[Hey Cass, could you contact Kai for me. I have a request for him.]
There was silence in his mind for a moment, then he heard it. The familiar voice of the blind seer.
[Uh, sure. What do you need me to ask him to do?]
Despite it being a message in his mind, he could hear fatigue in it, a sign of just how much Cassie is pushing herself.
[I need his help constructing a song for Nephis. I have some lyrics that I have no idea how to put in a song. Could you tell him to free his schedule and help me with it?]
The silence dragged on for longer this time, but Sunny didn't mind. It gave him more time to enjoy Neph's embrace, being in such a calming presence despite the future that awaited them.
[He said he'll get to you later. There is some business to take care of.]
Well it not like Sunny expected him to be free, Kai is a government saint. So, it would be strange if he wasn't busy. The sheer weight of the request—from a master, no less, asking for help with a song for the future Queen of humanity—surely took him by surprise.
Sunny would just love to see Kai's face when he heard that. He just missed the times when he could joke around with him, those where the good times.
Well, this was also one of the good times for Sunny — he couldn't complain — but in his book, teasing Kai was second only to this. There is a possibility that it would go down in ranks as he spent time with Nephis, but that wasn't fully his fault.
Sunny did notice something about Nephis, her breathing calmed, heart slowed. 'Seems she fell asleep.'
His smile widened, the fact that Nephis felt comfortable falling asleep while cuddling him meant more to him than she could imagine. It wasn't really important at the moment, he could also enjoy it later.
Now, he needed to get a few things ready for when Nephis woke up. His shadow separated from his body, gliding smoothly along the floor of the tower. Soon, it reached the outside of the great tower.
It slid across the emerald grass, making its way towards a particular brick cottage. When it reached its doors, they opened — strangely enough — and closed behind it. The shadow rippled and finally took shape, one of a humble enchanter know as Master Sunless.
Unlike the real one, the shadow wore clothes made of shadows, not only that, but his presence alone was much more potent. If anyone were to witness him now, there is no doubt they would figure out he is really a saint. Luckily, the fire keepers knew better than to barge in without a proper warning, that would give Sunny enough time to figure something out.
With a smile on its face, the shadow slowly walked into the kitchen, unhurriedly taking the necessary ingredients for the meal he will prepare for Nephis. Since she decided to trust him so much, he had to prepare a feast for her. It wasn't really all too important to make a feast because of that, but so what. Sunny was a selfish person, he wanted to enjoy every step of the way to gaining Neph's complete trust.
It was going to be a long and arduous journey, there will be ups and downs every step of the way, but that's precisely why he wants to enjoy the little things too. As he worked on the feast, his smile never dropped, if anything, it slowly grew brighter.
Slowly, the food was taking shape under the watchful gaze of the divine shadow, looking absolutely majestic. The aroma made from it was rich in more than one way, both in volume and actual flavor of the food prepared. Luckily for Sunny, such a rich aroma was not enough to call on the fire keepers because of the protective layers of the mimic.
Granted, the food was made from a corrupted abomination, so who's to say it will not escape its grasp. It wouldn't be good for him if anyone to witness him like this, especially after they confirmed his presence as a relatively weak master.
There were ways to keep them silent of course, more than one. He could buy them out, after all the fire keepers were one of his best customers. It was safe to say they enjoyed his food, which meant it was possible to buy them out with good food.
[hey Sunny, Kai says he is ready to help you now. Do you want me to pass along what you want his help for in detail?]
Sunny had expected Cassie to contact him soon, but wasn't this a bit too fast? He was obviously aware of the fact that a government saint didn't always get missions that took days to achieve, then again it was possible kai was near the end of his mission. So that wouldn't be a problem for Sunny.
[Sure, I'll tell you the trouble I'm having, and you pass it to Kai. Let me just finish the food first, I'm almost done.]
Sunny was then left in silence, he trusted that Cassie would pass along the message to kai, he didn't have to worry about that. And since he was free to od what he wished, he could also thank Cassie with a meal prepared especially foe her. That meal obviously wasn't anything on par for the food made for Nephis, however it would still pass for a very good one.
Soon enough, the food was finished, put on plates made by Sunny himself — with the help of fiend and his fiery breath. The silverware was just the same, if anything Sunny could be proud it was his skillful hands. Being able to make things like this with such precise and delicate moves just proves how much his weaving helped him.
It would be even more impressive if people found out that it was made from a Great demon. Most wouldn't believe him anyway, so it wasn't really important information.
With Kai's help Sunny managed to craft a song of unparallel quality, even Kai himself was astonished by the sheer number of ideas Sunny had. Even though it looked as if Sunny couldn't possible practice it, he didn't have to worry about it. He had 4 whole incarnations to help him with that, and they didn't hold back when it came to their displeasure of singing and performing.
