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:

So we're just going to rest and

like a plan.

and

plan, plot and scheme. Just sit back and enjoy the day.

the back of

"Alright."

as though he was

But what?

Nephis, Sunny hesitated

did you climb the Soul Tree

glanced at him

don't really remember.

mention of

'Yeah. That makes sense…'

***

Cassie spent them idling away, not

bodies and minds needed time to

and sat around the fire, talking or simply soaking

weeks that he had spent side by side with other

was large enough for the three of them to stay

that it happened

laying on the ground and staring at the gently swaying branches of the

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

catch himself straining to remember details of his

it were how delicious and refreshing the magical fruits were, how pleasant it was to live under the shade

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 their

behind and returning to the horror of the outside world seemed less and less

they were

at least two of

she grew strangely despondent and gloomy. It seemed as though she had reverted back to her old, distant

time sitting on the western edge of the island alone, staring into the distance with bleak eyes. Sunny had no idea

frequent, insistent lapses of memory

of the island, feeling as though his head was about to split from pain. For some reason, he kept forgetting the reason for this visit on the way here. It took all of his willpower to hold on to his

wanted to check

always, she was sitting at the ridge of the western edge, gazing into the distance. Sunny climbed onto the ridge and sat

"Hey, Neph."

indifferent expression was back, making any attempt to understand her true emotions

clear that she was not

"Hey."