Shadow Slave Cinema (reaction fanfic)-Chapter 27: Slave and Warrior

Before them the image shook as the slaves back faced them, Sunny equally startled as the rest of them in the room. Debris rained from somewhere above as the screams of slaves and horses became intertwined—the sound of chains becoming deafening as they pulled each other in desperation to flee.

Carriages toppled as some unfortunate souls were shoved into pits of fire by the panicked others, there's screams mixed with the crackling flames.

"Wha....what the hell is happening?!" Rain yelled in confusion.

To her left and right Nephis and Ananke glanced at her, their eyes narrowing in worry as they briefly met each other's gazes. Nephis turned to Cassie, who's eyes were hidden by her blindfold, but didn't dismiss her stress as her fingers slightly clenched the leather handrests. Turning to Effie, Kai and Jet, they also momentarily caught each other's gazes, equal looks of confusion and concern—Effie slightly worse, possibly from guilt of what she had previously said about the situation.

The following two rows had also grown much quieter, Saints from Song and Valor crossing their arms as their faces remained still in thought, their trained minds processing the situation. None of them said a word....only watching in dreadful anticipation of the scene unravelling before them.

As ice and stones continued to rain, many were wounded, and a few even lost their lives. Agonizing wails filled the air.

"On your feet, fools! Get to the wall!"

The veteran soldier — the one who had whipped Sunny a few hours before — was shouting angrily, trying to get the slaves to move towards the relative safety of the mountain slope. 

However, before anyone could heed his command, something massive came crashing down, sending a tremor through the stones beneath their feet. It fell right between the caravan and the mountain wall, plunging everything into silence for a few seconds. At first, it looked like a lump of dirty snow, roughly round in shape and as tall as a mounted horseman. However, once the creature unfurled its long limbs and rose, it towered over the stone platform like a nightmarish omen of death.

'That thing must be at least four meters tall,' Sunny thought, a bit stunned.

The creature had two stumpy legs, an emaciated, hunched torso and disproportionately long, multijointed hands — two of them, each ending with a set of horrifying bone claws, and another two, these ones shorter, ending with almost human-like fingers. The thing that at first glance looked like dirty snow turned out to be its fur, yellowish-grey and ragged, thick enough to stop arrows and swords.

On its head, five milky, white eyes regarded the slaves with insect-like indifference. Beneath them, a terrible maw crowding with razor-sharp teeth was half-open, as though in anticipation. Viscous drool was running down the creature's chin and dripping into the snow.

What unnerved Sunny the most, though, were the strange shapes endlessly moving, worm-like, under the creature's skin. He could see them clearly because, unfortunately, he was one of those unlucky souls closest to the monstrosity, getting a nauseating first-row view.

'Well, that is just... too much,' he thought, stupefied.

As the creature came into view, Rain glanced at the hardened Saints, trying to analyze the severity of the situation from the sternness of their gazes. Eurys made no reaction in her lap, instead opting to quietly absorb the scene, albeit a few clicks that could be deciphered as boredom and critique.

Rain's heart lifted as Saint Athena to her right shifted, her brows frowning as her voice spoke out, tone questioning:

"That's it?"

The other Saints glared at her, causing her shoulders to rise, turning around—her voice firm and resolute—continuing.

"It seems like a typical Dormant, Beast maybe? I thought that something worse had arrived..."

Above Saint Cor leaned back, his eyes shifting as distant memories passed before his pupils.

"For a Trial any Dormant creature is like a grim reaper. Even those who have been raised for such a life, experience fleeting moments of tension upon facing the real deal."

A few seats down, Saint Hellie chimed in, "Not to mention....his Aspect doesn't offer him anything."

Effie looked between the two, eyes looking up as she considered something.

"Yeah...but it's still just a Beast! Even if he isn't directly capable of killing or doing anything to it, they're superior in numbers. All that matters really is for him to just survive as the mongers deal with it."

The gazes of the Saints shifted as a collected voice sounded from further down the first row. Ears pricked in anticipation as the usual cold Princess of War slightly chuckled.

