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.

little about what kind of enemies you fought. The speed at which your Aspect Legacy progressed told me how hard you were

shifted, and

it. Things… things like that. Oh… and I was bored often. While my journey was often full

him, lingered for a moment,

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

Then, he looked away

counseling already? I mean, that

and did

a bit,

of time staring

looked at

am... unsatisfied with the fact that you are so far ahead of me. Every time you gained a soul fragment, it urged me to try and get two. The stronger you grew, the more I wanted to become stronger,

at Nephis with a slightly bitter

Every time, I fell short. It did not feel nice at all. But it also

face for a few moments, and then shook

I suspect that

Sunny smiled.

result matters. In the end, a person is either strong, or they are weak. The stronger ones will always trample those who are weaker. Isn't that

down, then slowly

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.

Sunny grimaced.

question. Can you