Sunny was slowly growing fond of talking in the dark.
Without the burden of light, people were more relaxed, more honest. It reminded him of the blackouts that used to sweep through the city when he was a kid. His family had no choice but to huddle together and talk, spending hours doing nothing else.
Now, those quiet, powerless nights had become some of his most precious memories.
After a moment of silence, Sunny finally said:
"Since we're going to be depending on each other, should we share what abilities and Memories we have at our disposal?"
It was a logical suggestion. If they were going to fight side by side, knowing each other's strengths was essential. Still, he noticed Nephis glance toward him, guarded. Thankfully, the darkness kept his expression hidden.
"I'll start," Sunny said, more to guide the flow than anything else.
He wanted to appear sincere — and he was — but this way, he could control how much to reveal. Volunteering was always better than being questioned.
"My Attributes give me an affinity for shadows. I also have a slight connection to divinity. Lastly... I'm prone to finding myself in unlikely situations."
Cassie listened carefully and then lowered her head a little, as if embarrassed.
"Uh... he's telling the truth. Not that we doubted you!"
Sunny cleared his throat, trying to hide his nerves.
"Really? That's good to know. But... how are you so sure I'm being honest?"
The blind girl shifted.
"Oh! That's my Ability. I can... 'see' people's Attributes. Sometimes I get visions, too — about the past or future. I think. It only happened a couple of times."
Miguel, still lying on his back, listened quietly, watching Cassie's pulse steady through the dark.
'So she's an oracle of sorts. Luckily, she can only see Attributes... if it were more than that, I'd be in real trouble.'
Still, best to be careful around her.
Sunny swallowed and continued:
"That's a good Ability. As for mine — you've already seen it. My shadow can move independently and explore. We share sight and hearing, so I can spot danger early. It's fast, stealthy, nearly impossible to detect. Oh — and I can see in the dark."
He noticed the girls react... strangely.
"Uh? What?"
Nephis frowned.
"Have you ever used your Ability in the Academy?"
Sunny blinked.
'What kind of question is that?' both Sunny and Miguel thought at once.
"In the Academy? Sure. Why?"
Before they could answer, Sunny raised his hand in a panic.
"But I never used it to do anything inappropriate! You have to believe me!"
That part, thankfully, was true.
Still, Nephis and Cassie didn't look convinced.
Sunny groaned.
"I had more important things to do than—than whatever you're thinking! I spent every free moment learning how to survive!"
Nephis tilted her head slightly.
"I've never seen you in class. Not even once."
Sunny grinned.
"Of course you didn't. While you were busy mopping the floor with Sleepers, I was taking Wilderness Survival."
Nephis blinked.
"...Wilderness what?"
Cassie tilted her head.
"That's a class?"
"Yep," Sunny replied. "Not fancy, but for an outskirts kid like me who never had tutors or elite schools, it was survival or nothing. Without it, I'd have drowned the moment we got here."
Miguel spoke up.
"He's right. I took those classes too. Best decision I ever made."
For a rare moment, Nephis looked completely thrown off. She rubbed her wrists thoughtfully.
"I see... I didn't know."
Sunny tried not to sound bitter. His tone came out light, but the weight behind it remained.
"That's okay. It's natural for someone of your status not to know."
When he mentioned her status, Nephis smiled faintly... but said nothing.
"Anyway," Sunny continued, "that's my Ability. I also have three Memories: an armor, a sword... and a really loud bell."
There was a pause, then Miguel sat up and added:
"My Attributes give me affinity to martial prowess. — and a little divinity. I've got three Memories: two swords and a tool. The tool's what I'm wearing. I can change its appearance, it doesn't get dirty, and it repairs itself. As for the swords, both are odachis. One gets sharper with each kill I harvest. The other grows with me."
"My Ability?" Miguel glanced at Cassie. "I become a mirage. Sometimes I'm here, sometimes I'm not. Since my Flaw can't be used against me directly, I'll share it: I can't rely on others to achieve something."
"For example, if someone tries to help me against an enemy I will be weakened strongly, but it does not say anything about helping someone else, so I just have to think outside the box, only if I consider something as help then my Flaw will be activated."
Cassie tilted her head, curious.
"So... a mental attack Ability?"
Miguel smiled.
"Nope. It's hard to explain. I can sense time flowing slower, turn into a mirage, build momentum at will, and move faster than most can even process. I can teleport, too. To put it simply—" he grinned, "I'm really, really fast."
Cassie — or at least it felt like she was — looked at him.
"That's one way to put it."
