F-Rank Soul Eater-Chapter 187: The Shade Stealer Is brilliant
Soren appeared from the ground, others trees, one landed from the sky.
As they did, Soren looked at them shocked.
No wonder no Triplex Rot Hounds are here to protect it. It does not need protection.
Cynthia switched from attacking to a more defensive stance.
These people that had appeared before Soren and Cynthia were all cadets—at least they used to be.
Now, they were Shades. Shades that had assimilated with the human world by taking over human bodies.
The Neuralink runes shone on different pairs of their bodies in low white light.
Some on the legs, hands, eyes, ears.
Mostly unique to the individual.
This made Soren frown as he turnef to the Shade Stealer again.
Neualink Runes covering its entire body. But scattered.
Like it had been sprinkled around the body.
A part of him wondered if this pattern had anything to do with giving him an advantage in this fight.
This was just kow Soren’s mind worked.
He always searched for patterns in his environment, anything that could all him an advantage in such an unfortunate world.
Right now, he needed that skill more than ever.
"After what your bloodline did, these Shades are not really happy to see you." The Shade Stealer commented, smirk at the corner if its lips.
"How did that human saying go again?
A limb for a limb. You took their home... now they shall take your body."
A shade launched forth spren, hands turning into sharp blades.
But it was met mid air with Cynthia’s punch.
Boom....
Launched like a rocket, and slamming into a rock.
Cynthia had not held back. Frankly, Soren would not had adviced her to.
Everyone paused—looking in the direction of the unfortunate example.
Soren smirked.
It seemed he was worried for nothing. This was going to be an easy win.
However, that Smirk froze.
"What in heavens... is that?" He muttered rhetorically.
As a person... no, a human being, he had every right to be stunned.
The person smashed to a wall had his head bent at least 270 degrees, meck broken, limbs bent at unusual angles—obviously broken bones.
There was still the blood leaking from the wounds.
Yet, they moved. Not twitched, but actually moved.
Fingers cracked as they were forced into place.
The neck turned the right way, and then the Shade forced the limbs too.
Walking was next to impossible. But Somehow, the Shade(occupying the body) still advanced forward.
If this had been a normal person, they would have been a scream for pain—agony.
No.
Not this one.
If fact, Soren could see a bit of euphoria in the eyes.
"We are Shades, Waterfell. Or have you forgotten so soon." The Shade Stealer spoke up. "For us, pain..." its voice went low, "is sweet loving music to our ears."
Soren could not help but face palm. He suddenly remembered when he had stabbed the Shade Stealer in class.
The same thing had happened. Back then it had not flinched.
How could he had forgotten such an important detail.
Pain—no, negative emotions of any kind was food to Shades.
This was the main attracting force from their world to the human world in the first place.
Soren felt really stupid not remembering such a detail.
Also, now that Soren looked closer at the now disfigured person Cynthia hit—tilting his head to the side, to be sure.
—that face looked familiar. But he could not exactly put a finger on it.
"Kill them." The Shade Stealer ordered. And the Shades stepped forward for battle.
Soren knew this was going to be messy. Then a thought struck him.
"Why?" Soren asked. "Is it not better to just shoot us with Xanax and make us one of you?"
The Shade Stealer paused. The wind blew through its white hair.
It was actually surprised Soren had figured that much.
"Again... very impressive Waterfell. But there is more to this plan than you can possibly imagine." He spread his hands wide.
"The depressants won’t work for Humans that already have a foundation different from the Give and Take relationship.
Also, from what I now know, you are quite resistant, aren’t you?"
Soren’s eyes widened a bit. ’How did it know that?’
"Such a shame. To have Waterfell bloodline in our course would have been great."
It turned around, twirling a bit.
"This world... This paradise. Its our Promised land of freedom. And we will not be slaved at the hands of you... Humans." It said that last part with a hint of disgust.
"We will take what we have been promised."
"And what of the Soulbound knights?" Soren said. "Are you truly not worried? The only reason you are still standing is because the Instructors think you will be good sport for the Academy.
The empire will not allow it. The empire..."
"—Will fall." The Shade Straler interrupted Soren, confidence oozing from its being.
"Like I said this plan is far bigger than you know. A world with no Waterfell to protect it." It looked at Soren condescendingly.
Then it pointed over the cliff. "I know they intend to use us as Sport. But is thag not so convenient?
By the time, any one knows what his going on, we would have harvested them all, and housed our kin in new skins." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
Soren subconsciously looked towards the direction, Aegon, Li, buttermint, Kiva, and all the others were scheduled to meet, and an understanding arrived in his mind.
The Shade Stealer was a genius.
Soren’s mind flashed back to a saying by Machos.
It was one of those words of wisdom that had survived the old world until now.
’The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind’
While the academy was concentrating on trying to hunt them, an elaborate plan had already been set in motion.
Aegon’s and Li’s fight.
Of course, this mearnt that Zthe Shade Stealer already knew what the results would be.
Meaning it had Knowledge of its targets extensively.
The fact that Soren had sort to use the top three parties to pressure Aegon to back away.
Aegon’s arrogance and the secret of his mohawk.
Li’s pride.
So while Aegon thought he was leading Soren for a trap, Soren thought that he was setting Aegon with the top three Parties so he could back off.
And none of them knew tgat they had all played into the Shade Stealer’s trap.
But that was not all.
