Shadow Slave: Possibilities Without Meaning

"I will be challenging the second nightmare by the end of the year."

A quiet table met his proclamation. 

Absurd was the word that could be used to describe what they just heard. 

With the sheer number of people infected by the nightmare spell, dreamers were not in short supply. From there, they reached the second filter, the first trip to the dream realm. Your chances of survival were now determined based on where you were sent to in the dream realm. Should you be summoned near a citadel, your chances of survival were relatively high. 

It was for this reason that often the number of awakened increased year by year; however, the quality of them stayed the same or slightly decreased. After all, it was now the lucky that survived. 

Unlike the first generation, where a mixture of ability and luck was enough to proceed through the dire times, now with the abundance of knowledge, it was a matter of the conditions Awakened were subject to during their first nightmare or the first trip to the dream realm.

It was for this reason that the largest rank of Awakened in humanity was awakened ranked. Happy enough to live their lives after surviving the mandatory trials of the nightmare spell.

But those that went past that bottleneck, they were the true Awakened of humanity. The Masters and the Saints that risked death to advance their strengths.

So to hear that Aldric wanted to traverse into the maws of the nightmare spell so soon, only after seven months since returning, was a shock to them. 

"Way too soon. It was just yesterday that we were in the Forgotten Shore fighting for our lives."

A masculine voice spoke out. 

Standing over six feet five, the man had a wide and angular face with short, black, spiky hair.

His name was Magnus, and he was the leader of Team Atlas. 

The same man that questioned Aldric in the lecture theatre during the inception of the organisation.

In the Forgotten Shore, he was one of the best hunters under Gemma. Known for his robust strength and durability, 

And his comment was not unwarranted. With the other leaders agreeing in their body language and mannerisms.

The second nightmare was the biggest challenge that awakened could face. It normally took years of preparations. From finding the perfect team to then finding a suitable nightmare seed. It was a long affair. 

So to hear that their leader wanted to challenge it so soon, it raised alarms. 

"You've heard what I've said about the foul play in my last expedition. It's clear that some people aren't happy with our approach in allying ourselves into one collective."

He spoke out. 

The leaders were not strangers to the dangers of humanity; however, they had thought that outside of the desperation of the Bright Castle, there was no need for subversions and secret plots.

But they were wrong. And not all of them were so hopeful.

"The protection from the government will not last long. We represent a change in the status quo. Unlike us, the Fire Keepers have yielded to Clan Valour."

"So, we must get stronger to defend what we have. And this is the first step."

He finished. 

Aldric could not blame them, however; they simply did not know what was coming.

It was clear to them that they did not have the power to protect themselves against the powers that be. It made them re-evaluate what it was they wanted and where they were heading to.

"But would that not catch their attention even more?"

A rough voice spoke out. 

This man had a shrewd face and sharp eyes with a resting grin. His black hair resting in a short ponytail. His most noticeable feature was the large and baggy sleeve hanging over his right arm. With the sleeve extending to his thigh, it completely hid whatever was hidden under it.

Jian was the head of team Nyx. A small team of 4 that completed information-gathering requests anonymously. With how rare these requests were, they took up other contracts when required.

Now, a loud voice responded. 

"Do you want to be an awakened for the rest of your life, little serpent?"

Her voice loaded with derision, it seemed that the two had a tumultuous relationship. 

Vienna was the source of the voice. A tall, beautiful woman with luscious red hair braided into a singular full braid. Freckles littered her face with a set of piercing green eyes. 

She was the leader of Team Artemis. Focusing completely on hunting nightmare creatures, her team was the spear of the organisation.

A sudden sound of movement came from Jian. His right arm shifting strangely. 

The shrewd man had a look of anger on his face. But as silent as he was, it simmered to cold fury. Ending in him not responding to the comment. 

"Not to worry, I will be challenging the nightmare with some old friends."

He elaborated. Calming down those that thought of this as a request.

"I mean to say all of this because I will become the first Master amongst us. And knowing of your ambitions, I hope you will follow after me."

Magnus, Jian, and Vienna, as well as the others, all responded positively with agreements and nods. 

It was clear that the current conversation was not close to finishing, however; it was time that Aldric mentioned his plans to his people. 

In the midst of the following conversation, someone spoke out.

"Have you guys heard of 'Mongrel'?"

----------

Hot summer days slowly bled into a more mild cold. On the cusp of winter, November was nearly over.

The last four months passed Aldric by. Lots of work in growing and managing his organisation while cultivating his strength. 

Stood in a sterile room of white lights, beside him was a single sleeper pod.

Ever since returning from the Phantom Verge, he had the goal of minimising his involvement in the running of Event Horizon. 

