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."

the questions

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

we going to escape

Nothing bent down, picked

I am

spine. Mordret's tone was still friendly, but

going to double-cross me, isn't

Sunny had not been planning to

gritted his teeth,

have to do this, you know. It is just like you said… there's no quarrel between us. We can just go our separate ways. Maybe even work together… uh, for a bit.

Mordret chuckled.

like that very much. But, Sunless… if you really want to be my friend… why do you

a slightly awkward step forward, as if not yet entirely used to his new

you in the

backed away

rather not.

Mordret grinned.

well… to tell you the truth, we wouldn't have become

took another step back,

yeah? Why

he spoke, Welthe's voice sounded cold and insidious,

Huh? You better tell me, Sunless… why did Asterion send you to the Chained Isles? Why

Sunny scowled.

'...What?'

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

What stench? Why would I be sent by Asterion? I've never met anyone by that name, let alone knowing

minute… the prince… the Dreamspawn… could it

tilted his head a

You can't lie, so this must be the truth. But if you never met