Shadow Slave Cinema (reaction fanfic)-Chapter 25: The Funny Bone

Leather creased as the sounds of chairs shifting reverberated throughout the room. Everyone looked at the front with varying expressions, their shoulders stiffening and spine's shivering as the ancient raspy laugh sounded around them.

Daeron looked with concern as Julius's hands jittered at an alarming speed, his mouth and eyes so comically wide that one would expect a strand of drool to start forming.

All of them held their breaths as the laughter drowned down into a gurgled laugh.

"How bizarre...has my mind finally corroded, or is this another step in my endless condemnation?"

Nephis lifted the skull up to eye length.

Eurys's integrity was a lot more dishevelled than she remembered. His bone was shaded and slightly bleak in comparison to its usual albino tint, slight cracks had formed around the mandible and his nasal cavity. In her palm he felt so brittle....if they weren't sealed by the room, she felt he could be crushed to dust.

Her eyes narrowed, slightly tightening her grip, causing his raspy voice to gurgle.

"Haha! You are real! Truly it's a shame... your puny arm won't be enough to crush my skull!"

.....

"....Although I wish you could"

A clicking sound echoed from the corners of his mandible as he seemed to look around.

"Am I dead? Are you dead? I hope I'm dead! How cruel of you shadow! I was promised an eternal sleep, but now.....I'm stuck with this infernal Nephilim!"

Nephis shook her head, letting out a sigh.

"Unfortunately for the both of us, you're not dead."

She turned her head, catching the eye of the crowd as they listened quietly, a few hushed whispers sounding.

"You've been brought here to help us close the gaps in some questions we have for a....predicament, we're being educated on."

Eurys scoffed.

"Really? After finally getting to the Shadow Realm to be put to rest, you yank me out and ask me to perform for you like a jester?"

In the back Saint Jest lurched back, stifling a laugh.

"He's funny, I already like this fellow"

Nephis ignored the chattering as she continued, her tone flat.

"Similar to you, we've all been brought to this place. Our objective is to watch the story of someone, fulfilling the desire of the entity behind this place so we may return."

Above them on the screen, the previous rules of the place blinked on the screen. Nephis twisted her arm, illuminating Eurys in the light as he silently read, his voice droning on in a mumble.

"Watch the story of the forgotten one.....receive rewards for viewings....go home"

It paused, staring in silence at the screen.

"You said an unknown entity is behind this place....?"

Nephis turned the skull back to face her as she lightly nodded, "We've seen its display of power....it can only be fathomed as something above the Gods."

The empty sockets stared at her....before his disembodied voice yelled out at an alarming volume.

"Dear entity, please kill me! I'm ready to go! You can even hang my skull as a trophy, strike me down! Obliterate me! Erase my existence!"

His voice echoed around the room as an awkward silence settled, broken by the sounds of stifled laughter from the second row as Noctis fought with all his will to hold back tears. The other stared with a mixture of confusion and....unease. This was supposed to be a legend—a monumental figure of mystery who had twisted history with his will, and yet just like Sunny....

Why was every ridiculously powerful person such an unhinged jokester?

Nephis only shook her head.

"This place doesn't harm its spectators, it only promises punishment for acts of violence."

.....

Agitated clicks rang out as Eurys trembled in her hand, his voice now mad like a lunatic.

"Damnation....if only I could move my jaw, I'd bite off your hand!"

He quieted, shifting into a persuasive tone.

"Come now, I think it's a great deal! Place your hand between my teeth and slam it down, then we can both get rid of each other."

Nephis tilted her head.

"You can try. But i'd only be painful...."

Eurys cackled, "Don't hold out on me! I've seen your putrid flames in action—just a snippet of flesh! It'll be over in a seco-"

"....for you"

Her voice echoed in a low, slightly threatening tone—causing the clicking to stop.

After a pause, he let out a saddened sigh.

"You're just as stingy as that Divine Shadow..."

Nephis's eyes widened, pulling the skull closer, her eyes questioning with scathing seriousness.

"Divine Shadow? When was this? What was their na-"

Her eyes became slightly startled...as a huff sounded out, cutting her off.

"Divine Shadow? My shadow? Who cares, you miserable lot just want to swindle me—shame on you! Taking advantage of your elders....how despicable! Just throw me in the corner, achieve whatever you must so I can return to corroding in that dark wasteland."

The air became stiff with unease as Nephis's gaze narrowed, confusion apparent.

