Shadow Slave

In the morning, Sunny was woken up by the gentle rustling of leaves. Opening his eyes, he saw rays of sunshine falling through the scarlet crown of the Soul Tree, painting the world in soft shades of pink. The sight was beautiful and tranquil. It felt as though none of the dangers and terrors of the Dream Realm could reach him here.

A soft breeze touched his skin, bringing with it coolness and the smell of fallen leaves.

For the first time in a long while, Sunny felt at peace.

'Is this what a vacation feels like?'

If so, their decision to have one was the best decision ever.

He sat up with a yawn and lazily looked around. Cassie and Nephis were already awake. Seeing them put a smile on Sunny's face.

'Why the hell am I grinning?'

Shaking his head, Sunny put on a serious expression and said:

"Good morning."

The girls greeted him. Then, Nephis slightly tilted her head and asked:

"Hey. Do you remember why we didn't leave anyone to keep watch last night?"

Sunny blinked. Indeed, why hadn't anyone guarded the camp?

"Uh. No. I guess we were too tired? Plus, it's so safe here. Why deprive ourselves of sleep?"

She frowned. Sunny expected Changing Star to berate them, but, unexpectedly, she just shrugged.

"...I guess."

'Huh. That's not like her. Am I not the only one in a great mood?'

To make Neph feel better, he pointed down and said:

"Don't worry. My shadow would have warned us if anything had happened ."

She seemed to have forgotten about her question already, returning to whatever she had been doing before. All three of them were easily distracted these days. Sunny sighed.

"So… what are you guys going to do today?"

Cassie turned to him with a smile and answered in a teasing tone:

vacation, remember? So we're just

like a plan. Speaking

and said with a comically strict

Sunny! You are not allowed to plan, plot and scheme. Just sit back and enjoy the day.

scratched the back

"Alright."

as though he

But what?

at Nephis, Sunny hesitated

why did you climb

glanced at

really remember. To get the

of the miraculous fruits

'Yeah. That makes sense…'

***

few days passed by. Sunny, Nephis and Cassie spent them

and minds needed time to

until noon, ate the delightful fruits and sat around the fire, talking or simply soaking in the warmth. Sometimes, they would play games or engage in other forms of

a loner for most of his life, so these past few weeks that he had spent side by side

the island was large enough for the three of them to stay apart if they didn't wish to

that it

and staring at the gently swaying branches

had become strangely hard to grasp. Sunny wasn't entirely sure how many days they had spent on the peaceful island. He was

had become a common occurrence. All three of them were turning increasingly absentminded and forgetful. Sometimes, Sunny would catch himself straining to remember details of his previous life or

and hazier. The only clear things in it were how delicious and refreshing the magical fruits were, how pleasant it was to live under the shade of the Soul Tree,

was beautiful, benevolent and generous. It protected them from the cursed blight of the crimson labyrinth, kept the monsters away and provided nourishment both for their bodies

gifts behind and returning to the

they were

least two

as time went by, she grew strangely despondent and gloomy. It seemed as though she had reverted

sitting on the western edge of the island

about her. Not even the frequent, insistent

evenings, Sunny approached the western slope of the island, feeling as though his head was about to split from pain. For some reason, he kept

wanted to check

at the ridge of the western edge, gazing into the distance. Sunny climbed onto the ridge and sat down, looking

"Hey, Neph."

him. Her indifferent expression was back, making any attempt

was clear that

"Hey."