Cassie was licking the melted fat off the bone, Nephis was taking small bites, savoring each one, while Sunny was with Effie eating like wild animals. In between gorging down the food, they were having a "civilized" conversation.
"So where's the— munch munch—gateway!"
Ripping a piece of skin off of the meat and slurping it down, Effie smiled at him.
"Gateway! There isn't one! We've been stuck here for years—BAHAHA!"
Digging right back in, Effie watched as Cassie dropped the bone, Nephis slowly stopped eating and looked at her, and Sunny scarfed the rest of the meat down in the couple of seconds before replying,
"DAMNATION! I knew it was too good to be true!"
Throwing the bone, he stood up, looking at the castle.
"You said years, right? That means this place has to have some sort of history, so fess up."
Effie never stopped eating, but for this question, she did.
"I already gave you food. You can't expect me to give you something more for free, can you now?"
A smirk spread across her face as she stood up. When she did, she ended up towering over Sunny, looking down at him with the eyes of a lioness.
"I do expect it, actually…"
Once again, she started laughing, a feral grin splitting her face.
"BAHAHA! Well, I guess you're right! Here's how it goes… we got the big bad tyrant in the castle, and you have to pay soul shards to get into it like a money-hungry corporation."
"What's that…"
"Well, I'm sure there's another way you can pay—broke back mountain style—BAHAHA!"
"Once again… what's that?"
"Anyways, outside the castle are those who can't pay. I should also mention, by tyrant I don't mean that metaphorically. He basically has a bunch of killers at his hand to take care of anyone who opposes him."
Nephis finished eating while they were talking and walked up to Effie. She was only a bit shorter than Effie, which made Sunny feel like he was in between two—
"I advise you not to finish that thought."
Nephis once again looked up at Effie, a serious expression on her face.
"I'm assuming you're one of the ones who oppose him?"
The smirk never left the giantess's face.
"You would be correct."
Nephis took a glance at the castle before taking a look at the sun in the sky.
"Why would a king want to give up his throne…"
Those were the only words she muttered before taking another glance at Effie.
"Take us to the castle."
"Hard pass!"
---
Sunny could see Nephis's bewildered look before Effie continued speaking.
"You need soul shards to get into it. Looking at your little group's condition, it seems like you wouldn't have any. Of course, I can help with that—but not for free this time."
Sunny craned his head up, a small smile on his face.
"What about another kiss?"
He could feel Nephis glaring into his head as Effie laughed.
"Maybe next time, but for now, since I shared my food, the main thing I want from you all… is info."
Nephis finally became intrigued, lifting an eyebrow.
"And of what type? And will getting this info put me and my companions in harm?"
Effie looked towards the castle before looking back, her face quite serious.
"There's nothing free of risk in this realm… and for the information, I have some suspicions on the matter of my old cohort's death."
---
In the waking world, three lied in a deep slumber in three pods—black, gold, and silver—barely visible through the green tint of the pods.
Next to those three pods lay another three, each filled with someone.