Shadow Slave

Sunny grinned behind the mask.

«What can I say? I wasn't always a recluse.»

She contemplated for a few moments, and eventually nodded.

«Alright. Then, my next question. Let's presume that you are correct, and I do, indeed, harbor such an interest. But what about you? What is your reason?»

Sunny chuckled.

«Would you believe me if I said that my reason is exactly the same as yours?»

Nephis thought for a moment, then shook her head.

«Not really.»

He tilted his head a little.

«Well, fair enough. It's not. In truth, I don't have as great a grudge against the Sovereigns as you do. I do despise them a great deal, true, but to answer your question… I guess it has to do with what I desire.»

She pierced him with a heavy gaze.

«And what is it that you desire, Lord Shadow?»

He laughed coldly.

«Oh, nothing much. A nice house with a scenic view, somewhere warm and pleasant, Tasty meals and good company. Enough money for a comfortable life. Safety and well-being… stuff like that.»

Nephis blinked a couple of times. She seemed quite surprised by that answer.

«You live in a dark temple in the middle of a Death Zone, surrounded by dreadful Nightmare Creatures. But all you desire… is a nice house and tasty food?»

Sunny stared at her emotionlessly.

«Don't forget the good company.»

He paused, then added evenly:

«You might think that it's a simple wish, Lady Nephis. But that is the thing… in this world we live in, even a simple wish like that is insurmountable. One would have to be a god to live without worries. No. Actually, even becoming a god might not be enough.»

She frowned.

do with your

silent for

spoke, his voice sounded dark and

world where I live, while not possessing enough competence to keep it safe. Their methods, their callousness, and their hubris are both

Sunny shook his head.

my fate. I would rather have the power to make such decisions for

signaling to Nephis that he

took a deep breath and

ignited in her eyes, and a faint smile appeared on her

alliances with all kinds of other people.

for

was he

you are

question in her eyes, he added

runic languages of the Dream Realm, relying on the Spell to do the translating for them. If they did,

smiled, hiding behind the motionless

ruin and misfortune, but also opportunity. We live in a time of great upheaval, and is there a better person to forge an alliance with than someone who is fated to be at the

He chuckled.

if I place you in my debt. A common enemy, a shared fate, and a little bit of leverage… is the perfect foundation for a lasting

speaking and looked at Kai. The charming archer

should

Nephis did not

directly at

«You are lying.»

He frowned, taken aback.

pause, Sunny said in an

Nightingale just confirmed that

her head

what you are doing, Lord Shadow. You are not telling me everything… which is fine. I don't need to know all

remained silent

«Damn it.»

had she not

he sighed and

then allowed the mask of indifference the Lord

that people like me are born to destroy things, not build them. That this world needs killers and destroyers more than it needs saviors and

hiding

killing. However… you know, there are people building things all over the Dream Realm today. There is a young girl building a road somewhere in the Song Domain right now. Elsewhere in the Sword Domain, a young father is developing a farm to feed his wife and child.

and