Shadow Slave

Sunny was slowly growing fond of having conversations in the dark. Without the burden of light, people were more relaxed and honest. It reminded him of the frequent blackouts that used to sweep through the city when he was a little kid. His family had no choice but to huddle together and spend a few hours doing nothing but talking to each other.

Now, these dark hours had become some of his most precious memories.

He was silent for a few moments and then said:

"Since we're going to be depending on each other, should we share what abilities and Memories we have at our disposal?"

This was a logical suggestion. If they were going to fight side by side, knowing each other's strengths was more or less vital. Still, he noticed Nephis glancing in his direction with a guarded look on her face.

Luckily, he was obscured by darkness.

"I'll start," Sunny said, both to show his sincerity and to reveal information about himself in a controlled manner.

If he took the initiative to talk, he still had to tell the truth, but how much and to what extent was still for him to decide. If they were to ask and he had to answer, however… things would become unpredictable.

"My attributes give me an affinity to shadows. I also have a slight affiliation to divinity. Lastly, I am prone to finding myself in unlikely situations."

Cassie listened carefully, and then lowered her head, as though embarrassed.

"Uh… he is telling the truth. Not that we doubted your honesty!"

'Why not? I spent so much time earning the reputation of a pathological liar!'

Sunny cleared his throat and smiled, hiding his nervousness:

"Really? That's good to know. But… why are you so sure that I am being honest?"

The blind girl shifted a little.

"Oh! That's my Ability. I can "see" people's Attributes. Sometimes, I also receive, uh, "visions". They can be about the future or the past. I mean, that's what I think… it only happened a couple of times."

Sunny swallowed, but then relaxed.

'So, she is an oracle of sorts. Luckily, her insight is limited to Attributes… otherwise, I'd be in real trouble. Still, I'll have to be careful around her.'

He finally realized how the blind girl had known about his birthday. The question was whether she had seen it in a vision of the future or in a vision of the past. If it was the former, was it safe to assume that he would certainly be able to celebrate at least one more birthday?

Or did knowing the future actually affected and changed it? For example, after learning that he was definitely going to survive, Sunny might have naturally relaxed and lowered his guard. Then, he would die as the result of it. It surely seemed possible, right? That's assuming that the future could be changed. But maybe it wasn't? Then…

Feeling his head hurting, Sunny decided to avoid this line of thought for now. Instead, he hid his inner turmoil and said in a friendly tone:

hearing. That way, I can spot danger before encountering it. The shadow is fast and stealthy: it can go anywhere and

Shadow Scout. Their reaction, however, was a bit strange: Nephis

"Uh… what?"

frowned and said in a

used your Ability in

Sunny blinked.

'What a strange question!'

the Academy? Sure, of course.

they think

Crap!

girls could say anything, he

have never used it to do anything improper! You

Nephis and Cassie

whatever you're thinking about! I spent almost every waking hour learning how

Nephis raised an eyebrow.

you in

Sunny chuckled.

course, you didn't. While you were busy wiping the floor

Star's turn to

what? There is such a

Cassie seemed equally puzzled.

went to a fancy school or saw a private tutor, learning how to survive in the wilderness is the difference between life and death. Without it, I

occasion, Nephis looked completely bewildered. She rubbed her wrists and stared

see. I

the venom from sipping into his voice. When

It's natural for someone of your status not to

mentioned her status, a strange smile appeared on the Changing Star's face. But

Sunny continued:

for Memories, I have three. One is an armor, one is a sword, and the last one is a really loud

to share. After a

an affinity to light and fire, as well as a strong affiliation to divinity. I have two Memories: a

but also, not the whole truth. And judging by how hard the blind girl was trying to hide her true feelings, the secret

'Interesting.'

is very sharp and can protect its wielder against

something else? He was pretty sure that Nephis would not reveal all of her cards, just like him. However, healing abilities were extremely rare. Having one that could heal, but was not limited

a True Name in the First Nightmare. If Sunny were to consider his own

what's her Aspect

he pretended