Sid stood in front of Nephis. She avoided his gaze, her head lowered, expression caught between guilt and hesitation. She looked less like a powerful sleeper and more like a child bracing for a parent's disappointment.
At last, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper:
"…A few of them joined the Blood Son of Heaven. Most of those sleepers… they like fighting, hunting, living on the edge. They thought they'd find more freedom there. Not too many, only nine. But while they weren't exactly powerhouses, they weren't weak either."
Nephis nodded slowly, her brow furrowing. It was clear now: Medici had used her absence to poach like-minded people from her. He's reckless, charismatic and fiery. his reputation made it easy to pull them in.
But it wasn't just the deserters that troubled her. No… what gnawed at her was the shards.
Cassie had been clear: those shards were supposed to belong to her and her cohort. And yet, they were gone.
Sunny had already admitted losing the Midnight Shard. Effie had lost the Zenith Shard.
Nephis's hands curled into fists at her side.
Someone had played her. Someone had stolen from her.
Gunlaug? Could it really be him? And if so… what was he planning?
At the same time, Sunny waited outside but kept listening to the conversation. Outside, the outer settlements had boiled over. Men and women sharpened blades and traded furious looks toward Bright Castle; the air tasted like metal and old grudges. When Nephis stepped from her tent and shouted, the crowd answered, like a angry tide ready to march.
Sunny trailed behind in disbelief and a little fear, though an odd excitement prickled under his skin. He caught up to Nephis and hissed in a hushed tone, "What are you doing?! We don't have shards. It's madness to go out like this. How do you plan to kill Gunlaug without the damned Dawn Shard?!"
Nephis tilted her head, staring at Sunny with an unreadable gaze. "I can… if that is my will, no one can stop me, Sunny. No one at all."
Sunny ground his teeth in frustration and spat bitterly, "What nonsense are you spouting?! That doesn't make any sense. Did you hear what I said about the shards?!"
Nephis met his accusing look with such intensity that Sunny almost flinched. Slowly, white sparks ignited in the depths of her cold gray eyes, and she snapped, "Don't tell me what to do, Sunny. I will do whatever is necessary to achieve my goal."
Sunny's face drained. He froze, then muttered, "So there's a possibility of all of us dying… for nothing?"
Nephis's expression soured. With cold contempt she said, "No, Sunny. It won't be for nothing. There's a vile, pathetic thief who stole my shards, Cassie and I both have a feeling he's hiding in the castle. Once I start burning those fiends, one way or another I will get the shards. These are special memories that don't disappear when their owner dies; they remain in the world rather than returning to the user's soul sea. I will take them, even if I have to burn the entire castle and everyone in it."
Sunny remained motionless for some time, than gritted his teeth and followed her reluctantly, muttering under his breath.
"Damnation..."
The crowd poured into the castle, their faces contorted with anger and resentment. However, as soon as the slum dwellers passed beneath the swaying skulls that hung above the gates, their fury turned cold.
In the echoing stone halls of the Bright Castle, it was hard to forget that Gunlaug's power was absolute. For as long as any of them remembered, he had ruled over the Dark City with an iron fist, elevating those who bowed to him and destroying those who did not.
Countless men and women had tried to challenge the Bright Lord in the past… great people, terrible people, and everyone in-between. It was their skulls that now stared at the crowd, darkness nesting in their eyes.
Finally, doubt and fear appeared in the hearts of the inhabitants of the outer settlement. Many of them stared at Nephis, their faces turning dim and listless.
Changing Star did not react to this sudden change in one way or another. Looking straight ahead, she calmly walked forward, an indifferent expression on her face. Her usual mask was in its place once again, preventing anyone from knowing her true thoughts.
The atmosphere in the Bright Castle seemed a bit strange and not because of the invading horde of slum dwellers. Its halls and corridors were too empty, too lifeless. There was no one… Not few sleeper hurrying about their daily business, as they usually would. Even the opulent desk in the entrance hall was deserted, the clerk who usually sat behind it absent for some reason.
But then, upon entering the throne room, Nephis and the others saw hundreds of Sleepers standing along its walls, waiting to meet them. It seemed as though the entire population of the Bright Castle had gathered there. There were the Guards, the Hunters, the Artisans, the silent Handmaidens, even those who paid tribute to remain within the Castle were present.
Sunny shivered while observing them, but soon shook his head, his expression turning cold and calculated.
On the raised dais at the far end of the great hall, illuminated by the false stars carved into the wall of the dark alcove, stood the four lieutenants of the Bright Lord. There was Gemma, leader of the Pathfinders; Kido, the chief Artisan; and Seishan, who commanded the Handmaidens. Luna stood beside Seishan, watching the scene calmly, though a sliver of sorrow flickered in her blue eyes, so faint it was almost invisible. It was as if she already knew how this battle would end. And indeed, she did. Her divination had not revealed the entire fight, but what she had seen was enough to tell her that many would die.
And then there was Medici, leader of the Hunters.
Medici's gaze was arrogant and unbothered. If there was one thing he was confident in, it was the hunt. Be it people or nightmare creatures, he would always find a way to kill.
