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…"

monstrous voice permeating the

so weak… his mind

Sunny laughed again.

enough, I guess? Somehow, I have a feeling that I wasn't supposed to be able to

sword, then at

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

at the Awakened hunter with a concerned expression, then scratch

time won't be as…

backed away from him, her face painted with fear.

"What?"

Sunny shrugged.

out. At least not to the point where I'll be unable to think.

his sword and pointed it at the

ache, doesn't matter whether it's in a nightmare or in the real life. So, that demands a question… if the heartache is the same, then maybe

step forward, a confused

don't really make sense. Sometimes my hands will try to do something on their own, and sometimes fragments of feelings, ideas, and judgments that I have to

assumed a defensive position, waiting for the terrifying Awakened

or vile orbs of darkness in those of the Corrupted. It took me a few nightmares to realize that those were soul cores. Strangely, once again, this ability pursued me from the nightmares into reality, making the two seem

smiled, ready to meet

monsters… even Transcendent immortals. Some of them had one soul core, some two

lingered for a moment, and then looked past his enemy, at the mighty black steed standing motionless behind him,

my question is… why does this damned horse

the opposite direction from where the hunter's sword flashed, abandoning the young girl he was sworn to

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

directed at the menacing killer… instead, it