Miguel exhaled, glancing up at the dark sky.
"Easier to show than explain. Next time a Scavenger shows up, I'll give you the full demonstration."
Now it was Nephis's turn.
"My Attributes give me affinity to light and fire, with a strong connection to divinity. I have two Memories: a rope and a sword. The rope is sturdy, flexible, and can change length. The sword is very sharp... and it offers protection from soul attacks. To a degree."
Sunny was watching Cassie's face closely.
He was sure Nephis was telling the truth... but not all of it. And judging by how Cassie subtly tensed, there was more to Changing Star than she let on.
"My Ability," Nephis finished, "can be used to heal."
Sunny caught that — can be used. Which meant its main purpose probably wasn't healing. Healing Aspects were rare. Ones with broader potential? Almost unheard of.
Miguel raised a brow.
"A healer? And here I thought I was lucky. Still... even if I can't be healed, the rest of you can. That's a blessing for the group."
Cassie spoke last, her voice soft.
"I guess it's my turn... My Attributes are tied to revelation and fate. You already know my Ability — I can see people's Attributes and sometimes receive visions." She hesitated. "It's not that useful."
She brushed her fingers along her lap.
"I have three Memories: the bottle, the wooden staff, and this armor. The staff creates wind. The armor is Awakened rank... Neph gave it to me when we met. It has a powerful protective charm."
Cassie looked away.
"I used to be a decent fencer... before. I can't fight anymore."
No one asked about her Flaw. Just like no one revealed their own. Sharing that part of yourself required trust — and they weren't quite there yet.
After a moment of silence, Sunny muttered:
"Good. That's good. We have tools to survive — as long as we use them right. I guess it's time to sleep."
Miguel yawned, already half-asleep.
"No need to tell me twice, bud..." he mumbled, curling into his seaweed pile.
He was out like a light.
Later that night...
Miguel was startled awake by a soft voice:
"Miguel... are you up?"
His deep blue eyes cracked open, shining faintly in the darkness.
"Wasn't... until you woke me. This better be worth my priceless sleeping time."
Cassie sat beside him.
"Do you think we'll make it out? That we'll... wake up from this place?"
Miguel turned to look at her, using his arms as pillows.
"Anyone would say 'no' in this situation."
"But if you look closer... it's just a matter of time before the four of us get out of here. We're not like the beasts. They fight for food, for one more day. We fight for freedom. Every meal, every step, is just a path leading us out. So no worries, my friend. We'll leave this place."
He smiled — Cassie couldn't see it, but somehow, she knew.
"And we'll probably become the most powerful Awakened of our generation."
Cassie hesitated.
"How are you so sure?"
Miguel chuckled.
"Because... a silver-haired girl we both know once said: 'If that is our will... who dares defy it?'"
Cassie felt herself calm.
Moments later, both of them drifted to sleep.
Morning.
Sunny and Nephis were the first to rise. As the black sea began to retreat and the sun rose slowly above the horizon, they built a small fire and cooked a simple breakfast. They didn't say much at first. It was almost like last night's conversation had never happened.
Eventually, however, the silence broke.
"With what you said about the scavengers crowding the west," Nephis said, "the logical step is to move east. North or south are options too, but east puts more distance between us and the threat."
Sunny nodded.
"We explored east a little, but not enough to reach the next high ground in a single day. I say we scout today and move camp tomorrow."
He paused.
"Do you have any idea where we are? Maybe a human Citadel out there?"
Nephis shook her head.
"I've never heard of a place like this. We have to move to find out. Either we discover a Citadel, stumble into a Gateway... or die. East is as good a direction as any. And the safest."
Suddenly, Cassie sat upright, her expression shocked and pale.
"Cassie?" Nephis asked, frowning. "What's wrong?"
"A vision! I had a vision!"
She pointed east.
"There's a castle — full of people! I don't know how far, but I know it's in that direction!"
Sunny and Nephis stared at each other, half-relieved, half-anxious.
Just then, Miguel stirred.
"What does a guy have to do to get a full night's sleep around here?" he groaned, blinking groggily.
"...Wait. Where am I again—? Oh. Right. Dream Realm."
He sat up, squinting at Cassie's outstretched hand.
"What with the damn noise? A saint appeared to guide us out of this hellhole?" He yawned. "Why do you all look excited and terrified at the same time?"
"...And why the hell is Cassie pointing toward the same place where hundreds of scavengers are gathered?"
He blinked again, then laid back down.
"...Ah fuck it, I don't give a damn."