Shadow Slave: Endless Souls

Somehow Sunny, Edward, and Auro had agreed to go up and over the mountain pass. The trio were carrying their own supplies on their back while the two soldiers carrying most of the supplies Sunny with his frail-looking body could only carry a little bit. Now dressed in a fur coat and boots to help him resist the cold a little more he tiredly followed them.

Since the arrival of Mountain King, the road was no more, by Edward's suggestion they decided to use the old path that led to the peak of the mountain. Auro and Sunny were wary of Edward he wasn't a simple soldier.

To prepare for the travel Sunny even decided to leave the sword, which was surprisingly emotional he must say.

The sword might not have seemed to be that heavy right now, but every extra gram of weight was bound to feel like a ton all too soon. As the weakest member of the group, he was already struggling to keep up, so there wasn't a lot of choice. Shedding a few kilograms of iron was the right thing to do.

Walking up the mountain road with the weight of the supplies on his shoulders was already hard enough, but climbing up the mountain itself turned out to be pure torture. Just half an hour later, he felt like his muscles were going to melt, with his lungs on the verge of imploding.

Clenching his teeth, Sunny continued to move forward and up. He had to constantly remind himself to watch his footing, too. On this unstable, icy slope one misstep was enough to send a man tumbling down to his death.

'Just think about something pleasant,' he thought.

"Are you still there clever boy?"

Edward said with a smile on his face, ruining whatever happy thought that was taking shape in his mind. Gritting his teeth he decided to think about the Nightmare Spell and the benefits he will gain once finishing his First Nightmare.

Edward on the other hand was having a stranger though he was thinking about where the shadow temple was and how to meet Sunny to it with Mountain King. 

It was amusing though to have indeed after all currently he needed to keep the plot intact enough to allow his very small knowledge of the future to remain useful.

[SP: 910]

He wasn't sure if Sunless still had that bell-type memory with himself, as for Auro trying to kill Sunny. Edward won't hesitate a moment before saying "He surely will." Edward could feel Auro's eyes getting even more unfriendly towards Sunny.

[Memory: Silver Bell

Rank: Dormant

Enchantment: [Silver Song]

Description: A small memento of a long-lost home, which once brought its owner comfort and joy. Its clear ringing can be heard from miles away.

Price: 100 SP]

[Silver Song]: The ringing of this bell is not overly loud but can be heard across a vast distance.

[Soul: Cowardly One

Rank: Dormant

Powers: [Quiet As Wind], [Transparent], [Still As Stone].

Description: The soul of one that's afraid of pain, fear isn't bad it helps survive and see the next day. But perhaps this one has a little too much.

Price: 300 SP]

[Quiet As Wind]: Your movements perfectly blend in with the sound of the wind as the long target isn't fully aware of you, your movement is treated as the wind.

[Transparent]: You perfectly blend in with your surroundings making it hard to distinguish you from your surroundings.

[Still As Stone]: You can stay absolutely still for extended periods of time. During this, you can go for long periods without breathing, eating, or sleeping.

'Hmm, I can ring the bell and go to hiding right? As long the situation is still like in the original book everything will be fine.' A smile appeared on his face, as his eyes wandered around before reaching towards Auro's water bag. Should he put some extra bloodbane sneakily?

After all, Sunny did not have too much time before the winter solstice, so an extended stay in First Nightmare will do no good to our protagonist. So quickly ending this fiasco will do good to both of them.

Soon night approached them, the sun was setting, painting the world into a million shades of crimson. This high up, the air was clean and crisp, pierced by streams of scarlet light. Below them, a sea of maroon clouds was slowly rolling past the mountain. The stars and the moon had begun to reveal themselves in the vermillion sky.

It was quite beautiful.

Before the sun fully disappeared, Auro had found them a shelter. Not far from the path, hidden behind some tall rocks, was a narrow crevice that extended into the slope of the mountain. Happy to be safe from the piercing wind, they explored the crevice and ended up in a small, well-concealed cave.

Sunny made a move to unbundle some firewood, but Auro stopped him with a shake of his head.

"Today we will camp without making a fire. We better save as much recourse we can when we have a chance."

Camping without the warm flames to keep them company was not going to be pleasant, but at least they weren't going to freeze to death inside the cave. Then again they weren't sure how close the creature was.

Sunny sat down, putting his back against the cave's wall. Auro settled opposite of him, looking downcast and thoughtful. Edward for some reason front of the cave entrance blocking it with his body.

Sunny had a gut feeling, tonight was the end of his First Nightmare, he wasn't sure of the reason but the feeling still lingered. He looked at Auro, he was obviously in a strange mood. If nothing else, it was apparent from the fact that today, for the first time, the young soldier had failed to care for his sword after making camp.

Soon, the sun was gone, and their small cave became completely dark. Sunny, of course, could still see perfectly well; Auro, on the other hand, was now completely blind just like Edward.

In the darkness, his handsome face looked noble and, for some reason, sorrowful. Sunny studied it, not willing to fall asleep.

After a while, Auro suddenly spoke in a quiet voice:

"You know, it's strange. Usually, I can feel someone's presence even in absolute darkness. But with you, there's nothing. It's like you are just one of the shadows. Don't you think so too?"

