Shadow Slave novel Chapter 2684

The Shadow Legion engaged the vanguard of the wraith army on the Palace Island, making the ground quake and the lake swell with towering waves. The Dutchman loomed in the distance, drawing closer and closer.

On the eastern shore, Nephis landed gently at the very edge of water and leaned on the Blessing, looking across the lake at the ruined vista of the Eternal City. The mysterious being hiding somewhere among the rubble had not revealed itself yet, slowed down by the Crushing, but it was going to arrive soon.

Cassie stood on the wall above the gates of the Dark Castle, resting her head on the hilt of the Quiet Dancer. She had removed her blindfold and was now facing the battlefield, the dying light of Naeve's flames reflecting in her gorgeous blue eyes.

Far in the distance, beyond the lake, the repulsive rivers of crushed flesh were slowly converging on a single point.

‘Ah... I don't like it.'

Standing in the dead darkness of the gateway of the Palace, Sunny glanced around with a complicated expression. He had an ominous feeling that the Flesh of Kanakht had not shown them its worst, yet.

“We should hurry."

Nightwalker raised an eyebrow.

“Hurry where?"

The Palace was immense, taking up most of the island. More than that, it was incredibly tall, with countless spires bound together by a complicated maze of aerial bridges.

The spacious corridor they were currently in resembled an enormous metal tunnel, with no seams between its walls, floor, and ceiling. It was in a state of dire disrepair, with deep scratches covering every surface and an eerie dark mold growing in vast patches here and there. Ghastly black flowers bloomed in the mold, and the air was thick with dust and pollen.

It was as if something enormous had made its way through the corridor once, smearing its walls with blood. The blood then dried up, and eventually gave birth to the sinister mold.

If Sunny could unleash his shadow sense, he could have scouted the entirety of the Palace in an instant. But just like everywhere else in the Eternal City, his senses were suppressed — more so here than outside. He could barely perceive what was a hundred meters ahead of them, and did not feel what was behind the walls at all.

Giving the swirling wisps of pollen a wary look, Sunny ceased breathing and answered in an even tone:

"You're the Nightwalker. Your people are known to be excellent guides, so why don't you guide us to the very heart of this damn place?"

Nightwalker summoned a Memory that resembled a square piece of deep blue fabric embroidered with silver thread, folded it once, and tied it around his neck. Pulling it to cover the lower part of his face, he inhaled deeply and shrugged.

“No problem."

Sunny blinked a couple of times.

“Wait, really? I... was joking”

Nightwalker chuckled.

“I think I mentioned that my Aspect allows me to get to places."

Sunny remained silent for a few moments. “Lead the way, then."

He had almost expected Nightwalker to sit on the floor, meditate for a while, and then open some kind of mystical portal, but instead of that, the youth simply started walking. Sunny hesitated for a moment, then followed, careful not to step on the disturbingly thick mounds of mold growing on the floor.

He was observing their surroundings with utmost caution, ready to repel any kind of attack. However, even after a few minutes, no abominations lunged at them from the darkness.

Instead, he suddenly heard Cassie's voice in his ears:

[Sunny...]

He frowned faintly.

[Did you learn something about the Dutchman?]

There were a few moments of silence, and then she spoke again:

[No, although I can perceive it clearer the closer it comes. It is about the Flesh of Kanakht.]

Sunny pursed his lips, suspecting that he was not going to like what she was about to say.

[What is it?]

Cassie's voice sounded glum:

[It's evolving.]

Hearing that, Sunny almost stumbled.

[It's what?]

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