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

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 I was around

paused, and said with

of it, he probably became a Sleeper around the time my mother died. Oh… your mother is

a hint of emotion appeared on Neph's face,

"...Thank you."

for

you mind telling me where the Divine Memory

Sunny smiled darkly.

you anyway… I found it below the cathedral in the Dark City,

her head

you mind telling me what

He laughed.

you... it

in the dark chamber. Nephis looked at him, a hint

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

a long time, then silently turned away and did

Sunny's grin turned somber.

save you from the pain? 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

silent, and

can also kill you in many other ways. It is… too powerful to be used lightly. At least by the likes of

a few moments, then gritted her

my Flaw. I don't

her, then

the same… you did not change at all. I thought that two year of despair would have made you a little smarter. But you are still clinging to your

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

her eyes remained calm

much longer than that, Sunny. Why would I

sigh, then

Song, Vale. They

nodded silently, prompting him

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

at