Shadow Slave

After their conversation with Noctis was done, Sunny and Kai left the sorcerer alone. The immortal needed some time to make preparations, so they had a few hours left before the archer's treatment was going to begin.

After that, they were not going to see each other again until it was over, which would take at least a week.

Walking through the beautiful garden of the Sanctuary, Kai remained silent for a bit, and then said with a smile:

"Well… I think that went well."

Sunny glanced at him with a dark expression.

"You think?"

The archer shrugged, then frowned a little. The bandages covering his disfigured face moved, revealing a confused expression.

"Did it not?"

Sunny shook his head.

"No. We have been swindled, actually. Think about it… I wanted to get three things out of Noctis in exchange for revealing the location of the Glass Knife to him. Heal you, rescue Effie, and receive his enchanted coins. Not only did he force the secret out of me without even lifting a finger, he even fooled us into retrieving the knife in his stead… while thinking that it was our own idea, no less."

He grimaced, then let out a heavy sigh.

"...Scary. He is a cunning trickster, and my own mind seems to be dulled by the curse of Hope. Still… all is well. Noctis will heal your body, nothing else matters."

Kai frowned when Sunny mentioned Hope's influence, but didn't ask anything, revealing that he had made the discovery himself. After a while, he said:

"When you put it like that, I do feel a bit foolish. But, Sunny… if you knew that we are being swindled, why didn't you try to drive a harder bargain?"

Sunny shrugged.

not expect him to honor all three of my requests, anyway… two of them were just for show. While those coins of his are useful, I can do without them. As for rescuing Effie, that is our own task. I

silent for a

conquer this Nightmare, but becoming dependent on someone else's

tilted his

were just bait, and your real intention had only

in thought, Sunny

archer smiled, then mumbled under his

who swindled

There was so much Sunny wanted to tell Kai, and so much he wanted to ask. He

some things about their experiences in the Nightmare,

held on to the feeling that by postponing this conversation, they were somehow increasing the chances of

while, Kai

and cruel. If Effie was sent into the body of a disciple, with her temper… I hate to admit it, but I am afraid for her. Plus, none of the maidens is allowed to leave that Temple alive. How

few moments, then shook his

line during the siege of the Spire and survived that, too. Effie will be fine. The War Maidens are not as formidable as

had already explored and the Temple of the Chalice were one and the same? Judging by the destruction that reigned over the ancient temple in the future, someone was going to obliterate

Kai sighed.

she is not like the rest of us. Her combat skill is commendable, but her Aspect is

silent, reluctant to finish the

Sunny grinned.

is the last person you should be worried about. Believe me, she is doing fine. Probably better than

from saying those words aloud, so he must

stop his hearts from growing cold

added

should really be worried about is

at him with

to be that person… right? The prince of