Shadow Slave

Soon, the narrow street they were walking on made way for a small lot. Spaces like these were not rare in the outskirts, since no one really bothered with city planning here. The mess of streets and alleys grew chaotically, with many of them being nothing but an accidental result of tall buildings, factories, and massive human hives being constructed in close proximity to each other.

As a result, there were plenty of random gaps like this one around. What made the empty lot special, however, was that it had somehow turned into a small park. Greenery was exceedingly rare in the outskirts, which made the park especially precious.

The modest space in front of them was currently covered by dirty snow, but come spring, patches of real grass were going to appear from beneath it. There were a few bushes, a frozen pond, and a lonely tree that somehow clung to life despite all reason. Currently, it stood bare and dark, devoid of the bright crown of its leaves.

The park was surrounded by tall buildings, making it seem as if it was situated on the bottom of a deep well. Sparse sunlight fell on the tree from far above, illuminating its thin branches and the grey snowflakes that swirled in the air around them. There were several clean pathways through the snow, as well as a few damaged and vandalized benches here and there.

Several people were sitting on the benches, enjoying a quiet moment of respite. They gave the young woman dressed in white and the young man dressed in black uneasy looks.

Nephis studied the park for a few moments, then glanced at Sunny:

"Aren't you wary that something can happen?"

He took a look at her, then at himself. Both were obviously out of place, considering their physical appearance and expensive clothes. Everything about them screamed of wealth, status, and citizenship.

Sunny doubted that the inhabitants of the outskirts would recognize them as Ascended, but they would inevitably come to the conclusion that the strangers were rich.

He shrugged.

"What can happen? Even if some idiots decide to try and rob us, the worst they can do is shoot at us with cheap firearms. I doubt that their bullets can bruise our skin, let alone penetrate it."

One would have to use a heavy assault vehicle with state-of-the-art magnetic cannon, or better yet a spelltech armament, to leave a small scratch on the body of a Master. Even then, landing a shot would not be easy.

Nephis shook her head.

not worried about us. I'm

Sunny smiled.

outskirt rats are good at, it's self-preservation. Anyone can see that both of us are killers. They'll

Star gave him

moments later, she

what is the

lingered for a moment,

already. So I thought I would bring

Nephis raised an eyebrow.

your mother

Sunny nodded.

"She is. Come…"

toward the tree, knowing that Neph would follow. As they approached, Sunny sighed and

people in the outskirts don't get to have a burial, so there are no graves, either. Space is a precious commodity… energy and fuel are, too. Human remains are usually dissolved, and then discarded. Still, it is nice to have a special place to remember them by. This tree is such a place

the tree, a distant

Taking Nephis along was just an afterthought. He had decided that showing her the hidden side of the

the tree, Nephis studied it for a while, and

"There are three lines."

looked at

"What?"

the bottom of the

a third

for a moment, then