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."

down opposite her and

is older than us by four or five years, and had his First Nightmare when he was twelve.

paused, and said with a bitter

mother died. Oh… your mother is fine, by the way. Cassie and I visited

on

"...Thank you."

she lingered for a moment and

me where the Divine Memory in

Sunny smiled darkly.

the cathedral in the Dark City, on

her head a

telling me what it

He laughed.

tell you...

at him, a hint of

you have to do is to say the word. It's not

him for a long time, then silently turned away and did not say

Sunny's grin turned somber.

such things… chances are, the new curse would be more terrible than the old. Right

grew silent,

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

a few moments, then

is fine. I don't need to be liberated from my Flaw. I don't need a

at her, then

change at all. I thought that two year of despair

silent for a while, and then smiled

her eyes remained calm and

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

let out a long sigh, then looked to the

Vale. They are your

nodded silently, prompting him

of my own.

at him