The Noble Queen-A Shadow Slave Fanfic

Training the next morning went smoothly. Despite Flint's negative running commentary, the group found their rhythm almost instantly.

A level of deference and trust knitted them together that could only be attributed to their shared battle the day before.

The only tense moment was when Flint heckled Helie while she was demonstrating her earth-shifting Ability.

The elegant woman could not create stone, but she could move around earth that was already there. The cantankerous eldest member of the team was, as usual, unimpressed by the display.

"I have a shovel that can do that," he mumbled.

Beside him, Noble rolled her eyes.

"Medicine can heal others, and spelltech can help with identifying weaknesses in Nightmare creatures. But not as well as you. Can that shovel of yours shift an entire hill of dirt in an instant?"

"Who says it can't?" Flint puffed out his chest.

Bringing her hand to the ground, Helie moved the forest floor aside, creating a sinkhole right below Flint's feet. The man backed away quickly.

"What's the meaning of this?!" He cried indignantly.

"Just letting you put your shovel where your mouth is," the brunette smirked.

Hovering over the hole, Noble looked down into the abyss with an indifferent expression. "You should probably get going."

"I would be interested in seeing this shovel as well." Aether, who was standing on the other side of the clearing, nodded seriously.

Child of Promise looked at the young man with compassion. "I don't think there is any such shovel. Helie was calling Flint's bluff."

The handsome legacy frowned. "Ah, I see. Thank you for clarifying, ma'am."

"That was a cheap shot." Flint straightened his armor as he eyed the edge of the hole. "If this were a real battle, my ice would obliterate anything you can do with your earth."

"How about a duel?" Aether suggested, "Like the Dreamscape! I have always wanted to participate in one of those!"

The young legacy smiled genuinely, and the world around them suddenly felt like it was bathed in moonlight. The pleasant sensation was like a drink of cold water on a hot day.

'He really should smile more often. The world would fall at his feet.'

"You've always wanted to have a Dreamscape battle?" Noble tilted her head.

The young man nodded. "I have only ever sparred with people from the House of Night."

Tucking her blond locks behind her ear, the former duelist shook her head. "It's just as well. Those duels can be rather addictive."

Aether raised an eyebrow. "Did you participate before you became a Master?"

"I dabbled," Noble's smile became strained.

"Dabbled? Ha! Look who thinks she is Queen Bee!" Flint crossed his arms. "Just because you can float, you want us to believe you might be that champion? For your information, she was far more talented as an Awakened than I have seen any of you be as Masters. And prettier too!"

"You are a fan of the Queen Bee?" Noble could barely believe her ears.

"What? You think I am not cultured enough to enjoy the Dreamscape? I will have you know I watched all her fights and was present at her comeback Championship in the group tournament." The older gentleman scowled at the floating Master. "So don't try to compare yourself to her. You will always come up short."

"Forgive me. I will not do it again," Noble placed her hand on her heart.

Flint pursed his lips. "Queen Bee? More like wannabe. Honestly, Roan, you should have reached out to Ms. Bee and invited her on this little outing. At least then there would be someone worthy of my company here."

Roan coughed. "Yes, well, what's done is done. I am afraid there will be no Dreamscape today. We cannot afford to have any injuries so close to leaving. We should be on our way."

The eldest legacy glared at Helie as he pointed down. "Are you going to fill that hole, or should I freeze it over? I wouldn't want some unsuspecting traveler to fall in and get trapped."

Sighing, Helie snapped her fingers, and the hole filled with a tsunami of soil.

There was only one problem.

Noble was still above the hole.

'Blazing Bees!'

Flying upward, the geophobic warrior barely escaped the wave of land as it burst out into the clearing.

'That was too close.'

Her soul was still recovering from the damage done yesterday. A fresh wound would have delayed her recovery until after they planned to enter the Seed. Thankfully, her reflexes had been fast enough.

"Scared of getting a little dirty?" Flint clicked his tongue. "Queen Bee would never have been so cowardly."

Noble sent him a long-suffering look.

'Is it wrong to strangle a cohort member?'

-----------

After a long afternoon of traveling, Noble began to feel a subtle pull on her soul. It was almost imperceptible and very different from the care she extended to those around her to protect them.

Yet the gentle hum was undeniable. They were nearing the Seed.

As night neared, they dared not sleep. Too much was at stake. They continued through the darkness, avoiding trouble with Noble's vigilant scans.

At last, they found the shimmering source of their quest.

The Seed.

Under the surrounding pressure, Noble found it hard to breathe. It was as if any moment, the anomaly would bloom and release the gate and its horrors into the waking world.

'Not on my watch.'

Roan held up his fist above his shoulder, and the cohort came to a stop.

He stared at the Seed with an unreadable expression. "If there is anything you need to do before we go, now is the time to do it."

Some Awakened had superstitions, including praying to the dead gods. Those present did not put any faith in the departed. 

They called on their helmets and weapons. There was no reason to be caught lacking if they were dumped in the middle of a battle.

As the last of the sparks dissipated, Roan gave the final words.

"Remember to look for Bastion when the Nightmare reverses. That is our meeting place. Whatever happens, get there, no matter how long it takes."

There was always the chance that the group would be sent somewhere else in the Dream Realm, but from experience, that did not seem to happen often, if ever.

Everything was set. There were no more preparations to be made, and there was no reason to delay.

The Nightmare would toss them wherever it pleased, regardless of the time of day.

So as the sun began to rise on the horizon, Noble took one last look in the direction of her home.

'I'll be back soon, Fort. I'll be home with you and the kids very soon.'

Her body might be entering the Third Nightmare, but her heart remained in Ravenheart.

Remained with the four people she loved most in the world. That would never change. 

Shutting her eyes, Noble waited for the signal, then held out her hand to touch the Seed.

The landscape around her disappeared, replaced by a mesmerizing darkness.

In the stillness of that void, Noble heard the voice of the Spell. 

[Ascended! Prepare for your Third Trial.]

[Five stalwart souls, welcome to the Nightmare!]