Edward stayed silent, eerily so, Sunny didn't like this young soldier who was more dangerous than Auro, far dangerously so. He was unpredictable and ruthless, killing without batting an eye with skill beyond words.

With only silence to answer him, he smiled.

"Are you guys asleep?"

The question echoed in the darkness. Sunny, who had never spoken with Auro unless there was an urgent need to, and even then only using a few words at best, felt like there was a strange intimacy between them now. Perhaps because both of them were wary of the silent psychopath that was with them. That's why he decided to talk. Maybe the darkness gave him courage.

Besides, there was an occasion.

"Why? Are you waiting for me to fall asleep before you kill me? Or will you do it in the morning?"

The smile froze on Auro's face. He lowered his head, as though in shame. After a minute or so passed, shrouded in heavy silence, he finally answered.

"Yes. I thought that if I do it when you sleep, you won't have to suffer."

Unseen to him, a bitter grin appeared on Sunny's face.

A long sigh escaped from the young soldier's lips. He rested his back against the cave's wall, still not looking up. He already noticed the unfriendly look that Auro was giving him during their journey.

"I don't expect you to forgive me. This sin, too, will be mine to bear. But, please, if you can… find it in your heart to understand. If things were different, I would have gladly faced that monster to let you escape. But my life… does not belong to me alone. There is an unencompassable duty I am sworn to fulfill. Until it's done, I cannot allow myself to die."

Sunny laughed.

"You people… Look at you! Planning to kill me and still insist on having a good excuse. How very convenient! I really hate hypocrites like you the most. Why don't you be honest for once? Don't give me that crap... just say it! I'm going to kill you because it's easy. I'm going to kill you because I want to survive."

Say the truth he hated people like Auro more than ones like Edward who were crazy but honest with their intentions.

Auro closed his eyes, his face full of sadness.

"I'm sorry. I knew you wouldn't be able to understand."

"What's there to understand?"

Sunny leaned forward, anger coursing through his veins.

"Tell me. Why do I have to die?"

The young soldier finally looked up. Even though he couldn't see in the dark, he turned his face in the direction of Sunny's voice.

"That man was a villain… but he was also right. The scent of blood is too heavy on you. It will attract the beast."

"You can just let me go, you know. We'll part ways. After that whether or not the monster finds me won't be your problem."

Hero shook his head.

"Dying in that creature's maw… is too cruel a fate. It's better if I do it myself. You are my responsibility, after all."

"How noble of you."

Sunny leaned back, dejected. After a short while, he quietly said:

"You know… when I just came here, I was ready to die. After all, in this whole world — two worlds, actually — there's not a single soul who cares whether I live or die. When I'm gone, no one will be sad. No one will even remember that I existed."

There was a forlorn look on his face. A moment later, however, it was gone, replaced by mirth.

"But then I changed my mind. Somewhere along the way, I decided to survive. I must survive, no matter what."

Auro gave him a thoughtful look.

"To live a life worth remembering?"

Sunny grinned. A dark gleam appeared in his eyes.

"No. To spite you all."

The young soldier was silent for a few moments, then nodded, accepting this answer. He rose to his feet.

"Don't worry. I'll make it quick."

"Aren't you overly confident? What makes you think you'll be able to kill me? Maybe I'll kill you instead."

Auro shook his head.

"I doubt that."

... But in the next second, he stopped and stood there frozen in confusion and fear. A beautiful, clear ringing sound flowed over the mountain, filling the night with an enchanting melody.

Sunny turned around towards the cave exit where the melody came from, there he saw Edward the psychopath looking in his direction with an ear-to-ear grin on his face, it was a nightmarish sight that gave him goosebumps. He was holding a single very beautiful silver bell in his hand.

'You crazy bastard!'

The long silence of him caused Auro and Sunny to momentarily forget this crazy bastard was still there. He doesn't need to think about it too much to know that what Edward did was related to the terrifying Mountain King and to understand the hint he has given to him. Edward covered his eyes with one hand and held his index finger in front of his eerie grin.'

'Hush?! Do you mean to be quiet? Also, why are you covering your eyes? Wait! He means the monster is blind?'

After quickly deciphering his silent hint Sunny becomes silent, he doesn't utter any more words. Right now, he wasn't even breathing. But Auro didn't know their silent exchange he looked at Edward's direction and asked loudly.

"What are you doing?! Stop!"

Under Auro's bewildered eyes and Sunny's terrified gaze Edward disappeared, as if he just faded away from the world. Auro who didn't know this headed toward where Edward was once and tried to touch him.

"Tell me! What did you just do?"

"Tell me right now or you will regret it."

He scowled.

"Why are you not saying anything?"

The shivering boy just stared at him, completely silent.

No… he was staring into the darkness behind him.

Hero's eyes widened and finally realized what was happening.

"What…"

***

Please Join My Patreon! patreon.com/JustAGameXD'

Next five chapters are in Patreon!

Also thank you for Fang_yuan123 for some reason 3 Power Stones you sent just wanted me publish this chapter early.