Shadow Slave: Back in time

Sunny cursed out for a few seconds, startling Nephis. She scowled.

"What's the matter, Sunny?"

"The Spell didn't give me anything as the Second Aspect Legacy Relic! It was supposed to give me Shadow God's Ichor. It's unfair!" He whined.

Nephis pondered it for some time before answering.

"It might be because it knows that we're different and that you already have it."

"Yeah, I've considered it too. I wonder if I'd get stronger by consuming it again or if nothing would happen."

Nephis shrugged and leaned on his shoulder. Or rather, she tried. Sunny wasn't a Saint yet… which meant that he was still very much short and malnourished, as small as a kid. Nephis startled herself by nearly laughing out loud. It was strange of her. She didn't know why, but thinking of Sunny as a child caused such an hilarious reaction out of her. She chastised herself: the reason his body wasn't as healthy as hers wasn't nearly as funny.

Sunny started to practice moving the little soul essence he had through his body, just like he had taught Rain. Could he awaken by using the ancient method? He believed the answer was negative. They hadn't had the Spell and the concept of Sleepers. Rain herself had awakened without experiencing a phase of transition. Meanwhile, he was still somewhat bound by the Spell. His focus for now was getting used to circulating his essence. It wasn't nearly enough to even weave the pattern necessary to bind an item to one's soul like his majestic Shadow Chair, but maybe he'd be able to after becoming a monster.

Suddenly, Nephis hugged him and pushed him onto her side. Sunny gladly let her, then leaned on her shoulder.

It isn't shown.

What?

Shadow God's Lineage. The runes have never shown it.

That's because I've never actually had it. We've never talked about it, have we?

No.

Do you want to hear the story?

Yes.

Well, I got it after the Dreamscape Tournament where I was disguised as Mongrel. I guess you know everything about him, uh.

I see. Not deigning me with an answer. So, I received it after I claimed my Second Relic. I consumed the Ichor, but it was consumed by Blood and Bone Weave. They changed a bit, but it isn't shown.

Do you mind telling me how you got Bone Weave?

Not at all. Are you familiar with the Chained Isles?

Yes. It's the region just south of the Hollow Mountains. You challenged your Second Nightmare there.

That's right. It was also the region I had chosen to be stationed in. During one of my exploration, I found coins that could be sacrificed and mutated in Shadow Fragments. So, I hunted a treasure chest that contained them. The cottage I used to live in was actually a Shadow I created from the Memory I received. I took me a while to manage it. I did it while in the Hollow Mountains… Sorry, I'm getting off track.

I like it. You're passionate about the things you care about.

Sunny thanked the shadows of the night for covering his blush.

Erm, as I was saying, the chest was actually a Fallen Devil. After I killed it, I fell in the Sky Below with its corpse. There was only nothing and nothing. That's when I was contacted by Mordret through the remains of the Mirror Beast I had unknowingly killed. The bastard actually helped me bypass the ocean of flames and find the Ebony Tower. There, I found Weaver's Phalanx and I ate it.

Nephis arched one of her elegant eyebrows.

You found a Daemon's bone and just ate it?

Yes. It was my first instinct. And it's not like we haven't done crazier things.

You're right.

They remained in that position enjoying the comfortable silence between them and the soft splashing of the Dark Sea, until a terrified scream tore through the night.

Nephis and Sunny immediately rushed to Cassie, who was trashing in her sleep.

Sunny tried to reassure while Nephis hugged her. She was rambling incoherently and trying to escape.

Sunny's soothing voice and Neph's embrace managed to calm her down.

"Cassie, it's okay. You're safe, it was just in your head. You're safe."

Her breaths slowly became regular, but there were still tremors running down her body.

Let's leave her alone.

"Cassie, Nephis and are going to leave you alone for a bit so you can process your dream, okay? You're safe."

Sunny said as they walked away to the edge of the neck, always keeping her in his periphery.

He watched with a grimace as she sat and held her knees in a fetal position.

You hate to see her suffer.

Sunny turned to look at Nephis.

Of course I do. I know you hate it, too.

Yes.

She hesitated for a few moments, then asked.

Do you mind telling me if you would've killed me and Cas after our battle on the top of the Crimson Spire, if you had had the opportunity?

No, I don't. I'm not sure if I would have killed you. You were always a point of conflict for me: you had taken my freedom, but I knew that you would have never used that power over me for your benefit. I believe I already loved you then, even if it was just a spark and I still hadn't realized it. Cassie… had I wanted her dead, she would've been dead. I cut deep only with words, but I would have never killed her. Even if she had betrayed me, she had grown on me as a sister. It took me a very long time to forgive her and trust her again. Also, you can drop the 'do you mind': I really appreciated it at the beginning that you were mindful of my Flaw, but if you want to know something, just ask. There's nothing I want to hide from you anymore.

Ok.