Saints were present.
Morgan stood closer to the throne, her expression calm and attentive. Gilead and Cormac were nearby, alongside several elders and high-ranking members of Valor.
At the far end of the chamber sat the King of Swords.
Anvil.
Nephis had already explained most of what had happened.
The Citadel.
The servants.
The strange territory.
Her duel with its master.
And finally—
his refusal.
"...He made it clear that he will swear allegiance to neither Domain," Nephis finished.
Silence followed.
Anvil showed no visible reaction.
One of the elders did.
"Arrogant."
Nephis glanced toward him.
The man frowned. "An independent Saint claiming territory in the very center of the future battlefield, refusing both Sovereigns as though he stands above their authority."
Another elder nodded. "His confidence comes from his position. He met Lady Nephis inside his own Citadel, surrounded by powerful Echoes and whatever enchantments protect the temple."
Nephis did not bother correcting the word Echoes
Gazes moved toward the throne.
"Had this Lord of Shadows been standing before the King himself, I doubt he would have dared repeat half of what he told Lady Nephis."
For a moment—
nothing happened.
Then Nephis felt something move beneath her feet.
Her eyes widened faintly and she jumped away.
The shadow cast beneath her body deepened.
Morgan noticed the change almost immediately.
Her sword appeared in her hand.
Gilead moved at the same instant, essence surging through his body as he stepped closer to Anvil.
"What—"
The shadow beneath Nephis expanded.
Darkness spilled across the polished floor.
Then something enormous rose from it.
A colossal serpentine head emerged first.
Black scales reflected the light of the hall as Soul Serpent climbed from Nephis's shadow, its immense body uncoiling into the chamber.
Weapons were summoned.
Essence surged.
Several elders retreated.
Nephis stared.
'The shadow slerpent?'
She understood immediately.
The Lord of Shadows.
The darkness surged again.
Beside the enormous serpent, shadows gathered into a solid mass.
A throne formed.
Then—
a man was sitting upon it.
Black attire.
Demonic wooden mask.
One leg crossed calmly over the other.
The Lord of Shadows rested his head against one hand and surveyed the hall as though he had been invited.
No one spoke.
He raised his free hand.
"Calm down."
His distorted voice carried easily through the chamber.
"Do you truly think I came here personally to fight every Saint in Valor?"
Morgan's grip tightened.
The masked head turned faintly toward her.
"I may be stronger than all of you, but being more foolish is clearly your responsibility."
A pause.
"And I must say, most of you perform admirably."
Several expressions darkened.
Jest's lips threatened to move.
Morgan shot him a look.
He wisely remained silent.
"How did you enter?" Gilead demanded.
The Lord of Shadows glanced toward Nephis.
"Changing Star was kind enough to carry me."
Nephis's eyes narrowed.
"I was?"
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"Without realizing it."
His fingers tapped lightly against the throne.
Nephis stared at her own shadow.
Neither she nor Cassie had noticed.
That was considerably more concerning than she wanted to admit.
Anvil finally spoke.
"You are not truly here."
The Lord of Shadows turned toward him.
"Not very perceptive."
Anvil's gaze moved across Soul Serpent and the throne.
"An incarnation."
"Not really."
The masked Saint spread one hand.
"You may destroy this body if you wish. It would cause me no meaningful inconvenience."
His voice carried faint amusement.
"You would merely deprive yourself of what promises to be a pleasant conversation."
No one seemed convinced that the conversation would be pleasant.
Anvil remained calm.
"Why are you here?"
The Lord of Shadows leaned back.
"To correct a misunderstanding."
His masked gaze moved toward the elder who had spoken earlier.
"Apparently, some of your people believe that my courage only exists within the walls of my own Citadel."
The elder's expression changed.
The Lord of Shadows looked back toward Anvil.
"So I decided to save everyone the trouble of speculating."
Silence.
"Here I am."
Anvil's expression did not change.
"And what would you tell me?"
The amusement disappeared from the Lord of Shadows's voice.
"The same thing I told Changing Star."
The shadows beneath the throne stirred.
"I have no intention of serving you."
A pause.
"Nor the Queen of Worms."
One of the elders frowned. "Then you have made yourself an enemy of both Domains."
The Lord of Shadows turned toward him.
"No."
His voice was almost bored.
"You have confused refusing to kneel with declaring war."
The elder stiffened.
The Lord of Shadows returned his attention to Anvil.
