"Why? Are you waiting for me to fall asleep before you kill me? Or will you do it in the morning?"
The dreadful question echoed in both the dark cave and the quiet room, a chilling tension making the air they were breathing suddenly unbearably heavy.
Nobody moved or even dared to breathe.
Saints from all rows wore grave expressions on their darkened faces.
Having survived the hardships of the Nightmare Spell, none of them were ignorant to the unforgiving steps people were willing to take for survival. Apart from changing their entire existence, they felt their minds were cruelly beaten, torn apart—reshaped to accept the cruelty of life.
And more disturbing….the extreme's humans would take when driven into such a corner.
The cohort held grim expressions, Kai's perfect face now wrinkled with a look of utter despair while Effie lowered her face—making sure Ling who was tucked underneath her shirt couldn't hear or see what would unfold next.
Only Rain was alone, virtuous to the circumstances she had learned through tales.
Panickingly whipping her head around to look for a sign…a single look of reassurance, her stomach continued to drop as she was met with nothing.
Looking back at the image, she weakly attempted to laugh, her voice shaky:
"He…He won—he wouldn't! After taking his side against the other two, even maiming the scholar instead!"
No voice responded from above. All she could feel were the countless eyes on her back, unseen but somehow exuding a presence of pity.
She felt a hopeful warmth from Ananke, who gently caressed her forearm, her voice a whisper yet somehow speaking directly to Rain.
"Corruption…is like an all consuming rapid. It only grows, consuming and taking from those unfortunate to be in its path. But….sometimes it is not the river itself which is the greatest threat, but the promise of what it will bring. I myself was not born outside like my parents and ancestors before who entered the great tomb, however they carry their stories. A mother fleeing with her healthiest child, crying as her home is destroyed along with her weaker one who she didn't have the strength to carry. Soldiers, once friends, clawing at each other's thin bodies, fighting for the last portion. A king closing the gates to his city, turning away as those on the other side plead in tears. Life is cruel, and it teaches us that cruelty is the flaw me was use when we step into this world."
Rain listened silently as others let the works sink in as well.
Nobody could retort the words that carried a depth of thousands of years, not even Eurys had a bone to pick.
Her attention shifted as to her left Nephis moved, tilting her head up as she spoke:
"He will survive…he has to survive."
At those words, invisible sparks began to light up in the dark room, another voice hesitantly chiming in from the back.
"Yeah! This is his Trial! No matter how bad it gets, none of us would even be here if he didn't continue to survive." Telle exclaimed, Windflower nodding strongly in agreement to her side.
"She's right", Saint Cor murmured, moving forward in his seat.
"Don't look down on him. So what if he's against one of The Nine? He's proven time and time again that his greatest strength is his adaptive thinking."
He paused, subtly looking towards the first row, expecting a boney voice to join in. But strangely Eurys didn't seem to pay the words mind, or maybe he didn't hear them entirely, focusing on something else they hadn't realized.
Everyone turned back to the screen, anticipation screaming as the scene continued.
The smile froze on Hero's face. He lowered his head, as though in shame. After a minute or so passed, shrouded in heavy silence, he finally answered.
"Yes. I thought that if I do it when you sleep, you won't have to suffer."
Unseen to him, a bitter grin appeared on Sunny's face.
A long sigh escaped from the young soldier's lips. He rested his back against the cave's wall, still not looking up.
"I don't expect you to forgive me. This sin, too, will be mine to bear. But, please, if you can… find it in your heart to understand. If things were different, I would have gladly faced that monster to let you escape. But my life… does not belong to me alone. There is an unencompassable duty I am sworn to fulfill. Until it's done, I cannot allow myself to die."
Sunny laughed.
"You people… Look at you! Planning to kill me and still insisting on having a good excuse. How very convenient! I really hate hypocrites like you the most. Why don't you be honest for once? Don't give me that crap... just say it! I'm going to kill you because it's easy. I'm going to kill you because I want to survive."
Hero closed his eyes, his face full of sadness.
"I'm sorry. I knew you wouldn't be able to understand."
"What's there to understand?"
Sunny leaned forward, anger coursing through his veins.
"Tell me. Why do I have to die?"
The young soldier finally looked up. Even though he couldn't see in the dark, he turned his face in the direction of Sunny's voice.
