Shadow Slave: Chain Breaker

Thump...

Thump...

Thump!

Sunny's eyes snapped open as he woke up from his slumber. His body was trembling and sweating like crazy.

Slowly, Sunny took a deep breath as he started to calm himself down.

Of course, it was that cursed nightmare again. Ever since that time on the wall of the ruins. He started getting this nightmare more frequently. About once or even twice a week.

What's worst is that this nightmare was like a trauma, burdening his mind with each time he got it. Which left his brain tired. It wasn't as bad as the times in the Hollow mountains. But it was still tiring to deal with.

Sunny rested his head on his hands for a while. After some time, he got up and looked around the room as he was walking towards the door.

His room wasn't comparable to the one in the cathedral. But it wasn't that bad. Although the bed wasn't as comfortable as the other one but it was still ok, and from what Sunny knew, Neph left this room only for him. It was more luxurious than the other rooms in the headquarters. And it was cleaned every once in a while.

'Didn't think that Neph value me this much in her heart. What can I say, I'm touched.' Sunny chuckled as he opened the door.

Sunny was surprised to see that Cassie was waiting for him at his door.

"Good morning, Sunny." Cassie said with a wide smile and a tender voice

"Morning, Cassie. How long have you been standing here for?" Sunny replied with a smile.

"I was just passing by when I heard you walking toward the door" she said with a natural tone.

"Anyway, where is everyone at?" Sunny looked around him. But suddenly, Cassie took his right arm and clung to him.

Sunny blushed as he flet Cassie's soft body, pressing tightly on his arm.

"Cas... Cassie, what are you doing?" Sunny asked while being a bit embarrassed.

"What am I doing? I want you to guide me to the main room of our headquarters where everyone is. And I'm blind after all, how can I get there without your help? Also, I missed you so much" Cassie said with a soft whisper while tightening her grip on his arm.

'What....WHAT GOTTEN INTO HER!' Sunny was cheeks were bright red from Cassie.

"I can...I can still guide you to the room without you clinging into my arm like this, you know." Sunny said in embarrassment.

"Haaa.... but I want to stay like this." Cassie replied in an innocent tone.

Sunny couldn't believe her. 'How did she suddenly become so bold like that??'

In defeat, he just walked to the main room as Cassie clunged to his arm.

After a while, they were standing in front of the main room door. Sunny opened the door while Cassie was still clinging to him.

After they entered the room, Sunny saw that everyone except Kai, who of course went back to the castle.

"Morning, everyone" Sunny said in a natural tone.

Sunny glanced at Neph and felt that her presence was way stronger than yesterday. In fact, it doesn't even compare to yesterday. When Sunny looked into her Cores he saw 4 cores radiating with a bright light.

'Good, she's a devil. That raises the number of people we can save.' Sunny then turned to look at the others

Caster just bowed a bit as a reply. Effie, on the other hand, looked at Cassie, who was clinging to him, and an evil smirk appeared on her face.

'Oh god, please spare me your jokes. Effie' Sunny sighed to himself. But it seems like his wish wasn't heard as Effie said:

"Well, well, well, I didn't expect to see love birds of the day of my judgment." Effie said playfully

Cassie blushed at Effie's word, and Sunny just sighed. Knowing Effie, no matter what he said, she'd just annoy him more. So he just didn't say anything, but when he turned back to look at Neph.

'Huh! Why is she giving me a cold stare suddenly?' Sunny flinched when Neph stared at him coldly.

"Morning" Neph said in a flat tone.

Only then did Sunny realize that it's because the beautiful blind girl was holding into his arm. But before he could say anything, Cassie beat him to it.

"Thanks, Sunny, for helping." After she said that, she kissed him on his cheek.

Sunny's face turned so red like a tomato.

'She's....she's insane!' Sunny saw Neph's eyes widening in shock with some betrayed on her eyes. Effie just burst out laughing, and Caster just kept silent.

'I'm doomed. I need to explain to Neph later!' But then, Sunny could've sworn that Cassie smirked after she kissed him.

'Don't tell me...Don't tell me that they're fighting over me! No, no way. Cassie is like my little sister. She was just showing her gratitude, nothing more.' Sunny tried convincing himself that Cassie was just showing gratitude, nothing more.

Sunny walked then to set on an empty seat and tried avoiding Neph's stare that looked at him with anger.

'I'm innocent, I'm innocent Neph. I swear'

Effie saw the tension between the three and smirked as she was preparing to tease them. But then there was a sudden commotion, and one of the watchers ran into the room while breathing heavily.

"Coming! They're coming!!" There was unrestrained fear in his tone as he said that. But none of them showed any reaction. In fact, Sunny was glad that they finally came, saving him the trouble of dealing with Effie's teasing.

Sunny just relaxed on his chair as a wide smile formed on his lips.

'The show is about to begin then, huh?'

More people gathered in the room while all looking nervous. And some of them were trembling.

"Stay calm, everyone." Neph said in a calm voice that was filled with confidence and reassurance.

"But... but... they are coming to take Effie! We can't allow that to happen. I'm done watching good people be taken into the damn castle and never return." One of the watchers said with an angry tone.

