Amidst the shadows, Xain grappled with confusion for a moment, but soon, he deciphered his surroundings by the distinct scent. "I'm still in the ritual site, and this must be the black knight's doing," Xain muttered to himself, surveying the darkness that enveloped him. It dawned on him that the black knight had employed his shadow magic to shield everyone from the plummeting fountain mechanism, inadvertently plunging them into what Xain dubbed as the void—a realm defined by complete shadow coverage, or more accurately, the sensation of being consumed by shadows.
Breaking the silence, Xain called out, "Hey, is anyone there?" The shadows remained silent, offering no response. "Darn it! Is it still blocking sound?" Xain wondered aloud. Just then, a muffled voice cut through the darkness, yelling, "Xain? Is that you!" Surprised, Xain responded, "Yeah, it's me! But who am I talking to?" The muffled voice identified itself, saying, "It's me! Lennix!"
"Lennix? Is Mari with you?" Xain's voice echoed in the shadowy void. Lennix's muffled response came swiftly, "Yes, she's with me! Do you know what's happening?" Relief washed over Xain upon hearing that Mari was safe. "Yeah, it's the black knight's doing!" he shouted back. After a few moments, Larkin inquired skeptically, "Are you sure?"
Xain nodded, not that Larkin or Mari could see it, but still. "Pretty sure! I don't think anyone else can do this!" he replied. Larkin retorted, "Just pretty sure?" before pressing on, "Whatever, since you apparently figured that out, do you know how to get out of here?" Xain shook his head, even though, again, nobody could see him do it. "Nope! Still trying to figure that out!" he yelled, scrutinizing the impenetrable shadows around him.
Concern laced Larkin's next question, "Do you think Mari's mother is alright?" Xain sighed, knowing that Mari likely prompted Lennix to ask about her mother. "I'm sure she's fine, Mari! Your mother's strong, you know," Xain reassured, though his own words left a bitter taste. While he didn't wish death upon Karin, a part of him hoped for some inconvenience, perhaps a few broken bones, in the chaotic events.
Suddenly, the dense shadows around Xain quivered and ascended, providing enough space for him to sit instead of lying on the ground. "Lennix, did the shadows around where you are move upwards?" Xain inquired. After a brief pause, Lennix responded, "Yes, they did! We can sit up now!" The shadows continued to tremble, creating small tunnels that opened up in various spots. These holes were just large enough for a person to crawl through, provided they weren't too hefty.
"Lennix, did small holes open up where you are?" Xain questioned. Simultaneously, Larkin's voice, now less muffled, chimed in, "Yes, they did! Should I crawl through?" Right as Lennix pondered this question, Xain, Lennix, and Mari heard a voice caution, "Don't! Not yet! I haven't cleared out enough rubble!" Both Xain and Lennix recognized the voice as belonging to the black knight.
"So I was right, it was you doing this!" Xain exclaimed, proud of himself for figuring out what was happening. "Ohhh, you mean to tell me that the clearly magical shadows surrounding me must be the result of the only person here capable of using shadow magic. Who could have guessed?" a voice said sarcastically—a voice Xain recognized as Ercale.
"Erca—uh, Cain! You're okay!" Xain said, relieved. Ercale sighed, "Regretfully so." Xain then asked, "Aren't you going to ask me how I'm doing?" Xain swore he could almost feel Ercale roll his eyes. "I don't need to. I'm immune to the shadows, so I've had the pleasure of hearing all of you constantly yell at each other at full volume. Even if that weren't the case, I still wouldn't care enough to ask," Ercale remarked.
Xain chuckled, "I'm sure you care. You're just too embarrassed to admit it," he said, prompting Ercale to click his tongue. "Tch, don't act like I'm some kind of tsundere, ape...Damn it, I'm starting to sound like one when I call you that!" Ercale exclaimed as Xain found himself confused by the word tsundere.
Lennix's voice chimed in, "Hey Cain! Mari wants you to be less mean to your brother!" He yelled. Ercale's response was swift and indifferent, "I don't give a rat's ass!" Ercale yelled back.
"Cain, watch your language around children!" scolded a voice that immediately lifted Xain's spirits. "Zee! You're awake!" Xain exclaimed with joy.
"Yes, I am, Xain. Are you okay?" Zee's voice carried concern. "Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about me! Is Clarissa, and, sigh, Karin there with you?" Xain asked.
"I'm fine, dear guest. You don't have to worry about me. And this woman here is fine as well, as I haven't stabbed her yet," responded Clarissa in her usual emotionless tone.
"Don't worry, Mari. I'm just covering your ears because, um, bugs could go in them?" Lennix reassured Mari.
"Guys, listen. I know all of you care about each other and are having this weird-ass reunion of sorts, but could you all stay quiet? I'm trying to concentrate here," the black knight interjected, and the shadows began quivering once more.
Xain suddenly recalled, "Cain, don't you have that artifact, the eye? Why not use it to get us out of here? Better yet, why didn't you use it against Eirisse when she went all insane and broken?" Ercale was about to respond, but before he could, Lennix interjected, "Wait, what!? You have my sister's artifact, Cain?"
Ercale was about to say something again but was then interrupted once more by Xain, this time, "Yeah, he took it while she was distracted by you nearly dying. By the way, I just realized I haven't asked you how you're doing yet." Ercale was about to answer the original question but was interjected again by Lennix, "Don't worry about me; I'm a vampire, we're built tough! I think. Anyway, I seem to have missed some pretty important moments in the plot."
Before Xain could reply, Ercale exclaimed, "Could Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum shut the fuck up so that I can answer the damn question!" silencing both Xain and Lennix as Zee said, "Cain, stop swearing!" Ercale ignored her and responded, "I lied when I said I could use the artifact. That time when it floated above my shoulder was just a trick I did using magic so that she, and seemingly all of you, would assume that I could use this damn thing."
"Cool story. Now, could all of you, for the love goddess, shut up and let me concentrate!" exclaimed the black knight as the shadows ascended once more, providing enough space for everyone to stand up. In his mind, he muttered, *Goddess damn it, let's just hope no one has died to Eirisse out there.* If only he knew.