Shadow Slave: Back in time

Four figures walked under the afternoon sky. There were some scratches on their armours, but the blood splashed on their clothes wasn't theirs.

Caster, Changing Star, Sunless and Effie were just coming back from their first hunt. They had managed to slay a small pack of one of the most common monsters in the Dark City. The creatures resembled giant pigs- Yes! Sunny knew what they were and had even seen them… in a photo- characterized by their protruding bone fangs. They were just Awakened Monsters, but it was their number that made them fearsome. However, after using Serpent as a bait to distract the majority of the monsters, the cohort and Saint had made easy work of them. Sunny had gained 10 fragments.

Just in front of the slums, Nephis ordered them to stop.

"Effie, after you take your share, can you come back here?"

The huntress made a confused expression.

"Uhh, yes, if you want."

With that, she headed to her hut.

Caster observed Nephis' imperturbable face for a second.

"My lady, If I may, why did you order her to do so?"

Nephis answered as curtly as ever.

"You'll see."

Caster's frown made Sunny grin.

Keeping him on thorns, aren't you?

She didn't answer, but a subtle smile made its way on her face.

A loud burp announced the huntress' return.

She stretched her arms behind her back before handing her spacial Memory to Changing Star.

"So, uhh, do I need to tag alone?"

Nephis spared her a glance before offering another: "If you want to."

Nephis had always interacted with people in a social context like an autistic blowtorch, but she had picked that habit when talking to Sunny, whom she had to avoid commanding anything. Sunny noticed every time she used that expression, and while it was still somewhat bitter, his love for her grew a little deeper and all- encompassing.

Putting one of her hands over her face, she sighed and mumbled something that was suspiciously close to:

"Ahh, I gotta make sure they don't blow something up… "

Apparently, the huntress had already managed to get a glimpse of who she was working with: an autistic princess, a mad doofus and a so- very-respectable Legacy.

Nephis started walking towards her house, and the other followed them. As she entered, the sun was still high above them, bathing the world with its rays.

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Sunny knew very well the demeanour of the poor. In the outskirts of NQSC, he'd learnt not to trust anyone, starved for days, was beaten by men triple his size, and thought that the world itself was his enemy.

The reality of the slums of the Bright Castle was the same, if not more unforgiving. The terrifying monsters that roamed the streets of the Dark City occasionally sensed the defenceless Sleeper and targeted them. Defeating them always resulted in rivers of blood.

The humans who lived in the outer settlements were in a constant state of fear and despair, barely scraping by. Their were devoid of the spark that made them want to not just survive, but actually live meaningfully. There were few who were courageous enough to brave the ruins of the Dark City and hunt the monsters there. Sunny remembered vividly Jubei, who was still alive at the time: although he hadn't been living in the Bright Castle, he was still a decent fighter.

The twilight had already began to colour the world in red, orange and purple as the sun started to descend. The battle between the Nameless Sun and the Dark Sea was one that had lasted for thousands of years: the light chased away the darkness at dawn, but was bested at the end of the day. Everyone expected the two to continue their clash for the eons yet to come.

But it would not.

Five people exited one of the outer houses. Their presence was different compared to the rest.

Their steps were purposeful, their gazes sharp and calculating -at least four out of five were- , as they stopped in the middle of the slums, where they were at the centre of attention.

A silver-haired girl stepped forward. Her voice resounded in the silent space.

"Are you animals?"

The woman known as huntress Athena winched. Angry stares were directed at the daring Sleeper as the atmosphere became pressing and ominous.

"Because that is what you look like. I have come here and witnessed men doing such depravities: you kill each other, rob each other and live like murderous beasts. There are men living in their high thrones while their peers starve without a roof over their heads. We are humans, not beasts; it does not matter if in the waking world or in the Dream Realm. We should not need a reason to help others in this godforsaken place! The meat of the abominations slain by my cohort won't be traded. It will be free."

The crowd watched her with distrustful eyes. A man dressed in worn clothes full of holes spoke with a ridiculing tone:

"You should get a reality check, girl. The world isn't all smiles and flowers. Who are you to judge? Also, Athena, shouldn't you know better?"

The tall spear woman chuckled.

"Well, I was of your exact same opinion before she showed me a pile of Ascended Shards."

They didn't even have the time to consider her words.

A storm of brilliant sparks appeared around Nephis' body as the Starlight Legion was summoned into the world. Its sight spread murmurs among the Sleepers.

"The crest of the seven…"

"There are seven shards…"

Nephis looked like one of the goddesses of war as her booming voice silenced all noise.

"I am Changing Star of the Immortal Flame, daughter of Broken Sword and Smile of Heaven. I will not let you starve nor die like ants. Because I am human, and you are, too."

Cassie stepped forward holding Effie's bag. She extracted the meat they had harvested in the afternoon and offered it to the awestruck crowd. Her delicate voice was calm and encouraging.

"One at a time, please."

As if in a trance, young men and women wearing rags stood up and organized in a line to take their share.

Their eyes, once lifeless, were now the instable home to a new spark of hope. When they looked at the five, something akin to faith appeared in them.

Sunless watched the ordeal with a sombre expression. He did not like it one bit, but it had to be done. He turned to Nephis, whose expression was as still as ever.

So, it begins again.

Nephis' answer was curt and reflected Sunny's own feelings.

It does.