Shadow Slave

'Wind Flower...'

So Cassie was right. Wind Flower was the True Name of the mysterious Saint in front of him, and after the memories of the original master of the island - Aletheia - had disappeared from the memory of the River People, they started calling this place after its current resident. In time, even that knowledge was erased by time and the collapse of the River People civilization. All that remained was a name that had lost all meaning.

Everyone who remembered Wind Flower were gone, and yet, the person to whom that name belonged remained. Trapped in a dream that lay in the heart of Aletheia's Island. However...

Sunny was caught by surprise because of something else the beautiful Saint said. He suppressed the desire to take another step back, frowned, and said tensely:

"I am asking because I don't know, and I am here in hope of finding a way to escape this island. But... again? Why did you say that I am here again?"

Wind Flower studied his face for a few moments, still smiling. Her gaze lingered at the Crown of Twilight, then shifted away.

Letting out a melodious chuckle, she walked to a beautiful porcelain vase and put the bouquet of wild flowers she had been holding inside. Then, she let out a sigh.

"I see. This is our first meeting. How exciting!"

Sunny was not convinced. Why would Wind Flower act as though she had recognized him? It could only mean one of two things...

He hesitated for a moment.

"Are you not affected by the loop?"

She shrugged.

"My body is, but my consciousness isn't. Here in this dream palace, I am free to live my days in peace."

Her smile dimmed a little, and a hint of darkness appeared in her beautiful azure eyes.

"I must admit, though... young man, you have rather poor manners. Not only have you intruded upon a lady's dream without an invitation, but you've also neglected to introduce yourself. I feel at a disadvantage."

Sunny coughed.

"Ah... please accept my sincere apology, Saint Wind Flower. I'm not exactly familiar with the etiquette of visiting people's dreams. My name is Sunless."

'If she is not beholden to the loop...'

Then she had indeed met Sunny before. Which, of course, was impossible - this was definitely his first time entering the... the Dream Palace where Wind Flower's soul resided.

Aletheia's Island than he had suspected, somehow losing his memories of becoming aware

madman had visited the island in the past. But why? And what had he spoken with Wind Flower about? What was

was so mysterious!

Was

He hesitated.

beautiful Saint, meanwhile, looked at him in

Flower? Why do you

Sunny blinked.

'Right...'

had conquered the Third Nightmare and Transcended. A native

He scratched his head.

people call Transcendents. A...

Wind Flower smiled.

see. Well, Sunless... it is very nice to meet you. You are the second person to visit me in all this time. Very few beings possess the ability

Sunny nodded.

possess such an Ability. It's

into the corner where Nightmare was hiding among the shadows. Her

Terror as a steed. You must be quite powerful to have the loyalty of such a creature, Sunless. And

moment, then briefly touched the Crown

know what the Crown of Twilight was because

He asked cautiously:

it,

Saint studied him for a while, a small smile playing

Then, she laughed.

King, is my father. Or rather, he was... considering that you are

for Sunny. He stared at the beautiful Saint...

I am

Wind Flower, and knowing that there was blood between them only made that wariness grow. Who would want to stand in front of a mysterious, partially Corrupted Saint after

Corruption himself by the time Sunny killed him,

had people even been

'Wait a minute...'

what she had said. Wind Flower easily identified the Crown of Dawn as a Memory... which meant that she knew about the Spell. Was its carrier, most

Sunny's eyes narrowed.

course she

one of the River People. Instead, she was a challenger of this Nightmare, just like Sunny. No, not quite... only Masters could challenge the Third Nightmare. And since she was a Saint, she had either achieved Transcendence inside the Tomb of Ariel... or had come inside with her