"Indeed a Trial does not have to be decided by an individual's strength, instead adaptation and determination to survive. Hence he might not even have to do anything at all."

She paused, lips curling.

"Though I wouldn't know, since I conquered my Trial alone."

The other Saints shifted their gazes away, pushed off by her usual unmatched bravado. Morgan tilted her head, smearing at Mordret with contempt, as if to gloat. Mordret simply held her gaze, huffing a stifled laugh at her poor attempt to agitate him, turning back to the screen as his chin rested on his palm—a smile of anticipation on his usually eerie face.

'I think my friend Sunless's Trial is quite more impressive than anything you think was achieved in yours'

His eyes twinkled in delight as Rain's head looked between the cohort in panic, mouth opening and closing as she struggled with her words.

"B-But that thing is massive! How can you be so calm even if you think it's a Monster or something worse!"

She turned up to the second row, looking at Julius for answers. He met her glaze wiping his glasses as he turned to the screen.

"Even if its appearance is startling it is possibly still a beast, though its devastating potential may increase with a rank or two...the same cannot be said for its intelligence and capabilities. Tyrants and above are the true threats, as they exhibit a level of sentience that allows them to command lesser vessels and adapt in response to a threat."

He paused, looking at the gazes held on him as he cleared his throat.

"Thus if it's not a Tyrant...it should still.....be possible."

Luster scoffed, "A Tyrant! Who has ever heard of a Tyrant or above in a Trial? That's like....a Nightmare! An impossible Nightmare!"

In response, Rain only gloomily held the gazes of the Saints from the row above. She cleared her throat, quietly speaking...

"And if it's a Tyrant or above?"

The air grew silent as Julius's face darkened, glancing at the ensuing carnage on the screen. After a pause he responded, tone much quieter.

"Then he'd need a real miracle."

By his side Daeron stirred, voice echoing causing the shoulders of the Saints to stiffen, "A miracle like an audience with the gods."

Noctis scoffed.

"A response from the Gods to a mere Tyrant? And yet they seemingly conspire to all ignore me.."

Below Effie nervously laughed, stretching her arm across the back of her headrest.

"You're speaking as if it is a Tyrant, but it hasn't shown any abilities of sorts!"

Heads turned as everyone silently stared at her, as she remained smiling, frozen on the spot—only Mordret and Noctis moved, covering their mouths to stifle their laughter.

Effie could only weakly smile.

"I said something I shouldn't have, didn't I?"

Like a bad omen, colors flashed on her back from the screen as everyone looked up at the scene, their faces growing dark—a single nervous gulp sounding as Effie tilted her head down to look at Rain who stared at her with wide eyes.

"Sorry for condemning your brother....sister in law?"

In Rain's lap, the silent Eurys came back to life, laughing at her words.

"This is amazing. Say something stupid again!"

Effie stared with wide eyes, raising her finger to object. But on the screen everything went into chaos, the narration agreeing.

As soon as Sunny finished that thought, all hell broke loose. 

The creature moved, slashing its claws in his general direction. But Sunny was one step ahead: without wasting a single moment, he jumped sideways — as far as the chain allowed — conveniently placing the broad-shouldered slave between himself and the monster. His quick reaction saved his life, as those sharp claws, each as long as a sword, sliced through the broad-shouldered man a fraction of a second later and sent streams of blood flying through the air.

Drenched in the hot liquid, Sunny hit the ground, and his fellow slave — now simply a corpse — fell on him from above.

'Damn! Why are you so heavy!'

Temporarily blinded, Sunny heard a chilling howl and felt an enormous shadow passing over him. 

Immediately after, a deafening chorus of screams filled the night.

Not paying it any attention, he tried to roll the corpse to the side, but was stopped by a forceful lurch of the chain that twisted his wrists and filled his mind with white-hot pain. Disoriented, he felt himself being dragged a few steps, but then the chain suddenly slackened, and he was able to control his hands again.

'See, things could have been worse...'