"I care very little for what you and the Queen choose to call yourselves, or what grand justifications you have created for the conflict that is coming."
His voice became faintly mocking.
"Continue playing with your little daggers and insects if it pleases you."
Morgan's expression darkened.
Anvil remained motionless.
The Lord of Shadows continued, "But understand something clearly. Your struggle does not exist in isolation."
The humor disappeared entirely.
"There are millions of human lives beneath the shadow cast by your ambitions."
Nephis's eyes narrowed slightly.
There it was again.
The same concern he had hinted at inside the Temple.
"Humanity has already endured enough without two Sovereigns tearing apart everything that remains in pursuit of whatever lies beyond Supremacy."
That finally caused a subtle change in the room.
Not because the Lord of Shadows had revealed anything specific.
But because a Transcendent was discussing the ambitions of Sovereigns with disturbing casualness.
Anvil's gaze sharpened.
"You presume to understand matters beyond your Rank."
A quiet laugh came from behind the mask.
"You would be unsurprised by what I understand."
The answer was not elaborated upon.
The Lord of Shadows leaned forward instead.
"I did not establish myself in Godgrave to become another piece on either of your boards."
The shadows around the throne crawled farther across the floor.
"I will act according to my own interests."
His voice lowered.
"And according to what I believe humanity can afford to lose."
Morgan frowned.
"And you believe you have the authority to decide that?"
The masked Saint looked toward her.
"No."
A pause.
"I possess the strength to act on my conclusions. Isn't authority is merely a word people use when they wish to make strength sound respectable."
Morgan's eyes narrowed.
Even Anvil remained silent for a moment.
Then the King of Swords spoke.
"You are bold for a Transcendent."
The Lord of Shadows chuckled.
"Am I?"
"You possess unusual power. Powerful servants. An advantageous Citadel."
Anvil's voice remained utterly calm.
"But you are still a Saint."
The chamber became quiet.
The Lord of Shadows rose from his throne.
Soul Serpent shifted behind him.
For the first time, he stood directly across from the King of Swords.
The difference between them should have made the confrontation absurd.
A Supreme.
A Transcendent.
Yet the Lord of Shadows showed no hesitation.
"Do you believe I am unaware of that?"
Anvil's gaze remained steady.
"Then you understand what would happen if you forced a confrontation."
The wooden mask tilted slightly.
For several seconds, no one spoke.
Then a deep laugh rolled from behind it.
"King of Swords..."
The darkness surrounding him deepened.
"I could kill you."
Several Saints immediately tensed.
Anvil did not move.
The Lord of Shadows continued calmly.
"And the Queen of Worms."
His head tilted.
"Personally."
A pause.
"With relative ease, at that."
The hall became deathly silent.
Nephis stared at him.
Even she had not expected that.
Anvil's expression remained unchanged, but something in his eyes hardened.
"You overestimate yourself."
"Perhaps."
The Lord of Shadows stepped away from the throne.
The shadows surrounding his incarnation began to rise.
"But whether you believe me is irrelevant."
His voice became colder.
"What matters is that you understand this."
The shadows reached his knees.
"The heir of Death can never ally with the heir of War."
For the first time, Anvil's eyes narrowed.
Several others reacted to the strange wording as well.
The Lord of Shadows continued disappearing into darkness.
"Know your place, heir of War."
Only his upper body remained.
"Or you may learn not only how fleeting life can be..."
Soul Serpent dissolved.
The throne began collapsing into shadow.
Then came his final words.
"...but how painful it can be to be rejected by the solace of Death."
The Lord of Shadows vanished.
The throne disappeared with him.
The last traces of darkness flowed back into Nephis's shadow.
Then—
everything was still.
No one spoke.
Nephis stared at the place where the mysterious Saint had been.
She had thought his appearance inside Valor's hall was meant simply to prove that he was not afraid to repeat his words before Anvil.
Now she understood that there had been more to it.
The Lord of Shadows wanted the King of Swords to know that he could reach places where he should not have been able to reach.
That he knew more than a Saint should know.
And that whatever game he was playing in Godgrave—
he intended to play it himself.
Anvil remained seated.
His expression revealed nothing.
But Nephis doubted anyone in the room would dismiss the Lord of Shadows as merely arrogant again.
---
Some time later, Nephis returned to the Ivory Tower.
The familiar quiet was almost strange after the oppressive tension of Valor's hall.
Cassie was already there.
No one else was present.
