A terrifying presence loomed over the inhabitants of both the Outer Settlements and Bright Castle alike. Their minds being affected by the mental attack of a transcendent echo. Yet four people covered in pitch black stood unaffected.
Gunlaug observed the audience and shifted his gaze towards the worrisome group of sleepers. They were the threat he should not have spared. He had known in the corner of his mind, he knew they would undoubtedly rise in power and end up opposing him, posing a serious threat to his reign.
Yet, doubt he did. Perhaps he had grown arrogant. Perhaps he had become delusional to think that only he could get his hands on transcendent equipments.
...Or was it something else?
'Ah, yet so curious.'
"Tomorrow" Nephis's voice boomed. "I and my cohort will raid the spire, and defeat the terror." There was no hesitation, no doubt and most of all... no fear. Only a clear purpose and unshaking determination.
It wasn't a matter of if they would be able to defeat the terror, it was a matter of when. Afterall, she was destined to destroy the spell. She was Changing Star... Star of Ruin. What was a measly fallen terror in front of her?
Those under the command of Gunlaug, and those under the leadership of Changing Star, all felt a spark. This spark had been dwindling since Lady Nephis had gone for her expedition. But now that she was back, stronger than ever, the spark evolved into something greater. A flame... of hope.
Seeing these intimidating individuals would usually fill one with dread. But with the sleepers of the Forgotten Shore it was the opposite.
Knowing that such fearsome people would be their leader in this dreadul place, it was nothing short of motivating. If such people who had transcendent equipments, which felt as much if not much more deadlier and dangerous than Gunlaug's then... maybe they could dare to cater to this flame risen in them.
Nephis gauged Gunlaug's reaction.
'Will he...? Afterall this is his last chance to stop us.'
She mentally prepared herself in case he made a last ditch effort to stop them. Glancing towards her inky black sword she wondered why that mysterious saint was helping them. He didn't strike as the type of person who'd help someone out of goodwill. Even with their deal, she couldn't help but be suspicious of him.
Moreover if he wanted to, she would be dead by now. So he clearly had different intentions... mostly with Sunny. As worrying as it was she couldn't do anything about it as of now. The only thing she knew was that he didn't wish to make his existence public. This most probably meant that he had made enemies with atleast one of the Great Clans.
'Atleast we share something in common.'
"Do as you please... but no one else would accompany your group."
'As high as their chances may be against that terror, they still need to reach it. I may not have the power to stop them... but I won't allow them to take the sleepers on their suicide mission. Over my grave if need be.'
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
***
Nephis felt at ease as no one asked about Caster. It seemed as if everyone took their silence on the matter as something sensitive. They had already come to the conclusion that he had died on the expedition.
Why did she feel at ease over something so trivial? Something which could easily be settled with a lie? Perhaps because she was very politely asked to reveal Caster being a traitor... well if asked that is.
Doing so would not only make her follower's animosity towards the legacy clans increase, they would also start questioning their bond. And even though she had done so much for them, she doubted a bunch of awakened would be willing to oppose the Great Clans.
Not to mention that everyone perceived the Great Clans to be humanity's pillars. So making someone put their trust on her instead of the Great Clans' might would be too much to ask for. For now atleast.
Nephis glanced backwards, awed at how the saint had dug this underground tunnel in such a short time they were busy with Gunlaug and the people from the Outer Settlements. She had been walking for a good half an hour, with no nightmare creatures in sight.
'Come to think of it what is his name?'
*Clang*
'...Shit!'
Sprinting as fast as she could, she reached the end of the tunnel and jumped upwards. Unsheathing her sword Nephis prepared herself for battle.
Before she could even set her sword ablaze something massive fell on her. Nephis barely managed to jump out of the way in time. That too not fully. Both of her legs had been squished under what seemed to be a huge boulder.
'... A boulder does not move!'
A low growl escaped her mouth as she crawled away hurriedly healing herself. After creating some distance she was finally able to make out what had almost squished her to death.
Cursing Nephis turned away and ran. That thing was not something she could hurt let alone defeat. Without a doubt it was a creature of the corrupted rank.
'Where the hell did that saint go?'
Nephis came to a stop, staring at the creature blocking the exit of the Ruined Cathedral.
'How did it come here? Can it teleport?'
The fiend took a step forward but suddenly got thrashed to the ground.
"YOU ASSHOLE!"
The saint stood beside the humongous figure kicking it again and again.
"When I said guard the tunnel I meant guard the tunnel from the frickin nightmare creatures not Nephis!"
Nephis stood dumbfounded at the peculiar sight.
'What the hell is going on?'
Sunny walked into the Cathedral carefully avoiding the thrashing said Fiend was getting. Approaching Nephis he opened his mouth to say something but she beat him to it.
"Why were you guys fighting? I heard the sound of swords clashing."
"Oh that. We weren't fighting... well we technically were even though it'd be a stretch to call it a fight." After a brief pause he resumed. "Apparently he's trying to unlock my aspect legacy."
Grinning from ear to ear Sunny brought his forearm forward which had a serpent tattoo. "And guess what? He already did. The first step that is."