But Sunny's eyes did not linger on them. Instead, they fixed on two men standing apart, one beside the throne, and the other at Medici's side. Of course… Amon and Harus.
Amon's calm, gentlemanly smile carried an odd softness, almost humorous in the gravity of the situation, while Harus remained perfectly still, expressionless as ever.
Then, as if sensing Sunny's gaze, the three of them exchanged glances. Sunny's heart thudded in his chest. Either he was going to die today or two of them would. He couldn't explain why, but the feeling pressed on him like a premonition. Medici was allied with Nephis, and Amon followed Medici, so logically, he shouldn't be thinking of a fight with him. Yet… perhaps it was fate. It's not like alliance was real, anyway.
Sunny hated both of them for different reasons. Harus embodied everything he despised: a servile shadow who did whatever his master ordered. Amon was worse in his eyes, a damned parasite who lived by leeching off others.
And yet, there was a darker truth underlying it all: they were all shadows. Sunny, a shadow of Nephis; Harus, of Gunlaug; and Amon… a shadow of Luna. Why that mattered, Sunny didn't know. But it did.
Harus glanced at Amon first, then at Sunny, shaking his head with a faint, almost amused smile. The menacing hunchback clearly didn't take them seriously.
Sunny's eyes, however, were burning with dark, murderous glee, already calculating how to strike. Harus was the greater threat, that much was certain. Amon possessed only superior observation but even so, Sunny kept a wary eye on the bizarre parasite.
Amon inclined his head politely to both of them, then adjusted his crystal monocle, its unsettling luster catching the glow of the golden throne. A quiet, almost imperceptible chill ran down Sunny's spine.
A monocle? Sunny's throat tightened, and his eyes widened in horror. A cold grip of dread wrapped around his chest. Monocles… they were his nightmare. A ghost obsessed with monocles would haunt his nights, leaving behind a single, gleaming crystal monocle. And he wasn't alone, many others had reported similar encounters to Nephis.
Could it be Amon? A ghost… Amon? No, it had to be a coincidence. But if it truly was him… then Sunny now had even more reason to kill the vile bastard.
Meanwhile, Amon was utterly baffled. Why were Sunny and Harus staring at him like that? He nodded his head politely, as any gentleman would, but their gazes darkened even further. Allergic to politeness? He shook his head in confusion, glancing at Caster, who offered a faint smile and a subtle nod. Amon returned the smile. Looks like the Speedster knew what to do... that's good.
While Nephis and Gunlaug exchanged their usual bullshit about justice, Amon slipped toward Aiko and Kai. Neither Nephis nor Gunlaug cared, they only needed some semblance of justification to tear each other apart.
"Kai, keep the Capitalist safe. That's your job. Dragons are known for protecting princesses, right? Aiko... Hmm, you're greedy Rapunzel today so listen to Kai."
Aiko blinked at him, her blank expression betraying her confusion. She shivered under the oppressive weight of Gunlaug's Golden Echo. The psychic assault of the echo was enough to make anyone kneel in fear and despair.
"I… I'll try. Not that I fully understand what you mean…" she murmured meekly. Kai nodded, his hand trembling as he took in the weight of the moment.
At the same time, Luna watched the conflict escalate and stepped forward. If it went as the novels described… then out of almost a thousand Sleepers, only a few dozen would survive. She didn't know if she could succeed, but she had to try. Even if Gunlaug was vile and hateful, it was better to spare him and save hundreds than kill him and doom nearly everyone.
Yet Nephis seemed even more hellbent on killing Gunlaug. Gulping, Luna stepped forward, and the hall froze. The weight of a thousand Sleeper gazes pressed down on her, but she forced herself to remain calm and spoke.
"I understand that we have our differences… Gunlaug. I know you want to keep these people alive. Even if your methods became twisted and vile over time… I know you tried at first. You truly did, to save everyone."
She cast a cautious glance at Nephis's cold gray eyes before continuing softly, "And I know you want to leave this place as well. A thousand Sleepers… the deadliest this world has ever seen… stand here in this hall. Find reason in your heart. Can't we leave this place if we work together? Just imagine how many could survive… Please."
Gunlaug stared at her for a long moment, then burst into laughter. Despite his seemingly laid-back demeanor, everyone in the great hall felt the weight of his presence, pressed down as if by an invisible force.
"Ah… looks like we have a real saint here. Such an admirable, pure heart… but…" He paused, a dark note curling in his serpentine voice. "Life doesn't work that way, child. Reality is cruel and ugly."
Luna gritted her teeth, refusing to accept his words. Her voice rose, carrying the authority only the Sin-Bearer could command.
"No, it isn't! People like you two made reality so ugly, forgetting what made us… human. You think kindness, purity, innocence, and sacrifice are weaknesses, when they are our greatest strengths. What would any of you have done if the first generation hadn't sacrificed everything so we could live? Where would you be if the First Lord hadn't given his life to secure the castle and find the shards? How can you call them fools when you should be thanking them for your very existence?"
