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."

opposite her

or five years, and had his First Nightmare when he was

paused, and said

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

appeared on Neph's face, she

"...Thank you."

she lingered for a moment

Memory in your

Sunny smiled darkly.

the cathedral in the Dark City, on an

Star tilted her head

mind telling

He laughed.

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

a hint of longing and pain reflecting in her

want to take it from me? All you have to do is to

stared at him for 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

grew silent, and

It is… too powerful to be used lightly. At

hesitated for a few moments, then

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

at her, then

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

silent for a while, and then smiled with the corner of

smile, however, her eyes

for much longer than

let out a long sigh,

They are your next targets,

nodded silently, prompting him to

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? The former members

looking at him intensely.