Putting his palms against the dead man's chest, he pushed with all the strength he had. The heavy corpse stubbornly resisted all his attempts, but then finally fell sideways, setting Sunny free. However, he didn't get to celebrate this newly found freedom, as his blood suddenly turned to ice. Because at that moment, with his palms still pressed against the broad-shouldered slave's bleeding body, he clearly felt something wriggling under the dead man's skin.

'You just had to think about how things could get worse, right, you idiot?' he thought, and then flinched back.

Pushing the corpse with his legs, Sunny crawled as far away from it as he could — which was about a meter and a half, thanks to the ever-present chain. 

He quickly glanced around, noticing a mass of dancing shadows and the silhouette of the monster rampaging amidst the screaming slaves on the opposite end of the stone platform. Then he concentrated on the dead body, which was starting to convulse with growing violence.

On the opposite side of the corpse, the shifty slave was looking at it with slackened jaw and a horrified expression on his face. Sunny waved to get his attention.

"What are you staring at?! Move away from it!"

The shifty slave tried, but immediately fell down. The chain was twisted between the three of them, pinned down under by the broad-shouldered man's weight.

Sunny clenched his teeth. Right under his eyes, the corpse was going through a nightmare-inducing metamorphose. Strange bone growths pierced its skin, extending like spikes. The muscles bulged and wriggled, as though trying to change shape. The fingernails were turning into sharp claws; the face cracked and split, bearing open a twisted mouth with one too many rows of bloodied, needle-like fangs.

Effie continued to watch the chaos unfold, painfully aware of Rain's intense star that penetrated through her being—biting her lips as she struggled to avoid meeting her eyes.

She was able to breathe as Kai pulled everyone's attention, shooting up as he stammered.

"Holy...G-Gods an actual Tyrant in a T-Trial! What the hell! How the hell is this fair at all!?!"

Nephis solemnly nodded in agreement, "It's hard to believe this is a Trial at all. He doesn't even have an Aspect of use to his survival."

To her side, clicking sounded in response as everyone turned in Eurys direction. He muttered something too soft to discern, though his tone was something of agitation. Pausing his voice echoed:

"He has Auro. That should be enough."

Above Daeron raised an eyebrow, leaning forward, "Yet he has not been shown to have awakened....he is merely mundane in this time."

Shoulders slightly jumped as Eurys's hollow laugh echoed round the room, his tone distant as if reliving days of past and glory.

"Yes he is"

"....but even I cannot understand what he is capable of"

His words seemed to seep into their bodies directly as their heartbeats sounded a little quickened against their chests, mouths dry as they listened in anticipation.

"A mundane killing a Tyrant? Such a thing cannot be, which is why Auro has made it so. That guy truly had a knack for dramatic entrances, it seems rightfully so for the beginning of his perseverance against War God!"

Everyone listened in quiet reverence, the moment shattered as Solvanne let out a huff of dejection.

"You talk dramatic in the place of someone who has yet to show his abilities."

Without a sound Rain raised Eurys above her head, angling the ancient skull to face the threatening gaze of the War priestess. Silently, they stared at each other with an indescribable resent, the air becoming static for a few seconds before Eurys responded with a scoff.

"Show his abilities? Why I have already seen them in full action....destroying your wretched empire!"

His spiteful laughter echoed through the room as Solvanne's eyes deepened to a dangerous shade. Beside her Noctis glanced between the two, mind working.

'Is this what I look like to the others?'

He cared very much about his appearance and impressions on people...and seeing how Eurys strangely resonated with his nature while resultantly being respected and highly accomplished....He was quite content! Carefree, his gaze swept the room, absorbing the looks and emotions evoked at Eurys's performance before catching Solvanne's gaze. Threateningly she glared at him, prompting his posture to slouch in boredom—glancing down at the popcorn bucket he'd discarded—lazily picking it up as he tossed a few kernels, listening to the ongoing conversation.

"But..." Julius pondered aloud, "You say these feats, yet the bell memory we witnessed alludes to how Sunny under some circumstances killed Auro..."

Everything went quiet in the room.