Her words echoed across the great hall. Silence fell over the gathered crowd. No one shouted for their enemies' blood. Instead, all of them lowered their heads in shame. Luna's voice carried no judgment, only pleading. She begged them to find reason and goodness in their hearts, and for a moment, it seemed to work.
But then Nephis stepped forward. Her gray eyes burned with such intensity that Luna's hope faltered, giving way to despair.
"And why should we? They are sinners, and they must die… They surrendered to the nightmare spell."
Luna was in disbelief. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest… At this rate… everyone would die. No. No… she couldn't accept it. But alongside the despair coiling in her heart, a darker, hotter fire began to rise... wrath. She was furious, so furious that she could barely contain herself.
"And so what? Let's say they did! You would condemn hundreds because of their fears? Their acceptance? Their weakness? How can you pass such a judgment? Not everyone is strong. Not everyone is born for greatness. Not everyone is courageous. Does that mean they should die?"
Her voice grew, slow at first but rising with heat, darker and more spiteful with each word, dripping with controlled fury.
"How can… no, how dare you pass judgment... When you aren't any different!?"
Changing Star remained motionless for a heartbeat, then simply shrugged, stepping forward without a word. Her indifference was a silent command: everyone understood what was about to happen. Before Nephis could even challenge Gunlaug, Medici strode forward, laughter rumbling from his chest.
"Hey, Lordy. I challenge you. I like your throne."
Luna and Nephis froze, disbelief written across their faces. Gunlaug's laughter broke the moment, rolling through the hall like a tide of molten gold.
"I knew this day would come… Always arrogant, always fierce. Well, it's time I put a leash on you."
Medici's grin widened, and white sparks coalesced around him into the Mantle of the Underworld. Obsidian armor crept over his body, each plate a jagged contrast to Gunlaug's gleaming golden armour. His crimson hair, tied back neatly, shimmered with each movement, and his eyes, blood-red, burning with anticipation glimmered like twin infernos.
He had waited for this moment, long and patiently. No orders would bind him here. The Bright Castle would bend to his will.
With a arrogant scoff, the Blood Son of Heaven lifted his heavy, spiked mace and planted the Bloodstained Banner into the polished floor. The banner pulsed with his Uniqueness, radiating power that made the hall tremble. Armour Breaker, a weapon meant to crush even the toughest defenses, was in his hands, but he knew brute strength alone would not suffice. Gunlaug's golden armor was nearly impervious, but the man inside? That, he could break.
At the same time, Nephis glanced at Luna darkly. It wasn't Luna's intention, but it seemed she had given Medici the chance to challenge Gunlaug, taking Nephis's opportunity for herself.
It was clear now… they intended to betray her. The only reason they had allied with her was to gain her trust, while Medici would steal her warriors. And right now, Nephis didn't care. She had given Luna the chance to come back with her, and Luna had declined. Whatever happened next… was on her.
Luna, noticing Nephis's gaze, sighed. At this point, she felt as if all hope had drained from her. She looked at the crowd and felt almost disgusted by them. Then, expressionless, she split her arms outward. Bones and flesh elongated and hardened, forming blades that glinted in the light.
Luna looked down for a long moment, then hardened her heart. This would be the first time she would kill a human… but there was no other way. She had tried to reason with them, begged them to stop but they only thirsted for blood. The truth was painfully simple, painfully obvious: she was done with this cursed place.
She was done pretending she wasn't bothered by these people, done pretending she didn't hate them. Yes, she did. A small spark of kindness in her heart had urged her to reason with them, but what had they done? They had only laughed at her.
So now… she would laugh at their corpses. And then, she would devour them.
"Every Human is... A Sinner."
Nephis smiled darkly, almost laughed.
"You figured that out now?"
It was now perfectly clear: this wasn't merely a battle between Nephis and Gunlaug's forces. It was Nephis versus Gunlaug versus Medici. The outer settlements' Sleepers rallied behind Nephis, the Hunters aligned with Medici, and the Castle Guards stood with Gunlaug.
It remained unclear where Kido, Gemma, and Seishan's followers stood or which side they would ultimately support.
While the four sleeper dominated the center of everyone's attention, Sunny began moving slowly toward Harus. Amon, standing between them, gulped and forced a smile. Well, fuck...
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[A/N: Okay, I'm not sure how this chapter turned out. I was training in seclusion to comprehend the Dao of drinking, and it backfired, so I'm on a hangover right now. Anyway, this is just a build-up for the next chapter, so it's fine, I guess. As for how things ended up this way… well, Nephis needed justification after Medici and Amon humiliated her, took her authority, and stole her people. So her hostility makes sense. Luna trash-talking them and refusing to go back adds to it as well. I'm not making Nephis stupid, she knows someone stole the shards and is desperate to get them back. Sunny is already suspicious and almost convinced that ghost is Amon. Luna tried reasoning with them, but it didn't work. I re-read the Forgotten Shore arc to double-check the situation, personalities, and characters, and remembered that they really were that insane. There might be some grammar mistakes too. That's it for today, enjoy!]
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