"You...I understand your feelings in my presence, but still we managed to cooperate in the past."

The skull trembled.

"I was promised something, and now you've taken that away while expecting me to answer all your questions like a dog? I may be a slave, but your abominable existence is not my master!"

....

"That is rhetorical by the way, I have no real living master.....nobody is worthy of being my master!"

Silence took over as Nephis remained still, before her lips slightly curled. Her voice sounded out, now quieter....with an unusual tone of deceit.

"We can gladly leave you to sulk in a corner....it's just such a shame. If you were to cooperate and participate with us, then you'd see the once in a lifetime secrets we've witnessed. Truths of the Gods....schemes of the Daemons....battles that would be remembered as myths. I think you'd enjoy it quite a lot and have some stuff to reminisce about while you rot in the Shadow Realm."

Eurys chuckled.

"What a shame....I already have a healthy relationship with one who wields death. We're the best of friends really! He's working so hard to figure out how to kill me, how generous of him!"

Nephis smile grew as she tilted her head.

"....and this certain someone...wouldn't happen to be a Divine Shadow by the name of Sunless?"

The skull did not respond.

Nephis shrugged, leaning forward as she placed Eurys down—turning him to face the wall. Her voice trailed as she began to take audibly loud slow steps. Everyone watched in the crowd, unsure if they were witnessing the Changing Star they thought they knew. Her foot paused as his voice echoed out, now in a low and serious tone.

"Sunless.....you've met this being before?"

Nephis turned around, her tone slightly aloof.

"Our connection runs quite deep actually...."

She paused, smiling pleasantly.

"And sorry to say, but he values me more than you."

The skull did not respond.

Unhurriedly, she waltzed over and picked him up—calmly looking into his empty sockets.

"In fact...Sunny is the person we are learning about."

"You're eons too young to try and barter with me" he grumbled

Not a trace of emotion flashed across Nephis's face as she began to lean down, her arm stretching to place him back facing the wall. Her actions paused as a sigh rang out....

"I'm only doing this because I'm so delighted to learn more about my dear friend who values me so much more than you—he'd even travel across the land of death to talk to me!"

Nephis held him in her palm as she walked back over the first row.

"You just want dirt to hold against him so he does stuff for you...."

....

"Perhaps"

Standing at the front, she raised her palm—displaying the skull to everyone.

"Eurys of the Nine, the man even death doesn't want."

The skull trembled in her hand as his usual maniacal laughter came forth.

"Ah well, that's what happens when you kill the vessel of a God and incur their wrath."

Silence continued to hang in the air as everyone stared deadpan at the sight, unmoving. Tension was only broken by the sound of vigorous clapping, Julius standing up with an uncontrolled grin.

"Marvellous, or uhh—treacherous! What an honour to meet such a mythical figure in the fl—bones!"

Eurys chuckled.

"How fun! A man of perspicacious nature, though I have absolutely no idea who you are!"

The both of them heartily laughed as the other remained still, Nephis moving to her seat. She paused, looking at the skull and then at Effie who side-eyed her back.

'Call this comeuppance'

She smiled at Effie.

"Saint Athena...didn't you have such a fascination with animate skeletons? Well now's your chance."

In a lazy motion she tossed Eurys to Effie, her face slightly startled and tense. She looked with wide eyes at Nephis....who simply shrugged and sat down. Palms becoming sweaty, she turned the skull to face her, a nervous gulp sounding.

"Uhh....nice to meet you Eurys, sir"

Jet snorted, her face laced with mocking amusement.

"Wow, are you getting cold feet?"

Effie shot her a dangerous glare, tilting her head as she attempted to whisper.

"Hey! This dude killed a God or a vessel—whatever! He's crazy, I'm not messing with him!"

Jet tilted her head, her amusement growing.

"And yet you ogle and drool over a Divine Shadow who is the Heir of Death and the Bastard Son of Fate?"

Each word carried a dangerous weight as Effie seemed to physically recoil at every syllable. Wrinkles creasing her face, as she groaned in pain.

"Don't get me started on that lying shadow prince two-face-"

"I'm still here you know."

Effie stuttered, the words dying in her mouth. Her lips twitched, contorting into the most honest attempt of a smile. Her mouth opening and closing repeatedly until she eventually just handed him over to Jet.

"You two talk, you have a lot in common."

