Shadow Fragments: [52/250].
Sunny sighed as he looked at Shrike's fragment count. He had collected as many memories as he could, and he had also gathered many useless memories from Aria and the Sleepers as possible. But it wasn't enough. Without weaving, Sunny's rate of gaining memories was simply too poor. Sunny still could not weave with his very rudimentary control over his essence, he simply could not create the shadow strings he had once used to make memories, so he was stuck getting trash memories from others.
Sunny looked at his own fragments as well.
Shadow Fragments: [1301/2000].
As he was solidifying his plan as well as traveling across the Forgotten Shore, Sunny simply could not spare enough time to form his Demon core.
'No matter.'
He didn't need it. He knew what he was doing. Probably.
This was the fragment counter he was going to face the Crimson Terror with.
After all, the siege was beginning tomorrow.
***
"Everyone! The time has come!"
Every Sleeper had gathered in the Bright Castle.
"At sunrise, our journey to the Crimson Spire will begin!"
Many Sleepers were scared, many were silent, and many cheered.
"We will not be stuck on this desolate shore any longer, for that is our will!"
"We have prepared for a long time for this. Sharpening our will, tempering our skills, slaughtering our foes. Clear all doubts from your mind, we shall succeed!"
'She sure is good at speeches.'
Sunny silently observed the Sleepers as they listened to their leader.
Aria threw a massive bag of soul shards onto the ground in front of her.
"Everyone who has not fully saturated their soul core, take this! Anyone who does not have a suitable memory for combat, come find me! When we leave tomorrow morning, I expect every single one of you to be prepared to fight to death!"
This time, many of the Sleepers cheered.
'Just how is she making them cheer? Surely these fools now many of them will die…'
"Everybody listen to me now! We shall discuss our method of attack…"
***
And when sunrise came, they left.
The Siege of the Crimson Spire had begun.
A group of just under two hundred Sleepers were leaving the Dark City.
This time, they did not burn the Bright Castle down.
To them, it was a symbol of their survival, their home.
They left it intact in hopes of it being the safe haven of the next people to land in this forsaken place.
'The Dreamer Army is much smaller this time…'
Sunny flew above them on Shrike, making sure no unseen horrors were stalking them.
Many Sleepers looked up in fear at the fierce steel abomination, but Aria cleared their doubts.
"That is one of our greatest allies, our hope. Without them, we could never even hope to succeed."
Most Sleepers paid him no attention after that, but many were still curious on who it could possibly be.
And within the group of Sleepers, one stared at the dark steeled raven intensely.
It was Song Seishan.
'That has to be that guy… I don't know who else it could possibly be…'
She grew more and more curious, as well as fearful of the man who called himself Sunless.
Just who was he? Where did he come from? How strong was he?
All she knew was that he was strong. The echo he rode was a testament to that, the sunlight did not reflect on it at all, as if it were a creature made from darkness.
Seishan did not look for long, continuing her journey alongside her comrades.
***
Several days later, with minimal casualties, they had arrived.
The Crimson Spire stood before them, like a massive heretical blade thrust into the sky by a titan, piercing the heavens.
Atop it, an eerie sun burned.
The Dreamer Army stared at the spire, all with grim determination.
And out on the island the spire stood, countless silhouettes began to move.
The spire was responding to their attack.
Aria moved to the front.
"Shields!"
Several large and bulky warriors moved to the front, forming a shield formation. Many others formed shields behind, and many guarded the rear with spears and blades.
The first nightmare creatures had finished crawling out of the ground, and were rushing towards them.
"Spears! Arrows!"
Countless steel spears and arrows shot through the sky, aimed at the incoming wave of abominations.
Among the nightmarish army rushing towards them, many recognisable beasts could be spotted.