"That man was a villain… but he was also right. The scent of blood is too heavy on you. It will attract the beast."
"You can just let me go, you know. We'll part ways. After that whether or not the monster finds me won't be your problem."
Hero shook his head.
"Dying in that creature's maw… is too cruel a fate. It's better if I do it myself. You are my responsibility, after all."
"How noble of you."
Sunny leaned back, dejected. After a short while, he quietly said:
"You know… when I just came here, I was ready to die. After all, in this whole world — two worlds, actually — there's not a single soul who cares whether I live or die. When I'm gone, no one will be sad. No one will even remember that I existed."
As Sunny said those words, an uncomfortable realization dawned on all of them, a dreadful deja-vu to a missing piece that had been beside them from the very beginning.
Julius spoke first, his voice grave and distant.
"This is dreadfully foreshadowing to his future….being forgotten from existence completely. It feels wrong to say this is because of his [Fated] attribute. No…it was like his very existence was decided by something greater.
Below in the first row Cassie nodded silently in agreement, her choked speaking up:
"Weaver."
At the mention of the terrible name other heads gravely nodded in agreement, conspiring whispers ushering among the rows.
They were silenced when Sunny's voice spoke again.
"But then I changed my mind. Somewhere along the way, I decided to survive. I must survive, no matter what."
Hero gave him a thoughtful look.
"To live a life worth remembering?"
Sunny grinned. A dark gleam appeared in his eyes.
"No. To spite you all."
All around the room, strangely dark hopeful smiles began to form on the faces, as Jet loudly chuckled.
"Hell yeah! That's an outskirts rat alright!"
Rising in her seat, color returned on Effie's face, smiling like a maniac as she cheered.
"You show him! Kill—uhhh….kill that noble hero!"
Despite the very true comment, others began to voice their wishes as well, pumping their fist and making loud aspiring comments. Some showed even greater loyalty, Noctis loudly shouting something muffled—pumping a fist filled with popcorn in the air—kernels raining down onto Rain's hair below.
She didn't pay it any mind.
Her attention was fully caught in the moment, a ridiculous, hopeful grin growing on her lips.
The atmosphere which had once been eerie and heavy began to dissipate, replaced by the numerous voices.
All of them watched as the Hero rose to face the slave. All of them wanted to see how he would overcome such an impossible feat. All except for a particular shadow who was silently cringing in horror.
But then….
Something strange happened.
The stoic hero propped himself up with his blade, only for his knees to give out. Kneeling forward, blood splattered on the cracked stone as his chest heaved.
Now looking down on the kneeling warrior, a satisfied smile appeared on Sunny's face.
"Finally."
Hero was standing on his knees, the lower part of his face covered in blood. Astonished, he was staring at his hands, trying to understand what had happened to him.
"What… what magic is this?"
With wide eyes and a pale face, he turned to Sunny.
"Was… was that thief right? Did you put the curse of the Shadow God on us?"
Sunny sighed.
"I wish that I had the ability to throw divine curses around, but no. To tell you the truth, I don't have any abilities at all."
"Then.. how?"
The young slave shrugged.
"That's why I poisoned you all."
Hero flinched, trying to comprehend his words.
"What?"
"After the tyrant first attacked, you send me to search for water. While gathering flagons from the dead soldiers, I squeezed Bloodbane juice into each one — except my own, of course. Not enough to taste it, but enough to slowly kill anyone who would drink from them."
The soldier gritted his teeth, struggling through pain. A sudden realization appeared on his face.
"So that's why… the other two were in such bad shape."
Sunny nodded.
"Shifty drank the most, so his condition worsened the fastest. Scholar was also not long for this world, but you finished him off before the poison could. Yourself, however… it was as though Bloodbane had no effect on you at all. I was really starting to get worried."
Hero's face darkened.
"I see… I understand."
He thought about something, then looked at Sunny with surprise.
"But… but back then you didn't know… that we will turn on you."
Sunny just laughed.
"Oh, please. It was obvious. Shifty was the kind of man who would kill for a pair of boots. Scholar was like a wolf in sheep's clothing. People are selfish and cruel in the best of situations — was I supposed to believe that those two weren't going to do something terrible to me when faced with certain death?"
Noctis loudly laughed, briefly startling Solvanne next to him.
"The little devil! I knew you had something planned…you….you….you treacherous shadow!"
