Shadow Slave

Sleep was avoiding Sunny. For a while, he sat silently in the darkness, listening to the calming rumbling of the waves. In this rare moment of respite, memories of the past few days came flooding into his mind. However, he was too tired to seriously think about anything. He was warm, full, and relatively safe. For now, that was more than enough.

Soon, the rhythm of Cassia's breathing changed, indicating that she fell asleep. Nephis was guarding the camp, motionless and, as always, a bit distant. With her silver hair and fair skin, she looked like an alabaster statue.

Sunny sighed. He struggled for a bit, and then said quietly:

"Hey. Can I ask you a question?"

Nephis glanced at him and shrugged. The lack of an audible response clearly indicated that she remembered about his ability to see in the dark.

"Sure."

'Would it be too personal?'

Sunny hesitated.

"I thought you Legacies come into the Spell with a whole inherited arsenal of Memories. I mean, that's supposed to be your main advantage. How come you only had three?"

Nephis was silent for a few moments.

"Actually, I only had two. The rope came from Cassie."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh. I see."

Realizing that her answer wasn't really an answer, Nephis thought for a while and added:

"We lost most of our Memories when my father passed away. The ones that remained were sold one by one over the years, to keep the family afloat. This sword and armor came from my First Nightmare."

So that's how it was. Sunny realized that the fall of the Immortal Flame clan might have been more thorough than he had thought. Still, something about it didn't make sense.

"Surely, with your clan's reputation and standing, there were other ways to make money."

Without any strong reaction, Nephis simply said:

"There were other reasons."

Then, she unexpectedly turned her head in his direction.

"Can I ask you a question in return?"

Sunny swallowed.

"Yeah, go ahead."

Nephis tilted her head.

"How did you know that I'm a Legacy?"

'What? That's it?'

"Simple. I heard Caster mention it. He was scolding other Sleepers to make them treat you with respect."

She gave him a nod and turned away. What thoughts were hidden behind her calm grey eyes, Sunny did not know.

he really wanted to ask. Before doing it,

ask

a negative response,

are you burdening yourself with

of Changing Star's mouth curled up

"Why? Wouldn't you?"

teeth, feeling the Flaw pushing the truthful answer out

"No."

believe to the last moment that the answer would be "yes". But one of the things he had lost after the

certainty that it was simply not something he could do. He was barely

couldn't help but be a

him. She showed no reaction

"Because I want to."

'Because… she wants to?'

was pretty sure that she would either lecture

she was putting her life in danger, to the point of sacrificing an awakened

'Ridiculous!'

her response as a non-answer. But the more he thought about it, the more

it was actually

the time, he was doing them because he needed to. It was never a question

really? Or was it just a matter of perspective? Nephis had certain advantages in her upbringing, but they weren't as ample as he had imagined. She had no wealth and no arsenal of relics to empower

wasn't impossible for her to have the audacity to disregard need in favor of something as frivolous as desire, and do things that

blind girl simply because that

that mentality was the greatest

that separated Legacies from the

lot to think about. However, before Sunny could gather his thoughts, Nephis suddenly spoke

"My turn."

it's her turn to ask

again turned to Sunny and, after a long pause,

you know the

what… who? What sort of a weird

his head. Then, remembering that she couldn't see

"No."

away. A few

a hero in an ancient war. In the legends, some humans back then had powers akin to the Awakened. Achilles with an Aspect of indestructible body, Diomedes that was so ferocious even the God of War was wary of him, Ajax

staring at

did this come from? Why is she suddenly

Meanwhile, Nephis continued:

the gods cursed him to endlessly wander the seas, never to return. Over the years, he survived one

an enthralling atmosphere. Sunny couldn't help but listen

together in harmony. The island was like a paradise, filled with all kinds of wonders, delicacies and delights. As long as loving Calypso was by his side, Odysseus was even immortal. But… the longer he stayed, the more

Nephis smiled.

all its delights, the beautiful fairy, and even his immortality behind. So, my question is… why did he

Sunny blinked.

'What?'

that? He even considered that Nephis was mocking him, but it didn't seem to be the case. It

'Weirdo!'

a bit, and then said without too

he was far away

smile appeared on

away… from

and lowered