Chapter 33

"Da fuck is a domain? Calm down first! Hell, how could one hold a conversation like this," Ray cursed at the start, before rambling along.

The reaction seemed honest enough to Nephis, that she didn't initiate an attack immediately, partly responsible for this was also Effie though.

The giant huntress had slowly moved closer to Ray, to intervene if need be. She hadn't wanted to involve herself in this before, but the reaction of Sunny made her also ready herself.

If one side shows signs of aggression, the other would react immediately.

All four of them, with Cassia sitting to the side looking anxious about the whole situation, stood at the ready, weapons in hand and poised to strike at moments notice.

"Okay, fuck. Everyone just calm the fuck down!" Ray was the first to lower his weapon and dismiss it, all as a sign of peace.

Seeing Ray lower his weapon first, Effie hesitated for a brief moment before following his lead. With a grunt, she took a step back, though her muscles remained tense, ready to spring into action if necessary.

Nephis, ever composed, studied the situation with a sharp gaze. The flickering firelight danced in her silver eyes as she calculated her next move. She didn't dismiss her sword, but she slightly lowered it - just enough to show she wasn't initiating an attack.

Sunny, however, didn't move. His grip on his weapon remained firm, his eyes locked onto Ray like a predator assessing whether to strike or retreat. The air was thick with tension, an invisible thread ready to snap at any moment.

Cassia, still seated slightly apart from the others, gripped the fabric of her pants tightly. Though she couldn't see, the heavy silence and the crackling embers painted enough of a picture for her to understand how close this was to turning into an all-out fight.

"Tell me, how do you know these words," Nephis demanded through gritted teeth.

"My flaw. It's because of my flaw," responded so fast, that no one could doubt the answer.

At that point, even Sunny lowered his sword a bit, a look of realization on his face.

"You saw another vision, didn't you?"

Ray just nodded and seeing it Sunny relaxed his tense muscles. Noticing the shift in his demeanor, Nephis also lowered her sword fully now. Cassia, meanwhile, looked at Ray curiously. The way Sunny just said something about a vision, resonated deeply within her.

Effie also noticed the shift in the way they acted, dismissed her weapon and threw her head back laughing loudly.

This just caused everyone to look at her once more weirdly, before averting their gazes again.

"We can discuss this topic someday else, if that's better for you," Ray said, shrugging. He could see, that Nephis now definitely had a burning passion hiding once more behind her eyes. So, even if it was a bit rough, his initial goal was seemingly accomplished.

Finally finished with laughing, Effie looked at them, and after sensing her gaze on them, all turned towards her.

"Another thing you should know is, the castle was freed and conquered fifteen years ago or so, by a group of powerful and desperate sleepers. They didn't do it, because it had a gateway, but rather that it was the only place capable of keeping them safe. For a while that is. Since then, every year some either capable or resourceful people would make it to the castle, joining everyone else in our shared suffering."

The increasingly pale Cassia shrank even more in her place. At one point she said in a very meaky voice, "But that… that's not fair."

Sunny and Nephis both clenched their fists tightly, nearly draining blood. Ray could see that the truth hit them hard.

Effie, still looking at Cassia, chuckled helplessly, before replying, "When was anything ever fair?"

This caused everyone present to grow silent once more, all occupied with their own personal problems.

Before they could all get even more down, Effie clapped in her hands. "Regardless, you guys are quite lucky to have met us today. Otherwise, tomorrow, at the latest, you all would be dead."

Nephis, still processing the weight of Effie's words, finally spoke, her voice measured but sharp. 

"Why?" 

Effie turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow. "Why what?" 

Nephis' silver eyes gleamed in the firelight. "Why would we be dead by tomorrow?" 

Effie smirked, amused by her directness. "Oh, that's simple." She glanced around at the ruins surrounding them. "You see, the Dark City is both the most dangerous and the safest place on the Forgotten Shore." 

Cassia, who had been silently shrinking in on herself, perked up slightly at that. "That… doesn't make sense," she murmured. 

Sunny narrowed his eyes but kept quite otherwise. 

Effie stretched her arms before casually leaning against a half-broken wall. "Let's start with the 'dangerous' part. Almost every nightmare creature inside these walls is of the Fallen rank. You guys will probably notice it soon, but the creatures here aren't your usual kind. They're strong, unpredictable, and a hell of a lot more vicious than what you'd find in the Labyrinth. 

"And you…" she pointed lazily at Nephis, Sunny, and Cassia, "…are fresh meat." 

Nephis said nothing, though her fingers twitched slightly. Sunny, however, let out a quiet scoff. 

"Cool, so basically back to square one." 

Effie grinned. "Good, that means you have a bit of self-awareness. Now, here's the funny part - this city is also the safest place on the Forgotten Shore." 

Cassia frowned in confusion. "But… you just said-" 

"Ah ah," Effie wagged a finger, cutting her off. "I said inside these walls, it's dangerous. Outside of them? That's where the real horrors are." 

Silence followed. 

Ray sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "She means the sea." 

Effie snapped her fingers. "Exactly. The Dark Sea, to be precise. The moment you step outside these walls, you're free game. And trust me, nothing out there is just Fallen-ranked. Out in the open, you'll find things you wouldn't even believe exist. True horrors. Things that could wipe out everything in this city in a single night." 

Nephis remained impassive, but the air around her grew heavier. 

Sunny, on the other hand, frowned deeply. "…Then why haven't they?" 

Effie gave him a sharp grin. "Who says they haven't tried? You should've seen the walls from the outside, there are huge cracks at some parts of it." 

Sunny tensed. Cassia's breathing grew unsteady. 

Nephis, however, remained composed. She tilted her head slightly. "If it's that bad everywhere… then what have you been doing all this time?" 

A dry chuckle escaped Effie's lips. "Oh, sweetheart." She shook her head, grinning. "What have I done this whole time? I have survived." 

Nephis didn't respond immediately. 

Seeing her like this, Effie just shrugged and continued light heartedly, "Everyone that ever left these Walls for a longer time, or to find a way out… never returned. No one."

Silence stretched between them. 

Cassia shuddered. Sunny glanced at Nephis, who stood frozen, processing the implications. 

Effie smirked, shaking her head. "Like I said, welcome to hell."