Shadow Slave

Nephis stared at him tiredly, straining to understand his words.

The radiance was gone from beneath her skin, and instead of it, white flames had once again appeared, licking weakly at her wounds. However, their power was almost gone: instead of healing, all they could do now was stem the bleeding and prevent Changing Star from dying right there and then.

A few seconds later, she opened her mouth, letting blood flow over her lips, and said in a low, barely audible voice:

"What… are you talking about?"

Sunny snarled.

"Drop the act. Your performance was, indeed, masterful. But don't forget who taught you how to lie in the first place. Did you really think that you would be able to deceive me?"

She was silent for a few moments, then whispered:

"I don't… understand."

He looked at her and asked, his voice shaking with anger:

"Why did you do it? Why?"

Nephis blinked and drew in a shaky breath, but didn't say anything, looking at him with pain and confusion.

Realizing that she wasn't going to answer, Sunny spat:

"Why did you throw the fight?!"

She lingered for a moment, then said quietly:

"...I didn't."

A bitter smile appeared on Sunny's lips. Shaking his head, he said:

"You almost made it work, you know. I almost bought it! But after all of it was done and I could think clearly, some things really didn't add up. They didn't make any sense! No matter how I looked at it, something felt wrong."

The Spire swayed, drowning their voices in the sound of breaking stone. Not paying it any attention, Sunny continued:

"First! I know for a fact that you are somehow able to support two augmentations at the same time. You did so while fighting Gunlaug. One to enhance your sword, the other to enhance your body. I rarely forget things, so how could I not remember this? Once you were heavily injured, you summoned back the flames from the sword and were able to simultaneously strengthen yourself and heal those wounds. And yet, you only used one when fighting me. Funny, isn't it?"

Nephis stared at him, not saying anything. Then, she uttered:

"My powers were exhausted…"

Sunny spat.

"I would have believed that, maybe, if not for your other mistakes. Back at the top of the Spire, you had an opportunity to cut off my arm, ending the fight right there and then. That was the best course of action, the swiftest and most effective attack you could have performed. But instead, you chose a less advantageous method and went for my head, striking with the flat of the blade."

A grim expression appeared on his face.

"Someone else might have made that choice, but not you. Not Changing Star, the sword saint. The only reason for you to pass on that golden opportunity is that you never really wanted to win. Didn't you?"

He looked up and grimaced, pain assaulting his mind like a furious sea.

"...And finally, why did you even stay there at the top of the tower, waiting for me to come? If you wanted to escape, you could have gone to the Gateway as soon as you realized what the Soul Conduit was, not even giving me a chance to save myself. But you did not. You just sat there quietly and waited, ignoring your chance to reach the Gateway first. So… why?"

He looked at her and shouted, the pain finally finding its way into his voice:

"Why the hell did you pretend to go all out on me while planning to lose from the start?!"

Nephis stared at him for a while, her face pale and inexorable.

Then, she sighed and looked away.

moment, she

it is because I am far

***

her for a couple of moments,

the hell is that

turned her head and looked at him

Sunny. You caught me. Now go. This

Her injuries started to heal once again,

He gritted his teeth.

before you give me

looked him in the

that

Sunny clenched his fists.

even fight me if you wanted to let me win all

at her with

obvious? Because if

she lingered for a moment, and then

either cruel or kind. But not you. You can be both, depending on the situation. Either ruthless or compassionate. Either cruel or kind. So that's what I did. I created a situation that would allow you to be ruthless and cruel.

her,

would you doom yourself to save me? What happened to your goddamned goal?! Didn't you tell me that you will sacrifice anything,

at him

who is allowed to grow and change? Can't I change too,

tiredly, her voice full of invisible, but

are two different things, Sunny. Once it all started… once all those people were dying because of what I have done… once I suffered defeat after defeat… it was more difficult than I could ever imagine.

shook his

that crap, you just decided that it was too much for

Star remained quiet for a bit, then slowly shook her

don't really understand me

Facing him, she grinned.

I didn't abandon my goal. I just realized that I was not ambitious

flames grew brighter in

the Spell, and all those who stand in my way. I will accomplish everything that I want. But I will also do it in the way that I want. I will do it in a way that suits my desire, without compromising anything. Without sacrificing my sense

face

more if I needed to. Because it was fair and right. I gave them the chance to save themselves, or

her expression suddenly changed. Looking

I won't do it. If I do, I would be no better than those who I want to destroy. What's the point of reaching my goal if, in the process, I become the same as

a burning gaze

all. But why do you care, anyway? Don't you think that it is insane? Don't you

stared at her, a deep frown appearing

you, fool.

Nephis smiled.

die here, in this tower? No. I will… I will be fine. I will escape it and survive, somehow. I'll find another way out. No matter how long

stared at her for a while, then glanced at

the stone balcony was already almost upon the circle of runes, threatening to

…Salvation was so close.

almost taste

dais, Sunny shook

the human Citadels on the other side. And that's just the south. With can also try north, east, and west, searching for an unclaimed Gateway. Two of

long time, then closed her eyes and slowly shook her head. When

All that's waiting for me is emptiness, bloodshed, and graves. If I return, the same thing that happened in the Bright Castle will repeat itself, over and over again, until there's nothing else. So go while you

Gateway shimmered, as if on the verge of

He gritted his teeth.

"...No."

looked at him, a sense of sorrow

Sunny. Please.

shook his head

"I don't want to."