Shadow Slave

Soon, two bowls of delicious steaming ramen were on the table in front of them. Sunny had never invited anyone to taste his ramen, but he was quite pleased with the result.

His past of only eating synthpaste seemed so distant that he did not even want to remember it.

Both dug in and finished their portions in record time. Sunny drank the last of the fragrant broth and let out a delighted sigh. Nephis acted more reserved, but he could feel that she was very satisfied, too.

Putting the bowl away, Changing Star smiled slightly and looked at him. A hesitant expression appeared on her face.

A few moments later, she suddenly said:

"Be that as it may… while I was lost and wandering the Dream Realm, slowly forgetting what it felt like to be human… there was one thing I clung to that reminded me that all my prior life had not been just a dream. Do you know what it was?"

Sunny thought for a bit, then shrugged.

"I don't know. A Memory? Your sword, Dreamblade?"

She lingered for a few moments, then slowly shook her head.

"No. It was… you."

Sunny froze and stared at her with surprise.

"Huh?"

Nephis smiled slightly.

I could still feel connected to you through the runes. I could see that you were still out there, alive, and doing incredible things. The new Memories you received told me a little about what kind of enemies you fought. The speed at which your Aspect Legacy progressed told me how hard you were working to sharpen your battle skill. As long as I saw the runes, I knew that

shifted, and

Memory looked like, how you defeated it. Things… things like that. Oh… and I was bored often.

him, lingered for a moment, and

Still. I wanted to say… thank you. You helped me a lot, Sunny. You made it easier for me to keep

suddenly uncomfortable. Then, he looked

not received counseling already? I mean, that doesn't sound like

and

remained silent for a bit, and then forced himself

time

looked at

was... I am... unsatisfied with the fact that you are so far ahead of me. Every time you

glanced at Nephis with a slightly bitter

to catch up to you. Every time, I fell short. It did not feel nice at all. But it also forced me

few moments, and then shook her

fragments. You know that. Even though I am still ahead, I

Sunny smiled.

for the effort. Only the result matters. In the end, a person is either strong, or they are weak.

then

wrong. I think. Results matter, yes… but it's not like how you got there doesn't. Every victory you achieve teaches you a lesson. Every defeat you suffer teaches you even more. I guess it all depends on what you

Sunny grimaced.

Can