Members of the carapace legion - the scavengers, the centurions, the praetorians, were approaching. Vile corrosive centipedes and worms crawled their way towards them. Disgusting snake-like vines slithered towards them, alongside disgusting masses of rock and blood that lumbered over. There were swarms of translucent insects that devoured everything in their path and massive spiders clad in iron armor. There were beasts that could shoot deadly bone spears from their bodies and beasts that could turn their prey to stone with their gaze.
There were corpses with red flowers growing from the holes in their flesh and giant abominations that resembled praying mantises, if those were made of glass and blood red clay. There were strange abominations resembling jellyfish that evaporated everything in their path.
Many Sleepers were terrified at the sight.
"G-gods…"
"So many…"
"I'm… I'm going to die today…"
Many stepped back in fear. Some dropped their weapons.
But the voice of their leader was heard by everyone.
"Today, we must fight! Anyone who runs will be hunted down by me personally! We don't need to win, only to survive! Please, just believe in me!"
Aria unleashed her aspect.
Power welled within all those who were sworn into her oath, a golden glow shimmered beneath their skin. With a red gem gleaming upon her forehead, Aria yelled once more.
"Spears! Arrows! Once more!"
Another rain of arrows flew out, impaling many nightmare creatures.
And as the first wave of nightmare creatures were about to reach their defensive formation…
Lightning rained from the sky.
A mighty shriek was heard, as the massive dark raven that had been flying overhead for several days let out a massive blast of lightning.
When the lightning hit the first abomination, it spread to another. And another, and another, and another. Using the metallic weapons as a conductor, Shrike's lightning was able to chain to every single nightmare creature approaching.
Many nightmare creatures died, collapsing to the ground with steam emitting from their charred corpses. Many others did not, only stopping temporarily as electricity coursed throughout their bodies.
That was when Sunny made his move.
As dark clouds began rolling over the sky, a small figure shot towards the spire.
Sunny flew straight over the moat surrounding the spire towards its base.
Landing on the eerily quiet island, Sunny looked back.
The first wave of nightmare creatures had reached the small army.
All of them were fighting desperately to survive, and their defensive formation was only barely holding. Arrows and spears shot through the sky, impaling the oncoming nightmare creatures as more bolts of lightning rained from the sky, obliterating large swaths of abominations.
Shrike controlled the air completely, the Cursed Heralds not even daring to approach the magnificent Devil.
The army was holding. For now.
'Just wait for me…'
Summoning the Mantle of the Underworld alongside the Midnight Shard, Sunny ran towards the gates of the Crimson Spire as red coral began to form into the shape of humans in front of him.
"Serpent."
A massive serpent was immediately besides Sunny, as he immediately rushed towards the still forming golems of who were once the seven heroes.
Not giving them even a single chance to fight, Sunny slashed the just barely formed Lord golem.
[You have slain…]
"Kill them all."
Serpent hissed in agreement as it batted its tail.
Bang!
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
Both the Priestess and Slayer were batted into dust, coral scattering everywhere.
'Next!'
Dashing forward, Sunny slashed towards the Stranger.
Clang!
The Midnight Shard was blocked, the stone armour reminiscent of the Stone Saints barely holding.
"Hrng!"
Grunting, Sunny swung an armoured fist, augmented by the [Feather of Truth] enchantment.
Bang!
[You have slain…]
The golem's head was instantly turned to dust, unable to react.
Sunny turned, searching for more targets.
'Next!!'
Turning to the Builder and Knight who were currently preoccupied with Serpent, Sunny dashed forward again.
With a cry, he swung his sword downwards onto the Knight.
Not even turning around on time, the Knight was split into two.
[You have slain…]
Sunny turned, feeling something flying at him through his shadow sense.
Clang!
Sunny parried the spear that had been launched at him by the Hunter just as Serpent appeared behind it.
And with a satisfying crunch, the Hunter crumbled to dust.
Sunny then spun around as he swung his sword, slicing the figure of the Builder behind him, stopping his ambush.
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
And as the final golems fell to ground as crumbled rocks, Sunny felt the world around him change, as if a thousand eyes had fallen upon him.
