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

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 Aspect when you were around eight, and I

said with a

to think of it, 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 were

hint of emotion appeared on

"...Thank you."

she lingered for

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

Sunny smiled darkly.

cathedral in the Dark City, on

tilted her head

you mind telling me

He laughed.

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

looked at him, a hint

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

time, then silently turned away and did not say

Sunny's grin turned somber.

now, we both should have a good sense about such things… chances are, the new curse would be

grew silent,

It is… too powerful to

a few

from my Flaw. I don't need a powerful Memory to uplift me. I… I

stared at her, then

the same… you did not change at all. I thought that two year of despair would have

for a while, and then smiled

smile, however, her eyes

I've been desperate for much longer than that, Sunny. Why would I

long sigh, then looked to

Aster, Song, Vale. They are your

nodded silently, prompting him to

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

again, looking at him intensely. Sunny