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

But neither of us was the first. It was Mordret, instead. He is older than us by four or five years,

paused, and said with a

around the time my mother died. Oh… your mother is

hint of emotion appeared on Neph's face,

"...Thank you."

she lingered for a

me where the Divine Memory

Sunny smiled darkly.

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

Star tilted her

mind telling me what

He laughed.

I'll tell you... it can reverse one's

a hint of longing and pain reflecting in her striking eyes. Sunny

me? All you have to

time, then silently turned away and did not

Sunny's grin turned somber.

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

grew silent,

can also kill you in many other ways. It is… too powerful to be used lightly.

a few

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

her,

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

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

smile, however, her eyes remained calm

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

let out a long sigh, then

They are

nodded silently, prompting

me once that just knowing these words can get a person killed. However, I went ahead and did some digging of my own. Aster, Song and Vale are Asterion, Ki Song, and Anvil of Valor, correct?

again, looking at him intensely. Sunny