Shadow Slave

Outside, the sun was already moving past its zenith. There wasn't that much time left before the sunset, so Sunny was really unsure about what Nephis could do to change Effie's mind before evening. However, judging by the determined expression on her face, Changing Star wasn't just throwing words to the wind. She had something specific in mind.

He hesitated.

"So, uh… what exactly are we going to do now?"

Neph glanced at him, white flames dancing in the depths of her cold grey eyes. Then, she turned away and said:

"Follow me."

With that, she walked forward in the direction of the castle.

'Castle? Why are we going to the castle?'

Somewhat uneasy, Sunny gently took Cassie by the arm and hurried to catch up to Nephis. When he did, she suddenly threw over her shoulder:

"Tell me about that Pathfinder again. The one who was accused of murder three days ago."

Sunny frowned, then repeated what he knew about the guy. When he was almost finished, she asked:

"What's his Aspect Ability?"

He hesitated, then said:

"He can make any weapon become incredibly sharp when it's in his hands. Sharp enough to cut stone, maybe even steel. It's a very powerful combat Ability."

Changing Star was quiet for some time, then said:

"What about his Flaw?"

Sunny shook his head.

"That I have no idea about. People are very protective of their Flaws, you know. Not everyone goes around telling everyone about their greatest vulnerability like that lunatic, Effie."

protective of him today, decided

right, Neph. We don't even know what his own Flaw

and had to try very hard to not let

and she had shared their Flaws with him, Sunny never reciprocated

can we

comment on it further. It seemed

'Phew…'

the magnificent stairs and were approaching the gates of the castle. Sunny was growing increasingly nervous

is her plan,

you need

said in her usual indifferent

do anything. Just follow me and try to look… uh…

does that

the gates blocked their path with contemptuous and

was directed toward Sunny, while the rest was directed toward the girls, of

business do you have in the Bright Castle? Want to pay

to get paid, instead? If you know what

of them laughed, making

looked at them with a

to go inside, but I'm

looked at them with a bit of amusement, a harsh and dangerous light finding its way into

lost your mind, wench? Why are you here if you're not going to pay tribute? Stop wasting

stared at them with no emotion whatsoever showing on her beautiful ivory face. Then,

to invoke the Right

***

heart

has gone

no, Changing Star was not mad. Although Sunny liked to joke inwardly about how crazy Nephis was, she was anything but. In fact, her ability to remain cool-headed and rational in any situation was one of the main reasons that made her so dangerous. Which meant that there

that

one of

Shut your mouth and get lost if

didn't move. Instead,