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 shook

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

said with

around the time my mother died. Oh… your mother is fine, by the way. Cassie and I

of emotion appeared on

"...Thank you."

lingered for a

the Divine Memory in

Sunny smiled darkly.

the cathedral in the Dark

her head a

mind telling

He laughed.

not? I'll tell you... it can reverse one's

the dark chamber. Nephis looked at him, a hint of longing and pain

from me? All you have to do is to

time, then silently turned

Sunny's grin turned somber.

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 to burn yourself alive every time you actively use your Aspect. With the help of the Mask, you would most likely be burning without reprieve, forever, unless you

silent, and

It is… too powerful to be

few moments, then

is fine. I don't need to be liberated from my Flaw. I don't need a powerful Memory to uplift me. I… I myself

at her,

I thought that two year of despair would have

remained silent for a while, and then

the smile, however, her eyes

longer than that, Sunny.

out a long sigh, then

Song, Vale. They are your next

nodded silently, prompting him

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

again, looking at him