A shiver briefly ran down the backs of the cohort at the words, Saint Cor's voice rang out, making them forget the brief feeling.
"Terrifying. The new generation is truly terrifying."
Julius adjusted his glasses, nervously laughing.
"I'm both scared and excited that a student of mine can do such a thing."
Murmurs of awe continued to rise. Even Mordret who had been idle wore a rare…honest smile. There was no unsettling feeling or hidden motive—just a smile of pure enjoyment.
His glassy eyes sparkled as he lurched forward, bringing a hand up to stifle a laugh.
"Sunny, sunny…you did not disappoint. I'm sorry for doubting you."
Rain's shoulders stiffened, Eurys who had been motionless now slightly shaking as a usual clicking noise sounded.
His voice was indiscernible, a mixture of reluctant acceptance and something too complicated for words.
"Bastard. He really didn't change at all."
Nephis looked over, frowning in confusion.
"Hasn't changed? Did he do something similar last time you met?"
A gurgled groan sounded in response.
"...I guess he was right about that. What else would I mean? He's treacherous! A bargainer who only visits me when it benefits him! Look at him here, only a child….and yet he's so vicious!"
The cohort once again felt an uncomfortable shiver at the mention of the word.
Nephis wanted to press him further for what he meant at the start.
But at that moment, Sunny once again spoke. And what he said for a moment drowned out everything in the room.
Like the words were directed at her.
Hero spat more blood.
"Then… what about me?"
"You?" A disdainful expression appeared on Sunny's face. "You are the worst of them."
"Why?"
Sunny looked at him and leaned forward.
"I might have not learned much in my short life, but I do know one thing," he said, all traces of humor gone from his voice.
Now there was only cold, callous contempt. Sunny's face hardened as he spat:
"There is nothing more pathetic than a slave who begins to trust his slaver."
'A slave who begins to trust his slaver'
Nephis frowned, becoming greatly concerned.
Once again, something clawed at the back of her mind. Always ever so close but so unreachable at the same time. Her helplessness at the statement which seemed to resonate to her caused the leather on the armrests to crease from her fists.
Cassie looked at her.
Lips lowering in concern, she tilted her head.
"What's wrong?"
Nephis remained silent, still looking at the screen.
Then she quietly whispered, only audible to them:
"That phrase. His claim previously of being a slave. The brief hints." Turning to Cassie, she held a genuine look of guilt and pain.
"The brief moments where my body remembered….I-I just know it now. Somehow, under some conditions…he became a slave."
She paused, taking a low deep breath.
"To me."
Cassie looked with pity wanting to say something reassuring. But she had already realized the cause of Sunny becoming forgotten. And now she couldn't help but have an even more dreadful feeling she wanted to reject.
That Nephis was right.
All she could do was sit silently. Hesitantly, she spoke:
"....we…we still don't know exactly what happened. All we can hope if for viewing to tell us the truth."
Nephis listened, letting the colors of the screen flash on her face as she turned back. Without looking she whispered.
"I don't know if I want the truth."
Then she said even quieter.
"I don't deserve the truth."
The two of them didn't speak, letting the voices of others wash over them.
Hearing these words, Hero lowered his head.
"I see."
Then, suddenly, he laughed.
"You… you are a wicked little shit, aren't you?"
Sunny rolled his eyes.
"There's no need to be rude."
But Hero wasn't listening to him.
"Good. This is good. My conscience will be clearer."
The young slave sighed in irritation.
"What are you mumbling about? Just die already."
Hero chuckled and suddenly pierced him with a stare. Somehow, he didn't look so sick anymore.
"You see, that plan would have worked if I was a normal human. But, alas, my Soul Core has Awakened long ago. I've slain countless enemies and absorbed their power. Bloodbane poison, unpleasant as it might be, can never kill me."
'Crap!'
Sunny turned around and tried to run away, but it was already too late. Something hit him in the back, sending his body crashing into the rock wall. With a scream, he felt a sharp pain piercing his left side. Rolling out of the cave, Sunny clutched his chest, scrambled back onto his feet and ran, trying to escape the narrow crevice.
He managed to reach the old path, finally being able to see the stars and the pale moon shining brightly in the night sky. But it was as far as he was able to get.
"Stop."
As the cold voice sounded behind him, Sunny froze. If Hero really had an Awakened Soul Core, he had no chances of getting away from him. In a fight, he had no chances at all.
