Shadow Slave

Eventually, Sunny and Nephis ended up in his underground dojo. Changing Star looked around, her gaze lingering on the racks of training weapons and the deactivated sleeping pod that stood forlornly in its alcove, all but forgotten by its former occupant.

After a few moments of silence, she asked:

"Do you make use of all these weapons?"

Sunny glanced at the training equipment, lingered for a moment, then shook his head.

"Yes and no. In the past two years, I did expand my repertoire to include all kinds of sharp implements. But I practice with something better."

He was still most confident when wielding swords akin to Azure Blade, Midnight Shard, and his serpentine odachi. His proficiency with spears was also quite high, and he was steadily improving his archery skill. However, while Sunny had learned enough to feel comfortable with other types of weapons as well, he had a long way to go before truly mastering them.

Nephis nodded thoughtfully.

"Do you use the... Soul Serpent?"

Sunny stared at her for a moment, then looked away.

"Yes."

He was reminded of the Shadow Bond that connected them. Beyond its main function, it also allowed Sunny to peer into some of Changing Star's secrets. However, she was able to learn a lot of his, as well.

Sunny had suspected that this was the case from the very start, but now those suspicions were confirmed.

He remained silent for a few moments, then suddenly grinned.

"Were you surprised?"

Nephis looked at him, hesitated for a moment, and said:

"I was. Very... very much."

She sighed, sat down on the floor, and crossed her legs.

"I always knew that you were extraordinary. I just didn't… didn't think that you possessed a Divine Aspect, too. To be honest, I thought that I was the first."

sat down opposite her and shook his

But neither of us was the first. It was Mordret, instead. He is older than us by four or five years, and had his First Nightmare when he was twelve. So… he received a

said

to think of it, he probably became a Sleeper around the time my mother died. Oh… your mother is fine, by the way. Cassie and I visited her from time to time, while

a hint of emotion appeared on Neph's face, she

"...Thank you."

lingered for a

telling me where the Divine Memory in your possession came from? The… Weaver's

Sunny smiled darkly.

I mind? I do. But I'll tell you anyway… I found it below the cathedral in the Dark City, on an ancient corpse that turned to dust as soon as I took

tilted her

telling me what it

He laughed.

you... it

settled in the dark chamber. Nephis looked at him, a hint

to do is to say the

a long time, then silently

Sunny's grin turned somber.

things… chances are, the new curse would be more terrible than

silent,

too powerful to

a few moments, then gritted her

Flaw. I don't need a powerful Memory to uplift me. I…

stared at her, then shook

that two year of despair would have made you a little smarter. But you are still clinging to your deranged dreams, aren't

while, and then

the smile, however, her eyes remained calm

No… I've been desperate for much longer than that,

a long sigh, then looked to the

Vale. They are your next targets, aren't

silently, prompting him

digging of my own. Aster, Song and Vale

looking at him intensely.