The hum of angry voices rose in the hall, accompanied by heated glares. Then, someone recognized Sunny.

"Mr....MR.LOST FROM LIGHT!!" Of course, the one who recognized him was none other than Jubie. The one who was supposed to be dead 4 months ago. But still alive today because of Sunny's interference.

When Jubei said Sunny's true name, suddenly the voices calmed down as they stared at Sunny.

Sunny only smiled and waved his hand a bit while everyone looked at him with shock. Then, miraculously. All of them calmed down. It wasn't as if they didn't trust in Neph. It's just that Sunny was the first one to openly challenge Gunlaug and come back alive.

The sleepers looked at him with eyes filled with hope and awe. They thought that this strong individual was killed by Harus, Gunlaug's executioner. But the rumors about him going out to the labyrinth were true.

And now that he's here, they were sure that he could do what he did before.

"Don't worry everyone, nothing will happen to Effie" Neph said with a faint smile, seeing that Sunny's presence helped in calming them down. She was grateful for that.

Then, a crashing sound came from the direction of the entrance to the stone lodge. It seemed as though someone had just smashed through the door.

Then, the sound of heavy footsteps could be heard, drawing closer to the hall where all the people had gathered. A few moments later, its door was shattered, too, exploding into a shower of splinters along with the bits of stone that surrounded it.

A giant of a man walked into the hall, his mere presence making the entire space look tiny. Compared to him, even Effie seemed to be of average height. There was a morose expression on his face and a dark glint in his cold, cruel eyes.

The giant did not wear any armor, allowing his monumental muscles to strain the fabric of a sleeveless silk shirt.

It appeared that Tessai, the fearsome leader of the Castle Guard, had decided to be the one who takes Effie.

Behind Tessai was a group of guards, each wearing a sturdy armor and wielding memory weapons, could be seen. Their eyes were immediately drawn to the robust figure of the tall huntress, and then, hateful smiles appeared on their faces. The Guards seemed very happy to finally find the woman accused of murdering their own.

Tessai glanced at the sleepers inside the room. He glanced at Effie, then switched his gaze to stare at Changing Star. He suddenly trembled a bit under her presence. There was something different about her.

But then Tessai's gaze fell on a specific sleeper that made him tremble more. His eyes widened a bit in shock but quickly got back to his composure.

Tessai stared at Sunny for a bit. He then cleared his throat and spoke in a natural tone.

"I see that you're back, Lost From Light. It's good to see that you're still alive."

"Well, thanks. And it wasn't that hard to survive out in the wilderness. But if I may ask, what brings you here today."

Sunny said with a friendly tone. Everyone in the room stared with confusion at this weird interaction. Except, of course, Changing Star cohort and the guards who looked at Sunny with fear.

Tessai then smirked and said:

"Well, Lost From Light, we're here to take a criminal. Of course, since you're the defender of justice, you wouldn't mind, right?"

"Well, of course, justice and law are our guidance in this forsaken land. But who's that criminal you're talking about?" Sunny kept his usual friendly smile and tone

"Well, in the last two days, 6 of our guards went missing suddenly. After finding some evidence and some witnesses, we discovered that they were killed mercilessly by huntress Athena. And we'd like to take her to the castle to make her face her punishment." Tessai said politely to Sunny only.

"Okay then. We'll accept that. But I'm pretty confident that Effie wouldn't do such a thing. So I hope you wouldn't mind us coming and asking those witnesses and see the evidence you have, right?" Sunny also replied politely. All the sleepers just looked at this scene with confusion.

Tessai's face twitched a bit, trying to hide the annoyance. He knew that if this guy went there, he'd cause them a lot of trouble.

"..Fine. Do as you wish. Come with me to the castle, if you want. Bring those rats if you want. All of you will witne-" before Tessai could continue, he suddenly felt a heavy pressure fell him. A cold drop of sweat ran down his spine as he shivered under this presence.

"Are you calling my friends here rats?" The friendly smile and tone disappeared from Sunny's face as it was switched to a cold expression and tone.

"I..I'm sorry. Lost From Light I didn't mean to offend your friends." Tessai said under fear. The pressure he felt from Sunny was more deadly from his lord.

Then, the pressure disappeared from him. Making him calm down a bit.

"If I hear you disrespecting anyone here, you'll face terrible consequences. Now, lead the way." Sunny said coldly. His voice was like a sharp blade pressing on Tessai's throat.

"Yes...yes, of course" Tessai said with a scarred voice.

The guards stared at their leader who felt scared from Sunny with disbelief. Even their mighty leader was scared of him.

On the other hand, the sleepers of the outer settlement smirked while looking down on Tessai and his guards who got tamed by Sunny.

...

All together, they exited the lodge. Tessai was walking in the front, holding the tall huntress by the shoulder. Her hands were tied behind her back with a flimsy rope more of a symbolic gesture than a real restraint, considering Effie's strength. Sunny and Neph were keeping close, Neph showed a calm and indifferent expression. Sunny, on the other hand, was just putting on a friendly smile like he usually does now.

The Guards and the members of Changing Star's faction were right behind them. The members of Changing Star Faction were looking down on the guards who were looking on the ground in fear from Sunny.

