Shadow Slave

Sunny had done it. He had dismantled Dire Fang's astonishing battle style, and peered into the very essence of it. The core of the Saint's combat technique was laid bare, with all its components — the body, the mind, and the soul — revealed to Sunny with stark clarity.

With that knowledge, he could predict what Dire Fang would do.

He could even perform some of the same things despite the difference in their Aspects and physiques.

And armed with that understanding, Sunny finally realized…

That there was no way for them to win. The fearsome Saint was just too powerful, skilled, and intelligent. He held the outcome of the battle in a firm grasp, biding his time until the perfect opportunity inevitably presented itself.

And their own strength was not enough to change that outcome.

Even if Sunny knew that a strike was coming, he would not necessarily be fast enough to dodge it. Even if he knew the enemy's intent, he would not be strong enough to survive it.

And neither would Nephis.

At least if their level of strength, already unthinkable for mere Masters, remained the same.

...But it did not have to, did it?

[Do you trust me?]

'What a loaded question.'

Sunny had his reasons, but it was true that he had gone against Neph's wishes in pretty much every instance where it mattered. He had abandoned her in the Dark City, refused to leave her in the Crimson Spire, and then fled from her again at the grand ball of Clan Valor.

Just to end up by her side anyway.

and a bit sad, but most of all… Sunny wasn't sure if she did actually trust him. He wasn't even sure if he himself would

was true

could see, that was their only chance to emerge

[I do.]

...What?

calm answer

It startled him.

'Huh…'

managed to get out of the way of a stream of billowing white flame that covered his

makes things

called upon a certain Memory, and sent Nephis a

five seconds… give it all

for the Memory to manifest itself. It was not a

against a

Shell and augmented both by his shadows and Neph's flame, he could feel the terrible strain of the battle slowly breaking his body

a bad state, and would only continue

had

into the furious crucible of battle. Dire Fang's massive body moved with dreadful speed, each of his limbs posing a fatal

blows unleashed by the

he did

Exactly five seconds later…

Solace aimed at Dire Fang's neck. The Saint easily dodged it and retaliated

pained scream and was thrown backward, in the direction where Nephis was rising from her knees. Sunny landed on his feet and struggled to maintain his balance

of them were standing,

the enemy from two sides. Worse than that… they were both in the single line of attack now, Nephis hidden behind

Fang's bestial eyes