The Noble Queen-A Shadow Slave Fanfic

"That was…unpleasant." Sarai turned a little green in the face.

"You cannot fight it," Noble told her. "I didn't this time, and it was much better."

"I'll keep that in mind in the future." 

Sarai stared carefully at the dark stalagmite in front of her. She didn't want to add the contents of her stomach to the floor of the cavern.

While the baker controlled her nausea, Noble bowed her head to the raven-haired man with them. 

"Thank you for bringing us, Saint Cor. Traveling overland would have been much slower."

"You better get going," Wake of Ruin frowned. "You don't want to be late."

'Just as warm and friendly as ever.' 

Despite Cor's prickly demeanor, he felt compassion toward the two women he had just brought from the NQSC to the Dream Realm.

Jet had called in the favor, and the older Saint had agreed. That was how Noble and Sarai had gotten a quick trip from the NQSC to Ender's Deep.

Noble smiled softly. "Of course, we won't waste any more of your time. We will be on our way." 

Cor disappeared and the two ladies were left alone in the wide maw of the cavern.

Noble picked her way through the stalagmites and peered over the edge. The chasm stretched down into what felt like an eternal darkness. 

Sarai came up beside her and shivered. "It's down there again, isn't it?" 

The professor nodded. "We should probably do a sweep before we leave." 

"Are you up for that?" The redhead furrowed her brow.

"It's been weeks since my injury. My leg is healed. Taking care of that menacing pollen is the least we can do for the people of Crestfall. Besides, I thought you liked torching things." Noble smiled mirthlessly. 

"That's true. Alright, we can do it when things are finished." Sarai smoothed the wrinkles from her dress. "Are you ready?" 

Eyes swirling, Noble lifted them both from the edge of the cliff and up to the surface. 

The kingdom of Crestfall looked magical in the morning sun, causing Sarai to gasp. 

"So pretty!" 

"I know," Noble smiled softly. "Doesn't it remind you of the ancient city?" 

"No," Sarai tilted her head. "This one is much better." 

Noble couldn't disagree. It had been founded with their efforts and built in part by their labor. They had defended it against a Fallen Titan and it still stood. The new Crestfall was a testament to human resilience. 

The defenders on the wall waved as the women came near. After announcing their presence and intention, they were allowed inside. Thankfully, the ladies were expected.

Noble had seen how jumpy they got when she randomly appeared before. She didn't want any arrow holes in her new ebony dress.

"Is it ok if I walk?" Sarai asked when they passed the checkpoint. "I know you've been here recently, but it's been almost a year for me."

"I was in a bit of a hurry last time. I wouldn't mind a moment to reminisce."

Noble lowered her friend and herself to street level. The ladies strolled along, talking about their memories from both the Nightmare and their time in the citadel.

At the end of the lane, two friendly faces were there to greet them.

"Catphine and Hamish," Noble hugged each of her former students. "Stewards of the Citadel. Are we so late that you felt the need to come and fetch us?"

"It's good to see you, Master Noble. Master Sarai," Catphine smiled at each of the lovely Ascended women.

Hamish bowed deeply. "Someone spotted you coming over the wall so we came to meet you. You aren't late. Everyone is still assembling. We can escort you."

The four continued on their way, with Catphine and Hamish pointing out the improvements and changes that had been implemented since the two Masters' departure.

At last, they reached their destination and all four fell silent.

Out of the many gathered, a curly-haired master was the first to see them approach. He hurried to meet them, his eyes swollen with unshed tears.

"I am glad you came."

"As if we could miss it. He was our friend too." Noble hugged Coy.

In the weeks since the incident with the Skinwalker, no one had seen or heard from Chip. A search around Ravenheart had been made on the off chance that the man had managed to return to the Dream Realm during his fight, but to no avail.

It was time to face the fact that the burly Master was gone.

It was time to say goodbye.

The group had gathered at the only suitable place they could find for such an occasion: Jo's Dream Realm grave.

"I don't know what to say," Coy rubbed his sleeves.

Sending him a wave of calm, Noble rested her hand gently on his shoulder. "Yes, you do."

"Just speak from the heart," Sarai added.

Noble glanced at the crowd. "I can be right beside you if that will help."

Coy nodded. "I would appreciate that."

Following behind Coy, Noble floated to the center of the group.

She noted many recognizable faces and even more familiar emotional signatures. 'Venster, Addy, Sevokevo. Even Jet is here…' Noble listed the names she knew in her head. 

Despite Chip's belief that everyone simply tolerated him, a sizable crowd had shown up to honor the unpredictable Master.

'It is a shame he isn't here to see how much he meant to so many.' Noble promised to thank each one for coming.

Coy stopped where a marker for Jo had been erected. Beside it, another headstone stood in front of undisturbed ground. Chip's name was roughly carved into the white stone.

Coy cleared his throat.

The crowd grew quiet.

"Thank you all for coming today. Chip would hate all of this pomp and sentimentality, but he would also be touched by how much you care. He'd probably threaten to beat me into a pulp for the sappy speech I'm about to make, but he isn't here, so my curly head is safe."

Coy smiled sadly, collecting his thoughts.

"Chip's flaw was that people couldn't look at him without feeling queasy. Even I, one of his closest friends, never got a clear picture of his face. But Jo…something allowed her to fight the nausea and look him in the eye. That's why Chip stuck by her till the end. He always wanted to make her proud."

The speaker's eyes misted over as he struggled to blink the tears away.

Noble touched his arm, allowing Coy to steady himself and continue.

"Chip once told me that with each creature's power he absorbed, he became less human, both physically and mentally. He was afraid of turning into the monsters he had worked so hard to fight against.

"So I would say it is fitting that in the end, Chip did the most human and selfless thing one person can do. He laid down his life to save others."

Coy laid his hand on the stone bearing the fallen warrior's name.

"Thank you, buddy. I can never repay you. Not that you would have let me. But I want you to know one thing: with your final breath, you made Jo proud. May you pass to death in peace, brother."

Coy looked out at the crowd, water streaming down his face with a sad smile. "His Nightmare is over."