The previously tense group was taken aback, even a little offended, before they reacted with some surprise.
"Wait! Where are you going now?" – Effie cried, seemingly dismayed –"Are you just ignoring us?!"
The group hurriedly followed her, soon realizing the statue's purpose. The skeleton of the first Lord.
For a moment, everyone remained silent. Apparently dismayed by the sight before them, but before anyone could say anything, the imposing knight acted on his own once more. Grabbing the skeleton by the neck, she lifted it up like a piece of trash.
"W-what?!"
"Wait, wait! Don't eat it!"
Kai and Effie tried to be reasonable voices, but they might as well have been talking to a literal wall.
Saint studied the skeleton without any interest, then grabbed the crown resting on its head in a swift motion. The skeleton fell to the ground, and the crown disappeared in sparks.
"Uh... No, wait, what?!" The always calm Changing Star let out a wide-eyed scream.
Then the spell's voice fell silent again. Saint remained motionless for a moment that was very uncomfortable for everyone else, then summoned the crown without any deep thought.
The crown was made of a shiny silver metal and contained a beautiful red jewel in its center. It looked tempting and something a queen would use inside her pace, but none of that impressed Saint; she was only somewhat interested in the strange enhancement to her weapon that seemed to be obtained simply by summoning it.
Faking a small cough, Changing Star caught her attention.
"Excuse me..." – She seemed to force a smile – "Do you think you can... you know, give me that souvenir?"
Saint kept her eyes on her for a few moments, then looked away and walked away. Hanging the crown at her waist, she stopped a few meters in front of the tunnel, where the hints of a rge statue rose.
Behind her, Nephis's expression grew increasingly hard. While those of her other companions just stared at the lying skeleton in pity.
"This looks fun," – Effie finally blurted out.
The once happy shadow could only continue apologizing.
The group gathered to dig a grave for the poor First Lord. At one point, the thought of making a second one for their companion Sunny crossed their minds, but there was no body to bury, and they didn't want their friend's final resting pce to be in that terrible pce.
They didn't move forward immediately; Sunny's death had been a great shock to each of them. And although some pretended it more than others, it was clear it had been a severe blow. Although they were aware that this journey was fraught with danger and that returning was not guaranteed, somehow, they had thought everyone would make it. Especially Sunny; he was like the king cockroach.
In the end, it was several hours ter when the group set off again. More out of fear that the monster lurking in the darkness would emerge than for any other reason. With Changing Star at the forefront, they advanced, and with them, the proud statue followed.
…
The monstrous bird fell to the ground with a thunderous cry, but even that wail was drowned out by the impact of a stone shield against its skull. The ground shook, and the creature threw the stone warrior aside with its st strength.
Saint fell gracefully, allowing the shadows that dwelled in her heart to embrace her and dissolve her into the atmosphere. Like a predator turned shadow, Saint moved like a formless wave.
Her strength, speed, and endurance had increased considerably. Not only thanks to her new core, but also to the support of the shadow that embraced her body. Before, the boost it granted her was considerable, but now it seemed like overkill. Still, overcoming the range barrier wasn't so easy.
The nightmare creature fought with unbridled ferocity. Now that Sunny was gone, the group's overall strength diminished, even if hers increased.
The group took its toll. Effie was on the ground, trying to get up. Caster struggled with one arm. Kai was still unharmed thanks to his skill, but he looked tired. Cassie had even had to join the battle, but there was little help she could offer. Only Changing Star seemed stronger than before, burning in powerful fmes.
In the end, it was the bde of Changing Star's sword that decapitated the monster. The pce fell silent, and the group fell silent, exhausted. “Ah… it hurts so much I’m hungry,” Effie mentioned without even trying to get up.
The battered sleepers didn’t seem to register her words, but her humor seemed to have released the burden in the air.
Saint stood her ground, discarding her weapons and immersing herself in the calm embrace of the shadows surrounding her. She was content with the outcome, even if it didn't show. Her new abilities had proven quite useful in battle, and she was certain she would only grow stronger with time; she just had to figure out the path forward.
[Shadow Heart]
Emerged from absorbing a divine shadow in the depths of the underworld, shadows listen and respect you. As long as you are surrounded by shadows, they will heal you and give you strength. Your heart is deep, but hollow, as if waiting for another piece.
Her father, Nether, never expined to her or her siblings the path to transcendence, much less how to grow their souls, but she was certain that was his intention when he created them. It was just another part of the test they were given, as their own armor demonstrated. She could only be sure of one thing; and that was that she must fight. She had been born to bring peace, even if she lived in a world of war, and so she would follow her former master's former companions. For she could sense that this woman, a shifting star, would be the beginning of the conflict.
"Excuse me."
As if to remind herself of that feeling, the sleeper herself stood before her, or more precisely, before the shadows that fluttered in the cave.
"How about we make a little deal?" – Nephis tried to force a smile as he summoned a rge bronze shield. Only for his expression to freeze as he nearly fell under its weight, but he quickly recovered to maintain a dignified look.
Saint studied the object carefully, then stepped out of the shadows' embrace. Her eyes shone. She took the crown that rested at her waist and discarded it without looking, then pced her arm around the sleeper's shoulder.
The sensation that followed was strange, as if something had left her soul and been exchanged for something else. A second ter, a beautiful crown materialized on the shifting star's head, while a heavy shield was held in pce by a stone gauntlet.
For a moment, although neither of them changed their expression or posture, the atmosphere seemed to become happier. Even the happy shadow cpped a few times.
"Okay, we're ready to go."