Shadow Slave: The Blessing of Fate

First of all, thanks for 50k views on Webnovel, very cool number.

Sorry for not uploading, I am kinda having trouble even concentrating on the pages lol, not sure if it's some winter break aftereffect or what, but I will try to upload more in the future. Although, it most likely won't be regularly, but I will try to make the chapters longer in return, ig?

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Sunny watched the giant tree in the distance. His experiences with this harrowing creature were some of the most terrible that he had ever been through. It could not compare to the utter torment and agony of his now nonexistent past, but it was the first time he truly felt fear. 

His body began shivering after seeing the Soul Devouring Tree for the first time in years. He was determined to take down the wretched thing, once and for all.

'I'll burn you to your roots…'

Blazing with immense resolve and confidence, his onyx eyes locked onto their prey. 

The hunt was about to start.

*** 

Heading west, with Ashen Barrow being the group's destination, he sent the gloomy shadow ahead to scout the area. Moving a few meters behind it, Nephis and Sunny took the front and Cassie remained in the back, mounting the crab-like Echo.

As they approached the crumbled walls, the three stepped forward into the vast expanse of grey sand that separated the Labyrinth from the hill crowned by that atrocious tree. Sunny released a swarm of shadows around them, concealing their movements and most sounds coming from within that small circle.

The ashen wasteland left them in a strange state. After being enclosed by unending walls, or stuck on a small piece of land protruding from the Dark Sea, it was in a way liberating, yet also uncomfortable. 

Thankfully, from that moment on, it would not take long until they finally reached the Dark City. If everything went according to plan, they should arrive at least a month sooner than before.

Nephis gestured for them to stop and turned to face Sunny.

"Anything?"

He shook his head.

"Nothing so far, but we should be careful and watch our backs. Just like we entered, something else might enter as well."

She nodded and they continued walking towards one of the smaller hills, while Sunny slowed down a bit, now being the center of their formation. He already expected the other Carapace Centurion to soon make its entrance.

Noticing the scythe-handed monster's appearance, Sunny signaled for them to hide, instructing the Echo to do the same. While hiding behind the peak of a hill, Nephis stuck out her head and watched the approaching abomination.

It was headed in the direction of the large hill, which held the abominable tree. The Carapace Centurion was grasping one of the transcendent soul shards between its bone scythes.

Soul Devouring Tree's mind hex was beginning to slowly take effect, encouraging them to come closer and bask in its majestic presence.

The Carapace Centurion crossed the ashen wasteland and suddenly stopped once it got too close to the Barrow. Carefully placing the shard on the sand, it took a few steps back and turned its gaze to the ground.

It then bowed, awaiting the coming of a far more terrible creature. A giant monster was coming down the hill, suffocating the group with its deadly aura. It was something much more powerful than a pitiful Carapace Scavenger or even a Carapace Centurion.

As big as a house, eight segmented legs that resembled tall pillars, a shell seemingly made out of polished, lustrous metal. Somewhat similar to both the scavengers and centurions, it was a being that combined their worst traits and made for an opponent much, much more terrifying… 

The Carapace Demon.

"Stay quiet, something more powerful appeared." 

Sunny whispered while observing the foul demon. The huge abomination picked up the shard, turned around, and went back to its mighty protector, it did not even acknowledge the kneeling centurion.

After a while, he spoke up and suggested to return to the camp, formulate a proper plan, and get some rest. They picked themselves up and slowly headed back towards the Bone Ridge, the skeletal remains of a colossal sea monster. None of them uttered a single word along the way.

***

Sunny, Nephis, and Cassie sat around the warm fire while enjoying a pile of roasted meat. As Sunny was chewing on the juicy strip of meat in his hand, he was telling them about the demon and its behavior.

"I assume that it's an Awakened Demon, it was definitely stronger than the centurion at least. The strange thing was that it picked up the shard and instead of using it, the demon instead put it on the ground next to the giant tree, like an offering of sorts…"

Nephis listened to him intently. Cassie became restless with the mention of the word "offering."

He then described the Carapace Demon in detail, the two stayed silent throughout his description of the terrible creature.

"Anyway, I think there's a bigger issue at hand. The tree is really weird, when we were getting closer to it, I felt like I was being called to it, and the demon's behavior doesn't make me any less worried." He explained with a serious tone, there was not a hint of doubt in his voice. Sunny was absolutely sure of the danger that the tree spelled.

The first to speak up was Nephis, she seemed to be slightly puzzled by what Sunny just told them.

"I have not felt anything irregular, but it is true that even the possibility of the existence of that tree in this type of environment is fairly unlikely."

Sunny nodded and continued.

"That might be due to my armor, it gives me resistance against mind attacks. I think we can conclude that it might actually be a Nightmare Creature with a powerful mind hex, which becomes stronger the closer you are to the tree."

Cassie gulped and turned her head to the slender girl sitting next to her.

"W-what should we do?"

Those stuttered words hinted at Cassie's current feelings. She was frightened.

"Destroy it."

Sunny already knew what kind of answer would come, and his guess was correct. It was just like her, she would never be intimidated by a creature of this level. With goals such as hers, how could she allow herself to?

"Neph, tell me, just how much fire can you release at once?"

She tilted her head and studied the boy that just asked her the question. With an emotionless tone, she simply asked:

"Why?"

"I have a plan in mind."

His answer was clear and instant. He promised that he would burn the tree to its roots, and he had a perfectly healthy Changing Star, who held the lineage of the Sun God and her Aspect was related to the Nephilim. There was nobody more suited for this job than Nephis. The only issue was her Flaw. The current Nephis was still not used to the pain, and the needed output of flames would, without a doubt, hurt her terribly.

Thankfully, with his new Aspect, something had changed.

Their previous fight with the Carapace Centurion made him realize a crucial detail, which would totally change the way they fought together. 

During the battle, Sunny enveloped the cliff in shadows that came from Shadow Gate, and they both augmented their swords, however, the augmentation of Nephis' blade seemed different. He could not quite grasp what made the difference, but what he knew was that her flame grew far deadlier than it was ever before. It looked weaker, as if it was being suppressed, but it most definitely was not weaker.

"Let me be frank, I am already aware of your Flaw, Neph. You didn't hide it very well, those meditating sessions while grinding your teeth kind of gave it away." 

Sunny's words trailed off, but he was not done talking.

"I don't want to see you in pain, however, if we wish to destroy the tree, then that would be the best way."

Her Flaw was a heinous one, the fact that her future self was able to act as if nothing happened was simply outrageous to him. Sunny already went through enough pain for several lifetimes. He was chewed, gutted, drowned, burned, crushed, and many other similar horrible ways to be hurt, but it could not compare to what Nephis put up with.

However, if her flames were able to rise in power while she was surrounded by the expanse of shadows from his Innate Ability, then perhaps Nephis would not have to go through unspeakable agony.

Changing Star had a curious look on her beautiful face, she had another question for the pale young man.

"It's just pain, you don't need to worry about me, however, there is something else bothering me. Just how much flame do you need? I can burn down the tree without trouble."

"Well, my beloved Changing Star, we are not just torching a tree, but also a very ugly house-sized demon. Give them hell, how about that?" Lost from Light chuckled as he answered her question.