Jet blankly stared, only looking down as Ling stealthy crawled across the armrests—plopping on her leg next to the skull. Curiously, he reached out poking it, causing Eurys to sigh.

"Aah how the mighty fall! I am now being toyed with by a child."

Ling only giggled.

Carefully prying Eurys from Ling's grip, Jet turned him around. His jaw clicking as he sighed, his tone tired.

"What? Got something you'd like to extort out of this poor soul?"

Jet shrugged.

"Nothing really. What's it like being...dead?"

Effie and Kai tilted their heads, leaning slightly to get a better listen. Eurys had no muscles or skin for facial expression—but strangely everyone could envision a look of utter gloom on his face.

"Gloating about being alive are we?"

Jet only stared, her eyes flat but hiding a hint of anticipation. It disappeared in response to the mumbled reply.

"Cold. Boring. Torture. Very boring....did I already say boring?"

Jet only rolled her eyes before looking over her shoulder, scanning the crowd.

"Who wants the talking skull?"

"How dare you! I am not some prop that is to be th-"

His voice trailed off as Jet flung him up to the second row, landing in the lap of a red robe—his muffled voice sounding through the fabric as a pair of hands lifted him up.

"Outrageous...fiends...they'd be shaking if they knew what I've done!"

Noctis turned him around, pleasantly smiling as his voice cooed.

"So tell me about it"

However Eurys's usual banter-full voice didn't sound out, instead acting as a proper....skull. Noctis slightly frowned then glanced at Solvanne, pausing before turning back and letting out a sigh.

"Let me clarify I am no deplorable follower of War and her children! I simply have a standard to uphold with my divine sense of fashion."

How could it have slipped his mind that this exalted, was a dire enemy of the War God? He had slit the throat of one of her vessels! But then again, animosity shouldn't be held to his name just because of insightful fashion choices. He looked down at the second row, beaming as he caught Kai's eye.

"Saint Kai...Kai? Did you not mention that in your Second Nightmare I played a part in your success in foiling the rotten War children's plot?"

Solvanne shot him a murderous glare but he ignored it, watching as Kai glanced at Effie and Jet before curtly nodding.

"Yes, you did play a big part."

Noctis's smile widened, looking back at the skull as his bubbly voice continued.

"And there you have it! You can say that we're destined to be friends! Star-crossed companions...? No, Fate! Yes we are Fated to be the best of companions!"

The Skull did not respond.

It lay idly in his hands, before Eurys finally spoke—now sounding even more fed-up.

"I don't even know who you are."

Noctis recoiled, mouth pouting as he slumped further back into his seat.

"But...I find your actions against War God admirable."

.....

"Just lose the red robe."

Tsks sounded as Noctis shook his head, side-eyeing Solvanne as he droned on in a sigh.

"Red, red, red....how unfair that War came into existence before me, claiming the colour as her own. It looks much better on me!"

Eurys only clicked his jaw.

"Give me to the energetic fossil, I can't stand being in her presence...not to mention all the other followers in the row above."

The BloodSister watched in silence from the row-above, Seishan standing up.

"We are not followers of War." She echoed.

Deathsinger shot up by her side, "Yeah! Mother made these clothes for us!"

Below on the second row, Eurys could only listen as he rotated, slowly being passed along the row towards Daeron and Julius. His miserable voice sounding out.

"Then I hate your mother!"

Revel had to shoot up and drag Deathsinger down, covering her mouth as she menacingly swung her fists in the air, yelling muffled curses—the other Bloodsister rubbing their eyes in a mixture of agitation and embarrassment. Below, Telle and Windflower chattered, looking up and down between the rows and absorbing all the commotion with amusement. Even Mordret on the far end of the row listened with a keen ear.

Eurys eventually was plopped on the head rest between Daeron and Julius.

The elders quietly looked each other up and down, before Julius broke the ice, his voice jovial and charismatic as usual.

"A pleasure to meet you Eurys of the Nine! I am Julius a humble professor, and this is my renowned companion, Daeron King of Twilight!"

Daeron lightly nodded, "It's an honour to meet such an accomplished being."

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Strangely, the darkness in the skull's sockets seemed to dim, even the usual clicking noise not sounding as Eurys replied—his tone unusually aloof.

"See, courtesy! Such gentlemen to introduce themselves instead of tossing me around, haggling this poor soul with not a shred of condolence for my predicament."

Julius nodded vigorously, stroking his beard.

"As you said, we are fossils of perspicacious nature."

