'Xyz' - Thoughts
"Abc" - Speech
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"Should we approach him?... He's saying the truth about being a saint."
"No...he's suspicious. We'll observe him first."
'It's not like they would allow independent awakeneds to become saints, so did they send him? But there's no way for a saint to cross the hollow mountains... right?'
"But he may be our best chance of getting out of this place."
"Chance or not I think he's one heck of an eyeca-"
"Cas what do you think?"
Sunny waited for a moment. When no answer came he raised an eyebrow and glanced towards Cassie. She had a complicated expression. Was that guilt or relief?... maybe both.
"Uhh... Cassie?"
Cassie flinched slightly and looked towards Sunny. Though there was no point as she couldn't see anyway.
"Sorry I was out of it for a bit."
There was an awkward silence between them. Sunny turned away while still observing her from his shadow.
"Uh.. no problem. Just... what do you think about that supposed saint?"
'Was I imagining it?'
"I think that...we should definitely ask for his help... I know why you all may be wary of him but... no one would give up on an opportunity to get hundreds of experienced future awakened on their side."
'I know I'm being hasty but... this may be the only way to save them both.'
Sunny and Nephis glanced at her.
'She has a point but why does she seem so eager and... desperate?'
"Cass-"
Nephis tried reaching out to her but was cut short by Effie.
"Hey princess, what're we gonna do with this dude?"
She said pointing to the the self proclaimed saint who was sitting beside her. He lazily rested his elbow on Caster's shoulder pointing his finger towards the vast expanse of the crimson labyrinth.
"This sure is one nasty place I tell you old man... Oh and you stink almost as much as those crabs down there."
***
'What in the spell...'
Sunless checked his runes to make sure what he sensed was right. As his sight fell on his attributes he suddenly felt nauseous.
'My suspiciouns were correct. That drop in power. It wasn't from just a drop in rank... all the parts of Weaver's lineages have gone. Gods... this couldn't have turned out worse.'
This weakened body which didn't have the physical boons of blood, bone and flesh weave felt alien to him. And most of all his once overwhelming presence and will with which he could bend the world's rules were now much weaker.
Sunny grimaced as he spread his shadow sense to its limit.
As much as Sunny wished to complain about his current situation he couldn't risk putting himself in danger in this foreign land which may be teeming with unknown horrors.
'....Foreign?.... Wait those shadows...'
Sunny's eyes widened as he processed what he was sensing.
'Am I... back in time?...No... there's no way that is possible. So is this a nightmare? But I don't have the spell... Did... did that bastard planned considering I would end up fateless!?'
Sunny pushed those thoughts aside knowing he would be going in an endless series of questions and theories if he started thinking about it.
He sighed muttering to himself
"Right.... whatever the case be, what should my next step be?"
A smirk spread across his face.
"Haven't seen the geezer in a while."
Sunny shadow stepped behind his admirers and silently sat down next to the crouching figure of Caster.
He put his hand on Caster's shoulder and pulled him down on earth in an instantas Effie glancedat him.
Lazily resting his right elbow on Caster's shoulder he paused for a moment then pointed towards the vast hellish expanse and said.
"This sure is one nasty place I tell you old man... Oh and you stink almost as much as those crabs down there."
***
No one moved. No one dared to move.
This mysterious assailant had just been about a hundred metres away. Perhaps more so. And while they were still contemplating on what their next course of action should be, he had closed the distance in the blink of an eye and was resting right beside them with his guard down, as if they posed no threat to himwhatsoever.
A second passed then two. Finally Nephis broke free from her daze and lunged at him with her sword drawn which was engulfed by a white dazzling flame.
Caster used his aspect and escaped just miliseconds before the assailant's figure was set ablaze as his neck wasstruck with Nephis's sword.
An arrow whistled past Sunny and went between Nephis's arm striking where theburning figure's face was supposed to be.
As soon as the arrow struck true, a muscular arm whirled itselfand hit theburning body from it's side, completely disregarding the risk from the flames.
Doing this, they all learned one thing...
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Each one of their attacks bounced back, making even Effie stagger.
Nephis redirected her centre of weight and used it to create some distance. Though there was no point.
Her fear had come true. A transcendent had finally appeared before her to take her life. She wanted to belief that she would be able to catch him off guard and seriously wound him if not straight up kill him. But she knew it was fruitless once she saw him up close. There was no way for her to defeat that... thing.
She only attacked him on instinct. There was no point, no hope at all of facing him. His pleasant appearance, his neutral expression, his friendly demeanor... none of it mattered, none of it. That presence... that killing intent... there was no mistaking it. He was out for blood. And there was no way to stop him.
The mysterious figure leaned backwards slightly sighing as the flames engulfing him died down.
'Did I slip up? I guess I got pissed at seeing Caster. Well whatever doesn't make a difference... my first impression on them should be great still... probably.
I should take this slowly and be polite so they don't take me as a hostile person.'
"Quiet a grand welcome you had for me shit heads."
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