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?"

expectation clearly written on her face,

that's a shame. I wanted to demonstrate 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

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

him and asked

"Well, what about you?"

He shifted slightly.

I can go through walls… while you can just plow through them,

Effie grinned.

of words. I wonder

changed

what are your plans, guys?

sudden question changed the mood of the conversation. For a while, a strange silence settled among them. All three had

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

go their separate ways. Perhaps

while,

none of them have moved a finger to help me when I really needed it. Only now that I am a

wheelchair, then

way to get ready for the Second Nightmare would be. Maybe I'll

Reaching the rank of a

she had said that for her, striving to

of his own, Sunny had ended up in

silent for a few moments. Then, he too

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

being safe and comfortable for the rest of his life, he didn't sound too happy. There

Sunny frowned.

drop that tone immediately, Kai. There's nothing wrong with living like a person should, not having to worry about being eaten every goddamn day. Don't even think about

charming young man smiled sadly and

forgive my ungratefulness. But

the back of his head,

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 pick pretty much