When the sun rose, they departed from the lighthouse tower.
Before leaving the lighthouse, Effie gave them a list of instructions. Quite simple ones.
"Listen to everything I say. Don't make noise. Don't bleed. Don't think too much. Some creatures out there can hear loud thoughts, others can sense strong emotions. So don't be afraid."
Sunny shot the huntress a dark look. Seeing his face, she smiled.
"What? You've never tried solving math equations in your head to impress a charming lady? Do the same."
Sunny started to turn a bit red. Laughing at her own teasing, Effie turned towards Cassie and Nephis.
"Correction, you two, try not to be afraid. Kid, try not to get too excited. If walking behind me proves to be too much, ask someone to slap you, okay?"
Sunny frowned, gritted his teeth, and said:
"That... won't be a problem."
Effie blinked a couple of times, a malicious smile appearing on her face.
"Ah, you play for the other team... I see..." she said, looking at Ash, who had a calm expression on his face.
If looks could kill, Sunny would have killed Effie at least a hundred times.
After those initial taunts, Effie finished explaining her instructions and they advanced, leaving the tower.
The journey through the ruins was a long and arduous task. Effie guided them through the complex maze of wide and narrow streets, following a strange and tortuous path that only she knew. Often, they had to stop and hide, waiting for some hidden danger to pass.
Sometimes they walked under the empty sky, sometimes they ventured into eroded buildings and spent a while crawling through piles of rubble. Other times, Effie led them through half-destroyed houses to emerge into secluded alleys on the other side.
Once or twice, they climbed onto the rooftops and advanced walking on tiles or bare support beams, jumping over chasms and balancing on half-rotten wooden planks that someone had placed there to bridge wide gaps.
After a few hours of travel and as the sun began to fall on the horizon, they reached the base of the hill where the shining castle stood at the summit.
It looked incredible from a distance.
Without turning her head, Effie said in a melancholic tone:
"There are areas in the ruins that many nightmare creatures tend to avoid for some reason. The castle is one of them. I was told that when the original group of Sleepers arrived here hoping to establish themselves in the city, there was only a messenger in the throne room, with no other monsters around. Those madmen managed to kill it."
"Needle Messenger?" asked Nephis.
"Big, ugly bastards with black feathers and pale bodies. You must have seen them hunting in the Labyrinth. They come from the spire."
"What rank and class?"
"Fallen Beasts. That's why I said those guys were crazy. But they were a powerful group."
They ascended the hillside, only interrupted by long stretches of stairs.
Finally, they reached a high area, observing the destroyed shacks as well as the inhabitants and the motley smell of an unkempt place.
The gaze of the Sleepers was that of gaunt people with empty eyes, striving to survive. They wore a strange mix of dirty rags and bright memories of armor that stood out.
"And what do we do now?" asked Ash.
Effie just shrugged.
"It'll get dark soon, so I advise you to find shelter before that. Look for an empty hut. With the number of people who die each season, there are always plenty. If you want, two of you can pay tribute and go into the castle. But the other two will stay... outside."
Hearing that, Nephis looked at Effie.
"What about you?"
"What about me? See that shack over there? That luxurious one-room cabin is mine. Yes, it's built with the best garbage you can find here... although it's still garbage. Anyway, I'm going home, I'll prepare a hearty dinner, and then I'm going to sleep. I'm dead tired after these last few days. Sorry, I'm not receiving visitors."
Nephis wanted to say something but in the end just nodded.
"I see. Thank you for everything you've done for us. I won't forget it."
Effie patted her on the shoulder and turned towards Ash, Cassie, and Sunny.
"Goodbye. Kid, Doll, and Quiet Guy. See you."
With that, she walked away.
"Did she really just call me quiet guy?" asked Ash, looking at Sunny.
"Yeah, honestly, you don't talk much, Ash. You even talk less than Neph, and that's an achievement," said Sunny.
"That's true," Cassie said a moment later.
If Ash was upset, he didn't let his expression show it.
The four were left alone.
It didn't take long for a few glances to land on them, especially on Cassie because of her doll-like face.
Finally, Nephis took out the two soul fragments they had collected from the biting rock in her hand.
Soon, the immense shadow of the crimson spire continued descending, covering the area. The Sleepers quickly retreated into their dilapidated houses.
"What are you thinking?" asked Sunny.
Nephis didn't respond immediately.
"We have to separate."
"You know what usually happens when people separate in this type of situation, right?"
Nephis looked humorlessly at Sunny for his comment.
"This isn't a drama. We have the means to provide food and shelter for two of us for a week. There's no reason to let this opportunity slip."
Cassie turned to Nephis with a confused expression.
"But... what will happen to the other two?"
A silence settled among them, broken only by the whistling wind. Sunny looked at Cassie, then at Nephis, and then at Ash, who was simply looking at the ruins in the distance. His yellow eyes calmly observing the ruins as if searching for something.
"You all decide. I'll stay outside," said Ash, breaking the atmosphere.
"Huh?... why?" asked Sunny. Even Cassie and Nephis seemed a bit confused.
"I want to check something in the ruins," he said simply.
Nephis sighed and handed the soul fragments to Sunny.
"Here. Take Cassie inside."
"Why me?" asked Sunny.
Nephis simply raised an eyebrow.
Shaking his head, Sunny gave her a crooked smile and added:
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not refusing. I'm just curious why you're being so kind all of a sudden. Could it be some misplaced sense of nobility?"
"I've never been noble. I've never been kind."
Nephis paused and then said:
"It's simply the best option. Right now, we need more information. With the help of your shadow, you'll be able to learn much more about what's going on in the castle than I ever could. While you gather information inside, we'll do the same out here. We'll meet in a week, share our findings, and decide what to do next."
"Besides, our deal is over. You promised to deliver your share of the spoils on the way to the castle. Well, here we are. You killed that stone creature, so the fragments belong to you by right."
Sunny was silent for a few moments before sighing and taking the fragments.
"Alright. Then... see you in a week, I guess."
"Sunny," said Ash, making the boy look at him.
"Take care of Cassie for me."
"I will," said Sunny, as he and Cassie headed towards the castle, leaving Changing Star and Forgotten Dream in the growing darkness.
Ash watched them walk away, then felt Nephis's gaze on him. She seemed slightly... amused?
"'Take care of Cassie for me'?" asked Changing Star.
Ash shook his head.
"I've looked after that girl throughout the whole journey. It's not like I like her or anything. Besides, Nephis, do you really want me to start talking about the looks you give Sunny?"
Changing Star's face turned a little red, but she didn't react.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Ash smiled slightly, turning around.
"Where are you going?"
"To look for something. Want to come?" he asked, looking at Nephis, who nodded, following Ash back into the ruins as darkness enveloped them.