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?"

her face, then

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

of awe. Indeed, that 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 not been a

him

"Well, what about you?"

He shifted slightly.

short-distance teleportation. Kai can see through walls, I can go through walls… while you can just plow through them, I guess. In your usual

Effie grinned.

huh? Interesting choice of words. I

changed

what are your plans, guys? What Citadels are you going

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

Back on the Forgotten Shore, the three of them had forged a bond, and now, depending on their choices, that bond would most likely either weaken or break. The future was going

they were about to go their separate ways. Perhaps fate would bring

while,

moved a finger to help me when I really needed it. Only now that I am a hot commodity

looked at her wheelchair, then slumped in it

might take them up on the offer, or I might not. It depends on what the fastest way 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 and don't have to

spiritual body became their physical body. Reaching the rank of a Master would free Effie from her terrible disability, so

said that for her, striving to conquer the Second Nightmare

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

for a few moments. Then, he

there soon. I won't have to fight another Nightmare Creature for a long, long

for the rest of his life, he didn't sound too happy. There was

Sunny frowned.

to worry about

charming young man smiled sadly and

do. Please forgive my ungratefulness. But what about you,

of

am rich now. You won't believe it, guys, but as it turns out, scribbling a few words about the things 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… actually, I