Chapter 37
News of Lady Changing Star and her companions returning from their expedition spread quickly, recounting the hardships they endured. Stories of their achievements instilled hope among the populace. However, anyone with a reasonable level of intelligence knew that war was imminent, and with Changing Star's return, many began their preparations.
The once lax Castle Guards now operated with precision, patrolling every corner of human settlements. Artisans, led by Kaido, grew cautious of the future and started their preparations. Pathfinders and Hunters were also on standby. In essence, all human Sleeper forces were now concentrated around the Castle. Some defected to Nephis's camp, and the unlucky few were caught and executed by Harus, the Executioner. With every minor quarrel, tensions escalated. By now, everyone knew that something was about to happen—something that would decide their fate.
---
Over time, many noticed a peculiar change in the Bright Lord. Gunlaug was unusually quiet, seemingly oblivious to the mounting tension around the Castle. The Bright Lord they knew was nowhere to be seen.
At dusk, in one of the Castle's chambers, stood two people. One was a handsome blonde man in his late twenties, the other a young man with cold, indifferent golden eyes. As they looked at each other, the blonde man spoke.
"The question is rhetorical, but I still want to ask, have you chosen your side, Kiyotaka?"
Kiyotaka met the man's eyes and replied in a stoic tone, "I have never changed it, Gunlaug."
The Bright Lord revealed a small smirk and looked towards the direction of the Crimson Spire in the distance. Feeling the man's desire to be alone, Kiyotaka looked at him one last time and left the chamber.
As he walked through the Castle, he summoned the Darkness Veil and disappeared into the shadows.
---
Nephis was distributing soul shards she had gained from the expedition, along with those given by Kiyotaka, to other Sleepers to help them grow stronger. As she handed out the last shard, a commotion arose. She exited her tent and looked towards the Castle gates. There, she saw Castle Guards accusing Effie of murder, a crime she clearly did not commit.
Panic and anger immediately spread among the tenants, but Nephis remained indifferent.
"Stay calm, everyone," she said.
Her voice settled them down. A Sleeper with scars on his face turned to Changing Star, a deep frown marring his features. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "But... but... they are coming to take Effie! We can't allow that to happen. I'm done watching good people be taken into the damn Castle and never return. If they want to make an example out of her, like they did with others in the past... over my dead body!"
The hum of angry voices rose in the hall, accompanied by heated glares.
"Exactly!"
"They will pay for the innocents' deaths!"
"Your dead body? Why not their dead bodies?!"
Nephis lingered for a moment, then turned to them with a slight smile. "...Don't worry. Nothing is going to happen to Effie. You have my word."
That seemed to calm them down a little. It seemed as though they were willing to believe anything she said, regardless of how impossible her promises were. Was that the definition of blind faith?
Before anyone could respond, a crashing sound came from the entrance to the stone lodge. It seemed as though someone had just smashed through the door. There was a short scream, which quickly fell silent, followed by the sound of something hitting the floor.
Then, the sound of heavy footsteps drew closer to the hall where everyone had gathered. Moments later, the door was shattered, exploding into a shower of splinters and bits of stone.
A giant of a man walked into the hall, his mere presence making the entire space seem small. Compared to him, even Effie appeared of average height. He wore a morose expression and a dark glint in his cold, cruel eyes. The giant did not wear any armor, allowing his monumental muscles to strain the fabric of his sleeveless silk shirt.
It was Tessai, the fearsome leader of the Castle Guard, who had come to welcome the cohort back to the Dark City. Nephis's followers paled, their fiery indignation replaced by fear. Behind Tessai, a group of Guards wearing sturdy armor and wielding Memory weapons appeared. Their eyes immediately fixed on the tall huntress, then hateful smiles crossed their faces. The Guards seemed very happy to finally find the woman accused of murdering their own.
The giant only glanced at Effie before turning to Nephis. His deep, low voice resounded in the stone hall, sending shivers through the hearts of many Sleepers gathered there.
"Changing Star. So you're here after all."
She met his gaze without flinching.
"You must be Tessai. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
The giant lingered before answering. The corner of his mouth twitched and slowly curled upward. Finally, he said.
"Oh, no. The pleasure is all mine."
Then, he raised his mighty arm and pointed at Effie.
"Lord Gunlaug has invited this one to the Castle, to face punishment for her crimes. You should have trained your dogs better, Changing Star. See what happens when they go around biting people?"
Nephis did not respond to his provocation. Instead, she kept her calm and said.
"You may take her, but my followers and I will also accompany her to meet the Bright Lord."
An expression of dissatisfaction appeared on Tessai's face. With a deep frown, he looked down on Nephis from his oppressive height and growled.
"Why do you think that you can come, wench?"
Changing Star was silent for a few moments, calmly looking at him. Then, her eyes suddenly shone with furious white light. In a voice that promised agony and death, she said with contempt
"...Who's going to stop me?"
The giant stared at her with a complicated expression. It seemed as though he was torn between pride and fear. It was all a mask, though. A masterful performance to hide his true emotions... triumph. He had come here to bring Nephis to the Bright Lord, using Effie's case as an excuse.
Tessai slowly shook his head and said, his voice full of false reluctance
"...Fine. Do as you wish. Come with me to the Castle if you want. Bring your rats with you. All of you will witness the brilliance of our Lord!"
---
Together, they exited the lodge. Tessai walked in front, holding the tall huntress by the shoulder. Her hands were tied behind her back with a flimsy rope, more a symbolic gesture than a real restraint given Effie's strength. Nephis stayed close, her face calm and indifferent.
The Guards and members of Changing Star's faction followed, throwing menacing looks at each other. Their faces were grim and full of resentful indignation. Some of the Sleepers shouted "Judgement!" while others cried "Justice!"
What was evident, though, was that bloodlust began to creep into everyone's hearts, ready to explode at any moment. Nephis kept them cooled, as she couldn't risk starting a confrontation this early.
Soon, they reached the Castle. The crowd poured in, their faces contorted with anger and resentment. However, as soon as the slum dwellers passed beneath the swaying skulls above the gates, their fury turned cold.
In the echoing stone halls of the Bright Castle, it was hard to forget that Gunlaug's power was absolute. For as long as they could remember, he had ruled over the Dark City with an iron fist, elevating those who bowed to him and destroying those who did not.
Countless men and women had tried to challenge the Bright Lord in the past—great people, terrible people, and everyone in between. Their skulls now stared at the crowd, darkness nesting in their eyes.
Finally, doubt and fear appeared in the hearts of the inhabitants of the outer settlement. Many of them stared at Nephis, their faces turning dim and listless. Changing Star did not react to this sudden change. Looking straight ahead, she calmly walked forward, her usual mask in place, preventing anyone from knowing her true thoughts.
As she walked with total indifference, she noticed a pair of golden eyes watching her from the shadows, disappearing after a moment.
'It's all about to start...'