"Turn around."
The young slave obediently turned, holding his hands up. He looked at Hero, who was wiping the blood off his face with a displeased look in his eyes. The two of them stared at each other, shivering in the murderous cold.
"Was it worth it? No matter. Despite it all, I will be true to my promise. I'll make it quick."
The soldier unsheathed his sword.
"Do you have any last words?"
Sunny did not answer.
However, a small silver bell suddenly appeared in his hand.
Hero frowned.
"Where were you hiding that thing?"
Sunny shook the bell. A beautiful, clear ringing sound flowed over the mountain, filling the night with an enchanting melody.
"What are you doing?! Stop!"
The young slave dutifully stopped.
"What was…"
Right under Hero's bewildered eyes, the silver bell disappeared into thin air. He looked at Sunny, stumped and suspicious.
"Tell me! What did you just do?"
But Sunny didn't answer. In fact, he hadn't said a single word ever since escaping the cave. Right now, he wasn't even breathing.
Hero, on the other hand, continued to speak.
"Tell me right now or you will regret it."
He scowled.
"Why are you not saying anything?"
The shivering boy just stared at him, completely silent.
No… he was staring into the darkness behind him.
Hero's eyes widened.
"What…"
At the last second, a hint of understanding appeared in the young soldier's eyes. He began to turn around, his sword rising with lightning speed.
But it was too late.
A massive hand appeared from the darkness and caught him into an iron grip. The bone claws scraped against the armor, pulling it apart. Mountain King dragged Hero back, paying little attention to the sword biting into its wrist. Viscous saliva was streaming from its opened maw.
The screen washed them in a crimson color of red, a sickening crunch sounding.
"Holy Hell!" Effie yelled.
Gilead grimaced, crossing his arms.
"What a terrible way to go."
Beside him Jest nodded solemnly, for once in agreement with his antithesis.
"The bell."
Turning around, everyone looked in the direction of the voice. Daeron sat forward, elbows propping up a clasped fist he rested his chin on. Staring at the scene, his deep voice murmured:
"We finally know the purpose of the bell among the other prized memories in the museum."
Looking at the gruesome scene unfold, a dark smile appeared on his face.
"He used a measly bell to kill one of The Nine."
Immediately a huff sounded from Eury below.
"He's a mere Awakened. And if it weren't for foul play, Auro should have killed the beast and continued with his mission."
Julius turned, raising an eyebrow.
"Mission?"
Despite his early respect towards the old fossil, it seemed like it didn't grant him full immunity from the bastard skull.
"From what you've told me Trials are scenarios where things that shouldn't have occurred do, resulting in a different ending. In real time he killed the beast and nonchalantly brought it up among us whenever he could."
Everyone else listened, expecting more—but the bones wouldn't budge.
Eventually Revel let out a sigh.
"It's impressive what he's managed to do so far. But without the cave, he'll succumb quickly to the cold with those wounds."
Heads nodded solemnly in agreement.
After a moment of silence, Noctis spoke up.
"But you're forgetting the most important part."
With everyone's gaze focused on him, he pulled his popcorn bucket up, leaning back.
"The moment the gods listened."
'The Gods were dead. But something else listened.'
The ominous description boomed in their minds.
On the screen Sunny's wrecked body continued to somehow stand, walking with visible frostbite up the snow slope.
Under that light, a young man with pale skin and black hair reached the peak of the mountain. However, his looks didn't match the magnificence of the scene: wounded and staggering, he looked pathetic and weak.
The young man looked like a walking corpse.
His coarse tunic and cloak were torn and smeared with blood. His sunken eyes were cloudy and lifeless. His body was bruised, beaten and cut. There were specks of bloody foam on his lips.
He was hunched over, cradling the left side of his chest. Each step caused him to moan, ragged breath barely escaping through gritted teeth.
Sunny was hurting all over. But most of all, he was cold.
So, so cold.
He just wanted to lie down in the snow and fall asleep.
But instead, he continued walking. Because he believed that the Nightmare will be over once he reaches the peak.
Step. Step. Another step.
Finally, he had made it.
At the highest point of the mountain, a vast expanse of flat rock was covered with snow. In the center of it, illuminated by moonlight, stood a magnificent temple. Its colossal columns and walls were cut from black marble, with exquisite reliefs decorating the stygian pediment and broad frieze. Beautiful and awesome, it looked like a palace of a dark god.
