Shadow Slave: The Holy Emperor

'It took us a few hours to make it to the outer encampment shortly after we did make It Elfie left us with a booming goodbye. As the group got close to the castle, the guards began to eye them worriedly. (Well only after they could bring themselves to stop staring at him)

'They must have noticed that we just arrived.' Keter decided to ignore them but noticed that Nephis's gaze terrified every last one of them. Keter opened the large oriental gates, swiftly walking up to the receptionist, and throwing the three soul shards onto the counter.

"Two rooms please."

The castle receptionist flinched and looked up from his paper, a fearful expression appearing on his face. When he realized who was speaking to him, though, the fear disappeared, replaced by a tentative smile.

The young man had a thin face and a pale, unhealthy complexion. He looked hungry and weak, much more like those poor souls in the outer settlement than someone who lived in the castle. His clothes, however, were clean and tidy, without any signs of wear and tear like that of the people outside.

"Ah, guests! Sorry, you gave me a fright there. Welcome, welcome to the Bright Castle."

"Anyway, my name is Harper. I'm responsible for guest accommodations today. Let's get you… oh! I don't seem to recognize you guys. Is this your first time paying the tribute?"

Keter nods then glares at Nephis as she begins trying to say something. "Nephis we've been in hell for over three damn months at this point, you are going to rest." Keter looks towards Happer making him completely freeze in place. Happer shacks there under his gaze till Keter looks away from him.

"Sign us in. and put us in the Tower of Dusk." Happer rushes to complete his orders, afraid of what might happen if he didn't.

Happer soon led them to their room which were situated right next to each other. Cassie went to bed as Nephis went to gather information. Keter on the other hand went to find Seishan. After talking to a few of the Handmadians, Keter found her walking around the rooms of the pathfinders.

"Seishan, it's been what ten years since I last saw you?" The woman looked at him with a blank look, only after a few seconds did a vile smile appear on her face.

"Keter, long time no see. Has mother treated you well?" Seishan's pricing gaze was unnerving even to Keter but soon she began to lead him somewhere, and Keter followed her without complaint.

"Yeah, auntie's been great. She's taught me quite a bit. What have you been doing? After all, the Seishan I know would never let herself die in a place like this. Well, at least without a fight."

"Preparing to overthrow Gunlaug." Seishan's confidence was absolute, maybe more than Gunlang's rule.

"Don't. It's far better to just recruit him." 

"Do you believe you can recruit him? Make him give up his power out of his own accord." Seishan's question wasn't mocking, like most would have believed it to be.

"Of course, I can. As long as in a week from now you are near his room at nightfall." Seishan nods, agreeing to his proposition. Seishan suddenly stopped at the door to a large hallway, opening it for Keter before following behind him.

"Mother has always wished for me to support you, so any purchase in the Memory Market and your room fee will fall under my discretion from now on." 

As they walk through the doors Keter becomes overly dramatic. "Ohh how sweet you are my dear, Seishan. You are oh so kind for taking such good care of me." Keter then leans over to the surprised Seishan's ear. "What could a man do to repay such great kindness?" 

--Seishan POV--

Shock that's all Seishan could feel. When she reunited with Keter this was not what she was expecting. The Keter she used to know was unconfident, reserved, introverted, and quite cute too. But this? This was very unusual. Seishan wanted to take a big bite out of him, but she held herself back. Seishan's hot breath ran against his ear as she spoke.

"Go get your memories before I do something drastic." Seishan smiled as Keter froze. 'Now this is more like what I remember.'