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

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 his First Nightmare when he was twelve. So… he received a Divine Aspect when you were around eight, and

and said

became a Sleeper around the time my mother died. Oh… your mother is

of emotion appeared on Neph's face,

"...Thank you."

for a moment and

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

Sunny smiled darkly.

I mind? I do. 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

tilted her

you mind telling me what

He laughed.

tell you... it can

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

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

long time, then silently

Sunny's grin turned somber.

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

grew silent, and then

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

for a few moments,

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

stared at her, then shook

not change at all. I thought that two year of despair would

looked at him, remained silent for a while, and then smiled with the corner of her

the smile, however, her

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

sigh, then looked

Vale. They are your next targets, aren't

nodded silently, prompting him

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? The former members of

at him