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?"

on her face, then sighed

Well… comparatively, of course. Skin of steel, that sort of deal. A very sweet comprehensive defense boost,

powerful Ability. Combined with Effie's previous one, it turned her into an exceedingly formidable presence on the

at him and

"Well, what about you?"

He shifted slightly.

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

Effie grinned.

of words.

changed

what are your plans, guys? What Citadels are you

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

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 break. The future was going to lead each on their own path,

they were about to go their separate ways. Perhaps fate

a while, Effie

Song, but… you know me. I don't do well with authority. Plus, none of them have moved a finger to help me when

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

the Second Nightmare, one's spiritual body became their physical body. Reaching the rank of a Master would free Effie from her terrible disability, so Sunny

knew why she had said that for her, striving to conquer the Second Nightmare was the only

own,

silent for a few moments. Then, he too

there

for the rest of his life, he didn't sound too happy. There was a note of reluctance in his voice. Even…

Sunny frowned.

nothing wrong with living like a person should, not having to worry about being eaten every goddamn day. Don't even think about feeling

young man smiled sadly and

do. Please forgive my ungratefulness. But what

scratched the back of his head, then

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 haven't decided on a particular Citadel yet. But