At least it did once. Now, the temple was in ruins: fractures and cracks marred the black stones, parts of the roof had collapsed, letting in ice and snow. Its tall gates were broken, as if smashed into pieces by a hand of a giant.
Still, Sunny was satisfied.
"Found you," he said in a hoarse voice.
Gathering the last of his strength, the young slave slowly limped in the direction of the ruined temple. His thoughts were muddled and confused.
'See this, Hero?' he thought, forgetting for a second that Hero was already dead. 'I've made it. You were strong and ruthless, and I was weak and timid. Yet now you are a corpse, and I am still alive. Isn't it funny?'
He stumbled and groaned, feeling the edges of his broken ribs cutting deeper into his lungs. Blood was dripping from his mouth. Dead or not, Hero had gotten him good with that single strike.
'Actually, it's not. What do any of you even know about being ruthless? Poor fools. In the world where I come from, people had thousands of years to turn cruelty into an art. And as someone on the receiving end of all that cruelty… don't you think I would know more about being vicious than you ever could?'
He was getting closer to the temple.
'Truth be told, you never stood a chance… wait. What was I thinking about?'
A moment later, he had already forgotten. There was only pain, the dark temple, and the overpowering desire to sleep.
'Don't fall for it. It's just hypothermia. If you fall asleep, you'll die.'
Finally, Sunny reached the steps of the black temple. He started to climb them, not noticing thousands of bones that were scattered around. These bones once belonged to humans and monsters both. All of them were killed by the invisible guardians still lingering around the temple.
As Sunny was climbing the steps, one of the shapeless guardians approached him. It was ready to snuff out the spark of life that was burning weakly in the defiler's chest, but then stopped, sensing a faint, strangely familiar scent coming from his soul. The scent of divinity. Sorrowful and lonesome, the guardian moved aside, letting Sunny pass.
Oblivious, he entered the temple.
Sunny found himself in a grandiose hall. Cascades of moonlight were falling through the holes in the partially collapsed roof. Deep shadows were surrounding these circles of silver light, not daring to touch them. The floor was covered in snow and ice.
At the far end of the hall, a large altar was cut from a single piece of black marble. It was the only thing inside the temple untouched by snow. Forgetting why he came here, Sunny headed for the altar.
He just wanted to sleep.
The altar was dry, clean, and as wide as a bed. Sunny climbed on it and lay down.
It seemed like he was going to die.
He was okay with it.
Sunny tried to close his eyes, but was stopped by a sudden noise coming from the direction of the temple's entrance. He turned his head to look, not even a little bit curious. What he saw would have sent chills running down his spine if he wasn't so cold, tired and indifferent.
Mountain King was standing there, looking at him with its five blind eyes. He was still massive, terrifying and revolting. Worm-like shapes were still moving frantically under its skin. It was sniffing the air, salivating.
Then it opened its maw and moved forward, slowly approaching the altar.
'What an ugly bastard,' Sunny thought and suddenly clutched his chest, convulsing in a fit of torturous coughing.
Bloody foam flew from his mouth and fell on the altar. However, the black marble soon absorbed it.
A second later, it was as pristine as it was before.
The tyrant was just about to reach Sunny. It was already stretching its hands to grab him.
'I guess this is the end,' he thought, resigned to his fate.
Everyone held their breaths.
Not a single sound was made in the whole room. Everyone watched the scene with their hearts in their mouths.
All of them wanted to see it.
They wanted to watch reality bend as a being of incomprehensible power appeared and snuffed out the Tyrant's existence. A figure too much for their mortal minds to sweep up his frail body.
And then…
It happened.
Except…it was not the nebulous voice of a deity or the ancient whisper of a Daemon. Neph's eyes widened as she gripped her hands rest with all her might. A reaction caused by the thing she hated the most.
The Spell.
To all of their shock from somewhere far above, the voice of the Spell boomed, encompassing the whole room.
[You have offered yourself as a sacrifice to the gods.]
[The gods are dead, and can not hear you.]
[Your soul bears the mark of divinity.]
[You are a temple slave.]
[Shadow God stirs in his eternal slumber.]
[He sends a blessing from beyond the grave.]
[Child of Shadows, receive your blessing!]
