Shadow Slave

'Mordret… he has taken Welthe.'

Sunny shifted, lowering the Cruel Sight and slightly turning its blade. His heart was full of unease, his mind in the throes of a dark premonition. The banished prince had already been monstrously powerful… how much more deadly would he become in a body of a Master?

A few things were now clear, at least. Out of the two Ascended knights, Welthe had been the more powerful one. Her Aspect possessed Abilities that could debilitate her enemies, all the while enhancing her own physique. That was why she had been the one to sap Mordret of a large portion of his strength and attack him.

And yet, it was strange to see that the Prince of Nothing had struggled to defeat her so much, and for so long. If he couldn't win against one of the Masters, how had he ever planned to face both?

However, if he had decided to take Welthe's body and thus couldn't harm it too much… that would explain his tardiness. Fighting an Ascended elite while not being allowed to wound her was a dreadfully harsh task.

Had Mordret been aiming for Welthe's body from the start, or had he changed his plans on the fly when the opportunity presented itself?

Was his intention to take Sunny as his vessel just a ruse, a misdirection… or was Sunny still in danger?

'No way… he already has a body of a Master. There is no reason to abandon it for the sake of mine. Right?'

"Ah! That is much, much better!"

Mordret straightened, then stretched, looking at his own arms with curiosity. He clenched Welthe's fists, then grimaced slightly and let his hands relax. Finally, the Prince of Nothing turned slightly and looked at Sunny with a smile.

"...Wouldn't you say, Sunless?"

Sunny lingered for a moment, then nodded cautiously.

"I guess. How does this work, exactly? Are you an Ascended now?"

Mordret's smile widened a little.

"So curious. Your inquisitive nature is truly worthy of an Academy researcher."

questions like always,

former Master's feet, then concentrated on the corpse of

we going to escape

down, picked

do have a plan. It's just… I am not sure that you are

running down his spine. Mordret's tone was still friendly, but the implication behind his words

going to double-cross

not been planning

his teeth, then

said… there's no quarrel between us. We can just go our separate ways. Maybe

Mordret chuckled.

very much. But, Sunless… if you really want to be my

forward, as if not yet entirely used to his

you in the eye, you know. Why don't you look at me, huh,

backed

I'd rather not. My eyelids

Mordret grinned.

to tell you

step

yeah? Why is

Nothing stopped smiling. When he spoke, Welthe's

would not smell the stench of Dreamspawn on you? Huh? You better tell

Sunny scowled.

'...What?'

his eyes weren't closed, he would be blinking in surprise right

idea what the hell you are talking about. What stench? Why would I be sent by Asterion? I've never met anyone by that name,

a minute… the prince… the Dreamspawn… could it

froze, then tilted

the truth. But if you never met Asterion, why do you reek