Chapter 50

The return of the Forgotten Shore's survivors shocked everyone in the waking world to the core. It had been roughly five months since the Winter Solstice, and during those months, many believed Changing Star wouldn't return. Contrary to their expectations, not only did she return, but she also brought 200 strong, high-tier Awakened to the waking world with her. Among them were a few notable figures.

Awakened Athena, Raised by Wolves.

Awakened Kai, Nightingale.

Awakened Cassie, Song of the Fallen.

These figures also became known in the world as they received their True Names.

Overall, it was massive news for humanity. People celebrated, some reunited with their families, and some were just happy to be alive, deciding to live solitary lives. Many spoke of their willingness to follow Changing Star.

The return of the Forgotten Shore survivors also stirred some complications in the political world. The Legacy Clans and Government immediately began working to recruit this new batch of Awakened.

Needless to say, most of the attention was on Nephis and her cohort. Nephis herself could potentially lead the majority. Many in the new batch of Awakened remembered her valiant display of leadership. One word from Changing Star, and they would be ready to follow her wherever she went. This certainly led to a sequence of events that made Changing Star's importance skyrocket. She currently resided in the Academy, planning her future.

The Academy itself became crowded as many wished to see the heroes and pay their respects to those who had perished. Mostly, it was journalists trying to get a glimpse of the heroes, but there were also those who had come to mourn. About 400 sleepers perished in the Siege of Crimson Spire, turning their bodies in the Waking World into hollows. In the private rooms where the sleeping pods were located, one could hear all kinds of cries of denial and sorrow.

In one such room, instead of cries and sobs, a strange deathly silence hung. A pale, sickly woman sat in a wheelchair, her legs lifeless and weak. Next to her stood a young, slender, and handsome man with electric green eyes. A little further away stood a petite, exquisitely beautiful young blind woman with delicate features and pale blond hair. Somewhere in the shadows of the room, a figure of a short man with dark messy hair leaned against the wall. Finally, there was a beautiful and graceful young silver-haired woman standing right beside a sleeping pod, looking at it with a complex expression.

In the sleeping pod, one could see a handsome-looking man. He lay sleeping, his face serene and untroubled. His relaxed posture and steady breathing suggested a detachment from worldly concerns, as if the tumultuous events around him were mere ripples on the surface of a calm, deep sea. In sleep, he appeared untouched by the chaos of reality.

Looking at the sleeping figure for a little while, Nephis turned away and stepped towards the exit, her gaze lingering on Shadow for a moment before averting her gaze as she left the room. Cassie looked towards the sleeping pod with her beautiful blue eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and thankfulness. She too turned around and followed Nephis. Kai looked at the sleeping figure with a somber smile as he took Effie's wheelchair, and they left together, leaving only Shadow behind.

Sunny lingered for a moment before he used Shadow Step and appeared right in front of the pod. As he looked at it, he opened his mouth to speak and then closed it as the room remained silent.

There were many things he wanted to say. He wanted to speak about the Shadow Bond, about the last time they saw each other. Sunny wanted to speak of his anger and frustration, and also his genuine worry for his friend. So he spoke two words that combined all his emotions and desires.

"Stay alive."

With that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving the room.

---

Under the vast expanse of the grey sky, one could see a large figure of a dark snake, its eyes hollow as it moved through the now seemingly quiet Forgotten Shore. Atop the snake lay a man, silently gazing into the distance as he meditated. His golden eyes seemed as emotionless as ever, his expression never changing, unmoved by the world.

As the snake moved, the air seemed to grow colder and colder. The man made the snake stop as he stood up and looked towards the horizon.

Kiyotaka remained silent for a moment before he mused.

"The North... I wonder what I can find there."

Yes, Kiyotaka was moving towards unexplored parts of the Dream Realm, towards the North of Forgotten Shore.

Not much was known about the Dream Realm to humans. Especially its geography was shrouded in mystery. He knew the Hollow Mountains were located to the south, but he decided against going there as he had to cross an endless desert to reach it. Not that he couldn't, especially with Mamba. There was one thing preventing him from doing so, his Flaw. It took the cohort almost half a month just to travel closer to the Hollow Mountains. On their way, they didn't encounter any creatures, so this route was not something Kiyotaka could take. So he set his eyes opposite, towards the North.

Now, there were many reasons why he chose north instead of west or east, but there was one crucial one.

The clan Valor, the ones that inherited the War Goddess's lineage, just like him. The Valor clan seemed to advance to the north of Bastion. If one were to draw a map of Clan Valor's expansion in the Dream Realm, they would see constant movement towards the north. It was to the point that they almost reached the Hollow Mountains that separated Forgotten Shore from humanity's settlements further south.

This fact greatly interested Kiyotaka as he speculated that there was something to the north that could be beneficial for those of the War Goddess's lineage, potentially including him.

As he contemplated things, he felt bloodlust within himself flare up slightly, reminding him of the time. Sighing to himself, he looked around for potential prey.

It was time for his daily hunt .