The Crimson Terror had noticed his frighteningly fast advance.
Sunny shuddered as he turned back to the Dreamer Army.
All of them were standing in confusion.
Because all of the nightmare creatures had suddenly stopped, and began rushing towards the spire.
"Shrike!"
Booooom!
A truly monstrous bolt of lightning struck, halting the advancement of the approaching nightmare creatures.
But only for a moment.
Hurrying, Sunny summoned the seven Oath Keys.
"Come on, come on, come on!!"
Fumbling slightly, Sunny inserted the first key.
***
Aria could not believe her eyes.
"The nightmare creatures… are retreating?"
She tried to think of what to do.
Let them? Chase them?
Then, from the oath, Aria felt something.
It felt like someone saying…
"Stop them!"
Gritting her teeth, Aria realised it was Sunny.
If Sunny was asking for her help…
"...Everyone! Charge!!!"
The Dreamer Army roared as they immediately began charging forth, holding absolute trust in their leader.
"Into the spire!"
Rushing forward with ferocious killing intent, the army of Sleepers advanced.
***
'I knew I could rely on her!'
Sunny had dismissed the Mantle, now wearing the Puppeteers Shroud. The bulky stone armour slowed him down too much, and he did not want to waste any essence.
Inserting the fifth key, he looked back once more.
"Shit!"
The nightmare creatures were almost here.
As black rain fell upon the world, Sunny rushed towards the sixth seal, key in hand.
"Come on!"
Thunder roared in the distance.
It was as if the very world was attempting to stop Sunny.
As the very first nightmare creatures were making their way across the bridge towards him, lightning struck for the last time.
BOOM!
This time, the nightmare creatures were only slowed for a moment.
"Serpent!!"
Sunny desperately called out for help. Immediately, the Soul Serpent rushed towards the end of the bridge, ready to put its life on the line to defend its master.
Sunny ran towards the seventh seal.
Serpent hissed as several abominations lunged at it at once.
Serpent swung its bodily viciously, shaking off the nightmare creatures with all its might.
A moment later, it was gone, returned to shadow.
'Not yet! I still need you!'
Inserting the seventh key, Sunny felt the world shudder.
An imperceptible ripple ran across the surface of the dark water, which had just started to submerge Sunny's ankles.
A shiver shot through Sunny's heart as he felt a cold wind pass him.
And as the first nightmare creatures began to attack him, Sunny ran straight into the spire.
The nightmare creatures continued to chase after him, roaring wildly as they followed him straight into it.
The Dark Sea was still being pulled into the spire as Sunny began his climb.
Using a makeshift grappling hook, Sunny shot into the air, the Herald's Cloak trailing behind him.
He absolutely had to reach the top!
Sunny continued to rush upwards, swerving and dodging as beams of soul-destroying light shot down at him.
'Think you can stop me?! Try harder bastard!'
The Crimson Spire now seemed to be shaking in rage, its walls vibrating intensely as massive slabs of rock dropped from the above.
Below, countless nightmare creatures were rushing after him, howling furiously, clawing at walls and jumping from pillar to pillar.
Dodging another soul-destroying beam, Sunny continued to climb.
Before the Dark Sea finished receding… He had to reach the Terror!
***
Aria watched as the last of the nightmare creatures entered the spire, relentlessly pursuing Sunny.
'T-This…'
This was not how she expected the fight to go at all!
Although there were many casualties, there were far less than she ever could have hoped for.
'Just… Just what are you doing in there?'
"Everyone, continue the charge! While the nightmare creatures are distracted, we will enter the gateway!"
The humans cheered as they rushed in, weapons ready.
***
Sunny had made it to the top.
Within the vast hall above, the Terror was waiting for him.
The Nameless Sun.
Feeling its shadow, Sunny climbed into the hall. Immediately a beam shot towards him.
"Argh!"
