[SHADOW SLAVE] / Clash With Fate

A strange scene was happening in front of the cohort. On the platform of the Warrior Statue, the cohort was looking at Sunny as he was being beaten up. It was a very strange scene, as every blow Sunny landed was strong enough to grind someone to dust and shatter their bones. But what he called his shadow was blocking them effortlessly, and there was even an expression of enjoyment on its face.

Caster asked:

"Has that thing he calls his shadow always been this strong?"

"I think so, but why is it taller and seems stronger? Also, its armor has turned into something like carnelian."

Everyone was surprised by the sudden turn of events. They knew they would spend a long time here. But they thought they would spend it enjoying themselves and having fun, not getting beaten up.

"Ah, I can't bear watching Dofus getting beaten up like this… It's ruining the image of the crazy killer in my head. It's simply pathetic."

But before she could turn around, she heard the sound of metal striking metal, then an explosion in the air, and something flying toward her. Sunny was hurled through the air at tremendous speed and collided with Effie. Effie didn't even have a chance to steady herself and was thrown along with Sunny onto the shoulder of the statue. The sound of something being crushed was heard, and when the group advanced, they found Sunny lying on the ground, surrounded by a crater created by the fall. Cassie commented after feeling what was happening below:

"Idiots! They're truly idiots."

After Sunny and Effie climbed up to the statue, they gathered around the group where they were going to discuss how they would travel to the Hollow Mountains. Sunny, Nephis, and Cassie didn't share anything with them. So they were in the dark regarding the means of transportation, but at least they had a rough understanding of the purpose of this journey. Nephis took the initiative to speak:

"I wanted to discuss how we're going to reach the Hollow Mountains. Although you know our destination and the goal of our journey, you don't know how we'll get to the Hollow Mountains… There are seven statues on the forgotten shore, as you know, but only six of them have known locations, as you saw on the map."

Kai interrupted Nephis, wanting to ask:

"Is our way to reach it the seventh statue whose location is unknown?… But you said the seventh statue's location is unknown."

"Let me finish my words, Kai… Well, as I said, there are six statues on the map, but there's a seventh statue whose location is unknown. The reason its location is unknown is because the statue moves!"

The eyes of those present widened at the sudden revelation.

"It moves? Do you mean it's alive?!"

"Yes, it is. It has undergone a strange transformation that caused it to move. I don't think it's a living creature per se, but rather something similar."

"I mean no offense, Lady Nephis, but how did you know this?"

"Cassie saw the statue in a vision."

Kai asked:

"Well, that explains everything. But will the statue come here? That's the only thing that would justify why we're waiting."

Sunny decided to speak on behalf of Nephis, who seemed tense from the sudden questions.

"Yes, the statue will pass by here in thirteen days, which is roughly two weeks… Sorry for not telling you. It wasn't because we didn't trust you at all, but out of fear of information leaking to Gunlaug."

Kai turned his head and then gestured to the group. This gesture relieved Sunny. What he said wasn't the whole truth, but it wasn't a lie either. He simply didn't trust Caster. And they were indeed afraid of information leaking to Gunlaug. Now, he had to train, weave Memories, and also try to spend an enjoyable time with Kai and the others. He wanted to get closer to Nephis. He knew she had feelings for him, but she hadn't found the time to discover that yet, or maybe she felt it but was trying to ignore it.

Sunny felt sad because of this. Nephis had placed all her thoughts and focus on her primary goal, which was killing the Sovereignes.Maybe if she thought about herself a little, she'd find many feelings in her heart. But soon, they would melt away under the pain of burning herself.

"What a cruel world. They say every power has a price, but what is the price of my gaining power? A little bit of honesty?"

Sunny pushed away the gloom inside him and continued training with the Saint. All of this wasn't useless. Rather, he wanted to see the limits of his body and also correct himself and refine his techniques. Sunny crashed to the ground, groaning in pain. He felt his bones trembling.

"Painful, isn't it?"

"Oh, hello, Neph. As you can see, I have a rather harsh sparring partner. Do you want to try her? I bet you'd be like me after a few seconds."

"And what are we betting on? I mean, you don't look rich at all."

"I have a lot of good stuff. But first, you have to last longer than me against the Saint."

"Remember your words."

"Don't worry, just go."

Nephis turned her body and faced the Saint. The Saint tilted her head, looking at her in puzzlement. The Saint adjusted herself, raised her shield, and struck her sword against it twice as a sign of challenge. Three white flames ignited, then merged with Nephis's body as she summoned her silver armor. On the chest of the armor were seven stars.

Then Nephis dashed toward the Saint at great speed and struck the Dreamblade against the Saint's shield. The Saint did nothing but easily deflect the sword with her shield, then struck the hilt of her sword toward Nephis's abdomen. Nephis quickly pulled herself back, trying to avoid the full force of the blow, but she could only reduce the damage, as the hilt of the sword touched her abdomen and sent her several steps backward.

"Excellent, Saint! Show her who's in charge. I promise you ten Ascended Memories if you drop her now."

That was all Sunny needed to say to make Nephis see stars in broad daylight. In a flash of incredible speed, the Saint appeared in front of Nephis and lightly punched her in the abdomen, sending Nephis collapsing beside Sunny.

"I won, didn't I? You owe me something now."

"Y… yes."