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

years, and had

paused, and said with

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 you

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

"...Thank you."

lingered for a moment and

you mind telling me where the Divine Memory in your possession came from? The…

Sunny smiled darkly.

I do. But I'll tell you anyway… I found it below the cathedral in the Dark City, on an ancient corpse that turned

tilted her head a

you mind telling

He laughed.

I'll tell you... it

Nephis looked at him, a hint of longing and pain reflecting in her striking eyes.

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

for a long time, then silently turned away and did

Sunny's grin turned somber.

still a curse. By now, we both should have a good sense about such things… chances are, the new

silent, and then

also kill you in many other ways. It is… too powerful to

for a few moments, then gritted

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

her, then shook

you did not change at all. I thought that two year of despair would

silent for a while, and then smiled with the

however, her eyes remained

longer than that, Sunny. Why would I change

out a long sigh, then looked to the

They are your next targets, aren't

prompting him to

once that just knowing these words can get a person killed. However, I went ahead and did some digging of my

again, looking at