Shadow Slave Cinema (reaction fanfic)

Chapter 24 - 24: Unexpected Guest

The Bloodsister's faces immediately tensed with alarm at the sight of Beastmaster slumping to the ground on the screen, their nails scraping the leather of the seats. It did not seem to be a blow delivered with lethality or power but they couldn't properly judge the severity of the damage it had done.

Since it was an unguarded blow from a Divine aspect holder.

And an overwhelming Divine Shadow no less.

Eyes moved back and forth in slight panic—their faces turning to each other in silence, a look of distraught on their faces. Not even Seishan could speak up to reassure and change their mentality. She couldn't even begin to fathom how she would coerce and change the mood of the Saint who they had just watched have his throat ripped out.

Worst of all, she didn't even want to look in Beastmaster's direction.

Honestly she was more frightened at the ideology of seeing a hungry and barbaric look on her beautiful sister's usually composed face, in a moment that was supposed to be somber and humbling.

Her eyes closed as she absorbed the murmurs around her,

"That? We're supposed to fight that thing in the future!?"

"He's not even at full power…."

"What is happening with his shadow soldiers?"

"This is the power of his avatars…?"

"How long will the fight last now that he's trying?"

Her ears pricked as voices from the row below began to reach them, diverting Song's attention.

Leaned back, Noctis twiddled his thumbs, a look of fascination on his face, "So this is how a Divine Shadow fights seriously? Truly fitting of his character….."

"But then….if he had the potential to end the fight so quickly, why would he drag it out and sustain so much damage?" Kai murmured

Jet scoffed.

"Damage? He hasn't even lost a drop of blood yet."

Whispers sounded again among the second and first row, a flat voice speaking up after a few seconds.

"He has sustained some damage, the pain he's experiencing although not directly physical has still been damaging him."

Saint Cor nodded, "Yes…that insidious mind-hex has been dragging him down the entire time"

At the mention of the attack the crowd turned around, looking at the perpetrator. Beastmaster remained rooted, her face still blank, clearly her mind was still churning and trying to process how she should interpret and feel about the events on the screen.

Her eyes snapped into focus as MoonVeil lightly coughed.

Slowly she tilted her head down.

"I suppose I did mess with his mind…" she echoed emptily, "Before he rudely knocked me out."

...

"....or killed me."

The audience and the Bloodsister alike could only stare at her blankly, slightly unsure if they were talking to the real Beastmaster. Attention was shifted as Daeron coughed.

"It was brought up at the start, he had no intention of drawing blood thus why he held back up until now and didn't reveal his true abilities."

Cassie tilted her head, pursing her lips.

"Then it's even more efficient considering if he had used his true abilities, the matter could have been quickly resolved without losses"

Daeron looked at her silently, turning the screen before responding.

"It was mentioned in an earlier inquiry that he hadn't completed his battle art…..it is possible he was also

At Nephis.

"Eurys of the Nine" he echoed

Nephis's face remained composed as her shoulders briefly trembled too quick for the eye to notice. She stared at him incredulously as he began to speak.

"Lady Nephis has mentioned that she met Eurys in the past. Following the rules of the guests to join, she would be able to summon him….or what remains of him to join us."

Daeron stared at him with unusual shock.

"You suggest….bringing one of The Nine to this place?"

Julius looked around at the shocked faces as he picked up his words, "We have too many questions that need to be answered about the history and past, and with every viewing and reward we subsequently answer parts of our questions while only creating more.

He paused, smiling.

"So….why not bring a fossil more ancient than me here to answer some questions which we cannot?"

Heads turned around.

He was right…..

Summoning Eurys would indeed solve a lot of riddles, but it was equally likely that they would learn nothing as the Cinema might censor and silence him. But even more importantly….they were talking about one of the Nine.

A legend in history that even Daeron seemed cautious of, a being behind a force that toppled empires and challenged Gods….

"It would answer a lot of questions…." Jest muttered.

"I wouldn't mind another comedian, he seems quite funny" Noctis chuckled.

Silently they all looked towards Nephis. She was the only one who could summon him, so it was her choice—but at the same time it wasn't, as this was a cooperation between all parties to create the most desired outcome so they could all leave this place. Personally, she was also very against the idea. The thought of being trapped once again with the audacious skull caused her eye to slightly twitch.

But most importantly….she would be betraying Cassie's expectations.

From the corner of her eye, she watched as Cassie's shoulders slightly dropped, distraught at the truth slipping away from her fingers once again. Nephis turned between her and the crowd, before gingerly putting her hand on her shoulder.

They had to follow the most efficient and probable outcome.

Cassie sensed her gaze and intentions as she slightly turned.

"I understand….we'll have another chance" she whispered

The other cohort members subtly nodded at her as they waited.

Nephis nodded in return as she looked back at the waiting crowd, her voice loud:

"I'll do it"

Heads nodded silently as she turned around and walked towards the front. She looked up at the screen, before her voice echoed.

"Option 1, I choose Eurys of the Nine"

Light began to pulse and raise before the ground around her, as it rose. It took shape, bending into the shape of a skull before dissipating. As it finished a lone ancient skull was left on the ground. Everyone waited silently, only for no response.

Slight panic began to ensue at the prospect of having wasted a reward.

"Has he already kicked the bucket?"

"Did it fail?"

"Looks pretty ordinary for a legend"

"I was expecting a dazzling hunk…."

Nephis stared at the skull as she bent forward and grabbed it with her palm, lifting it up before her at eye level.

She looked into its empty sockets as a sliver of doubt grew in her mind.

'Has the room failed?'

To everyone's surprise a clicking sound echoed from the jaw despite it having no body or muscles, as a chilling laugh reverberated throughout the room.

A chill swept through the room as the sound seemed to scratch their own bones, causing some to clench their hands-rests and stare with wide eyes.

Nephis glared at the skull as a voice spoke to her.

"So we meet again abominable Nephilim….."

______________________________________________

Weather has been very nice and enjoyable

Also, yay! Eurys!

Fun interactions to look forward to, and no this is not a plot device to speed up and end Cinema in the next few chapters

That is still a long time away

(To your glee and my despair)

______________________________________________