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

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 Divine

paused, and said with a

the time my mother died. Oh… your mother is fine, by the way. Cassie and I visited her from time to time, while you were

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

Sunny smiled darkly.

tell you anyway… I found it below the cathedral in the Dark City, on an ancient corpse

her head a

you mind telling me what it

He laughed.

I'll tell you... it can

at him, a hint of longing

All you have to do

at him for a long time, then

Sunny's grin turned somber.

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 to burn yourself alive every

grew silent, and then

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

for a few moments,

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

at her, then shook

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

silent for a while, and

smile, however, her eyes remained

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

out a long sigh, then looked

They are your next targets, aren't

nodded silently, prompting

and did some digging of my own. Aster, Song and

at him