Chapter 1493 Sins of the Past

Chapter 1493 Sins of the Past

The plan of action was clear. In the next... however long it was going to take, the Chain Breaker would traverse the empty darkness and return to the Great River. They would aim to land as close to Twilight as possible. Granted, no one knew where the lost city was located, exactly. All they knew was that it was situated in the reaches of the Great River where the sky was painted lilac by the light of dawn, as well as the general era when it had been established — the latter was inscribed on the slates recovered from the drowned temple. So, Cassie was going to guide the Chain Breaker to the stretch of the River corresponding to that era, and they would explore the currents from there. Sunny felt a bad premonition when he thought about Twilight, and the blind girl seemed troubled, as well. Neither knew what was waiting for the cohort there... but, whatever it was, two things were certain. First, that they were going to face a trial no less dangerous, and most likely far more terrible, than anything they had experienced in the Tomb of Ariel yet... which was saying a lot, considering how utterly dreadful Aletheia's Island had been. Second, that the Mad Prince had to have arranged something to happen in Twilight, as well. There were four fixed events in each cycle, after all — Nephis and Sunny entering the Tomb of Ariel in the far reaches of the future, upstream of Weave, Cassie entering the Nightmare in Fallen Grace, Effie and Jet entering the Nightmare among the River Nomads... and Kai entering the Nightmare somewhere near Twilight, accompanied by Mordret. It would be strange if the Mad Prince had not included the lost city in his schemes. 'Something unspeakable is waiting for us there... I can feel it.' Sunny's expression was bleak.

Nevertheless, he felt strangely hopeful. Precisely because the Mad Prince had most likely already done something to give them a chance, no matter how small. Was it arrogance, to have faith in the devious nature of his former self? He did not know, and he did not care. Additionally, Sunny had two more hidden advantages. The Crown of Twilight he wore was going to grant him a nearly inexhaustible reserve of essence in the land — well, waters — of constant dawn. More than that, it was a key to the defensive arrays of Twilight. All he had to do to gain control of them was reach Daeron's throne room. He and Nephis were two of the most powerful Masters in history, and their power only became greater when they were together. Jet received her Aspect Legacy, while Effie could inspire all three of them with her Ascended Ability and support the cohort from the back with javelins. There was Cassie, as well... the unassuming seer who was actually the hidden ace of the cohort. Her affinity to mysteries and revelations could resolve many problems that would otherwise be unsolvable, and warn them of the most dire threats in advance. So, overall, he judged that their chances of tackling Twilight were not bad.

Right now, however...

Sunny hid his face behind a cup of tea and furtively studied the faces of his companions. The most uptodate novels are published on n0velbj)n((.))co/m

There was another conversation they had to have.

He sighed. 'This is silly...'

They had not discussed the revelations about the nature of the Great River, the true identity of the Six Plagues, and his own role in all that had happened yet. It was indeed stupid, to feel ashamed of the actions of his Defiled past version... but he was. How did one go about telling his friends that he had turned them all into Nightmare Creatures in the past life?

Or maybe even in countless past lives? 'It is probably... just as awkward as telling the girl you're in love with that you killed her.'

Sunny coughed. 'But then again, adding that your evil version betrayed the other Defiled and brutally slaughtered countless innocent people just to create a future where she remains alive... should count for something, right? I mean... it's a bit romantic. Right?'

Cassie didn't say anything, and simply nodded. Sunny sighed. He didn't really feel responsible for the actions of the Mad Prince, but it was still nice, to know that his companions had his back... no matter what.

At that moment, Effie leaned back and said:

"On that note, doofus... can you tell your chest to stop trying to bite my arm off? I know there are still plenty of tasty things inside! I won't take much... well, all of it, at least..."

He laughed. "Go get your own tasty things. Do you think we don't see you wolfing down those berries from your locket without sharing them with anyone?"

As the members of the cohort moved past the identity of the Mad Prince and started to discuss the bizarre secrets of the Great River, his gaze brushed past Cassie. The blind girl was listening quietly, cradling a cup of tea in her hands.

For a moment, a shadow ran across Sunny's face. He had become aware of the loop on Aletheia's Island... but hadn't Cassie become aware of it, too?

Wouldn't the same had happened with the cycles of the Great River, then? ...And, unlike him, she didn't have the Estuary Key to prevent her from remembering.

Sunny studied the blind girl for a moment, then shook his head.

No, that was impossible. Back on Aletheia's Island, Cassie must have regained her Memories because of being exposed to the Sin of Solace through him... even if she had never admitted it. So, the restriction placed on the sword wraith was protecting her, too.

Otherwise, it would be not Cassie, but Torment sitting across the table from him.

Watching as the blind girl took a sip of her tea, and then smiled at Effie's joke, he finally allowed himself to relax. There was little time left for them to rest and recuperate. Once the Chain Breaker reached Twilight... Sunny had a feeling that none of them would have an opportunity to rest for a long while.