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It was a long walk to reach the top of the hill, where the Bright Castle was situated. It was what made the place hold such strategic value. Overlooking the city from a hill, creating a vantage point to see all.

The group was not silent as they walked. Sunny left his position beside Cassie and Kai, walking beside Nephis as they spoke.

Aldric had heard the question Nephis had asked Sunny before they walked ahead.

"Do you remember your first nightmare?"

The obvious question seemed silly at first glance. Who would forget the start of their journey? Venturing out of the confines of the mundane. 

It was more of an invitation to talk about what occurred. Aldric was reminded of his time in the academy. 

Awakened were split in how they would respond to that question. Some spoke about it with glee, trading stories as if they were talking about the latest celebrity drama. It spoke of their need for validation and attention. Others were silent. Not wishing to regale stories about their deepest nightmare. Not willing to tell others what they had to do to survive. 

Aldric reflected on what happened in his first nightmare. 

'In hindsight, it was the best nightmare for me.'

It was a thought that often came to mind. He had spent over 2 months in that cave. Living and hunting. Before that, all he had to his name were ideas. Ideas on what to do and when. However, he did not have any previous achievements to gain and justify any confidence. That's what confidence was. A stack of certifiable achievements.

His nightmare was his greatest challenge at the time. To see if he could go as far as he planned. To accomplish anything that he thought of. Outside the comfortableness of modern society and with nothing to distract him, he steeled his mind. In that dark sanctum. 

The challenges he had faced were difficult as well. Completing his hunt. Not knowing anything about the nightmare. Despite knowing everything about other people's first nightmare , his own was a mystery to him. Those first few weeks were tough mentally. And the things he had to do. 

'Ralt' 

Aldric thought with a conflicted frown.

The young man that he killed. Manipulated into writing his own death note. It did the job; however, it was a hard pill to swallow. Beyond that, it cemented his beliefs. It cemented exactly what it took to get what he wanted. And how far he was willing to go for it. 

Their walk continued, approaching the fortified gates of the outer settlement.

"LADY CHANGING STAR!"

A voice shouted. 

With that, a cacophony of shouts rang all around them.

Greetings and screams of joy intermixed. However, not all faces were jubilant. Experienced hunters in the settlement had grim faces, recognising what was about to happen. 

Nephis dropped the bag that Effie had given her and started to take out familiar black claws.

"These past few months have been hard on us and you. However, we have preserved. You here in these cursed ruins and us out there in the ghastly depths of the labyrinth."

Now presenting all 38 claws. She offered them with open arms. 

"We present these to you to become your weapons. We have slain a spire messenger. Back then, there were people willing to risk it all. The first lord and his cohort were the greatest of them."

Summoning her auspicious headband around her head with a single gem shining with radiance.

"And we will finish what he started!"

Yells and screams of reverence met her speech. Chants began to erupt as they screamed.

"CHANGING STAR! CHANGING STAR!"

Aldric looked around as they laid their hearts bare for Nephis. 

His eyes screwed in a scowl. 

A feeling of revulsion struck his stomach. 

'Disgusting.'

That was the only word he could use to describe what he was watching. 

Seeing humans throw away any sense of shame, dignity, and self-esteem. All for what? To bask in the shadow of another sleeper?

Scrunching his nose further, he relaxed his face. His eyes glancing at Nephis. 

That had confirmed it. Nephis was his biggest obstacle. 

A level of cunning beyond anyone that he knew. But isn't Sunny just as cunning or even more?

Perhaps. But what Sunny lacks is ambition. Ambition beyond himself. To Aldric, Sunny was a non-entity. Dangerous directly, but harmless in anything else. Nephis however.

Manipulating the physical and mental needs of these lost sleepers. Speaking tales of glory while charging them to their deaths. All with a callous look on her face.

And truly, Aldric did not care for these sleepers either. They were worthless in the grand scheme of things.

'How cheeky.'

He thought. Treating these people like disposable pawns and acting as if your cohort were any different. How on earth could Aldric trust her? After all, you never look at how a person treats their betters but the people below them. Why would she treat them any differently?

That was the crux of it. His feeling of revulsion. He may be friends with the group; however, Nephis would never be his leader.

She would be one of his biggest obstacle in the future. 

Seeing the level of reverence they had for her, he knew he would have to develop something similar. Not just for now but further beyond. 

Before he knew it, they were gathered in the stone lodge. A young hunter was telling the group about what had happened in their absence. Aldric did not care for the details and stood with his back on the wall. What he saw earlier had ruined his mood. 

He could see the sleepers absorbing the shards that they had collected during their journey. Of course, he did not contribute anything to that pile. 

His instinct told him that a large number of people were approaching the door.

CRASH

"Get ready" 

Nephis ordered. 

A large man walked through the broken wall with strong steps. Fitted in a tight silk shirt and holding a memory weapon, his physique was obvious to anyone that looked. He reminded Aldric of Akel, the Goliath that he hunted with during his first nightmare.

"So you are back."

He said as he looked at Nephis.

"You must be Tessai; how can I help?"

She responded. 

"The Lord demands that one. She must answer for her crimes in the court of the castle. Now I would advise you to step aside and let me take her."

He said as he pointed at Effie. 

"If that is the case, I must insist that I join you. With the rest of us, of course. I would love to see the evidence that you have."

Nephis stated calmly. With her white light shimmering beneath her eyes.

Tessai gave her a long look that betrayed a look of fear. Looking around to break her eye contact, his eyes fell on a figure in the back. 

"So you are back as well. I couldn't believe it when I was told the Dark Hunter had joined the Changing Star's group. It caused quite a stir in the castle."

Aldric stared at the man with no intention to respond. 

Aldric could not have gained such renown without catching the attention of the Host. His reputation as the strongest hunter in the outer settlement spread around the castle. Angering many experienced hunters. 

Noticing his silence, Tessai looked away and spoke.

"Whatever, let's go."

----------

A massive group of people had entered through the doors of the Bright Castle.

Effie could be seen walking with a rope tied behind her back. Behind her, Tessai led the charge with his group beside him. A few steps behind them were Nephis and her militia. Ready to defend their huntress.

Crowds formed around them as they walked through the hallway of the castle. People watched with detached interest, wondering what they were going to see today. Some watched with dark fascination, wondering when the show would begin.

As they entered the main hall, Aldric could see the four people standing beside an empty throne. Seishan, the leader of the Handmaidens. Gemma, the leader of the hunters. Kido, the chief artisan. And of course, the loyal Harus.

Aldric felt a lingering presence on himself. Looking back at the throne, he could see Gemma staring back at him with narrow eyes.

All Aldric offered in return was a cold smirk. 

A cold silence stagnated in the room. As if waiting for someone to break it. 

And so the Bright Lord appeared.

********

Thanks for reading. How is everyone?

Had a question about upload schedule. Not really sure but I am aiming for 5 -6 chapters a week. 

Also had a review talking about the female lead. Have a guess. But you will know when you know. 

Aside from that, till next time.