Shadow Slave novel Chapter 3074

Sunny realized that the ancient runes had been left behind by Nether after reading the first few lines. Why else would the Stone Saints build their settlement around the towering black obelisk, guarding it even as they were consumed by Corruption? The identity of the author was no mystery.

As Sunny read further, however, his expression gradually changed.

At first, he assumed that the darkness Nether spoke to was a metaphorical personification of true darkness — or a powerful Creature of Darkness, perhaps. After all, the crumbling settlement was located in the Underworld, which Nether had once claimed as his realm. So, having a conversation with the elemental force dwelling in the Underworld would seem appropriate.

But as soon as death and peace were mentioned, Sunny realized that in the context of this conversation, the darkness could only represent one being — Shadow God, the god of peace and solace.

That instantly got his attention.

In the writings left on the walls of the Ebony Tower, Nether asked,

"What is life?"

And in the poem carved into this black obelisk, he was asking,

“What is death?’

The Demon of Destiny had been quite interested in philosophy, it seemed.

But actually, there was a very interesting detail hidden in Nether's poem that had nothing to do with his question, or even with Shadow God himself. It was there, in the very first line...

‘While following the paths that shadows tread...’

Sunny tilted his head a little.

It seemed that the poem described a journey Nether — a much younger version of him than the fearsome Prince of the Underworld, most likely — had undertaken once. He explored the Underworld, and in the process, became intrigued by the shadows of the dead that crossed that realm of elemental darkness to make their way to the Shadow Realm.

So, he followed, braving the Abyss to find Shadow God's throne.

That was actually something Sunny had always been confused about. The ancient people seemed to have believed that the shadows of the dead went on a literal journey, physically traveling to the Underworld, traveling through its dark depths, and finally reaching their destination after descending into the Abyss. But Sunny had never been sure if that was merely a superstitious belief or a literal fact. If the journey of the shadows was a metaphor or an expression of universal laws.

Now, it seemed, he had a confirmation — according to Nether, it was true.

However... nothing of the sort was happening today. Sunny did not know how the shadows of the dead reached the Shadow Realm, but it seemed to happen almost instantaneously, without the need to go on an arduous journey.

So, what changed?

He considered the strange dichotomy for a few moments, then looked back to the obelisk with a surprised expression.

‘The answer seems obvious, doesn't it?’

It was because the world was not the same. Before, the shadows had to travel from the realm where they had perished to the Realm of Death, and that journey took some time to complete. Now, however, there were no realms... there was only the Dream Realm. The Shadow Realm had long become a part of it, so the shadows did not have to travel far to reach it.

‘Fascinating.'

Sunny did not know how that information could be useful to him, but still felt a hint of excitement simply because he had solved a new mystery.

Shadow God had not only been the god of peace and solace — he had been the god of mysteries, as well. Was that why Sunny could never sate his curiosity?

Shaking his head lightly, he turned his attention back to the ancient runes.

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