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

things. That stunt you pulled with poor Master Tristan… I pride myself on being able

Sunny coughed quietly.

he

kept quiet for a few moments, then said

is bad for one's health. Back then, I was thinking… gods, I want to punch this buffoon so much! And so, I did. It's all about the

drew a sharp

«I… guess.»

Sunny grinned.

We wanted everyone to get the

Cassie exhaled slowly.

little bit too

He glanced at her.

is worth doing at all, is worth doing

find what to answer.

is your true body, the Lord of Shadows. Meeting him in person was quite an experience. The contrast between him and Master Sunless is quite striking, to say the least.

looked at her curiously, hesitated for a bit, and

But actually, you are

raised an eyebrow

«I am?»

He nodded.

Lord of Shadows… is a shadow. He's a

her head

true personality?

sighed,

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 lead. The purpose of

then added with

with their colleagues, and put on a new mask when they meet their friends. I am much the same, it's just

at

sight of your true self

Sunny smiled.

not losing my true self. Shadows are formless and shapeless by nature, so I have to be careful not to forget the shape of my

for a while, then let

with maintaining my sense

then asked

of the Lord of Shadows… can I ask

glanced at

«You can.»