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.

a moment, she said

is because I am

***

at her for a couple of moments, then

is that

Star turned her head and looked at

caught me. Now go. This

flowing from her wounds suddenly flashed, growing stronger and brighter. Her injuries started to heal once again, not as fast as in the past, but still with

He gritted his teeth.

Not before you give me an

then looked him

is that you want

Sunny clenched his fists.

even fight me if you wanted to let me win all

As he stared at her

obvious? Because if I didn't, you

lingered for a

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

her,

to save me? What happened to your goddamned goal?! Didn't you tell

him and smiled

is allowed to grow

said tiredly, her voice full of

I did say such a thing. But saying and doing are two different things, Sunny. Once it all started… once all those people were dying because of what I

his

gave up? After all that crap, you just decided that it

Star remained quiet for a bit, then

really understand me at all,

Facing him, she grinned.

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

grew brighter in her

it in the way that I want.

bloodied face seemed like

to. Because it was fair and right. I gave them the chance to save themselves, or die fighting against

eyes were aflame with passion. However, then, her expression suddenly changed. Looking down, Nephis added

to die alone would. 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

pierced him with a burning gaze

My goal hasn't changed. It's just that reaching by using a wrong path is worse than not reaching it at all. But why do you care, anyway? Don't you think that it is insane? Don't you think that I am despicable and

at her, a deep frown

of you,

Nephis smiled.

will… I will be fine. I will escape it and survive, somehow.

while, then glanced at

almost upon the circle of runes, threatening

…Salvation was so close.

almost taste

the dais, Sunny shook his

Hollow Mountains and reach 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

her eyes and slowly shook her head.

in the real world, at least. All that's waiting for me is emptiness, bloodshed, and graves. If I return, the same thing that happened

Gateway shimmered, as if on

He gritted his teeth.

"...No."

at him, a sense of sorrow appearing

me, Sunny.

his

"I don't want to."