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

like a plan. Speaking about

and said with a

plot and scheme.

the back

"Alright."

felt as though he

But what?

at Nephis, Sunny hesitated

did you climb the Soul Tree

glanced at him

remember. To get

of the

'Yeah. That makes sense…'

***

passed by. Sunny, Nephis and Cassie spent them idling away, not concerned

minds

sat around the fire, talking or simply soaking in the warmth. Sometimes, they would play games or engage

he had spent side by

the three of them to

that it

on the ground and staring at the gently swaying branches of the Soul Tree, caught in a blissful reverie. In

spent on the

All three of them were turning increasingly absentminded and forgetful. Sometimes, Sunny would catch himself straining to remember details of his previous life or notice the strangeness of their behavior. But a minute later, he

magical fruits were,

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 and for

gifts behind and returning to the

when they were perfectly

at least two of

tranquil as Sunny and Cassie in the beginning, as time went by, she grew strangely despondent and gloomy. It seemed as though she had reverted back to her old,

them, Changing Star ended up spending most of her time sitting on the western edge of the

was worried about her. Not even the frequent, insistent lapses of memory managed to overcome his

from pain. For some reason, he kept forgetting the reason for this visit on the way here. It took all of his willpower

wanted to check on

at the ridge of the western edge, gazing into the distance. Sunny climbed onto the ridge

"Hey, Neph."

back, making any attempt to understand her

was clear that

"Hey."