Shadow Slave: Endless Souls

As the morning came Edward slowly woke up from his sleep, eyes of Nephis and Sunny lingered on him for a moment before heading in different directions. Edward also didn't bother with that either after all whatever they spoke last night would only remain there.

Nephis said while breaking the awkward silence between them.

"With what you told us about scavengers crowding to the west, the logical step would be to start moving east as soon as we can. Of course, north and south are also acceptable, but that won't put as much space between us and the enemy."

Sunny nodded, agreeing with that logic.

"We have explored to the east a little, but not enough to confidently make it to the next high point in a day. That's why the best course of action would be to spend today scouting a path to that group of cliffs over there and move the camp tomorrow."

He sighed.

"Do you have any idea where we are? Would there be a human Citadel to the east?"

Nephis shook her head.

"I've never heard of a region that fits the characteristics of this place. In any case, we have to move to find out more. We'll either find a Citadel, encounter an unconquered Gateway… or die. East is as good of a direction as any. Plus, it's the safest, because there's a horde of monsters to the west."

Edward then shook his head while hearing their discussion.

"Something in your mind Edward?"

"Nothing, I was just thinking that why don't we head to the west?"

"Where the horde of monsters are located? Are you crazy? We are going to become Scavenger food before seeing even the shadow of a human let alone Citadel or Gateway."

Sunny said while looking at him as if he heard the dumbest shit in the entire world.

"Please tell me you have at least some appealing reason for saying something so stupid."

"Uh, I wanna support Edward's statement."

The sudden addition of a melodic voice made Sunny and Nephis look towards now awake Cassie.

"I'm not sure why Edward chose to go there but I had a vision."

"I saw a castle full of people! I don't know how far it is, but I'm sure that it's located in the west."

"And how are you sure it's the west?"

"Because I heard Edward tell me during the vision at the castle, it was as if he knew I was having this vision."

"Okay, now I am confused, you mean Edward in your dream told you to go to the west?"

"He just mentioned that it's located to the west of the location we are in."

"Isn't that a little too specific? Are you sure Edward didn't play any tricks during your sleep?"

"Sunny, I am offended buddy. I thought you trusted me more than this."

Nephis cuts in and tells Cassie in a serious tone:

"Tell us more about the castle."

Cassie excitedly nodded her and began describing her vision.

"I dreamt of a vast, ruined city built of weathered stone. It was surrounded by tall, impregnable walls. Various monsters were wandering its narrow streets. In the center of the city, the was a hill, and on that hill stood a magnificent castle."

She smiled.

"But there were no monsters in the castle! Instead, it was full of people. I think… no, I'm sure that they were Awakened. Some were guarding the walls, some were going about their lives without a care in the world. There was food, safety, and laughter!"

Hearing this Sunny's eyes brightened a little. If this castle really existed, then all of their problems would be solved. Sunny cleared his throat.

"Did you see anything else? Like where Edward told you it's location."

Cassie frowned, trying to remember. Then, her face cleared.

"Yes! I saw Nephis leading us through the gates of the castle! As for when I talked with Edward this was... during... it was during sunset, he was standing on the top of the castle wall, the pale twilight of the sun shone behind him expanding his shadow into one of the giant and waves of the dark sea crashed behind him as he spoke as if bowing to his rule... it is little strange... it is as if that part of the vision was come from completely different vision. It feels so unnatural now I think about it."

Edward raised his eyebrow in confusion too.

'System, a little explaining please?'

[Host what she saw was nothing but the shadow of the original fate combined with the reflection created by the Twilight Giant and Tyrant pathways. Because you don't belong to this world your fate is outside this world making the divinations and oracles nothing more than mere illusions that will be influenced by your will.]

[Because you desired that they would go to the west so you could slaughter Nightmare Creatures the pathways shaped and changed her oracle to one that suits your desire.]

'Ah, that makes sense? But wait a minute. You mean the pathways are alive?!'

[They are but no worries host they are part of you and extremely loyal to you. Also currently they are extremely weak because their sequences are still at the lower stages so don't expect them to do something drastic as changing the flow of causality or sending divine punishment upon your enemies.]

'Okay.'

"Okay. Then we will go west."

Nephis sudden words pulled him back to reality and before he knew it they were preparing for their long journey to reach the human Citadel in Cassie's dream. Say the truth Edward has long forgotten most of the original story, now only relying on his vague hunch and fragments of the story.

If he knew they were destined to head to the west anyway he would have just waited for Cassie's oracle without bothering to say a word during his discussion with Sunny and Nephis.

***

Their first stop was the statue where Sunny had stayed a few nights because it was both in the way and high enough to spend their night safely from the dark sea. He must say the journey was somewhat boring because Sunny not only knew the way but he had shadows to scout their path ahead to avoid any danger.

Of course, to not lose his guides to the Citadel he mustn't act too rashly to cause too much trouble for them, so he could only follow the majority silently, which felt really painful actually. They skipped so many SPs! that he just wanna rush back and make quick work of those bastards.

He tried to tell Nephis they could handle them with ease more than a few times but she didn't listen to him saying it was too risky. This wasn't the type of journey to the west he had in his mind.

So when he heard from Sunny that they had no choice but to face a few Scavengers heading their way he almost wanted to pick the little guy and kiss him.

"What should we do?"

Sunny asked in a serious tone.

"Fight."

Sunny didn't exactly like her idea.

"I know that you are skilled with the sword and Edward is strong too, but have you forgotten that each of those things is a whole rank above us? We won't survive in a fight against many."

Edward simply cracked his neck and knuckle before starts walking.

"No need to worry, I can make quick work of them."

Sunny tried to stop him after all even if the person was Edward he doesn't think he can come out unscratched from fighting against a group of Awakened rank Nightmare Creatures. And right now someone injured is the last thing they need the blind girl Cassie has been slowing them down long enough.

"I know you have slain Awakened Demon but I don't think even you can come out unscratched from this."

Nephis suddenly cuts in saying:

"Let him be."

"But-"

"He will be fine."

A chuckle escapes from Edward before he suddenly disappears from where he is standing, his movements are silent but the force behind them is no joke as Sunny sees the small hole that was left where Edward was standing just now.

After that through his shadow, he saw, a terrifying scene of Edward a Sleeper tearing apart creatures from a whole rank higher than himself as if it was nothing. At that moment he felt like the Nightmare Creature wasn't those Scavengers but Edward who was covered in their blood while smiling menacingly.

'What in the Spell is he?'

***

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