Shadow Slave

The news of Changing Star's return spread across the world like wildfire. The network practically exploded with an endless amount of discussions. Everyone wanted to share their excitement and celebrate the homecoming of the young hero who, without a doubt, was going to become one of the most powerful champions of humanity soon.

While exaggerated, the reaction of both mundane humans and Awakened alike was easy to understand. In this dark and fragile world that balanced on the verge of destruction, everyone longed for something to illuminate their lives and chase their fears away. Everyone desperately searched for hope.

Thinking about it, Sunny couldn't help but remember the description of Neph's Aspect. Light Bringer…

[You are a creature of light that was banished and doomed to exist in the darkness. You bring radiance and warmth to wherever you go, but with it comes indescribable longing.]

Was hope the longing it talked about? Longing was just another word for desire, after all…

In any case, the government had long used Nephis to satiate that desire. They had constructed an uplifting narrative around the events of the Forgotten Shore and made her the linchpin of the story.

No matter how much Sunny hated the abhorrent movie adaptation that had been rushed through production soon after their Awakening, he had to admit that it was a sign of how deeply the survivors of the Dreamer Army and their leader had affected the public.

To be fair, the government had not needed to work too hard to turn Changing Star into an iconic figure. Her achievements had truly been singular and remarkable. Her perceived martyrdom had truly been compelling.

What was more, Nephis had inherited an already established and powerful legend simply on account of her birthright. Her grandfather was the first human to conquer the Second Nightmare and become a Master. Her father was the first to conquer the Third and become a Saint. Both of them were great warriors, pioneers, and revered heroes of humanity.

…And now, she had joined their ranks by becoming the first human to Ascend directly from being a Sleeper.

Considering all that, he was not surprised to see how intensely people reacted to the news. Already, there were a lot of discussions on the network predicting that Changing Star would inevitably become the first to conquer the Fourth Nightmare and push humanity one step closer to salvation, as her parents and grandfather had done.

If only they knew…

If only they knew that Sovereigns had already given up on their world, and that very soon, hundreds of millions of people would probably die for it.

And that the hero they were praising had much grander ambitions.

Nightmare? No, that was too trivial for Changing Star of the Immortal Flame clan. She was going to conquer all Nightmares. She was

if the waking world had to burn as the

around with panicked expressions and most of the waiting crowd dissipated, Sunny found himself leaving the group and walking away to find something to eat. Morgan of Valor had left some time ago, so he did not

negotiations ended up never happening. I

himself to swallow some food. A few years ago, he would have been ecstatic to be able to feast on high-quality food like that. But now, he did not even feel the taste of various dishes. They

nearby and landed on a chair near him.

minds think alike,

of a small cake, then swallowed it entirely and said with

when Nephis wakes up. You know, in case she becomes... agitated

Sunny silently nodded.

Effie sighed.

believe that she just went and Ascended… well, I can actually. It is still amazing, though! Neph must have one hell of a crazy story to tell. It might even be more unbelievable than our

then put a spoonful of something mildly spicy

for a while, then suddenly

with their first and best friend, you don't look too happy,

Sunny glanced at her.

that we are

Effie scoffed.

I know how you feel about Nephis, and how

He grimaced.

can

eyes, hesitated for a while,

stronger than her. I really, really tried. And to be honest, I

huntress looked at him with a

were in such a hurry

leaned back and