Audible gasps rang out as a flurry of indiscernible yells came from all over the place.
"WHAT THE HELL!"
"S-Shadow….Shadow actually listened to him!"
"I-I can't w-what..:"
"He actually received the lineage right from Shadow!"
The shadows dragged Mountain King back, pulling in different directions. The tyrant opened its maw, and a furious howl escaped it.
The next second, its body ruptured, torn apart into pieces.
Blood, viscera and severed limbs fell on the floor in a crimson torrent. Just like that, the horrible creature was dead.
Sunny blinked.
Once again, he was alone in the ruined temple. The great hall was dark and silent.
And then the Spell whispered:
[You have slain an awakened tyrant, Mountain King.]
[Wake up, Sunless! Your nightmare is over.]
[Prepare for appraisal…]
As the voice of the Spell boomed, white light poured over everything. Finally it faded, leaving Sunny's body resting in the space between dream and reality.
Nobody said anything.
Nobody could think of what to say.
After what felt like an eternity, Julius pulled off his glasses with a visibility trembling hand. Taking a shaky breath, he spoke loud with uncertainty:
"W-We…we just witnessed history."
He remained silent before exploding.
"We just witnessed history!"
The words echoed in the room. All their thoughts were a mess, trying to process everything that just happened. Noctis could only mumble, reclining his chair to limit as he looked at the endless ceiling.
"Shadow. H-He actually had an audience with Shadow."
Closing his mouth he continued to stare at the ceiling. Then he leaped out, sending his bucket flying down to the rows below.
"I try for over a thousand years! Offering souls…following their rituals…appealing to their costumes! AND HE GETS AN ANSWER BY ACCIDENT!?"
Solvanne stared at his frazzled state with an unusual look of joy, pulling her hand up to cover a smirk.
Everyone else thought quietly, looking at Julius, prompting him to speak what they all had on their minds.
Coughing, he nervously scratched his neck, looking back and forth between the screen and the audience.
"So…Because….Because of his body being a temple slave and bearing the mark of divinity, he was able to get past the guard….and by chance spill his blood….stirring shadow and receiving a blessing which saved his life."
Looking at the ground, he continued to mumble.
"But why would Shadow respond to his call? What about all the other possible temple slaves, or the higher priests? Wouldn't it be more plausible that Shadow answers them? And how coincidental that he was placed in a body that had all the requirements to make the sacrifice.
…..
"....Too much. There are too many coincidences! Nothing can be that perfect!"
Collapsing back in his seat he tiredly rubbed his temples, groaning.
Heads turned to look at each other for answers. Some began to murmur, trying to figure out how it all connected.
"Could this also be Weaver's doing?"
"No…it's not possible! Weaver and Shadow would have to be working together!"
The screen was still playing, however to everyone's dismay….the censoring had returned. Not only was it blurring whatever was being said. But it also blurred the runes when he pulled them up.
All of them were dying inside to know what was being said and read.
Especially when Sunny collapsed back with a visible look of disbelief, without a doubt unable to comprehend getting a Divine Aspect.
Effie spoke for all the audience when she shot up, yelling in complaint.
"Oh come on! What the hell is wrong with this place! You can't just put us through that and then end it on a cliffhanger like that! Do you know any decency between producer and consumer boundaries!?! Respect your damn audience you sleezy, situational entity!"
Maybe the entity did hear her plea.
And it seemed to have a sense of humor.
On the screen the audio lifted, as colors began to shift.
Sunny opened his eyes.
The armored ceiling of the police station's vault hang above him. No one would call its aesthetics beautiful, but to him, it was the most majestic sight. Only now did he realize how much he had missed the real world.
It was safe and familiar. There were no monsters or slavers… well, at least officially. There was no constant fear of torturous death.
It was home.
In addition, Sunny felt incredible. The cold that had crept deep into his bones during the Nightmare was gone, taking with it all the pain that his wounded body had been enduring day after day. His feet and wrists were not in agony, his back had forgotten the bite of the whip, and he could even breathe without feeling the sharp edges of his broken ribs cutting deeper and deeper into his lungs.
What a blessing!
The sudden disappearance of pain, coupled with the new vitality that permeated his body, almost made Sunny cry.
'I really survived.'
He slowly looked down and then froze, breathless.