He paused, glancing around at the other watching them before clearing his throat and nodding at Daeron.

"Apologies if you felt your treatment was unruly. You see, we have all been brought to this space and are quite frazzled. Enemies locked in an enclosed space, faces of unknown origin...it's all very stressful! But we are trying out best to push forward, and your presence is a blessing in our collaboration to fulfil both our and the entities desires."

Everyone held their breaths as they slightly leaned forward, dreading in anticipation on whether they would make progress. To their delight, wisdom did come with age as Eurys chuckled, his voice now a pleasant and slightly surprised.

"Go on."

Julius raised his voice as everyone listened in.

"The Forgotten One, or as you know him—Sunny, is in a peculiar situation. Somehow he has, well, broken Fate and also resultantly been forgotten by everyone in existence. However, this place has strangely been able to retain it's knowledge about him and possibly more than anyone here! It has insight capabilities to show us his life and journey. As a result we have learned quite a lot, maybe a bit too much! His heart-stopping battles, revelation secrets and connection to the Daemons—specifically Weaver. However, we are a bit stuck in understanding the nature of his lineage origins and the stature of his overall abilities."

His voice trailed off as he looked down at the skull laying quietly on the rest. It took a while to soak up the information before he lightly responded.

"Oh my....quite fascinating, much more informative than what he told me in the coupled time we spent together."

....

"But you're forgetting something"

Julius's eyes widened, leaning uncomfortably close to the skull.

"There's more?! Please do tel-"

"No, it's that I'm very petty and would like something in exchange."

Julius choked on his words at the statement. He glanced at Daeron who could only offer a slight shake of his head. All of them could only sit on the edge's of their seats as Eurys went on:

"I'd very much like something in return, it seems only fair! My dear Divine Shadow friend has promised to kill me, how kind of him!"

"I'd do it for free," Jet grumbled.

Saint Cor shifted in his seat, turning to look down the aisle as his low voice echoed.

"Then the last time you two met was in the Shadow Realm after he'd killed your....companion, and then conversed with you about something we couldn't hear."

Heads tilted slightly as few people nodded in acknowledgement, Eurys voice now louder and more alive.

"Ha! So there were peeping eyes! I knew I hadn't gone insane yet!"

Cassie shifted, "You actually heard us?"

"Our savage version of Sunny could also do the same" Mordret sighed, causing Rain to stir in the front, throwing a glance at her shadow. It only stared at her, before shrugging its shoulders—still remaining hidden.

Eurys clicked his mandible, his tone now disappointed.

"Something you lesser existences wouldn't understand, but of course Sunny could! After all he was searching for the last steps to Supremacy."

Shoulders stiffened as everyone looked with wide-eyes, Daeron's voice booming.

"You felt his nascent Domain, how was it?"

Sweat formed on necks as hands creased leather, a chuckle filling the room.

"How was it? My.....it was mortifying! It's presence alone was crushing even for me! I feel bad for whoever crosses his path in the future."

Below Ananke tilted her head, slightly smirking.

"You speak of tight lips and yet you are quite vocal now, no?"

A huff sounded in response, "I am an entrepreneur of sorts, one most give a sample so they can understand what they are trying to buy."

"So..." Nephis echoed, "What would it take for you to inform us of this information?"

At the mention of the words all rows became quiet.

'Natural Supremacy'

Such knowledge was...too dangerous. There were numerous Saints present in the room, all of who would love to ascend—it was an opportunity for change in the world itself. A Sovereign was not a God, but they were nothing but Gods in the present times. Nightmare Gates at the 4th level were almost non-existent, and their respective rulers would not allow another contender for the throne. But....if they knew, things would change.

In a sense, things were quite dangerous now.

Already rapidly learning about Sunny and the world in itself, and now with the potential to spread generational information on ascension....was nothing short of analogy to pandora's box. The air became heavy as both Valor and Song glared at each other. But it was not up to them to decide whether Eurys revealed it or not....

"No, I won't tell you."

.....

Morgan's shoulders stiffened as her throat dipped, her voice now dangerously low.

"Why?"

"Gentleman, can you please rotate me to face the hothead?"

Julius's mouth hung open, glancing at Morgan before slowly turning Eurys in her direction.

"It is not hard to read the feelings between the two forces in this room, and although I love fanning the fire, in this rare moment I wish not to. You lack the initiative, I only wish for death and it has been promised—not to mention that I assume you are in a time hastened for war?"

