Shadow Slave: Monochrome

Despite how much he tried to hide it, Nero was in a rather giddy mood. He had seen his brother in the first time in forever afterall, however their reunion was short lived. He needed to go back before the Knights noticed he was missing, but there were a few things he had learned from Epsilon.

For starters, the limit of the creatures seal.

Although Nero never noticed it, the creature was right below their feet, and in an active state too. It was constantly attacking and dismantling the seal, yet somehow it held. It was so powerful, that Nero didn't notice anything strange until the ground shook a little. He could barely even notice it.

The unfamiliar symbols and circles that had been etched into the floor, were a Runic spell that required Epsilon's presence to work. As long as he stood on top of them, then the creature would be held back, but the moment he left, the seal would be quickly overwhelmed and destroyed, letting the creature reign havoc across this dungeon.

Dealing with that, as well as The King Of The Dark who he had yet to meet, and Sir Rodenaus on top of it all was simply too much. However, Nero had a plan that could get them around all of this.

'You can find that out when we get to it.'

As per routine, Nero was given his usual meal of bread and water. Unbelievably so, he was starting to get sick of it.

'One week.. I need to deal with this for just one more week...'

He was sure that after today's session in the dark waters, he would be the last of the Children Of The Night, and when that happened, The King Of The Dark would show up. He needed to wait for him to come if he wanted his plan to work, but he also needed to avoid Sir Rodenaus as well. He was sure that he would try to drag him out of these dungeons before then.

Of course, he had a plan to deal with that too. If he was lucky, he could perhaps even kill him.

Unfortunately for Nero though, that plan would have to come to a grinding halt.

As per usual, Nero was taken to the room of Dark waters. Except on the way there, he could only sense the presences of 20 or so emotionless children. By the end of today, all of them will be dead.

Nero felt a little pity towards them. He did not know how they arrived here, heck, maybe they were even born here. They were all called Night Children after all, so them being born in darkness would be fitting. But that wouldn't matter soon.

Once this nightmare was over, it would be as if they all never existed.

As soon as Nero stepped into that water, his heart trembled. Something just changed in the world. In this place where change was rare, one wouldn't even need to use their eyes to know when it happened.

And this time, that was especially the case. However, this wasn't your ordinary change. It was akin to herbivore sensing its territory being trespassed, or an armed thief haven broken into your home.

An incredibly powerful being has entered the dungeon of darkness.

The King Of The Dark has arrived.

Nero was panicking. This was too soon, far too soon. But actually, this could work out in their favour. They would just have to move up the escape plan to today. And yet the situation got even worse.

It was quiet for a time, and the atmosphere was foreboding. He wished he could just escape this dark water room immediately, but the doors could only open from one side. He had to wait for Rodenaus to come open it first.

And after waiting a while, someone did come. The only issue was,

'It's too early. Why is he here early? '

The answer was simple really. It wasn't Sir Rodenaus who had come to Nero today.

The moment the door opened, an immeasurable pressure flooded into the room. Nero's back was turned towards the door, so he couldn't see what he looked like, but if he did, he'd probably vomit.

He dared to not turn around either. He felt like if he made a single mistake, then he'd simply fall over and die. All he could do was rely on his hearing and other senses to observe the man.

The next thing he heard was the sounds of water splashing as the King took his first steps inside. As if Nero wasn't shocked enough, the King was able to stand in the dark water without immediately getting erased.

But what was even more frightening, was that the King was moving towards him.

The pressure was growing even more powerful. Nero ended up falling to his knees, allowing the water to reach right up to the middle of this chest.

And then, he felt the figure of the King stand right behind him. Although he could not see, he could feel just how tall the man was, as he felt the presence of an infanthomanbly large shadow devour his body whole.

Nero did not dare to move an inch, or even breathe for that matter.

He just waited, he needed his permission to do anything.

And thus, the King spoke.

"So that's what's going on."

Nero wanted to say something, anything. There was so much he could say, so much he wanted to say, so much he couldn't say, so many emotions he was feeling, so many emotions he wanted to express,

There were so many choices. An infinite amount and combination of them.

But he was not even an awakened, but a mere Aspirant struggling to survive. How could he comprehend infinity? Much less communicate it to the world.

"You stink of Weaver. Is this another one of his schemes?"

The Child did not respond. Of course, he was in a diety's presence after all.

The king raised one of its hands, before placing it on top of Nero's head. It was light, gentle even. And yet he felt as if his brain had been crushed into mush.

The deity whispered,

"So if I kill you, will this dream end?"

All the innumerable choices then ceased, as only one thing took root in each and every single one of them. The fear of death.

The King seemed to sigh before taking back his hand and walking away. He even kindly shut the door behind him, leaving Nero alone in the dark.

Soon the immense pressure which crushed him slowly disappeared, and Nero was able to breathe once more.

He stood there motionlessly, almost like the Night Children that had once been there before.

Nero was at a loss for words.