Shadow Slave

After a long time spent in comfortable silence, Sunny glanced at Nephis, thought for a few moments, and asked:

"So, what do you make of this place?"

The other members of the cohort all had a deep connection to the Chained Isles. Sunny and Cassie had spent the most time here, but Effie and Kai were also deeply tied to the remains of the Kingdom of Hope. Their experiences in the Nightmare were not something one could ever forget. It was a place that had changed them.

Nephis, on the other hand, was a stranger here. She could look at the Chained Isles as an outsider. So, he was idly curious about her perspective..

Neph lingered for a while, then said quietly:

"It is as everywhere else. Broken."

Sunny smiled.

"I guess. The Chained Isles are more honest in that regard, aren't they? They don't hide their broken nature."

Indeed, the Dream Realm was a ruined world. ...The waking world was a ruin, too. And the young woman standing next to him was the Star of Ruin. A fitting name for someone born of two broken worlds.

He sighed.

"Still, I thought you would have more of an opinion. Don't you feel a connection to this land?"

Nephis glanced at him with a bit of confusion.

"Why would I?"

Sunny shrugged.

"Well, the Kingdom of Hope was destroyed by Sun God. He brought his fire down, and obliterated it. You are the inheritor of that fire, are you not? Sun God's blood is flowing through your veins. So, in a sense, you are the last descendant of the being who brought ruin to this land."

Nephis remained silent for a while, then smiled.

"I see. Yes, it would make sense for me to feel a connection to Sun God. But, actually... in this case, I feel more connected to Hope."

Sunny raised an eyebrow.

"Hope? The wicked demon who spent a thousand years twisting the minds of everyone living in the ruins, driving them insane, and causing all kinds of unspeakable, abhorrent evil? The vile queen of madness, that Hope?"

head a little. She lingered for a

that belonged to her destroyed by an impossible foe. Who remained chained for a thousand years, but never

Sunny hid his smile.

it like that... actually, I'm rather fond of Hope, too. I met her

usually calm expression crack

met Hope? The Demon of

Sunny nodded.

Nightmare, I entered the Tower and saw her, for a few fleeting moments.

for a

the gods. I'm not sure what she meant, though. I always assumed

then turned away and looked

then they were no more. It doesn't make a

silent for a

also have to pay a price to use his power? Did he

at the distant stars with a

gods could die, so

slowly,

hope he suffered

returned to the Ivory Island. The sun was disappearing beyond the horizon, and the crescent moon became visible in the twilight sky. The five of them gathered on the shore of the clear lake, in front of a bonfire,

Effie, Kai... the shadows moved as the fire danced, painting them in shades of orange and grey. They seemed rested and relaxed.

head to look at the lake, where the flying ship swayed gently on

We still haven't come up with a name for

him with confusion.

"Oh!"

He thought for

"How about Sky Swimmer?"

gave him a measured look,

"What?"

He shook his head.

any attention. I just think I understand now how your

and Nephis

"What's wrong with Night&Gale?"

an

Sunny smiled crookedly.

name. Still, Sky Swimmer? Doesn't sound too