The eyes of the Saints dipped, the room growing slightly dark.

"Yes." Saint Cor's voice echoed in a low tone, "....war is impending in our time."

Eurys scoffed.

"So why should I give away something for free, albeit the risk it poses of lengthening the process for my dear friend to run his errands and then return to kill me?"

Heads turned, as hidden glances were exchanged.

Yes....they had glimpsed the future, the slaughter of GodGrave and his journey in power in the Shadow Realm. Although they all desired it so to know....the risk was too great.

Even worse....

Eurys was a certified haggler!

The skull knew how to bargain!

Murmurs were disrupted as a voice spoke out from the bottom, causing everyone to turn in attention.

"It won't matter" Cassie voiced, "The room already censored the information when we viewed it, I doubt it would have any leniency with him here now."

"She's right, the place loves copyright." Kai murmured.

Nephis rose, raising for voice to pull all their attention.

"We've already diverted a lot of time in introduction, we should move on to the viewings and use the 4 questions we have as usual."

Julius nodded in admiration.

"Good heart! I propose we allocate 4 questions as usual for some context among the audience, one reserved for our concern on Eury's freedom of speech, another in possibly granting his desire and the remaining two from suggestions.....and of course the one allocated for viewing contexts."

He twirled in a circle catching all their gazes.

"Any objections?"

The silence came, and answered.

Julius turned to the screen clearing his throat. He was getting quite good as the questionnaire representative, who knows? Maybe he could credit it in line with his work experience!

"Dear screen, if our esteemed guest Eurys were to choose to speak about what he knows, would you allow it at the risk it reveals too much?"

The skull trembled on the armrest.

"I never agreed to talk"

"It's rhetorical, maybe you'll change your mind after the viewing."

Light shifted to their delight, giving an answer instead of non-compliance although their moods turned sour at it's response.

[No]

Julius turned his head to the side, his voice trailing over.

"I think it's in good faith that we let Eurys ask what he desires in good faith, since we're.....keeping him alive, hah!"

Clicking once again sounded as Julius lifted the skull up, now in full view as Eurys fired away before voices could speak up.

"Do you have the power to kill me?"

[Yes]

The clicking abruptly stopped, his tone now anxious and loud.

"Can I request that you kill me?"

To everyone's anxiety, the screen....shifted. Faces turned in alarm. Were they about to lose him before they even extor—bargained, for valuable information?! To their delight and his despair, it instead wrote:

[Spectators will not be harmed or removed until the viewings have been complete]

A rattled groan rang out as the skull went stiff in his palms, his voice sounding after a pause.

"Will I be stuck here with this lot for a few years before I can return to dying?"

To their unease....this time, it didn't respond, causing a few breaths to ring out as whispers sounded. It wasn't denying that it could take that long? Valor and Song exchanged worried glances, while Telle and Windflower shrugged, Noctis not too far away pumping his fist.

"Well, we should get along with the selection so we may clarify in the next round of questions." Ananke's war voice echoed, causing their concerns to quell.

Julius reached forward, handing Eurys to Nephis as she looked at him puzzled.

"It seems right for him to reside near you since you brought him here, I don't know if it would be a good use of resources to summon a chair....just for him to possibly fall over."

Nephis looked between the two before nodding, looking down as Eurys gloomy voice sounded.

"Gods....why must you torture me so? Why am I condemned to this Nephilim's company once again?"

She held the skull. Honestly...the idea of holding him made her stomach drop, she already had to deal with Effie's barrage but at least she didn't hold hostility at her. She glanced between the members. Effie, Kai and Jet violently shook their heads in rejection and Cassie and Ananke were too docile, which to her pain left....

She turned, catching Rain's gaze.

"Would you mind holding him? I'll take him back if he acts up."

Her idol was asking for a favor. Although she should think twice, the fangirl inside got the better as she nodded before realizing, the ancient skull appearing in her lap before she realized. Only when his voice sounded did she realize her mistake.

"The thighs of a young maiden.....this is not a bad seat"

A shiver ran down her spine as she closed her eyes, stomaching it.

'This is for Nephis, this is for my sister in law'

She nervously gulped looking down as she attempted to smile.

"Uhh...hi...umm...sir, I am the sister of your great friend Sunny."

The skull remained silent before bursting into a fit of laughter, causing her to jolt and rock it on her legs. Below her shadow slightly shifted, unable to express itself with the other paying attention. But it had quite a lot to pick with the creep talking to his sister...