He was right...

It seemed logical to assume that in real time, Auro had triumphed over the Tyrant and survived.....Hence going on to become a legend in history. But....something changed.

Something happened that resulted in Sunny killing the promised hero....taking his place as he then talked to the Gods and completed his trial? Had he in fact made a mistake and robbed the realms of the hero promised to free them from War's tyrannical acts? Or had he subsequently changed something and rose as something even more than what fate had supposedly promised...?

And more importantly....

How the hell had he killed a Tyrant with the mundane equivalent of an Aspect?

On every Saint's face thoughts churned behind their hidden eyes. Trained minds over years of battle, experience and intellect trying to understand how such a development could come to be. Their minds all came to one conclusion as they looked at the screen.

[Fated]

Everything was connected to fate....

A Trial was merely a dream. Dreams were meant to have no power, merely false truths of a desired reality. And so....why did it seem like the dream had in actuality become reality? That Sunny had in fact achieved something that was not meant to be. A hero was meant to walk out in glory to make change....

So why had someone not even existence recognised, assumed the role of a slave, who the Shadow bared his existence to?

The troubling thought throbbed in their minds as they watched, desiring to witness and learn more.

The broad-shouldered man — what was left of him — slowly rose, his mouth producing strange clicking noises. Without giving him time to fully come to his senses, Sunny cursed and jumped forward, grabbing onto the length of the slackened chain.

One arm of the monster, now fully equipped with five jagged claws, shot forward to meet him, but Sunny sidestepped it with one calculated movement.What save his skin this time was not quick reaction, but simple presence of mind. Sunny might not have learned any fancy combat techniques, since his childhood was spent on the streets instead of a school. But the streets, too, were a kind of teacher. He had spent his whole life fighting for survival, quite often literally. 

That experience allowed him to keep a cool head on his shoulders in the midst of any conflict.

So instead of freezing or being consumed by fear and doubt, Sunny just acted.

Stepping close, he threw the chain around the monster's shoulders and pulled, pinning its hands to its body. Before the creature, still slow and groggy from its transformation, could properly react, Sunny wrapped the chain around it several times, barely saving his face from being bitten off by the creature's terrifying maw.

The good thing was, the monster couldn't move its hands now.

The bad thing was, the length of the chain he used to immobilize it was gone, leaving almost no distance between them.

"You two!" Sunny screamed, addressing his two fellow slaves.

 "Pull on that chain as though your lives depend on it!"

Because they were.

The shifty slave and the scholar gaped at him and then, understanding what he was thinking, started to move. Grabbing the chain from the opposite directions, they pulled as hard as they could, tightening its grip on the monster and not letting it shake loose.

'Great!' Sunny thought.

The monster bulged its muscles, trying to break free. The chain creaked, caught on the bone spikes, as though slowly breaking apart.

'Not so great!'

Without wasting any more time, he threw his hands in the air and caught the creature's neck with the short, thinner chain connecting his shackles together. Then he circled the monster with a quick step and pulled, ending up back to back with it — as far away from its maw as he could.

Sunny knew that he wasn't strong enough to strangle a man with his bare hands — let alone a weird, terrifying mutant like the one trying to eat him. But now, using his own back as a lever and the weight of his whole body to pull the shackles down, he at least stood a chance. He pulled down with all his might, feeling the monster's body pressing against him, bone spikes brushing against his skin. 

The monster continued to struggle, clicking loudly and trying to break the chain tying him down apart. Now it was just a question of what would break first — the chain or the monster itself.

'Die! Die, you bastard!'

Sweat and blood were rolling down Sunny's face as he was pulling, and pulling, and pulling down with as much force as he could muster.

Every second felt like an eternity. His strength and stamina — what little he had to begin with — were quickly running out. His wounded back, wrists, and muscles pierced by the bone spikes were in agony.

And then, finally, Sunny felt the monster's body go limp.

A moment later, a faintly familiar voice rang in the air. It was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard.

[You have slain a dormant beast, Mountain King's Larva.]

