Shadow Slave

Sunny smiled and leaned back on his chair, then looked at his friends with curiosity.

There was a question he really wanted to ask, but tried not to up until now.

"...What's your second Ability, anyway?"

His words hung in the air for a few moments. Suddenly, Kai coughed with embarrassment and looked away. After a couple of seconds, he said in a strange tone:

"I, uh… can see really far now, when I want to. Even when there's no light. I am also supposed to be able to see through illusions and all forms of obfuscation, whatever that means. And… uh… I can also see through objects.

Sunny and Effie stared at him and asked almost simultaneously:

"Like, through walls?"

"Like, through clothes?"

Kai hid behind his glass, lingered for a bit, and then answered in a small voice:

"...Yes. But I would never!"

While Sunny tried to imagine why would Kai refuse to look through walls, Effie laughed out loud.

"I see, I see. What a great Ability!"

She shook her head, then turned to Sunny and asked:

"Hey, doofus. I bet you often wanted to stab me with something sharp. Wanna try?"

He frowned in confusion, then raised an eyebrow.

"No. Why would I stab you?"

written on her face,

my second Ability to you. Basically, it makes my whole body invulnerable. Well… comparatively, of course. Skin of steel, that sort of deal. A very sweet comprehensive defense boost, if I do say so

was a very powerful Ability. Combined with Effie's previous one, it turned her into an exceedingly formidable presence on the battlefield. As if she had

glanced at him and asked

"Well, what about you?"

He shifted slightly.

can see through walls, I can go through walls… while you

Effie grinned.

Interesting choice of words. I wonder

hurriedly changed the

what are your plans, guys? What Citadels

a while, a strange silence settled among them. All three

Mostly because it was both slightly awkward and slightly sad. Back on the Forgotten Shore, the three of them had

or worse, they were about to go their separate ways. Perhaps fate would bring them together again, one day... or

a while, Effie

know, really. I have received invitations from both clan Valor and clan Song, but… you know me. I don't do well with authority. Plus, none of them have moved a finger to help me when I really needed it. Only now that I am a hot commodity are they all suddenly kind and friendly. Rubs me the

her wheelchair, then

to get ready for the Second Nightmare would be. Maybe I'll have a better chance of becoming a Master soon if I stay independent

body. Reaching the rank of a Master would free Effie from

had said that for her, striving to conquer the

enough, through no wish of his own, Sunny had ended up in a similar

a few moments.

position in Bastion. So I'll be going there soon. I won't have to

was speaking about being safe and comfortable for the rest of his life, he didn't sound

Sunny frowned.

living like a person should, not having to worry about being eaten

young man smiled sadly and

Please forgive my ungratefulness. But what about

back of his head,

you see in the Dream Realm can actually earn you money. And! I think I can weasel my way into receiving a salary from the Academy as a research assistant, whatever that means. So, uh…