Shadow Slave

With a bit of disappointment, Sunny realized that all types of physical activities were out of the question. Not only because Effie was going to win every damn game, but also because Cassie couldn't participate in most.

If that was the case, they would have to settle for a battle of wit, instead.

After thinking for a while, he made a few preparations and addressed his companions in a mischievous tone:

"Alright, let's have another competition. This time, it will be a challenge for your minds."

Sunny paused for a few moments and then smiled.

"And to spice things up, this time, there will be a prize. The winner will get this!"

With that, he produced the ascended soul shard that he had gotten from the Corpse Eater from behind his back and showed it to everyone. The beautiful crystal shined with an alluring, ethereal light.

Except for Nephis, who was resting with her eyes closed, everyone stared at the shard with a lot of interest. Sunny grinned.

Of course, they were interested! It was very rare to see one of these, after all.

He didn't really have a use for this thing right now, though. And making the cohort stronger would, in turn, increase his own chances of getting through the expedition alive. So parting with the shard was not that detrimental.

Especially if he could have some fun in return.

Effie was the first one to speak:

"What are the terms of the competition?"

Sunny put the crystal away before answering:

"It's really simple. I'll give you a riddle, and the first person to answer correctly wins. How does that sound?"

The huntress looked at him with doubt and shrugged.

"Sounds boring. But alright, let's play."

Smiling, Sunny commanded the shadow to separate from him and put the Ordinary Rock on it. Then, he turned to Effie and said:

"Listen carefully. Imagine if you will that the two of us, my shadow and I, are in possession of a rare treasure. One of us is an honorable, extremely attractive Awakened that can tell no lie, while the other one is a vile, ugly, stupid devil that would never tell a word of truth. But you don't know which one is which."

Effie grinned.

isn't it

Sunny blinked.

one of us is hiding the treasure. If you do, you'll get the treasure. If you

giggled and flexed her

I just beat the answer out

figure for a

Also, you're

stared at him

"What? Why?!"

in her

you that you can only ask one question? Well who told you to ask whether you

huntress was throwing daggers at him with her eyes, Sunny

"Next!"

apologetically at Effie and

your question? Do consider that our roles might have changed since the last

young man gestured at the marble beneath his feet and addressed

is the stone I am

the Ordinary Rock immediately answered in the

"...White."

at Sunny with a

I win? The shadow is obviously

gave him

indeed learned which one of us is a dirty liar. Surprise... it was me. However, that was not the task. The task was to find out which one of us is hiding the treasure,

and looked at him with reproach. Sunny

grateful that I allowed you to play at all! With your Flaw,

He scowled, then added:

you claim to have a Flaw is an

a bit and walked to the side to sit near Effie. Sunny had to suppress his laugh when he noticed that the boisterous huntress reacted to being this close to the charming young man's deific body pretty much exactly

of the gutter! Pure thoughts,

its way onto his face. Shaking his head, Sunny turned away to call the next contestant, but

you

Sunny raised an eyebrow.

"About what?"