Shadow Slave

Cassie was waiting for him near the same toppled tower as the last time. She was just as ethereally beautiful as the last time, too, bathed in moonlight and standing on the edge of tranquil water.

However, the atmosphere of their meeting was different today.

It was more… familiar, somehow. Perhaps even friendly.

When Sunny emerged from the lake, Cassie smiled faintly.

«Sunny.»

He brushed his wet hair back and smiled, as well.

«Lady Cassia.»

She shook her head lightly.

«It feels unfair that you are still maintaining decorum after insisting that I should be more informal. Call me Cassie, please.»

He hesitated for a few moments, then nodded.

«Alright, Cassie. Shall we go? I am hoping to explore as much of the mirror labyrinth as possible tonight.»

She nodded and offered him her small hand.

Sunny took it and pulled them both into the shadows, teleporting straight to the underground chamber they had discovered before, This time, there was no need for her to guide him deep into the ruins of the Castle, erasing the memories of the Knights patrolling it.

The chamber had not changed at all, which was a relief. Sunny vividly remembered the warning Cassie had given him about the Others, so he was wary of the beings that lived inside the mirrors in the former stronghold of the Demon of Imagination.

Summoning the Shadow Lantern, he drowned the maze in shadows without wasting any time. Soon after, Sunny and Cassie continued to explore the labyrinth.

«This place is vast…»

They had wandered it for hours the last time, and were not making any noticeable progress tonight. Slowly, Sunny was starting to grow wary.

He remembered the Nightmare Desert and the black pyramid standing at its center. No matter how long one walked across the white dunes, the pyramid never drew closer… was there some sort of trickery preventing him from reaching the heart of the labyrinth, as well?

They walked in silence for a while, but quickly grew bored of it.

Eventually, Cassie spoke:

«I must admit, Master Sunless… Sunny, You are a fascinating man.»

He raised an eyebrow.

«I am?»

seer

when we first met. But knowing it and witnessing it in person are two different things. That stunt you pulled with poor

Sunny coughed quietly.

he

quiet for a few moments,

thinking… gods, I want to

a

«I… guess.»

Sunny grinned.

our favor, didn't it? We wanted everyone to get the wrong impression about the nature of

Cassie exhaled slowly.

little bit too

He glanced at her.

at

blind seer did not find what to answer. She remained silent for a while, then

Then, here is your true body, the Lord of Shadows. Meeting him in person was quite an experience. The contrast

curiously, hesitated

But actually, you

an

«I am?»

He nodded.

body. The Lord of Shadows… is a shadow. He's

her head a little,

to say that this… the shopkeeper… is your true personality? And the aloof Saint of Godgrave is

sighed,

I guess each of my incarnations is me, it's just

is to be a warrior. So, the parts of my personality that have to do with conflict take the

and then added with a

when dealing with different people. A person will behave one way when they are with their family, act differently when they are with their colleagues, and put on a new mask when they meet their friends. I am much

at him

lose sight of your true

Sunny smiled.

am the world's topmost expert on not losing my true self. Shadows are formless and shapeless by nature, so I

while, then let out

have to ask you for advice one day, then. I also struggle with maintaining my sense of self. Living through other people's

then asked

of the Lord of Shadows… can I ask

at her

«You can.»