On a cheap plastic chair placed beside his reinforced medical bed sat the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
She had short, raven-black hair and icy blue eyes. Her flawless skin was smooth, supple and as white as snow. Actually, this was Sunny's first time meeting someone as pale as he himself was. However, while Sunny's pallor looked strange and unhealthy, the beautiful stranger was nothing short of striking.
The woman seemed to be in her late twenties. She was wearing a dark blue uniform with silver epaulets and black leather boots. The jacket of her uniform was casually unbuttoned, revealing a black tank top beneath.
Currently, she was stretching her arms above her head, clearly bored and sleepy. The gesture forced the thin fabric to tighten, provocatively accentuating her full breasts.
Mesmerized, Sunny almost missed the fact that there was a shoulder insignia on the woman's left sleeve. There were three stars on it.
'Three stars, huh,' he thought, distracted. 'Three stars means an Ascended… huh… yeah. Wait. An Ascended?!'
But before Sunny could fully digest the meaning of this word, he realized that the woman was staring at him, too.
"What are you looking at?" she said, not a gram of humor in her voice.
Sunny blinked a couple of times, embarrassed, and quickly came up with an excuse. Then he opened his mouth and answered:
"Your breasts."
A second later, his eye widened in absolute horror.
Because he wasn't planning to say those words at all! His mouth moved on its own!
A wave of terror suddenly drowned his mind.
The woman slowly smiled with a dangerous gleam in her eyes. Then, without any warning, she moved her hand and slapped Sunny across the face.
Sunny's whole body was turned around. If it wasn't for the restraints holding him in place, he would have probably flown off the bed. For a moment, he even saw stars.
And just like that…the viewing abruptly ended, leaving them staring at the blank screen.
Without showing emotion, everyone turned in syn to look at Jet who remained leaned back in her seat.
After a while, she shrugged, speaking in a carefree tone.
"You know what, I don't blame him. I feel somewhat honored to give him a reward after what he just went through."
Eyes blinked.
'Was she talking about his staring or her slap?'
Effie couldn't care to follow up on the specifically worded response, still visibility steaming from the unforgiving censoring.
Now silent once again, Morgan looked around.
"Anyone have any speculations or follow ups of what we've just learned?"
Nobody spoke, not out of obliviousness, but sheer shock from what they were wrapping their heads around. Song of course, didn't respond for obvious reasons.
Receiving no answer, she glanced at the cohort, smiling as she cooed:
"What do you think?"
All of them turned but didn't speak. Kai frowned, a troubled look on his face.
"What are we supposed to think? He went through hell and through a miracle was blessed with the Shadow Lineage which allowed him to survive. But apart from the [Child of Shadow] and [Fated] attribute, we still can't make a strong connection. Hell, we couldn't even see or hear what his runes said!"
The others nodded in agreement.
Shifting her attention to Nephis, she also nodded subtly.
Ananke who had been seated and listening, jolted slightly as Eury's displeased voice rang out.
"Why must you make it more than it is? He was blessed and he survived? Such a process seems slightly underwhelming for a Divine Shadow."
Rain turned, a rare look of annoyance on her face.
"Then what did your other Divine Shadow friends have to do?"
Eurys' cackeled.
"I don't know. Why don't we ask?"
The room suddenly became very quiet. Tyris spoke loud and resolute from the second row.
"If you are insinuating we try and bring Sunless here as a reward for completing a viewing, I advise against it. This place is highly unlikely to bring him here while being the center of attention. And even if he was brought here, how would he react? Watching all his secrets and hardships laid bare for everyone to see and comment on?"
Eury's laugh only grew louder in response.
Then his tone became much deeper, an invisible gust of wind passing through the room.
"Then….why not ask him?"
Everyone in the room frowned, a mixture of curiosity and concern. Nephis looked especially affected, leaning forward as she asked in a commanding tone:
"Ask him, what do you mean?"
Suddenly, a terrible premonition washed over Rain, as an invisible pair of eyes landed on her.
Although Eurys had no flesh, Rain could feel him flashing a terrible grin. Then her eyes widened in panic as she opened her mouth to stop him before he could speak.
But it was too late.
His hollow tone echoed across the room.
"Why I am of course referring to the Divine Shadow that has been hiding in our dear Rain's shadow!"
___________________________________________________
Sun went away :(
No choice but to write now
Also First Nightmare finally done! Woah!
___________________________________________________