Shadow Slave

Sunny looked at the terrified young girl, and then… laughed.

...His laughter sounded more than a little bit unhinged.

His lady shuddered:

"Sir, you… you…"

Sunny waved a hand in the air.

"No, no. No need… I understand. I sound crazy."

The night sky above them was covered in an impregnable veil of clouds, and the one below them was empty and dark. The ancient stones they stood upon were slick with rainwater, and it was too dim to see anything except for vague silhouettes.

The silhouette of the Awakened hunter was towering, menacing, and embodied the very concept of terror.

But Sunny didn't care that much.

Massaging his chest, he smiled crookedly and said, his voice hoarse and raspy:

"...But then again, this whole world is insane. Someone told me once… ah, I don't quite remember who… that we can only reflect what is in front of us. Is it my fault that there is nothing in front of me except for madness?"

He looked down, his smile turning into a wicked grin.

"And someone else once told me that they wanted to destroy the world. Back then, I thought them insane… I think… but now, I wonder…"

forward, his monstrous voice permeating the darkness like an

so weak… his mind

Sunny laughed again.

weak enough, I guess? Somehow, I have a feeling that I wasn't supposed to be able to last that long. Who would

his sword, then at the approaching

did. Actually, while some of those nightmares… gods, how cruel they were… did hit a nerve, overall… I am

a concerned expression, then scratch the back

else can impress you that much. Or if you have already watched your mother die once, the second time won't be as… well… maybe it would? I don't know… I am a bit confused about what is real, and what is

him, her face painted with fear. The Awakened killer tilted his head a

"What?"

Sunny shrugged.

turns out. At least not to the point where I'll be unable to think. And notice things. Oh, and I did notice a few

his sword and

matter whether it's in a nightmare or in the real life. So, that demands

step forward, a confused expression on his

and judgments that I have to cause to possess will just appear on their own. Easy to explain in a dream… not so much in the waking world. And I am awake, am I? Or am I? Or am I not? Sometimes, it's hard

position, waiting for the terrifying Awakened hunter

me a few nightmares to realize that those were soul cores. Strangely, once again, this ability pursued me from the nightmares into

to meet his

my nightmares, I met all kinds of creatures. Awakened warriors, Corrupted monsters… even Transcendent immortals. Some of them had one soul core, some two

his enemy, at the mighty black steed

my question is… why does this damned horse always

hunter's sword flashed, abandoning the young girl he

the wet stones, Sunny dove under the flying blade and jumped to his feet, putting

the menacing killer…