Chapter 46

Nephis looked at the Crimson Terror and spoke quietly to Sunny.

"Lead the people to the Gateway, I will keep the Crimson Terror busy."

Sunny was reluctant, but he followed her instructions and led the people to the Gateway. Kiyotaka glanced at Cassie, who was being led by Sunny, and then followed.

Sunny lingered for a few moments, watching as crimson pieces rained down, and then turned away with a determined expression.

"Come on! We're almost there!"

The remains of the Dreamer Army cut through the mass of remaining abominations and escaped it. Running with all the speed they could manage, the crowd of young men and women approached the Gateway and froze, stunned by the sight of it.

Hypnotized by it.

In front of them was the hope that they had forgotten for so long.

The torturous promise of freedom that had taunted them every day, hidden away in the terrifying, looming silhouette of the Crimson Spire.

Their way home.

Salvation.

Most of them had spent so long on the Forgotten Shore that the thought of ever being able to escape it became nothing more than a distant dream. Even when they had followed Changing Star and chosen to believe her promises, salvation was just a concept. An idea.

Now that they saw it as a real thing, many did not know how to react.

...Well, Sunny was there to make the process easier.

"What are you staring at, idiots?! Pick up your jaws and move! Battle formation! Protect the rear! Wounded and non-combatants go first, everyone else holds off the damn golems and then follows! One at a time, bastards!"

Coming back to their senses thanks to his angry shout, the Sleepers quickly reorganized themselves. Those who could still fight faced away from the Gateway and formed a defensive line, protecting the wounded with their bodies. Those who couldn't helped the people in the worst condition enter the iron ring.

Kiyotaka watched as the first human was placed in the center of the Gateway. A moment later, the runes surrounding the ring flashed with shimmering light. The body of the Sleeper suddenly shone, too. The ghostly shine was dim at first, but then grew brighter and brighter. Soon, it was hard to distinguish the shape of the human body at the center of that light. And then... for the first time in history, a human returned to the waking world.

Kiyotaka remained at the rear as he summoned Asher. His Echo and he protected the rear as humans, one by one, stepped into the Gateway, returning to their homes.

He slashed and danced in frenzy as some remnants of Nightmare Creatures tried to attack the human army, making it possible for humans to transport themselves. He saved up Asher for such a crucial moment. The Human Echo dashed around, slaying any abomination that dared to approach them. Kiyotaka himself took a breather as he relaxed and meditated near the Gateway.

Asher moved like a harbinger of death, with a bloodsword in her hand, she slayed and slayed, making it possible for Sleepers to awaken. As the last of the Sleepers, including Effie and Kai, seemed to disappear, only three remained.

Cassie, who was looking into the distance with worry.

Kiyotaka, who was calmly replenishing his essence levels.

And Sunny, who was exhausted but still remained vigilant as he looked around. He noticed how Caster wasn't here, so he immediately became wary.

Sunny lingered for a moment.

"I will go check on Nephis... Kiyotaka, I entrust Cassie to you."

Kiyotaka nodded as he watched Sunny leave.

---

Caster was rushing to the pinnacle of the Spire, using his incredible speed and training to avoid being killed by the falling debris. He was already getting close when, suddenly, the light of his lantern fell on a motionless figure that stood in the center of a wide coral root, barring his way.

Dark armor weaved out of soft fabric, with lusterless black leather protecting vital spots. An austere blade held lightly, its tip turned to the ground. The wooden mask that resembled the face of a fearsome demon was new, but still, he had no problem recognizing who was in front of him.

Slowing down and stopping a few meters away from the hateful little vagrant, Caster gritted his teeth and spat:

"It's you."

Hidden behind the mask, Sunny smiled.

"No, no. You are mistaken. Actually, it's not me."

Then, tilting his head, he stared at the proud Legacy and said, his voice full of surprise:

"Oh! Hey, Caster. What a coincidence, to run into you here of all places. So unexpected!"

Caster didn't make any remarks as he just dashed at Sunny, activating his acceleration ability and sending Sunny flying.

With a furious roar, Caster brought down the ghostly jian on Sunny, who was still reeling from the previous blow. Desperate, Sunny raised his tachi into an awkward semblance of a block. When their swords collided, the Midnight Shard flew aside and almost slid from his hands.

What's worse, Sunny lost his balance and fell backward, landing on the ground in a heap.

As a cruel smile appeared on Caster's face, he lunged forward to finish the defenseless enemy.

But at the last second, a calm voice resounded from behind his back.

The voice he hated, but knew so well.

Standing somewhere behind him, Nephis ordered in a tone that denied refusal:

"Back!"

Caster's eyes widened. With an expression of utter terror, he spun around and raised his sword, ready to finally face the person he had dreaded and wanted to kill for so long.

However, when he did, he saw nothing but emptiness.

There was no one behind him. Just a simple rock lying on the ground.

As Caster watched in confusion, the rock shouted in Changing Star's voice:

"Hide in the shadows!"

Almost immediately, his pupils narrowed. With a dark grimace, he spun back, moving his sword into a defensive position.

He was just a fraction of a second late.

Without making any sound, the tip of the Midnight Shard pierced his scale armor, his flesh...

And then his heart.

Staring at the stunned face of the feeble old man in front of him, Sunny scowled and sighed.

Caster looked down, at the blade protruding from his chest and the blood streaming from beneath, then weakly grabbed the tachi with his hand. A pained, resentful grimace contorted his pale, wrinkled face.

Straining to raise his head, he looked Sunny in the eyes and whispered:

"You... you have no... no honor."

Sunny stared at the dying man with pity, then looked away, unsummoning Weaver's mask.

"...There is no honor, indeed. Honor... is just a word powerful scumbags invented to make young fools like you die for them. And kill for them. It's a chain that they wrapped around your neck, to make you a slave."

Suddenly, his heart ached as he dropped to his knees. Looking at his runes, he saw he had reached 1,000 fragments.

A new Monster has appeared.

---

Some time passed, and only two people remained on the balcony. Cassie sighed to herself as she turned around and stepped towards the Gateway. Suddenly, she felt the hilt of a sword on her neck. Next, she heard the same familiar monotone voice that sent chills down her spine.

"Stop."

Turning her head towards where the voice came from, she felt scared. She couldn't see what was happening, but in her imagination, she saw two darkness-filled golden eyes looking directly at her, piercing her soul.

Kiyotaka was looking at her coldly, his Abyssal Reaver millimeters apart from her throat.

"Speak"