"My, why didn't you say so? We'll get along just fine"

Rain could only look at Ananke for support who gently nodded.

"...nice to meet you too."

Their voices droned on as the others adjusted themselves, the screen now shifting to the viewing options.

[Patient Grudge]

[or]

[Origin of Treachery]

Julius voice drowned in the background as the context begins to form, and compared to the other options.....there was a clear winner.

[Not bound by oath, nor shackled by name, the shadow roamed free, yet burned with disdain. It watched from the dark, where hatred took seed. For one who lived blindly, a slave to their creed. In ruins they clashed. The free shadow laughing, the loyal one stunned. Born for great things, yet lost to a lie, while the shadow, unburdened, rose to the sky. It struck down the servant with murderous glee. For honour meant nothing to one born to be free. Yet blind to the truth, in his pride he was bound, a slave to the hate he had never unbound.]

Another fight it seemed, although this one was specifically with a person he had some animosity towards. However, they had already agreed to space out viewings with fights and information, thus it wasn't of priority.

How could it be? In comparison to the second....

[In a land that was lost, where no hopes could remain. The first error walked, cloaked in disdain. A shadow so slight not a whisper would turn, unseen by the world, unlamented, unlearned. No breath was drawn near him, no gaze ever stayed, not even existence recalled he was made. Yet still, the shadow refused such a fate. Clawing through sorrow, defying all hate. Heroes and monsters were cast to the floor, As he climbed through the ruins of legends and more. Alone at the summit, through anguish and flame, he bared to the heavens his sorrow and name. The gods, long silent, both sacred and dire, awoke to his cry and stirred from the mire. Fate shrieked in rage, but could not deny. The will of the shadow who dared to defy. The daemons in hunger, the heavens in dread, reached down to the soul that all others had fled. From nothing he rose, by a terrible voice burdened with purpose, yet stripped of all choice. A will forged in ruin, both saviour and bane, The world learned to tremble at his whispered name— The Forgotten One, by darkness crowned. Whose glory would shatter, whose sorrow would drown.]

'And the Gods listened....'

Everyone slightly jumped as Daeron rose, his face serious and resolute.

"The silver bell, the act of defiance, the destined hero who fell by his hand and the instance where the gods listened....this is where it all started."

"No wonder he's the only one with Shadow's Lineage, it seems like it was personally given to him by Shadow!" Noctis breathed.

His first trial...

The outcome that was not meant to be.

An audience with the Gods in his first trial...one which led to him being personally gifted the lineage of Shadow. They had to repeat it in their heads to register, but it didn't help.

Was it in reality a mistake to choose this instead of the fight?

"Then we'd also learn about the promised person he went against.." Ananke whispered.

"Excuse me, this all sounds great...but I have absolutely no idea what this all means."

Effie huffed, "You'll learn quickly, now let's please watch it! I have got to see this!"

Heads vigorously nodded. Heroes and monsters, and audience with a Gods....Was this even a First trial? More importantly, they would finally be able to learn about the elusive shadow lineage.

Julius didn't even need to check for agreement as he rose, his voice loud and clear.

"Option 2, Origin of Treachery."

The lights began to shift as everyone adjusted themselves to be comfortable, hands slightly jittering. They all desired to learn what happened, how such a legend....how such a person could come to be.

The beginning of The Forgotten One

Sunny.

Rain curled her toes in excitement, her eyes twinkling with anticipation, Eurys now docile in her lap. She was dying to see what her brother's trial looked like.

Only her shadow held a different gaze from the rest.

Instead looking.....solemnly at the developing scene, it's existence now colder and more conflicted.

A low hum filled the room, the anticipation almost unbearable. As the colours swirled and began to settle, an overwhelming sense of gravity pressed down on them all. There was a sense of fate, of destiny unfolding in real time.

Colours finally began to settle, a wispy hue of darkness and billowing snow. In the distance, towering mountains loomed over the desolate terrain, dead trees strewn about, not a sound or living being in sight. Their ears pricked as a noise approached in the distance...

The sound of shuffling chains.

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I like Eurys :)

Isn't it strange how I only now do the First Trial although most reaction fics start there and give up midway?

Oh, and this is in fact the moment I've been wanting to write.

First Trial is the pinnacle and what hooked me on Shadow Slave after all

I didn't need 100 Chapters!

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