No Return (Shadow Slave Fan-Fic)

Beyond the western edge of the Ashen Barrow, the landscape of the Forgotten Shore was not at all like what they had expected - and hoped - to see.

On this side of the island, the slope was much steeper. At the spot where it was supposed to end, the familiar sight of the flat wasteland was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the ground continued to slope downward at a less drastic, but still considerably sharp angle.

It continued far into the distance. In fact, the whole island appeared to be standing on the edge of a colossal depression in the earth, one that stretched as far as the eye could see. With its edges slightly curved, it resembled a giant crater left behind by an unimaginable impact.

From what Levi was able to observe, the crater's diameter could only be calculated in hundreds of kilometers. The roots of the giant tree, which could be seen protruding from the soil far below, seemed like tiny blades of grass in comparison to the sheer size of the abyssal chasm's wall.

In short, there were no more high natural features to the west of them. The only way forward was to go down, with no hope of finding shelter from the crushing torrents of the dark sea.

Which meant that there was no way forward at all. Their journey to the west had come to an end.

And with it, all hope of finding a gateway to the real world was lost.

Levi stared at the desolate landscape, feeling rage and disbelief clawing at his heart. He just couldn't believe that all their struggles were for nothing. But the proof was right in front of him, real and undeniable.

'Are you.. f#cking with me..?'

He took a deep breath.. and looked at the others. Shashi who was mostly sarcastic and composed.. seemed full of bitterness as she looked ahead.. Sunny was full of rage.. after all all of his struggles has been for nothing.. at Nephis, who seemed to be even more crestfallen than Sunny. Her face had turned into an icy mask, a dark look full of bitterness and resentment in her eyes.

In the end, they all remained silent until the distant rumble announced the return of the dark see.

Deep in the colossal crater, dark torrents appeared from beyond the horizon, rushing to fill it to the brim. A little bit stunned, they watched as the water level rapidly rose, finally turning the endless chasm into a vast sea of black. Then, it began to overflow, sending an unstoppable flood of water into the wasteland. Flowing past the Ashen Barrow, it rushed inland, crushing against the coral of the crimson labyrinth.

Soon, the whole world was covered in seething black water.

Sunny licked his dry lips and turned to the others..

"I think we found the source of the dark sea."

Shashi and Levi wasn't in the mood for speaking it seems.. Nephis replied:

" Let's head back."

***

All five of them felt lost and heartbroken because of the terrible discovery. Cassie in particular seemed to be utterly shocked.

"It doesn't make sense, it just doesn't," she mumbled on their way to camp. "How could it be?"

Gripping Sunny's shoulder, she quickened her step and asked:

"Are you sure that there's nothing higher than the sea level out there? Are you absolutely sure?"

Levi's mood even turned more dark as Cassie continued being persistent.. It was actually his first time being angry at one of his friends.. however he composed himself.. 

Sunny spoke:

"Yes. We looked quite thoroughly. The whole land just goes down, down, and down. It stretches to the horizon, as far as we could see, in all directions except for the east. The Ashen Barrow is right on the edge."

The blind girl shook her head:

"But how could it be? I've seen that we had reached the castle! There must be a way!"

Sunny remained silent, not knowing how to answer. If there really was a way, he had no idea about it.

After a few seconds, Nephis answered instead of him:

"We will try to come up with something tomorrow. Worst ... worst-case scenario, we'll have to go around the whole thing."

He gave Nephis the side-eye.

'No chance we are surviving there.'

They reached their temporary camp just before the sun had completely disappeared. Lying on the makeshift bed of fallen leaves, Levi closed his eyes. Due to his poor mood he was able to sleep this night..

***

In the morning, the mood between the five of them was pretty somber. No one seemed to want to talk or do anything, aimlessly staring at the ground or the rustling leaves of the great tree.

Levi wasn't particularly hungry due to his immortal body , however he couldn't say the same about the others. It wouldn't be long before they ventured to get some food.

Finally, Nephis broke the silence. Standing up, she looked up with grim resolution and said:

"I'm going to climb to the top of the tree and take a look around. Maybe I'll notice something that we missed from up high."

"Alright. But be careful. Keep an eye on the sky. If you notice those winged abominations again, come back down."

Changing Star gave him a nod and headed for the tree.

After that , Sunny went to train by himself. Levi was sitting with Cassie and Shashi. None of the three were eager to speak , the composed woman.. Shashi herself seemed down herself. 

***

After a few hours.. Nephis came back. However , Levi's eyes narrowed when he saw what she was carrying. 

He got up to his feet , and decided to confront her. He didn't like this.

"Why did you bring those?" 

Levi pointed his finger.. what he was pointing at was the fruits of the great tree. Levi was aware that the tree was something that was alive , perhaps a nightmare creature.. Who knew what kind of fruits it had? What if it killed them? Additionally.. why was Nephis the one who brought them..? Levi was sure that she was being influenced by that damn tree..

"I thought you guys would be hungry.. Additionally.. these fruits are not unhealthy.."

"Unhealthy..? Don't tell me you ate one of them!"

Levi had a cold expression on his face. He didn't like this.. no..

"Yes.. I ate one. Its actually tasty.. and it gives you soul essence."

Levi's cold expression changed into a bewildered one immediately.. 

"What..?"

She lend him a fruit..

"See it for yourself.."

Levi took the fruit hesitantly. At first he didn't want to eat it.. however after remembering that he was immortal... and there were 2 healers in their cohort.. he just decided to dig in..

[Your soul grows stronger.]

Without waiting for his opinion.. Nephis was already walking to the other girls. 

He observed the scenery as both Shashi and Cassie accepted it with no hesitancy.. there was definitely something happening.

Ignoring them for a moment he decided to open his runes..

Soul Fragments: [984/1000]

After closing the runes , he looked at the tree. He was close to saturating his core. His lips curled up into a greedy smile. He was only 16 fruits away from saturating his core. He would go out at night when the others have slept.. however there would be one problem.

It would be totally dark.. He glanced at Shashi. She had a lantern memory.. He would borrow the memory from her for a night.. well at least he hoped that she would give it to him , after all he had given her so much of his blood..

After Sunny returned , they gave him a fruit too. At first he was hesitant but eventually accepted their offer.

Levi had also realized that their memories were hazy.. they couldn't remember things such as: Why they didn't want to eat any fruits..

***

During when sun was finally setting and the sky was getting dark , Levi decided to approach Shashi