Nephis walked toward one of the windows and stopped, looking over the vast expanse surrounding the floating island.
For a few moments, neither woman spoke.
Then Cassie sighed.
"He is troublesome."
Nephis glanced back.
"Yes."
"Arrogant."
"Yes."
"Secretive."
Nephis remained silent.
Cassie's lips curved faintly.
"And apparently incapable of entering a room normally."
Nephis considered it.
"That seems accurate."
Cassie smiled.
The humor faded quickly, however.
"I still don't understand how he did it."
Nephis knew immediately what she meant.
"He hid within my shadow."
"And I didn't notice."
That bothered Cassie considerably.
Her Aspect had allowed her to observe through Nephis's senses. She had identified the Lord of Shadows's servants. She could watch countless people across vast distances through her marks.
Yet the mysterious Saint had hidden an entire incarnation inside Nephis's shadow—
and Cassie had seen nothing.
"Whatever conceals him is more complete than simple stealth," Cassie said.
Nephis nodded.
"When you tried looking at him inside the Citadel, you said there was nobody there."
"Yes."
"But he was there."
Cassie frowned.
"Apparently."
Nephis turned back toward the window.
"Mysteries. Solace. Shadows. Death."
Cassie's expression became thoughtful.
"And now 'heir of Death.'"
"He wants the connection to be noticed."
"Possibly."
Nephis looked toward her.
"Do you believe he possesses Shadow God's lineage?"
Cassie remained quiet for a moment.
"I believe he either possesses some connection to Shadow God..."
She paused.
"...or very deliberately wants everyone to believe that he does."
Neither possibility was comforting.
Nephis thought back to the duel.
His swordsmanship.
His ability to understand her Transcendent Battle Art after a single fight.
The strange confidence with which he spoke about Supremacy.
His refusal to submit to either Domain.
And his concern for the damage their war could cause.
"He could become an ally," Nephis said.
Cassie tilted her head.
"Eventually?"
"Possibly."
"He threatened Anvil."
"That does not make him useless."
Cassie's lips twitched.
"No. If anything, depending on what we eventually intend to do, it might make him considerably more useful."
Nephis said nothing.
They both understood what she meant.
Neither woman was loyal to Anvil beyond necessity.
The Lord of Shadows was independent.
Powerful.
Hostile to neither of them personally.
And evidently concerned about the consequences of the Sovereigns' conflict.
That did not make him trustworthy.
But it made him interesting.
Very interesting.
Cassie leaned back slightly.
"You enjoyed fighting him."
Nephis looked toward her.
"The duel was useful."
"That wasn't what I said."
"He is an exceptional swordsman."
Cassie's smile grew faintly.
"So you enjoyed it."
Nephis ignored the question.
Her gaze returned to the horizon.
After a moment, Cassie mercifully changed the subject.
"There is someone else I wanted you to meet."
Nephis glanced toward her.
"Another Saint?"
"No."
That answer immediately made the matter sound less urgent.
Cassie noticed.
Her smile returned.
"Don't dismiss him yet."
"Who?"
"An independent Memory-maker in Bastion."
Nephis paused at the word independent.
Cassie's smile widened.
"I know."
Nephis frowned.
"I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to."
Cassie continued, "Several of the Fire Keepers know him. Apparently he's very talented, although somewhat unusual."
"A Memory artisan?"
"Among other things."
Nephis looked back out of the window.
After everything that had happened in Godgrave, it was difficult to imagine why Cassie wanted her attention focused on some Master who made Memories.
The Lord of Shadows was a mysterious Saint who had established himself within a Death Zone, defeated Mordret, commanded creatures powerful enough to terrify other Saints, possessed knowledge of Supremacy, fought Nephis with extraordinary skill, and had just manifested inside the hall of a Sovereign simply because someone had questioned his courage.
He might possess the lineage of Shadow God.
He might become an ally.
He might become an enemy.
Whatever the truth was—
he mattered.
Compared to that, an independent Master who made Memories seemed considerably simpler.
Cassie spoke again.
"He also owns a café."
Nephis slowly turned toward her.
"A café."
"Yes."
"And he makes Memories."
"Very good ones, apparently."
Nephis remained silent.
Cassie seemed amused by her lack of enthusiasm.
"I think you'll find him interesting."
Nephis doubted that.
Still, Cassie rarely brought someone to her attention without reason.
"What is his name?"
Cassie answered easily.
"Sunless."
A pause.
"Master Sunless."