A few breaths of relief rang out as Telle and Windflower excitedly threw more popcorn into their mouths. Saint Cor smiled, his wrinkled face showing a look of pure acknowledgment—like a proud father.

"Such a talent and will driven individual...Gods I wish I could have taken under my wings."

Below him, Jet turned cocking a smile.

"Maybe you did but forgot."

Saint Cor tilted his head down, studying her face as his smile lightened a light laugh escaping as he covered his mouth. Below, Jet frowned.

'What's so funny you old fart?'

As if reading her mind, Saint Cor waved his hand, shaking his head.

"No...if anything he would be your student."

Jet's jaw dropped, as she blankly pointed at herself.

"Me? I'll admit, I admire a fellow slum rat...but why would I take a student? They're nothing but snotty brats who quickly develop a superiority complex and think they're better than you!"

Saint Cor only listened as Jet continued to berate him. Beside her Kai, Effie, Nephis and Cassie watched in silence, briefly nodding in unison.

'Oh, you definitely were one of his mentors...'

Some listened while others thought in silence. Daeron and Julius both smiled in admiration, stroking their beards in sync as they nodded in acknowledgement at Sunny's innate talent for decision making. They turned, looking at each other in content.

"You have quite a good student" Daeron mumbled, causing Julius to chuckle as he adjusted his glasses.

"I would hope so!" he chimed, before pausing. "Though this is before when I presume he met me and birthed his innate desire for history, I can definitely see the talent in fighting which he possibly learned from you!"

Daeron blinked.

"How do you know he was a supposed disciple of mine?"

Julius coughed, pointing at his forehead.

"The Memory Museum, I saw the crown. I might be eccentric at times, but I am quite observant when I want to be."

Daeron quietly nodded, remembering the description inscribed below the crown. He smiled, a rare honest smile, "I don't think he was quite content with me as a teacher....but I think he at least learned a valuable thing or two from our meeting. That at least brings me comfort."

Julius could only nod, raising his cup as Daeron brought his up to clink in response, the delightful coffee washing their mouths as the scene continued.

Further away, torn bodies and pieces of flesh were lying on the ground. Many slaves were killed. A few had somehow managed to escape and were now running away.

'Fools. They're dooming themselves.'

The chain, as it turns out, was at some point broken in two — that's why it suddenly slackened when Sunny was being dragged by the mass of panicking slaves. If their shackles had a less sophisticated locking mechanism, he could have tried to free himself now. However, each pair was fixed to a specific link: without unlocking them, no one was going anywhere.

The tyrant — Mountain King, presumably — was hidden from sight by the bright glow of the bonfire. However, Sunny could feel its movements due to the subtle tremors spreading through the stones, as well as the desperate screams of those slaves who were yet to perish. An angry below or two could also be heard, indicating that some of the soldiers were still alive, desperately trying to fight the monstrosity off.

What pulled his attention the most, though, was the fact that several of the maimed bodies were starting to move.

'More larvae?'

His eyes widened.

One after another, four more corpses slowly rose to their feet. Each beast looked as disgusting as the first one had, and not a bit less deadly. The nearest was mere meters away from Sunny.

'Damn it all!' he thought

And then, weakly:

 'I want to wake up.'

As strange clicking filled the air, one of the beasts turned its head toward the three slaves and gnashed its fangs. Shifty fell on his ass, whispering a prayer, while Scholar just froze in place. Sunny's eyes darted to the ground, trying to find something to use as a weapon. But there was not a single thing he could use: full of vitriol, he simply wrapped a length of chain around the knuckles and raised his fists.

'Come at me, you bastard!'

The larva dashed forward with incredible speed in a flurry of claws, fangs, and terror. Sunny had less than a second to react; however, before he could do anything, a nimble figure moved past him, and a sharp sword flashed in the air. The monster, beheaded with one strike, fell gracelessly onto the ground.

Sunny blinked.

'What was that?'

Dumbfounded, he slowly turned his head and looked to his left. 