During its inception, Aldric had been working nonstop, with most decisions having to go through him. However, slowly but surely, he had been delegating responsibilities accordingly. 

With his month-and-a-half expedition, the organisation was running smoothly. However, the second nightmare coming up soon would take much longer than that. So the organisation had to be self-sufficient. 

Now, contracts and negotiations were managed and dealt with by a special team while giving team leaders more say so. All Aldric had to do was give the final go ahead compared to how he was previously meeting clients. At this stage, he did not have to prove himself to anyone. His reputation doing it for him.

Event Horizon was not meant to be a chain holding him back but a melting point of opportunities. So he was sure to do what it takes for that to be a reality. 

With the winter solstice nearing, it was close to the time that Aldric and his friends would be challenging the second nightmare. 

The nightmare seed in the Ivory tower. 

Over the past few months, the cohort had met up often to discuss their plan of action. With him even meeting Sunny's sister, Rain. The young girl seemed utterly speechless that her teacher knew so many famous people, causing her to run back to her house in shock.

With his knowledge, Aldric kept quiet. Helping where he could in planning but never saying more than needed. There was nothing to gain from attempting to change things. 

He knew that Kai and Effie had long since traversed from Bastion to the Chained Isles. With how long the journey took, he could not afford to waste time like that. So it was time to exercise his privileges. 

It was why he was inside Academy City. 

Acting as a middle ground between parties, it was here that he would meet the Saint that would be taking him to the main citadel of the Chained Isles. 

The Sanctuary of Noctis.

She was here, the air around Aldric changing as she walked into the room.

She was tall and slender, her posture straight like an arrow. She was wearing light steel armour, its pauldrons and greaves decorated with white feathers. Her long blond hair glowed like a cascade of pale gold. With amber eyes, her face was cold and stunningly beautiful.

"Hello, Saint Tyris."

Aldric began. 

In a moment of silence, it seemed that the Saint was assessing Aldric. The Saint exerted a strange influence on everything that surrounded her. 

"Hello, Singularity. Are you ready?"

Entering the sleeping pod, Aldric nodded. 

While he did not expect much talking from the stoic woman, it seemed that she did not have much to say to him. So he kept quiet. 

Pulling on her tether, the Saint traversed to the dream realm. Back to the comfort of her citadel alongside a wayward awakened. 

----------

Bright blue skies surrounded Aldric's vision. Looking around, it seemed that he finally arrived. 

In front of him, there was a tranquil park with a pool of clear water in its middle. A path of stones led to a small island at the center of the pool, where, in the shade of an ancient tree, an altar cut from a solid piece of white marble stood. 

'How beautiful.' 

He genuinely thought.

"You have a lovely citadel, Saint Tyris."

Aldric complimented while looking at the Saint beside him. 

In a strong and calm voice, she responded.

"Thank you."

Her eyes never leaving him, she continued. 

"What you have accomplished with Event Horizon has set a precedent for all legacy clans. Should you grow beyond where you are, beware."

With that, she was gone. A gust of wind taking her place.

The enigmatic Saint reminded Aldric of the powers that be. Those that subjugate and eliminate anything that challenges their rule. 

"Aldric! You're finally here."

A loud feminine voice shouted.

It was Raised by Wolves in the flesh. Alongside her was Nightingale. Each adorned in their own set of unique armour. 

The two had been in the sanctuary since September. Getting used to the environment as well as the nightmare creatures. 

Aldric maintained a great relationship with the duo and had no qualms with challenging the second nightmare with them. In his eyes, they were reliable and loyal. 

"How's the Chained Isles treating you?"

He asked amicably. 

"It's nothing but hunt and hunt, so I can't complain."

She answered in typical fashion. Compared to Bastion, the Sanctuary reminded her of the Dark City and the outer settlement a lot more.

"It really is a beautiful place. The sky above and the sky below, truly a world wonder."

Kai described it in a soft voice. Expressing his awe at the astrology of the region.

From there, their conversation continued in good nature. Each having many things to talk about. Especially Aldric, with how his life had been progressing the past few months.

They continued to walk, showing Aldric around the section the sanctuary set aside for living quarters. It was a far cry compared to any of the other citadels that they had been to. It was more of a small village than a town or a city.

On the far outskirts of the sanctuary, at the edge of the island, a small figure began to get bigger as they got closer. 

A massive wooden ship came into view. With sprawling sails that were lined with runes, it was easily the size of a yacht. Its design was more reminiscent of a decorative pirate ship, with round edges and sharp points. However, that was not its signature feature. 

A large tree sprouted in the centre of the ship's deck, overlooking the entire vessel. The bark of the tree was ivory white, and its leaves were vibrant emerald in color. Its colours were more visible to him as he walked closer. 

