Shadow Slave: Possibilities Without Meaning

The dainty girl was not so innocent anymore. 

With a mature visage that expelled all her previous juvenile features, she truly looked like a woman. 

Her glimmering golden hair adorned her head like a crown, with stunning blue eyes locked onto the stage. Her presence seemed to conflict with the mundanity of the waking world, as if she did not belong. 

Aldric moved ahead and took a seat beside her.

He was in no rush to start talking to the seer. 

Relaxing into the cushioned luxury chair, he took a moment to relax.

It was a very busy day for the head of Event Horizon.

One of the recently formed teams had taken up their first assignment under the government, and there was a lot to discuss. 

Team Astraea had been formed within the past month. It was made up of those that didn't fit into other teams or had entered the organisation without anyone that they knew. It took a very long time and smaller assignments to figure out their compatibility, both in terms of their aspects and personalities. 

Aldric had taken up a role as a consultant for the government. In essence, in matters within his ability, if the governmental body had any issues or were lacking in manpower, he would be asked to give his opinion on the matter and, if appropriate, complete any tasks with maximum efficiency. This meant that each task was dealt with on a contract basis. 

The government itself struggled with an issue of manpower. With each new Awakened receiving lucrative offers from legacy clans, it was hard to compete. It was similar to the cases of teachers worldwide. While they received a living wage, it just was not worth the effort compared to other industries and careers.

With a majority of those contracts extending to his organisation, there is a lot of scrutiny behind each one. Has the objective been completed? What could have been done better? Was it worth the cost?

Aldric despised the bureaucratic nature of his job. It was often people that had no business talking about clearing out abandoned nightmare creature-infested cities or accompanying cargo trains between siege capitals that had the most to criticise about. Constantly questioning whether their service was worth the price or attempting to renegotiate. 

It was for this reason that he began to use his network to establish other clients for their organisation.

From mundane businesses that had the money without any power or the guilds.

The guilds were something that Aldric had never heard of before. 

They were a collection of mostly mundane humans that had an inherent interest in sectors related to the dream realm. From archaeology, philosophy, and trade. While they held no physical power compared to the legacy clans, they held strong networks and political power inside the mundane world. Acting as a small bridge between the dream realm and the waking mundane world. Also making breakthroughs for the betterment of humanity in their respective fields.

Cassie began to speak.

"So how is the "Prodigy" doing today?"

A small title afforded to Aldric by the general public based on his achievements. 

"Busy with work."

He commented.

"I can't imagine your life being any different, "Hearth Keeper"."

As while the Fire Keepers were a bit more hidden in the public sphere, within the Awakened world, the collective that longed for the return of their Changing Star was well known.

Song of the Fallen was a well-respected awakened who commanded enough charisma and presence to lead over 50 awakened humans spread across the dream realm. Personally commanding her own contingent of awakened deep in Valor territory.

Of course, most people were not privy to the true dynamics within the group.

"Has Sunny agreed to the mission?"

Aldric asked. Already in the know of Cassie's plans to exterminate the Worm Vine and find the sapling to fix the flying ship.

In these six months, Aldric and Cassie had built a polarising relationship.

From an outside perspective, their relationship seemed close but distant. Not making time to meet each other in person often and living separate lives. 

However, in reality, it was different. 

Aldric had kept regular contact with Cassie since they had first left the dream realm. Maintaining contact through their communication devices and private meetings. 

This surprisingly dependent relationship had developed as a result of Cassie mentally crashing after the battle between Nephis and Sunny, as well as its conclusion. Saturating in her self-hatred at being so arrogant to not tell Aldric about her vision, she collapsed into him beside the still body of Nephis. 

Which had unforeseen results. 

"Yes, he agreed in turn for my assistance in conquering a nightmare seed he recently discovered."

She admitted. 

"I'm not sure if you are invited."

Her face taking a teasing expression as she commented. A smirk twisted her doll-like face, capable of melting the hearts of many.

"Well, we will find out tonight."

He responded.

The two continued to sit in silence, with Cassie occasionally glancing at Aldric every so often. 

The young man could definitely feel that something had changed in the dynamic of their relationship. It was something that he could not put his finger on, but it was there. However, the way she looked at him definitely shifted.

He ignored her gaze.

A sharp knocking interrupted the silence. 

With the door opening, three figures came into view. 

Aldric scanned the new arrivals and noticed small changes from when he last saw them. 

The weathered-looking Sunny was scanning the room with a look of curiosity on his face. 

Kai pushed the frail Effie on her wheelchair towards them. 

"So you are alive, Sunny."

Aldric said. 

Sunny had gone missing for over three weeks. Making everyone worry for his well-being. With his secretive nature, it was when Cassie had revealed that he would return alive that everyone's worries were calmed. Not completely until they met him. 

His absence had particularly affected both Kai and Effie. 

"Yeah, it would take more than divine flames to kill me."

Sunny replied with complete honesty. It seemed that he had the idea that Aldric did not know what exactly happened on his small trip.

Everyone took a seat within the single row at the front of the balcony. All facing the projector.

Iris had left after escorting Aldric to his booth. She had told him that she had work to do. 

'She's probably going to read a novel.'

He stated. Six months was a long time to spend with someone without knowing their habits. 

"What were you two talking about all alone?"

Effie spoke. A smirk adorning her face. 

It seemed that the huntress' health had improved in the past few months. The sickly pale tint on her face had warmed to a more healthy shade. 

Aldric would not entertain whatever she was thinking about. Ignoring her, he looked towards Kai.

Kai opened up first. 

"Congratulations on your new organisation, Aldric! I can't imagine how much work goes behind it. I've always been on the side of being managed by my record label."

The archer spoke in a charismatic voice.

'From what I hear around Bastion, this is the first time a group of awakened had been led by another awakened. At least since the dawn of the legacy clans.'

Kai thought to himself. 

"Same to you, Cassie. The Fire Keepers have the public's heart."

He continued with a smile. 

"Thank you, Kai."

Cassie replied in a gentle voice. Looking at the archer with a smile.

"I could say the same to you, Mr. twelve-consecutive-week champion of the Avatar Singer."

Aldric replied smoothly. 

Kai immediately reached for his head. Scratching it awkwardly. 

"I knew twelve weeks was too long."

He joked. 

What started off as Kai fulfilling his goal to compete on the Avatar Singer to showcase his singing ability without his face affecting the audience's reception quickly got out of hand. Until the final week, where he had revealed his face to the world's shock and announced the return of his music group.

Suddenly, the ambient lighting in the room turned off. Drenching the entire theatre hall in darkness.

"Shut up. The damn thing is starting."

Sunny spoke out, interrupting their conversation.

Sunny was particularly interested in the rendition of their hellish experience in the Forgotten Shore.

And honest to his word, the blank projector screen exploded into an array of colours. Lighting the now completely dark theatre.

In a font reminiscent of fantasy, the title screen appeared. 

"The Song of Light and Darkness."

*********

Thanks for reading. 

Merry Christmas to all those that celebrate it. Hope you enjoy your holidays.

Till the next one.