Shadow Slave

Sunny was enjoying a hot shower. After their short conversation, Master Jet had sent him to clean himself, saying that he "reeked of Nightmare". The unnatural slumber of the Spell would slow down the body's metabolism, and the medical apparatus he had been strapped into was supposed to take care of the rest, but he was still asleep for three whole days.

Even if only psychological, the scent of bloodshed and despair lingered around him.

'Ah, I'm in heaven,' Sunny thought, willing himself to temporarily forget about the looming disaster of the Flaw.

He was alone in the police station's showers, relaxing under the streams of hot water. After a bit of time had passed, Sunny reluctantly turned the tap off and walked over to the towel rack. Coincidentally, he saw himself reflecting in the mirror.

The changes in his physique were subtle, but noticeable. His pale skin seemed a little healthier, his muscles a bit more pronounced. He looked slender and lean instead of emaciated and frail, as he did before. There was a slight luster to his dark hair and a shine to his eyes.

However, he was still rather diminutive. Not exactly a picture of masculine handsomeness, to say the least.

'Flower boy, huh?' Sunny thought, full of bitterness.

Then he suddenly froze, noticing something strange. As he was looking at himself in the mirror, the reflection of his shadow seemed to move. It was as though the shadow lowered its head and quietly facepalmed.

Sunny quickly turned around, piercing his shadow with a nervous look. However, everything seemed normal. The shadow was doing exactly what it was supposed to do, repeating his every motion.

"I clearly saw you move," he said, feeling a bit strange. "You have just moved on your own, right?!"

Sunny glared at the shadow, which obediently glared back.

"Did you move or not?"

The shadow enthusiastically shook its head.

'What the?!'

"What do you mean, "no"?! You've just moved your head! Do you think I'm a fool?"

The shadow seemed to think for a bit and then shrugged.

Sunny was left with his mouth agape.

"Your shadow is more independent than most. It is an invaluable helper," he muttered finally.

Right. This was how the Spell had described his Aspect Ability.

But what exactly could his shadow do?

He decided to experiment a little.

"Hey, you. Tell me what you can do."

The shadow was silent and motionless.

'Right. It doesn't have vocal cords.'

As though that made any sense! Shadows were not supposed to have muscles either, and yet it knew how to move.

"Uh… show me?"

No reaction. It seems the shadow was content pretending to be an ordinary, lifeless blob of darkness.

Sunny sighed.

'I'm doing this wrong.'

a part of him. It was a manifestation of his Aspect Ability. So instead of asking

to talk,

steady rising of his chest, the slight chill of the shower room. He heard droplets of water falling

the verge of his consciousness, something

A completely new sense.

it, and suddenly a whole other world opened to him. It was hard to describe with words, just like one would have trouble explaining how hearing or touch

with vast forms that crowded around him and receive an understanding of both their own

came naturally and instantaneously, like an

largest one, but the deepest — didn't feel like an external entity.

could sense the shadow just like he sensed his limbs. The only thing was that his limbs were made out of flesh, and the shadow was made from the absence

looked at the shadow. Then, with a thought, he

shadow raised an

around, kick. Then he willed it to change shape, turning into a circle, then a line, then a monster. And finally, back to his own silhouette. The shadow was mercurial and

"Ha! How about that?"

pouted, then reluctantly

how are you

and delivered a powerful kick. Of course, since it was just a

all

image of shadow tentacles tearing the mighty tyrant into little pieces cracked and shattered mercilessly. It seemed he would not be

How regretful.

with disdain. Then it shrugged and stopped moving altogether, clearly

a towel

I will

***

cafeteria. Master Jet was waiting for him at one of the

"Help yourself."

the stuff he used to consume in the outskirts, and sighed. Somehow, he had expected his first meal after becoming

Still, it was food.

down the gruel ravenously.

a glance at Jet and wondered. The Spell told him to find a master, and the next thing he knew

to appear

with dark irony. 'Knowing your luck, this would be a perfect moment for

are you

felt his mouth beginning to open, and put all of his will into staying silent. A second passed without him saying

a perfect moment for you to ask me about what I am thinking," he

him a weird

Are you almost finished with

Sunny nodded.

I'll begin. As per protocol, I am obligated to inform you of a few things. It is

glanced at

experience you have encountered, there is no shame in asking for help. Your mind is

his head. Jet

You can also talk to me. Was it

How could he answer?

worse than I expected and exactly as bad as I

nodded, satisfied with that

I won't pry any further. Us outskirt rats are way more