Cassie had told him that this was what powered the flying ship. What was a small sapling root found in the Heart's Grove was now a sacred tree, with enough vitality and essence to power the strong enchantments of the ship. 

'I'm impressed, Cassie.'

He thought. 

A large group of people was visible on the deck of the ship. The Fire Keepers were present.

He thought back to how broken she was the day they returned to the waking world. How he comforted her.

Unlike a girl that would cling to the first man that showed her care like in a romance book, Cassie picked herself back up and fought even harder. 

Dealing with the formation and management of the Fire Keepers while also working under Clan Valour in a limited capacity. It was a lot of hard work for the blind girl, and this ship was one of the fruits of her labour. 

"So, we are waiting on Sunny and Cassie to get this knife from the temple?"

Aldric asked.

"Yes, it's a long journey, but they should be back any time now."

Kai responded wearily. While he was worried for the two, there was not much he could do but wait. And not just for them either.

"And how long were they gone for?"

Aldric continued. Thoughts were forming in his mind as they approached the ship.

"Two weeks."

He responded. With how long it took to journey there and back, Kai was not surprised and knew that they would take longer.

Aldric's eyes sharpened at the comment.

----------

Aldric's routine did not change much for the next few days. Maintaining his position and responsibilities in the waking world while also familiarising himself with the Chained Isles. 

In his opinion, the region was even more beautiful than Rivergate. With the sanctuary maintaining most of its rich architecture and ancient features, the White Feather Clan did not change much of the island. 

Strengthening himself by hunting the abundant nightmare creatures that surrounded the sanctuary, Aldric did not venture too far, nor did he traverse onto the other islands. Between the crushing and his flaw, it wouldn't be smart to wander. 

He had also reunited with the familiar faces that made up the Fire Keepers. While not close to how they viewed Nephis, it seemed that the collective held Aldric in very high regard. For both his achievements in the Forgotten Shore and since then.

And not just for him but his organisation as well. 

However, on the flying ship, something was amiss. 

The Fire Keepers and Kai were worried about Cassie and Sunny. 

Even with their long journey to the Night Temple, the plan was for the duo to anchor to the temple's gateway and return to the waking world. Signalling that their negotiations with Clan Valor failed. However, It was a serious problem when they did not return by foot to the Shipwrecked Island.

Something had to have gone wrong. 

The Fire Keepers approached the White Feather Clan to ask for assistance in the matter the day that he arrived. And with no response, it was time for them to make their own move. 

Aldric agreed to join them. While they knew that he was a busy man, his presence on the ship would reassure them in saving Cassie and Sunny from whatever happened. 

With a group of the Fire Keepers manning the ship, they were gone. 

Flying in the open air, Aldric marvelled at the feat of ingenuity it would take to make something like this. It was baffling to him, and it showed the capabilities of Cassie. To find a broken millennia-old wreckage and make the decision to rebuild it. It was a testament to her foresight and ability. 

'And for all her foresight, look at the situation she's in.'

Aldric stood near the edge of the ship as he thought, the wind caressing his face. 

He thought of the decisions that Cassie had made. It was something that had been on his mind since he decided to challenge the second nightmare. 

'So she chose to free him after all.'

He thought. 

It seemed that Cassie could not let go of her obsession with fate. What he was witnessing was one of the first steps she would take to guarantee that her weapon against fate was formed. 

Aldric knew because of her long absence in the Night Temple. With her foresight, Cassie knew who was imprisoned there, and she knew who she would release.

Mordret, the Prince of Nothing.

All that she had to do was tell Sunny to not bring the mirror that was dropped by the Mirror Beast. With that, they would not have been stuck in the Night Temple for weeks. Treated like prisoners and escaping death by a hair's breadth. 

And while a part of Aldric hoped that his presence would change things and convince her to abandon such a path, he knew.

'Is it fate that is pushing her down this path, or is she truly that callous?'

From manipulating Sunny into entering a death trap with her to freeing a body snatcher into the world and more. All for what? To make up for enslaving your close friend?

A tired sigh left his body.

Ever since the evolution of his [Destined] attribute to [Null], his faint connection with fate distanced even more. It allowed him to objectively view and process fate as a lone observer. Providing him insight on whether the machinations of fate were at play. 

He even began to theorise that the mass oblivion of everybody's memories surrounding Sunny would not happen to him. But that was pure conjecture.

With all the knowledge she gained from her aspect, she couldn't stop herself from manipulating the future.

It was just how things were meant to go. 

But while Aldric had a solemn look on his face, his eyes seemed too sharp for a man contemplating the omnipotence of fate and a friend's poor decision.

'Let's see if I can make this work.'

The ship carried on course.

**********

Thanks for reading. 

Asterion chapter is crazy. Cassie is cooking.

Till the next one.