Shadow Slave

“Who knows? It’s not like anyone who had the opportunity to learn that lived to tell the tale. The only thing widely known about the golden armor is that it is made out of some strange liquid metal and that it emanates a field of crushing psychic pressure. But even that is not entirely true. Actually, it only affects those who look at their reflection in the visor. Cassie wasn’t affected at all.”

The blind girl raised an eyebrow, only now learning that everyone except for her always felt incredibly oppressed in Gunlaug’s presence. For once, her terrible Flaw gave her an advantage.

It had also allowed Sunny to learn a valuable secret. But he had no time to be happy about it.

The most important part of this conversation was drawing close. He had to convince Changing Star to abandon any idea of going against Gunlaug. Otherwise, all three of them were going to end up dead.

Sunny looked at her and asked in a carefully neutral tone:

“So, what do you think?”

Changing Star was quiet for a while, then suddenly said:

“I have also learned something while you were gone.”

Sunny frowned slightly. Was she trying to avoid this conversation? Feeling heavy and uncertain, he asked:

“Really? What is it?”

However, in the next second, he had forgotten all about his previous worries. Because Nephis looked him right in the eyes and said:

“There is a Gateway here, after all.”

Something exploded in Sunny’s mind.

‘What… there is… there is a Gateway?’

Stunned, he stared at Neph with wide eyes.

How could this be? Why hadn’t anyone ever mentioned it? No, it didn’t make any sense. If there was a Gateway, why would people just stay in the Dark City? Why were both Effie and Caster so adamant that there was no way out?

A familiar dark feeling of unease settled in his heart.

Trying to compose himself, Sunny slowly said:

“Then why… why hasn’t anyone left? Where is it?”

Nephis looked at the window, remained silent for a few moments, and then answered in a flat tone:

“Where do you think? It’s in the Crimson Spire, of course.”