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

thought so too. 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

paused, and said with a

mother died. Oh… your mother is fine,

a hint of emotion appeared on Neph's face,

"...Thank you."

lingered for a

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

Sunny smiled darkly.

But I'll tell you anyway… I found it below the cathedral in the Dark City, on an

tilted her head a

you mind telling me what

He laughed.

you...

him, a hint of longing and pain reflecting in her

to do is to say the word. It's not like I can

at him for a long time, then silently

Sunny's grin turned somber.

will save you from the pain? It won't. The Mask does not nullify the Flaw, it just reverses it. 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 terrible than the old. Right now, you have

grew silent, and then

ways. It is… too powerful to

a few

my Flaw. I don't need a

stared at her, then shook

of despair would have made you

at him, remained silent for a while, and then smiled with the

the smile, however, her eyes remained calm

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

sigh, then looked to the

Vale. They

silently, prompting

did some digging of my own. Aster, Song and Vale are Asterion, Ki Song, and Anvil of Valor, correct? The former members

nodded again, looking at