Standing there with a valorous expression was the handsome young soldier who had once offered him water. He looked calm and collected, if a little grim. There was not a speck of dirt or blood on his leather armour.

'He is. Awesome,' Sunny thought before catching himself.

'Poser! I mean he's a poser!'

With a short nod, the soldier moved forward to face the remaining three larvae. But after taking a few steps, he suddenly turned around and gave Sunny a long look. Then, with one swift motion, the young warrior took something from his belt and threw it to Sunny.

"Save yourself!"

With that, he was gone to fight the monsters. Sunny reflexively caught the item and watched the soldier go. Then he lowered his gaze and studied the thing clutched tightly in his hand. It was a short and narrow iron rod with a straight bend on its end.

'A key. It's a key.'

His heart began to beat faster.

"It's the key to the shackles!"

With one last glance at the fierce battle starting between the young soldier and the larvae, Sunny dropped on one knee and began to maneuver the shackles, trying to get his hand into a suitable position to insert the key. 

It took him a few tries to understand how the unfamiliar lock worked, but then, finally, there was a satisfying click, and he was suddenly free. The cold wind caressed his bloodied wrists. 

Sunny rubbed them and smiled with a dark gleam in his eyes.

'Just you wait now.'

"That's right Sunless! Give them retribution!" Mordret cheered.

Below, Eurys also joined in, their unhinged voices strangely merging as the other Saints listened in confusion.

"Auro...you show off! Are you also aware of us watching you?"

"Yes, Sunless...vengeance! I'm glad you are not one of those boring people who preach of its uselessness! You truly are my friend!"

Above Noctis watched with impatience, lips quivering. His Transcendent mind raced, trying to find something appropriately comedic to say, not too over the top, but also not without a bit of individuality and effort. He cursed under his breath, pained that he was not the Noctis which supposedly knew and was friends with Sunny.

The other two knew him so well and had so much to say!

His competitive hard pained. Raising his fist, his voice joined in the incoherent jabber.

"Yes Sunless! Fight...uhhh—wake up! Do what you must!"

Beside him Solvannes turned, an eyebrow raising in amusement as Noctis met her gaze with a questioning look. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

"What?"

Solvanne huffed, her lips curling in silent victory.

"Nothing...you just seem like one of the avid participants in my colosseum with the way you were cheering just now."

Noctis grimaced in disgust.

He slumped back, his lips contorting into a scowl. Raising his arm he pointed a finger at her, his tone scolding her like a teacher..

"Colosseum? Does this look like a colosseum to you? This place has class! It is a venue for esteemed intellectuals! Yes there are the conditional viewings of violence...but there more importantly is the educational information of historical development and context in line with the development of time."

Solvanne silently listened, her face blank.

"What nonsense words are you using? Are you copying Sunless now?"

A visible shade of red flushed Noctis's cheeks, his voice now a bit louder, "Copying!? Copying!? Look! Look! Have you seen the mantle he wears of shadows! Mine! It's myyyy design! Yes our tastes may align...but stealing?"

He huffed, pulling on the frills around his neck.

"Great minds simply think alike."

Below Rain sat motionless, subjected to the maniacal cheering and whatever the hell was being argued above. Further down the row Saint Jet and Cor seemed to be in an argument. The BloodSister had been strangely quiet apart from the one called Beastmaster who seemed to want to say something every once in a while but was silently dragged back by multiple hands. All around different whispers sounded.

Strategic recognition.

Comments of acknowledgement.

Some shameless critiques

And some...

Some were maybe better not mentioned.

Her eye twitched as she glanced at Nephis for help. Unfortunately the icon was locked in, her gaze trained on the screen without a hint of distraction.

Rain could only sit rooted in her seat.

'My brother is in a life or death Trial...what the hell are these crazy strong Saints yapping about!?'

She turned to Ananke, yearning to see her reassuring smile.

Sadly...Ananke was also quite focused on the screen. Her face was a mixture of emotions. Rain could only imagine what she was feeling, not even considering that the strange priestess didn't even know a lot of normal considered things in the world.

Was this also her first time seeing mountains and snow?