As they moved toward the castle, more and more slum dwellers surrounded them their faces full of shock and anger.

"They got Effie!"

"Bastards! Let her go!"

"Lady Nephis! Do something!"

Glancing at the growing number of people who were gathering around them, she smiled reassuringly and said:

"Stay calm! Come with us if you want. Today, we'll see justice done!" She turned to look at Sunny while saying: "After all, Lost from Light, the defender of justice, is here, and he'll make sure to bring justice" She smirked at him as if she was teasing him.

Surprisingly, her statement about Sunny being here calmed them down.

'Just what kind of rumors did you spread about me that made everyone suddenly calm down when they hear my name, Neph?' Sunny looked at Neph with puzzlement on his face

soon, a clamor of shouts rose above the outer settlement:

"Justice! Justice!"

However, at some point, the tone of it changed, an almost palpable sense of bloodlust finding its way into the people's voices. The word they were shouting was also replaced, and soon, the crowd was chanting something else. Calling not for justice, but for..

Judgment.

"Judgment! Judgment!"

Sunny frowned while looking at the crowd, whose eyes ignited with flaming desire of bloodlust and just sighed at the terrible sight.

As they drew close to the stairs leading to the entrance of the castle, almost a hundred people were following them. The Guards standing at the gates stared at the crowd with a bit of fear in their eyes. But when they noticed Sunny, they shivered.

A few moments later, they entered the bright castle. Which was empty, until they entered the throne room. There, everyone who's inside the castle was there. Sunny noticed some familiar faces. Like Stev, Aiko, and Kai, who left to the castle yesterday. Everyone had different expressions. some of them seemed relaxed, and others looked uncomfortable to be here. Sunny also noticed that Harbour wasn't there.

Sunny sighed

'I guess he was going to die anyway, even if didn't I kill him.'

Sunny also noticed the Echoes that were summoned. Most of them were either awakened beasts or monsters. Nothing higher than that.

On the raised dais at the far end of the great hall, illuminated by the false stars that were carved into the wall of the dark alcove, the four lieutenants of the Bright Lord stood. There was Gemma, the leader of the Hunters, Kido, the chief Artisan, and Seishan, who was in charge of the Handmaidens, and lastly, Harus. Who had a bored expression.

Meanwhile, Tessai walked to the middle of the hall and threw Effie down, forcing her to kneel on the floor. Without looking back, he joined the other lieutenants on the steps leading to the throne.

Sunny and Neph walked and stood beside Effie. Only then did people seem to notice Sunny.

The four lieutenants faces twitched a bit when they looked at Sunny, and the hall suddenly broke in whispers.

"Wait, isn't that Lost from Light?"

"He's alive?"

"So Harus didn't kill him?"

Sunny's lips curled up a bit. In his past life, he always avoided attention to make people look down on him and let their guard down around him. But now, he was in the eye of the storm, all eyes on him.

Of course, Sunny wasn't a fan of dragging too much attention to him. But didn't he promise to help Neph? Didn't he say that he's going to be the wall that Neph can rely on? How is he going to achieve this while hiding in back scenes? He isn't some hypocrite nor a liar. in fact, he's the most honest person in the world! The two worlds, actually!

Then, he felt Gunlaug presence, indicating that he finally came.

The crowd suddenly trembled. All of them shivering and sweating under Gunlaug presence. The only people who seemed unaffected by Gunlaug presence were Sunny and Neph. Sunny kept his usual friendly smile, and Neph was now strong enough to not care about Gunlaug.

Gunlaug was tall and had broad, powerful shoulders. His body was clad in a strange armor that seemed to be made out of molten gold. It was both solid and liquid, flowing over his mightly muscles and covering him from head to toe. Not even his eyes were exposed.

In the place where his face should have been, there was nothing but a smooth and empty expanse of polished gold. The great hall of the Bright Castle reflected in it, and all the people gathered there did, too,

Sunny looked at the golden mask that was covering Gunlaug's face. He saw his reflection through it, but he didn't feel any bit of fear. Which is understandable considering that he was currently wearing the mantle of the underworld. Which provided a huge protection against mind attacks. But Sunny felt Neph besides him shiver.

Walking out of the darkness of the alcove like a golden apparition, Gunlaug glanced at the mass of people below him and sat on the throne. His pose was relaxed and casual. Until his gaze fell on Sunny. Sunny saw no physical reaction came from Gunlaug, but he could sense the annoyed stare of Gunlaug.

Gunlaug lingered for a few moments and then said, his serpentine voice full of mirth:

"Ah, what a sight. All my precious wards gathered here, united in the desire to see justice prevail. This dedication, this fervor for the rule of law... oh, it just makes my blood boil with appreciation. Don't you think it's wonderful? Not only that, but the mighty defender of justice, Lost From Light. Is pleasing us with his presence today."

Sunny watched Gunlaug and smirked as he bowed while placing his hand on his chest. Looking like noble, and said in a charming voice:

"The pleasure is all mine, Lord of the bright castle. I was lucky enough to be back after my expedition in the labyrinth and be able to help serve justice again."

Sunny smirked

'Let the show begin!'