The Return to Shi
Yana stood within the shadow guard dome while Mag was using [Shadow Refill] to replenish both the ring and Yana. She thought about the new mission and looked to Alisha and DD.
“Tell me about the Blessed Soul depth.”
She saw DD shift beside her and felt Alisha move on her shoulder.
“It is powerful, Mistress. I am sure you were even above that depth before, to be honest. It is part of a group of transcendent soul depths. I think you need Shadow Truths to move into them.” Alisha looked up at the dome – as if in thought. Yana frowned.
“Shadow Truths?”
Alisha nodded, but she looked toward DD.
‘Yes, Mistress. They are very difficult to find. You have to reach all of the soul depths before transcendence before you can ever count Shadow Truths at full value. They convert into memory shards until you hit transcendence.’
“I can’t use these Shadow Truths in lieu of Shadow Memory Shards?”
‘You can. They are more powerful than memory shards, but you have to hit every all the normal soul depths first; you don’t just jump to transcendence.’
Yana nodded. Mag re-entered her soul sea just as the ring and Yana both finished refilling.
“Come.”
[Shadow Step]
The shadow guard dome dissipated into nothing under the sparkling light of the water and crystal of Li Continent. Yana, DD, and Alisha appeared in Shi at their new headquarters. Amber and Tasha were at her side instantly.
Stolen novel; please report.
Their headquarters was a vast complex in the center of the largest city of Shi. They stood in a central area of the complex. Ka stood near them, as if he were waiting for an order.
Yana’s eyes narrowed and the shadow involuntarily moved back. Amber stepped between the two – always the one to protect
“Where is Heli?”
“He is still in the enamel chrysalis.”
Yana nodded. “Starlight, come to me. We need to deliver the last three artifacts.”
“Yes, Mistress.” Starlight appeared, radiantly brilliant, and they both disappeared in a flash of light.
[Star Walk]
They appeared in the middle of a vast chapel. The entire room was white with golden accents. Starlight’s portal opened, and the last three artifacts entered the room. The other three rose into the air, and all six positioned themselves into the five points of a pentagram, with one point high above the others.
The chapel lit up, and radiant power flowed into the room. The priest entered, a radiant smile on his face.
“Your final reward, Shadow.” He looked toward Starlight. “If you release your hold on the Starguide, we can find something else for you.”
Starlight flared white-hot, and Yana completely ignored the priest.
“Do you not want to release her?”
Yana frowned. “Can you not understand your own God? She just said she is no one’s slave.” Yana looked at the old priest. “She is my soul mate. She can leave whenever she wants.”
The priest just looked at her for a long moment. Yana shrugged. She had five new shadow slaves and a shadow mirror.
Right as they were about to leave, a soul-shattering ripple of power moved through the shadows. Yana threw up a protective dome around her shadows—her diamond shadow case vibrated but held its ground.
“Sisma?”
“Yes, Mistress. She is on Tey, in Orb.”
Yana nodded. “Go see what you can find. I will return to Amber and Tasha.”
Starlight used [Star Walk] and Yana used [Shadow Walk].
Yana appeared next to Amber. “Is it worth keeping?”
“I think so, Mistress. Come see their vault.”
[Shadow Step]
Yana looked around and saw that the room was filled with shadow memory shards. Yana smiled broadly. The memory shards all moved into her Dune Domain. It must have been enough for her to move two more soul depths.
“Do we trust Sisma’s second?”
“Yes, Mistress, but Tasha has placed a shadow lock on him. He already saw you as the Fate Mistress, so I don’t think it was actually necessary.”
“That must be why shadows stopped coming after us. Mag, stay with Heli. Everyone else, we will go to Tey and find Sisma.”
Yana paused. “Amber, bring your brother.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
