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."

sat down opposite her and shook

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

and said with

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

emotion appeared on

"...Thank you."

she lingered for a

the Divine Memory in your possession

Sunny smiled darkly.

But I'll tell you anyway… I found it below the cathedral in the Dark City, on an ancient corpse that turned to dust as soon as I took the mask from

Star tilted her

mind telling me

He laughed.

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

sudden silence settled in the dark chamber. Nephis looked at him, a hint of longing and pain reflecting in her striking eyes.

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

at him for a long time, then silently

Sunny's grin turned somber.

a curse. By now, we both should have a good sense about such things…

grew silent,

It is… too powerful to be used lightly. At least by the likes of

for a few

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

her, then

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

silent for a while, and then smiled with

however, her eyes remained calm

for much longer than that, Sunny.

a long sigh, then looked

So… Aster, Song, Vale. They are your

silently, prompting him

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

looking at him intensely.