Shadow Slave

The reception hall of the Immortal Flame manor was a bit too small to accommodate all the gathered dignitaries on the first floor. The most prominent figures were seated around a vast round table. Their trusted subordinates stood behind them, while the least esteemed of the exceedingly distinguished guests occupied the gallery, observing the gathering from above.

There were too many people in the hall to keep what was going to be said here today a secret, of course.

Earlier, Nephis had addressed the population of the Human Domain, confirming the return of a new Supreme. They had chosen to reinforce the narrative first invented by the original Sovereigns — a narrative that insinuated that Anvil and Ki Song had challenged the Fourth Nightmare as a reaction to the Chain of Nightmares, and just barely managed to conquer it in time to avert complete disaster in Antarctica.

Only now, an additional piece of information was added to that old fairy tale. It was that a third challenger had emerged Supreme from the Nightmare, as well — another member of Broken Sword’s cohort, the Dreamspawn Asterion. Then, they added a spoonful of truth to the story, explaining how Anvil and Ki Song had conspired against him and kept him imprisoned for decades.

Those two already had a terrible reputation due to the fratricidal war they had incited in order to leave only one Domain standing. So, it wasn’t difficult to pile more crimes on them, convincing people that they had betrayed and imprisoned their comrade to remove him from the competition.

Now that the Dreamspawn was back, however...

Nephis had given a masterfully crafted speech to the public, both painting herself as a benevolent ruler who was glad to see one more Supreme return into the embrace of humanity and simultaneously subtly accentuating the connection between Anvil, Ki Song, and Asterion.

The first half of her announcement had been spent reminding people how hateful the original Sovereigns were. The second half, while seemingly generous, made sure to put Asterion next to those two, thus. giving him the boon of seeming like an atrocious monster by association.

After all, if those two had been his closest collaborators... then what kind of character did he himself possess?

Most importantly of all, Nephis emerged from giving the announcement without being seen as trying to discourage the new Supreme. That would have only made her look anxious, envious of his power, or cruel. None of those perceived traits would do her any good in an ideological war against the Dreamspawn, where moral high ground and justification were as invaluable as an impregnable stronghold during a conventional military conflict.

Depending on how this council went, her message to the people would either be reinforced and cemented, or damaged and dismantled instead.

.. Standing in front of the doors leading to the reception hall, Nephis was looking at the floor as she composed herself and prepared to face the distinguished gathering. Sunny and Cassie were standing behind her, leaning on the walls of the narrow corridor.

Seemingly ready, Nephis looked up, then hesitated for a few seconds and said in a distant tone:

”I... never expected this.”

Sunny raised an eyebrow.

“What, exactly?”

She turned slightly and looked at him with an unreadable expression, remaining silent for a while.

Eventually, Nephis sighed.

”That I would have to become a politician one day.”

Sunny smiled faintly.

He remembered how she had been on the Forgotten Shore — painfully awkward and barely capable of expressing herself, practicing conversational skills and friendly smiles while he was learning how to wield a sword.

Who knew that the awkward girl from back then would have to sway the minds of the most brilliant people in existence with flawless eloquence and intricate deception one day?

”You probably imagined that you would just cut every obstacle standing in your way with a sword back then, didn’t you?”

Nephis lingered for a few moments, then slowly shook her head.

”No. I always knew that I would need to learn how to win human hearts if I wanted to achieve my goals. I just... never quite imagined that I would have to do it this way.”

She paused for a bit before adding: ”I always thought that truth was the sharpest blade”

But today, she was going to lie.

With that, Nephs raised her chin and pushed the door open.

As she walked into the light, Sunny and Cassie remained in the shadows, watching the door close side by side.

In the hall, Nephis walked to her seat with confident steps and stopped behind it, putting her hands on the back of the tall chair. She regarded the gathered dignitaries with a calm, but heavy gaze, and then spoke in a clear voice:

”Many of you have heard the rumors by now. Today, I intend to put these rumors to rest and inform you of what truly happened, as well as how these events will affect the Human Domain going forward.”

A dead silence settled over the reception hall, hundreds of eyes watching her with rapt attention.

Nephis met those gazes steadily and continued in the same commanding tone:

”It is true. The Dreamspawn, Asterion, has returned from the place where he had been imprisoned by the Great Clans Song and Valor...”

Now that everyone had heard Asterion’s name, there was little point in trying to avoid it — granted, uttering it still meant that he would become aware of one’s words and listen in on the conversation.

”He is Supreme. He has been Supreme for a long while, and wields immense power — a power far greater than the King of Swords and the Queen of Worms wielded, perhaps. And unlike the King of Nothing, Asterion is not going to retreat from the world and isolate himself in a remote region of the Dream Realm.”

Among the greatest champions of humanity gathered in the hall, the absence of one particular person was painfully obvious. It was Mordret of Nowhere, the King of Nothing, who was far more powerful than any other human here — apart from Changing Star herself.

The reclusive Sovereign had not deemed it worthy to appear even on this important day, choosing to stay hidden and ominously nebulous.

Nephis paused for a moment, and then continued.

”Instead, he has chosen to reside in Bastion. As for what goals Asterion pursues and the relationship between him and the Human Domain...”

At that moment, Sunny turned his head sharply and looked at Cassie.

”Warn her”

Cassie was probably already sending Nephis a mental message, though.

But before she could respond, the doors of the hall opened with a loud bang, shuddering as they collided with the walls. A tall man with radiant golden eyes entered, looking around with an inscrutable expression.

Pressing the gathered champions into their seat with a heavy gaze, the Dreamspawn then turned to Nephis, remained silent for a few long moments, and then smiled darkly. ”Apologees. My invitation got lost in the mail, it seems.”