Shadow Slave FanFic - Hopeful Life

{NEPHIS' POV}

Stretching my gaze over the cohort, I carefully watched as everyone was talking to one another.

Effie was giving one of the recruits a few tips on how to wield a spear, while another two watched.

A little ways away, Liarus—the one who had an outburst a day or so ago—was sitting alone, a grimace etched onto his aged face.

Turning slightly, I observed Tialis, the one wearing scaly armor. He was silently watching as another two set up camp.

His face remained expressionless, and he didn't say a word. I understood, however, that his silence was due to his flaw, which only allowed him to speak a few words every hour.

While it wasn't as debilitating as other flaws, it would definitely be a problem for him once he entered the waking world.

Now, for someone who unfortunately didn't have such a flaw, I turned my gaze to where the shape of a young man with black hair and onyx eyes sat on a small boulder.

A beautiful kord made of lustrous gray steel and scarlet wood rested in his right hand. By his foot, Regis was sitting down, giddily bitting down on the soul shards being fed to him.

Before approaching him, I glanced toward the entrance of the Slayer's Rest. Just before its entrance, Caster was looking around and talking to Nisftel. His aspect allowed him to sense life, which would help in determining how many Nightmare Creatures were present within.

Nodding, I made my way toward Sunny—or rather, Pleiades. From a distance, it was much harder to tell who was in control.

Hearing my footsteps, Regis turned his head and looked at me. His white eyes glinted slightly before he turned back to catch another soul shard, chewing on it.

Turning his head questioningly, Pleiades asked in a calm tone, "Whaddup?"

'Pleiades it is, then' I thought somewhat grimly.

"Nothing really. I came to ask if you have anything planned for this." Pleiades raised a brow in question and shrugged.

"There's nothing to prepare for, really. I'm just vibin' and waiting for us to go." He reached down and threw another shard, and Regis stepped back to catch it.

Slightly confused by the little game they were playing, I decided not to ask about it. There was still one more thing I was curious about however.

Keeping an eye out for anyone nearby, I leaned closer and said in a hushed voice, "I want to ask you something."

Pleiades tilted his head slightly, his dark eyes narrowing with a mix of curiosity and caution. "Alright, ask away."

Regis paused mid-bite, glancing between the two of us, clearly intrigued but keeping quiet for once.

Leaning closer, I kept my voice low to ensure no one else could overhear our conversation. "Cassie said that this Nightmare Creature has some mind powers."

Pleiades didn't seem too bothered; instead, he looked quite bewildered. "Mhm, right, you're saying this to the guy that's immune to mind attacks… and soul attacks as well"

His tone carried a mocking undertone, which made me wish I hadn't even bothered. Exhaling, I stood upright and looked down at him. "From the time we met, I wasn't too sure if your attributes were real. That's why I asked you."

I made it clear to avoid earning more of his ridicule. He leaned back slightly, showing an amused expression. "Ohhh, is it because Cassie wasn't able to see my attributes after she told you all about them?"

Nodding at this, I examined his expression and waited for a response. A smile was plastered on his face as he scoffed.

"Well, for your information, all those attributes are real, so don't worry about little old me. I'll be just fine… I can't say the same for the others."

"They'll be fine" I said, more to convince myself than him.

Pleiades chuckled, the sound low and sharp. "If you say so. But don't come crying to me when one of them gets mind-zapped because they couldn't keep their head straight."

Shooting him a glare, I frowned. "That's why I'm asking. If you know you're immune, maybe you can—"

"Babysit?" he interrupted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "No thanks. I've got enough to deal with, keeping myself safe, plus isn't it in our interest to not let a few of the new ones die."

Regis snorted at our exchange, clearly content to abandon silence. "Hate to break it to you, boss lady, but if Pleiades is the babysitter, we're all doomed. I mean, look at him—he's practically allergic to responsibility."

Glaring at the shadowy wolf, Pleiades looked at the soul shard he was about to give and instead cracked it himself, earning a deadpan look from Regis.

"Clearly" I said, turning away. It would be fine even without him looking after us. If something tried to use mind attacks against us, I would still win.

Andi f some of thoes ten die, than even better.

************************

{PLEIADES' POV}

Watching Nephis make her way elsewhere, I gave the wolf a glare. "Thanks for being on my side on that."

Regis happily grinned and opened his mouth. "Don't mention it!"

"Sarcasm? Ever heard of it?"

His ears dropped. "Why have you been such a grouch lately? It's like you've had a stick up your ass since those guys joined the cohort."

Frowning, I turned and looked at the newcomers with a silent question.

'Have I really been grouchy? I've been cautious… well, maybe a little pissy.'

The reason for my mood was Fate's influence. It was obvious something was going on, and not knowing what it was didn't help. Even so, I still shouldn't have acted like a dolt.

Sighing, I turned back to Regis, running a hand through my hair. "You're right. I've been a little… tense as of late."

Regis tilted his head, his sharp eyes narrowing as if trying to peel back my layers. "A little? You've been snapping at everyone like they owe you money. What's eating you up?"

My gaze flicked to the newcomers, analyzing everything they were doing. They were chatting quietly, their body language relaxed, but my instincts screamed not to trust that easy composure. "Fate's been stirring the pot. You know i don't really feel all that safe with it plotting our doom."

Regis followed my gaze, his tail swishing left and right in a relaxed manner. "Yeah, I get that, but is it really that bad? I mean, Big Mommy Fate can't touch you when you're in Sunny's body."

Exhaling, I pressed my fingers against the sleek steel surface of the kord, zoning out for a moment.

(So I'm just being used as a shield for you?) Sunny asked. I let out a chuckle in response.

[Well, not willingly. I kinda have to be in you] I responded, looking on as Nephis met up with Caster and another man wearing dark brown leather armor with chainmail over it.

As they talked with one another, Nephis nodded and turned away from them. She climbed onto a branch of a large colar tree and took a deep breath.

"Everyone, we will now be entering the Slayer's Rest! You've had time to get ready, so we will leave immediately!" she yelled, earning the attention of everyone.

With the group gathering, I held the kord and made my way over to them. Strapping the kord onto a strap I had made for it, I took a step forward.

Regis tottered next to me, whistling wistfully. From what I could see, though, everyone was tense, and some of the hunters seemed disturbed by my smile.

I didn't care, though. I was going to gain a bunch of soul shards, after all.

Next Chapter: Slayer Extermination (2)

A/N: After a bit of buildup the cohort is finnaly entering the slayer's rest.

I have a few fun things to put in this mini arc.

I also have a proposition for all of you, since i don't get all that many comments on most chapters i have decided to hve a little fun with it.

If we can get 10 comments on each chapter from monday to friday( It doesn't count if the same person just writes ten comments ,it has to be seperate people.)

Also if we cane get, i dunno is 50 power stones good? i don't really understand what it does but a lot of other authors ask for them, so let's say that, if all of these requierments are met i'll release and extra two chapters on the weekend.

Let's see how this goes! Have a great day.