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,

you. Basically, it makes my whole body invulnerable. Well… comparatively, of course. Skin of steel, that sort

blinked and looked at the gaunt young woman with a bit 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.

can go through walls…

Effie grinned.

huh? Interesting choice of words. I

changed the

uh… what are your plans, guys? What Citadels

question changed the mood of the conversation. For a while, a strange silence settled

really, but they tried to avoid the discussion for as long as possible. Mostly because it was both slightly awkward and slightly sad. 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

they were about to go their separate ways.

a while, Effie

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

her wheelchair, then slumped

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 compete against the actual heirs for resources and

of a Master would free Effie from her terrible disability, so

why she had said that for her, striving to

his own, Sunny had ended up in a

remained silent for a few moments. Then,

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

of his life, he didn't sound

Sunny frowned.

with living like a person should, not having to worry about being eaten every goddamn day. Don't even think about feeling bad

young man smiled

forgive my ungratefulness. But what about you,

scratched the back of

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 haven't decided on a particular Citadel yet. But I can