Immediately leaping to the side, Sunny only barely dodged.
Rolling across the ground, Sunny looked at the Terror.
'Disgusting…'
It was a giant creature whose body was made out of a perverse fusion of crimson coral and mutilated human flesh. In a sense, it was similar to the crimson golems he had fought at the base of the Spire. It was a twisted approximation of a living being, one that radiated a horrifying sense of madness, wrongness, and loss.
Instead of a human face, the Terror had hundreds of them, all contorted in expressions of blind agony and suffering. Their mouths were open, as though straining to scream, with eyes all shining with blinding light.
Sunny stood to face it.
The Terror looked at him, rage burning within its hundreds of eyes.
Hearing the howling of the nightmare creatures pursuing him below, Sunny rushed forward. Immediately, a ray of light shot out.
Focusing his mind to the absolute limit and diving deep within the Shadow Dance, Sunny dodged.
Leaping over the beam, another one shot straight at him.
The Herald's Cloak unfurled behind him, immediately changing his trajectory.
Still in the air, Sunny reared his arm back.
Throwing a dark spear straight at the Terror, its many arms moved to intercept the spear. But midway through its trajectory, the spear began to transform.
And as the Soul Serpent came crashing down on the Nameless Sun, Sunny continued his charge.
As Shrike was at the base of the spire helping the Dreamer Army escape, Sunny did not have access to it just yet.
Summoning the Mantle of the Underworld and wrapping both shadows around it, Sunny was nearing the Terror. It began to emit an extremely harsh light, each of its eyes and mouth roaring.
SSSSSSHHHHHHHHH!
Massive beams of light shot outwards, destroying everything in their paths.
Serpent hissed loudly, one of the beams grazing its body. In the next moment, it bared its teeth as it bit one of the many heads of the Terror.
A hideous shriek bellowed from all of the Terror's heads, causing Sunny to stumble for just a moment. Capitalizing on this, the Terror immediately charged towards him, Serpent still wrapping around its body, hissing with ferocity.
Just as Sunny and the Terror were about to meet…
Sunny slid under it, going straight past it, summoning a Memory.
BOOM!
The Terror's lumbering fist landed straight onto the ground, destroying the floor of the Grand Hall, chunks of rock falling on to the nightmare creatures below.
Turning around, the Terror prepared to launch another beam at Sunny's back.
BOOM!
Only for a massive bolt of lightning to crash down at the next moment!
Aria and the rest of the Sleepers had made it! Sunny was now the only one left…
"Come on… Where is it…"
Shifting his vision, Sunny peered at the massive mechanism that lay behind the Terror.
This was what he was here for. He had no plans of killing that terrifying abomination just yet.
A massive smile found its way onto Sunny's face.
'Found it.'
Looking at the essence moving within the channels of the grand hall, he had found the one he was looking for.
The one that controlled the sun.
Since the first day he had arrived, the groundwork for his plan had been laid. Sunny had looked at the statue of the Knight with his soul vision, seeing exactly how its complex machinery worked. He knew that most of the things in the Forgotten Shore had been created by the Builder, including the Spire.
Which meant that the sun functioned the same way as the giant statues below.
With essence and soul shards.
If Sunny could just send his essence into the mechanism that controlled the sun…
The shadows around him deepened at the thought.
Although the Nameless Sun served as the conduit for the sun's power, that did not mean the sun was its weapon. The sun was simply there, and the Crimson Spire as well as the labyrinth below was the true work of the Terror, carrying the souls of all the nightmare creatures that died within it towards its body.
Sunny was not interested in usurping the position of the Terror. He only needed the sun.
"Hah…"
Sending his essence into the channel, Sunny felt most of it disappear in an instant.
But it did not matter.
Although his control was rudimentary, he had done it.
He could command the sun.
As the last of the Dark Sea below disappeared, he only thought one thing.
'Burn!'
The effect was immediate.