In reality was she more shocked by the scenery?!

Her shadow was also quiet. It seemed the mischievous Mad Prince had become quite entranced by the viewing, having not made any attempt to communicate or make his existence known. Tired, Rain glanced down the aisle. Morgan briefly met her gaze, looking at her with her usual cold look, before....warmly smiling.

A shiver ran up Rain's spine as she looked over her shoulder towards the third row.

All the Song sisters watched silently. But two shifted, as Deathsinger and Beastmaster leaned forward—both energetically waving—also warmly smiling at Rain.

Rain slowly turned back in her seat, sinking lower.

Suddenly...she did not want the viewings to end and to go home.

'What the hell is going to happen to my life when I get out of here...?'

Sunny hurried over to the other two slaves and quickly unlocked their shackles.

As soon as Shifty was free, he pushed Sunny away and did a little dance, laughing like a maniac.

"Ah! Free at last! Gods must be smiling upon us!"

Scholar was more reserved. He squeezed Sunny's shoulder in gratitude and smiled weakly, casting a tense look in the direction of the ensuing fight. Two of the three larvae were already dead; the third one was missing an arm but still trying to tear its opponent apart. The young soldier danced around it, moving with a graceful fluidity of a natural-born warrior.

"What are you waiting for?! Run!"

Shifty made a move to run away, but was stopped by Scholar.

"My friend, I would..."

"If you say "advise" again, I swear to gods, I will bash your head open!"

The two slaves looked at each other with open animosity.

 A moment later, Scholar lowered his eyes and sighed.

"If we run away now, we will surely die."

"Why?!"

The older slave simply pointed at the tall bonfire.

"Because without that fire, we will freeze to death before the night is over. Until the sun rises, running away is suicide."

Sunny did not say anything, knowing that Scholar was right. Actually, he realized it right after strangling the larva. No matter how terrible Mountain King was, the bonfire was still their only lifeline in this frozen hell. It was just as what the broad-shouldered slave, may he rest in peace, had said.

There was no need for anyone to kill them, because the mountain itself would do it if given a chance.

"So what?! I prefer freezing to death than being eaten by that monster anyway! Not to mention... ugh... turning into one of those things."

Shifty was pretending to be brave, but there was no conviction in his voice. He glanced at the darkness surrounding the stone platform and shivered before taking a small step back. At this point, the third larva was long dead, and the young soldier was nowhere to be seen. He had probably gone to join the fight at the other side of the bonfire — leaving the three slaves alone at the mountainside part of the stone platform. 

Scholar cleared his throat.

"The monster might be satiated with those it had already slain. It might be defeated or driven away by the Imperials. In any case, if we stay here, we have a chance to survive, however small. But if we run away, our doom will be certain."

"So what do we do?"

Unlike Scholar, Sunny was sure that Mountain King would not be satisfied with killing just most of the slaves. Neither did he believe that a bunch of mortals would really be able to defeat it.

Even if they were not normal people but Awakened, a fight with a tyrant was not something one could easily survive, let alone win.

But if he wanted to live, he had to get rid of that thing somehow.

"Let's go take a look."

Shifty looked at him as though seeing a lunatic.

"Are you insane? You want to get closer to that beast?!"

Sunny stared at him blankly, then shrugged and headed in the direction of the rampaging monster.

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No cliffhanger ending? Must have been another writer he kidnapped! The Cinema author I know would never leave out an opportunity to end on a cliffhanger ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!

Kinda forgot how long the first Trial is...

It's very long.

But now the really interesting stuff will happen! ٩(>ᴗ<)و

And would you look at that? I managed to break the curse of reaction fics ending after the entrance of the Mountain King.

I really am breaking Fate.....(≖⩊≖)

Won't lie, it isn't too enjoyable to write recent chaps.

I would like to finish this viewing ofc then maybe one or two more and take a short break, y'know?

It's good to refresh the noggin with ideas instead of constantly pushing out Chapters everyday

What kind of an author does that.....(˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵)

(A very guilty one)

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