Chapter: 13, Star, Shadow, Prophet and…A Mage?
Grey sky, black mud and endless crimson sea in between. Four individuals were walking across the labyrinth. Three beautiful Girls and one boy (Discrimination) were talking to each other.
On one side, Nephis and Cassia were standing being connected by a golden rope. Sunny stood on the opposite side having a rucksack on the side filled with monster meat. With them stood the black haired girl, the girl was obviously Aura.
"Thank god Jin was fast enough to get his Army, or we wouldn't have enough armor and weapons for the three of us." Aura thought in heart. After Jin wasn't there she would have to remain naked, and she definitely didn't want to reveal her perverted side.
"So should we travel together?" she heard Sunny suggesting and Nephis replying slowly "No… problem". Aura didn't want to be left out so she quickly said "let's go, we need to reach a high ground before sunset."
The others nodded and headed for the next hill. The sunset was not far off when they reached the hill. They reached the camp made by Nephis and Cassia. Aura was looking around when Sunny asked "Was it you two nights ago? I've seen an orange light in the distance."
Aura also chimed in "Yes, I also saw the orange light from afar."
Cassia's face darkened.
"Yes, that was the first time we made a fire. But it turned out to be a really bad mistake." Cassia explained what happened that night. And at Nephis assurance they lit a fire and started roasting the scavenger meat. While sunny and cassia talked with each other, Aura tried to help Nephis roast the meat and soon the rich smell of roasting meat permeated the air.
At the same time, the sun approached the horizon and the dark water started to rise, covering the crimson walls of the labyrinth. They talked for a while before Nephis picked the meat away and extinguished the fire. After their meal, the blind girl said in a bright voice:
"How about we formally introduce ourselves? I am Cassie."
Nephis glanced in her direction and shrugged.
"Neph"
Sunny exhaled and with a smiled answered:
"I'm Sunless. But you can call me Sunny."
Aura simply said expressionlessly:
"Aura"
After a brief pause, Sunny said "Since we're going to be depending on each other, should we share what abilities and Memories we have at our disposal?"
Sunny then again said "I'll start." He then started explaining his abilities and Memories and Cassie also revealed some. And they got into the situation, and then Sunny explained about his academy life.
After which, Nephis explained her attributes and memories, after which Cassie also explained her part of things. Lastly it was Aura's turn:
"I have a strong affinity with elements, and have a Strong affiliation with Divinity, and my body can heal its own injuries pretty quickly." She paused, letting them digest the information then continued "My ability is, I can shoot fireballs and stuff like that, and I currently have 3 memories, an armor of awakened rank with defensive trait. A storage box that can store things and food inside without going bad, and lastly a charm that helps me regenerate my essence faster."
"You have a Storage memory? That's pretty good." Cassie said "With this we won't have to worry about food and water to survive anymore."
"Hold on, are you telling me you're like those Fictional Mages in the Web toon and manga." Sunny Asked after hearing about her ability.
"Somehow, Yes." She said without changing her expression.
"So, changing stars is the main Attack force. I am a scout, you are a ranged dealer and Cassie is an oracle. Not gonna lie, we actually make a good team." Sunny said with a sigh of relief. "Now our chance of survival has increased by a little bit."
Aura, breaking his reassurance, said "You're right, only if we don't encounter any creature above the Fallen Devil."
Everyone looked at her incredulously before asking "and how do you expect us to kill a Fallen Devil?'
"I am not talking about you, I am talking about myself." Not to make them misunderstand she quickly said ignoring their shocked gaze on her "Using my ability I can create an attack that can currently kill a Fallen Devil. Just so you know I can only use this attack once a Year, this attack is a last ditch effort when we don't have any other options. And after using it I will be paralyzed for a week and my body will be weak for a month, so weak that I won't be able to walk properly."
"For a broken attack like that, it is a good balance." Neph exclaimed.
After a few moments, everyone quickly lay down for a rest while Neph was guarding for the night.
***
At dawn, the dark sea had receded and a black figure was flying in the sky. It was a black dragon flying alone aimlessly.
Suddenly it sensed something and quickly landed on the ground. After landing, it used its power to remove something like a cocoon from beneath its scale.
As the cocoon landed, it showed cracks, and a human figure of a sixteen year old boy came out. He looked around before asking the dragon about their location.
The dragon answered him with a mind link and Noir knew that he was close to the Dark Castle. If he were to fly, it would take about a week to reach there.
At this time, Jin should be at the place. Noir equipped his memories to cover his naked body and riding the Kamish he flew toward the dark castle.
*
In an Unknown area of the dream realm, Jin landed near a citadel in the burned forest. This citadel was located in the middle of the biggest tree stump in the inner part, which is currently guarded by a dragon-like great abomination.
If talking about its rank, it is a cursed beast. Bellion went ahead and defeated the abomination after about an hour and both Bellion and Kamish went to clear out all the nearby nightmare creatures.
Jin explored the citadel by himself while they were also clearing out for any being above the great rank at a certain distance, marking their territory.
This citadel was made of a giant hollowed out tree. Its root spread around, created the outer structure with perfect shape and built it, as if the gargantuan tree was once alive and created the entire structure itself.
Alas the tree-like being was long dead. Its upper body lost as if ripped from its lower body which now looked like a crown. Its outer shell appears burnt and scarred but within, the walls pulse with a faint light, which is not enough to light the place but looks great.
Jin realized that the entire citadel has the same size as the Jade palace and Bastion. It was an entire castle made out of a single tree.
END