Shadow Re: Slave

Kai brought Sunny to his private quarters and offered him the shower. While Sunny was washing off the dirt and blood, Kai sat on his bed, inspecting the heavy bag filled with soul shards. He still couldn't wrap his head around it—had Sunny truly killed that many abominations on his own?

When Sunny finally emerged from the bathroom, only a towel wrapped around his waist, Kai stared for a moment. The transformation was shocking. The once grimy, ragged boy now looked… radiant. Beautiful even. Kai was used to being the attractive one—he knew it, and others told him often—but Sunny, with his wet hair clinging to his face and water glistening on his lean, muscular torso, looked like he had stepped out of a painting.

"You did that on purpose," Kai muttered, blinking. "The way you looked before… It was intentional, wasn't it?"

Sunny chuckled. "Of course. I didn't want anyone to recognize me. Only two—maybe three—people could've possibly known who I was, but still, I prefer caution. I won't risk ruining my plans before they even begin."

"See you later, once you've got my memories. Just wait in your room until I come back."

He dried off, stepped into the shadows—and vanished.

Kai was left alone, mouth slightly open, still not sure what had just happened.

Sunny appeared in Princess Seishan's chamber without warning, silently emerging from the shadow cast beneath her writing desk. The air shifted subtly, but she didn't notice his presence until he coughed behind her, polite but chilling.

She froze.

No one—no one—should've been able to get that close without her knowing.

Her mind raced. Who is he? There's no sleeper on the Forgotten Shore with an Aspect like that. No teleportation, not on my list.

When she turned around, her breath caught. The boy standing behind her was too beautiful, his presence too composed, to be ordinary.

And I'd remember someone with a face like his. She thought.

And then he spoke.

"I mean you no harm, Princess Seishan," he said, stepping back casually. "I'm only here to talk. No need to transform or try to drain my blood—it wouldn't go well for you. My blood tends to fight back."

Her eyes widened. That one sentence told her far too much.

Only a few knew about her transformation ability. Fewer knew about her flaw—her uncontrollable craving for blood. And this stranger had just laid both truths bare with a calm smile.

"What do you want?" she demanded, voice tight. "People don't sneak into my room just to chat."

Sunny laughed softly. "It's true. I didn't mean to scare you—I just didn't want to be seen. This was the easiest way. Sorry."

She narrowed her eyes. "Then what do you want to talk about?"

"Oh, you know. This and that. The future of humanity. The coming war between Valor and Sond. Ki Song. Anvil. The usual."

The casual tone with which he dropped names chilled her more than any killing intent ever could. She had been isolated on the Forgotten Shore for ten years, cut off from reliable information. But still… how did he know so much?

Seishan couldn't believe it. The Sovereigns didn't reveal themselves unless absolutely necessary—she was sure of that. So how could a nobody on the Forgotten Shore speak of them so casually, as if he had peeked behind the curtain of the entire world?

News of an impending war… maybe. That much could have spread. But the rest?

No. That shouldn't have been possible.

Her voice sharpened. "You assume too much. What makes you think we'll be doing anything together? You must be mad if you think a princess of Song would conspire with a nameless boy."

Sunny's laughter died.

His aura shifted.

Suddenly, the room felt smaller. He took a step forward, and in a blink, his hand was gently brushing the side of her neck.

"You're alive because I allow it," he said softly. "You'll leave this shore only if I let you. So why don't you make some tea and listen—for both our sakes."

Seishan stiffened as he released her. The temperature in the room seemed to return to normal, but her heart was racing. She obeyed. Not out of fear alone, but because she recognized power when she saw it. Even though she had never felt such a killing intent form such a young person. It was nearly suffocating.

Once the tea was ready, she brought it to the table where Sunny now sat, completely composed. He sipped from the cup, nodded approvingly, then spoke.

"My name is Sunless. But you can call me Sunny, since we're going to be business partners."

He held her gaze.

"I'm an Awakened. And I plan to overthrow Gunlaug, storm the Crimson Spire, kill the Crimson Terror, and send all the pure souls trapped here back home. After that, I'll challenge my second nightmare with you and some others and ascend."

Seishan stared, stunned.

"You're… an Awakened? But only Sleepers are brought here by the spell. How is that possible?"

"I made it possible," he said simply. "I arrived as a Sleeper. I just decided to change that. Natural awakening. The old way—before the little spell began handing out shortcuts."

She tried to process it, but her mind rebelled.

Then he spoke again.

"One of my Shadows helped me guide the essence. I had resources. Skill. Patience. You, however, are already corrupted by the spell. Your core is partially formed. So no—I can't help you awaken that way."

Seishan fell silent.

Sunny let the words settle, watching her carefully. He knew the overload of information would shake her. He wanted her to feel the weight of the truth.

Minutes passed. Finally, she gathered herself.

"I understand," she said slowly. "You're my best and only chance to escape this place. I'll support your plans—here. But why should our agreement continue after we return home? I'm a princess. I have resources and influence. What could you possibly offer that would benefit Song that i can't just take from you?"

Sunny smiled, like a cat playing with a mouse.

"Two reasons," he said. "One: if I suspect you'll betray me, I'll make sure you never leave. One Sleeper must remain here to act as a soul conduit after the Crimson Terror is killed. I can ensure that Sleeper is you."

Her blood ran cold.

How did he knew about things even She and Gunlaug had no idea about.

"And two," he said, eyes hardening, "because I intend to kill your mother, Ki Song, and that wretched sword fanatic, Anvil. You don't have to help. Just don't get in my way."

He leaned back.

"The Waking World is crumbling. In twenty years—maybe sooner—it will be swallowed by the Dream Realm. Nightmare gates will erupt across the planet. Your mother and Anvil knew what happened in North America, and still did nothing. Worse, they keep humanity weak, suppressing rising stars and fighting petty wars while the end approaches."

He stood slowly, letting the silence stretch.

"We need new Supremes. Ones who understand cooperation. And I know how to become one—without the spell. But I won't share that knowledge unless I trust you completely."

His eyes pierced hers.

"You know I'm right. You knew it even before I came."

Seishan looked down into her tea, her hands trembling slightly.

Everything he said made sense. More sense than she wanted to admit.

Sunny remained silent, letting her mind churn. She would come around—he knew it. There was no other way forward.

Not for her. Not for humanity.

He rose to his feet with a relaxed air and said,

"I'll go retrieve the two hundred soul memories I tasked a friend with buying. Take some time to think things over—I'll be back soon, alright?"