The sun began to burn with extreme ferocity, its light completely blinding Sunny. Nightmare creatures all over the Forgotten Shore began to roar in pain, steam emitting from their bodies as they convulsed in agony, dying shortly after. Nightmare creatures died in droves without a single wound on their bodies.
As Sunny had consciously told the sun to burn everything, its effect was much more intense than before, it incinerated every single soul mercilessly.
With the sun as his weapon, the entirety of the Forgotten Shore burned.
'...'
[You have slain…]
"Hahahah…"
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
"Hahahahahahah!"
The Terror lunged towards him, attempting to stop him. But Serpent and Shrike did not allow it, yanking it backwards. The nature of the Shadows made them resistant to soul attacks, they could resist the Terror for a while.
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
Sunny felt hundreds of fragments pour into his soul.
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
Then, he felt thousands.
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
Then… he felt tens of thousands. Perhaps even hundreds of thousands.
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
All Sunny could hear was the voice of the spell, announcing his great triumph.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"
Laughing like a maniac, Sunny fell to his knees, the unstoppable torrent of shadow fragments immediately began to form the next core.
Although the pain of forming five shadow cores at once may have been one of the worst pains he had felt in his entire life, all he could do was laugh.
Sunny held onto his face, tears streaming down his eyes as his entire body shook from pain.
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
Amidst the pain, Sunny felt the Nameless Sun's shadow collapse.
It had begun its transformation into a Corrupted Titan, the souls of countless creatures being brought towards it through the Spire.
Who would finish their evolution first?
The Terror grew and grew, its apocalyptic power growing even more intense, but… so did Serpent.
As Sunny was currently forming every single core all the way to the Titan core, Serpent was evolving alongside him.
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
Sunny continued to laugh, collapsing to the ground as his body failed him.
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
[You have slain…]
With a loud crack, the artificial sun began to power down, its power nearly exhausted.
But that did not matter anymore.
[Your shadow is complete.]
[Your Shadow has evolved.]
"Hahahahah!"
Summoning the runes, Sunny looked on in triumph.
Shadow Cores: [7/7].
Shadow Fragments: [7000/7000].
He had done it.
"Heheh… heh… heh…"
His laughing fit had finally ended, devolving into exhausted pants. His evolution was complete.
The grand hall that had once been bathed in magnificent light was now nearly dim, shadows creeping in through every corner. There were only two remaining beings in the room, as Sunny had long dismissed Serpent and Shrike.
Sunny faced his opponent. A Corrupted Titan.
During his formation of his cores the Terror had managed to evolve, Serpent and Shrike could not stop it in time.
But… Sunny did not want to stop it.
He still needed something to power the spire before he escaped after all.
The nightmare creatures that had relentlessly pursued him began pouring into the room, Sunny spread his arms outwards as if he were welcoming them.
The Titan began to move, its odious power completely unleashed.
Sunny took a step forward as his killing intent surged to its peak.
Then, he vanished.
The Titan's attack hit nothing, instead destroying a massive part of the spire as the ground below it began crumbling immediately.
Sunny had Shadow Stepped away.
The endless torrent of shadow fragments entering his soul had also pushed his awakening to completion, unsealing the next ability of his aspect.
The Titan, seeing its target missing, wailed in rage as it began to destroy everything around in blind fury.
And as the Crimson Spire collapsed, the artificial sun above ignited one last time, with a bright, intense explosion of light, extinguishing forever.
Shadows fell across the entirety of the Forgotten Shore, a baleful roar echoed across the entire region as a massive rumbling could be heard, the once magnificently terrifying cyclopean structure falling to the ground, turning to dust.
…And within a colossal pit of darkness, something shifted ever-so-slightly.
***
Below, at the gateway.
Sunny had already left. Disappearing within the gateway, and returning to the waking world.
'I'll be back for you one day, bastard. That's a promise'
And Sunny intended to keep his promise.
[End of Part One: Abyss Favours the Forsaken.]