Shadow Slave

Sunny stared at the sorcerer for a few moments, unamused. He really wanted to retort… but couldn't. The four-armed demon was indeed a fearsome and unsightly creature, as far as humans were concerned. So, denying it would have been a lie.

And while the Extraordinary Rock could repeat his thoughts, the thoughts it spoke aloud still had to be truthful.

With an irritated snarl, Sunny looked away and said:

"Fine. We will retrieve the Ruby Knife from your friend that lives in the lake. However… it would only be polite for you to return the favor and give us something in return, don't you think? To avoid putting a strain on our own friendship, you know…"

These were more or less the exact words Noctis had used to lure him into a confrontation with Nightmare, so Sunny was pretty sure that the sorcerer would not be able to refuse his request.

Indeed, the immortal looked at him with a pale smile, and then let out a slightly nervous laugh.

"Oh… yes, you are right, of course… huh… is there something particular you have in mind?"

Sunny nodded.

"As a matter of fact, I do."

With that, he pulled an amulet in the form of an anvil from the folds of his kimono and handed it to Noctis. This was the charm Master Welthe had worn in the Night Temple to protect herself from Mordret… after her death, the small talisman remained in his possession, revealing that it was not a Memory, but an actual object.

Considering its shape and the fame of the great clan Valor, especially when it came to forging weapons and tools, it was not hard to imagine how the charm came to be. However… that did not mean that Sunny understood how it worked.

And he really, really needed to.

Cassie was immune to Mordret's possession due to her blindness, and Sunny himself was protected by the army of shadows contained within his soul. Kai and Effie, however… when he imagined his friends meeting the Prince of Nothing, his blood turned cold.

"I want you to make something similar to this."

Noctis received that talisman and studied it with a curious smile. Slowly, however, the smile disappeared from his face. His grey eyes glinted with a strange emotion, and he said in a neutral tone:

"...Where did you get this?"

Sunny shrugged.

"Of an enemy's corpse. Well… more or less. Why?"

small anvil for a bit more,

me, and by someone far more powerful than I am. Which is a real feat, mind you, considering how mighty and talented

a frown,

'Someone… far more powerful?'

a couple

the talisman to ward off his son personally? Just how dreadful the

a bit, then

think of something else. We will discuss

to the sacred tree, then continued to

don't let your imagination run too wild. I am but a humble sorcerer, you know, not an actual deity… I only look like one... ah,

the other members of the cohort and

to visit another of the humble sorcerer's

***

the giant chain that swayed lightly, suspended between two skies — one blue and full

walking. Kai was levitating above the links of the ancient chain, while Effie was sitting comfortably on Sunny's shoulders. In fact, the

would have been outraged and shaken the fiendish child awake,

about the creature they were about to face… no, his mind was still on the

cohort was going to have to remain without any defense against the Prince of Nothing…

the charm to Kai,

thoughts, the little girl suddenly

loud, will you? I can't sleep! What has gotten you

few moments, then shared his concerns. Both Cassie and

…Effie, however, seemed unconcerned.

this a problem… just give it

holding Effie's skinny

you afraid of being

The little girl grimaced.

guys overestimate that Mordret guy

silent, looking at her with doubt. Not dangerous? The hundred Lost warriors, two Ascended knights, and the whole of the northern reach of the Kingdom of

She shook her head.

guy can mirror the Aspect of

Effie snorted.

doesn't have six cores anymore. He only has one… maybe two or three, if he was very diligent and managed to create new ones. Doesn't really matter. Point is, he sacrificed his personal power to create five mirror monsters, which made the overall threat he represents far greater, but the danger to