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."

opposite her and shook his

I thought so too. But neither of us was the first. It was Mordret, instead. He is older than us by four or five years,

said

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

emotion appeared on Neph's face, she

"...Thank you."

for a moment and

you mind telling me where the Divine Memory

Sunny smiled darkly.

the cathedral in the Dark City, on an ancient corpse that

tilted her head a

you mind telling

He laughed.

you... it can reverse one's

at him, a hint of longing and pain reflecting in her striking

from me? All you have to do is to say the word.

time, then silently turned away

Sunny's grin turned somber.

No matter what, the Flaw is still a curse. By now, we both should have a good sense about such things… chances are, the new curse would be more

grew silent, and then

other ways. It is… too powerful to be used lightly. At least by

few moments, then gritted her

be liberated from my Flaw. I don't

at her, then shook

of despair would have made you a little smarter. But you are still clinging to your

while, and then smiled with the

her eyes remained

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

out a long sigh,

So… Aster, Song, Vale. They are your next

nodded silently, prompting him

I went ahead and did some digging of my own. Aster,

again, looking at