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 like

then concentrated on the corpse of the female

are we going to escape this place before

down,

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

spine. Mordret's tone was still friendly, but the implication behind his words did not

to double-cross

Sunny had not been planning to do the

teeth,

quarrel between us. We can just

Mordret chuckled.

I would like that very much. But, Sunless… if you really want to be my friend… why do you still have your

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

someone who refuses to look you in the eye, you

paled, then backed away a

rather not. My

Mordret grinned.

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

step back, then

Why is

Prince of Nothing stopped smiling. When he spoke, Welthe's voice sounded cold and insidious,

Dreamspawn on you? Huh? You better tell me,

Sunny scowled.

'...What?'

If his eyes weren't closed, he would be blinking in surprise right now. Did Mordret really lose his

you are talking about. What stench? Why would I be sent by Asterion? I've

minute… the prince… the Dreamspawn… could it

tilted

truth. But if