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?"

for a bit more, and then shook his head

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

a frown, and then

'Someone… far more powerful?'

a

son personally? Just how dreadful the

then hid the little

discuss it after

waved a hand and turned back to the

humble sorcerer, you know, not an actual deity… I only look

then gestured to the other members of the cohort and turned

was time to visit another of the humble sorcerer's

***

walking across the giant chain that swayed lightly, suspended between two skies — one blue and full of light, the other black

above the links of the ancient chain, while Effie was sitting comfortably on Sunny's shoulders. In fact, the little girl was fast asleep… and drooling

fiendish child awake, but right now, he was too preoccupied with

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

to have to remain without any defense against the Prince of Nothing… and now, Sunny had to decide

he going to give the charm to Kai,

reading his thoughts, the little girl suddenly shifted, then yawned and opened her

loud, will you? I can't

Cassie and Kai listened, as well, their faces turning as grim as

…Effie, however, seemed unconcerned.

How is this a problem… just give it to Kai, you

holding Effie's skinny legs to prevent her from falling off, and

afraid of being consumed

The little girl grimaced.

that Mordret guy a lot. He's not that

dangerous? The hundred Lost warriors, two Ascended knights, and the whole of the northern reach of the Kingdom of Hope

She shook her head.

Sea, that guy can mirror the Aspect

Effie snorted.

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 one's