It was safe to say that Sunny deeply wished that Nephis would love this, it was made by her boyfriend, and even her favorite singer Night from Night&Gale. The only thing Sunny was sad about is the fact that almost half a day had passed since Nephis fell asleep, and she still hasn't woken up.
The food he had prepared for her was now cold and had lost its flavor. It was just then that Sunny felt her shifting her weight, even after all this time, she was still laying on top of him, snuggling into his chest. She was finally waking up. Sunny had to act fast, the food, though cold, could still be enjoyed.
From a shadow on the floor appeared a five-meter tall, four-armed fiend, with a body forged from polished black silver. His steel carapace protruded with long, sharp spikes, resembling shattered swords. The infernal flames burning in his eyes ignited with hungry malice.
"listen here, I want you to use your fiery breath on the food at just the right temperature. If you overheat it I will immediately send you into the hollows."
At the mention of the punishment, the mischievous grin from the fiend's face almost completely disappeared. His voice was hoars, full of resentment. "No. No again."
After that, the fiend opened its maw, revealing a row of sharp teeth, glowing as the radiated a strange amount of heat. With that, a fiery breath came out over the food, it was rather weak compared to what its usual strength was, but just enough to reheat the food.
After it was done, it disappeared just as fast as it appeared, and a smile played on his face. Luckily he was smart enough to put the slices of cake he made when he realized Nephis wouldn't wake up so soon. He did urn out to be right, Nephis did wake up, and was even embarrassed to realize how long she slept. Even if she tried to hide that fact.
He didn't really mind though, just spending time with her like that was enough for him. As saints they didn't really need to rest that often, and could survive for weeks without sleep.
But that didn't mean they should do that. And the fact that Nephis slept for so long meant that she was pushing herself too much, or — as Sunny would like to believe — because she enjoyed his presence and could relax with him by her side.
Now, all he had to do was bring Nephis her and let her enjoy his food. Which he was doing right now, while simultaneously practicing the song and also the flute resembling the Bone Singer. Just making the shape from shadows took long enough, and even now it wasn't perfect.
Which meant Sunny had to stall for time until he got a satisfying result. Which was likely never going to happen, but it was worth trying if it meant he could see that smile. That pure, true, happy smile. As long as he could see it, any amount of suffering was worth it.
Sunny was a selfish person, which meant that as long as he is the only one able to see that smile, it would make it all the more worth the trouble.
The door opened of the shadow opened, welcoming the couple inside. The shadow in the kitchen managed to finish the preparations just in time. Sunny let go of its form and comanded it to get back to his feet.
This detail was not missed by Nephis, but being the guest, she feighed ignorance, not wishing to ruin the moment. They did come inside together, arms linked.
The gesture was one of Cassie's ideas, although Sunny wasn't sure how Cassie even knew about this stuff, considering she never had a boyfriend. He trusted her in that part, at least she knew more than him.
If he had to guess, Nephis was probably on a similiar level of knowledge to him, which he was happy about. It meant that they could learn together what it fealt like to be a couple, and trying out all those things they do.
Some would have to wait for the right moment, since neither of them were sure how to start a conversation on that point. Sunny led Nephis to the table, taking out her chair and instructing her to sit down.
He then sat across from her gesturing her to eat. While the look on his face was rather calm, and his smile was ever present. Reality was different, his incarnations in godgrave were going crazy, there was so little time left to perfect it.
Usually sunny wouldn't be this nervous over something as simple as a song. But, the song was made specifically for Nephis. If he wanted to make sure she enjoyed this, he needed to make everything perfect.
Sunny knew all to well rhat perfection doesn't exist, especially after being a cook for so long. His food, although hevenly, was not perfect, there was still room for improvement. He liked to believe his food was the closest to being perfect out of anyone, its not like just anyone can make movements so precise while making food.
And Sunny was a saint, one of the most powerful of his generation. And yet, he was met with a new challange almost everyday, it almost made him feel nostalgic of his [Fated] attribute, the key word is almost.
And true to his word, Nephis was enjoying his almost flawless food. And there was that smile, the one Sunny would kill just to see. Looking at it distracted sunny just for a second, and his incarnations were already cursing him out.
"How is the food?" He asked, a sense of calm in his voice.
She took time her time with the food, rhen finally looked at him and answered. Her voice betraying her wish to remain calm, she sounded happy, not the fake sympathy usually shown, the really happiness.
"It's good. Thank you. Sunny."
She took another bite of cake—and looked to the side, embarrassment creeping up her cheeks.
Finally, after a few minutes, Sunny finally felt ready to start with the main reason for this date.
"If you don't mind, could I sing you a song?"
Visible surprise—and confusion—appeared on Neph's face. If Sunny had to guess, she was probably thinking that singing was another one of his secrets he was too embarrassed to share.
She looked too stunned to speak, so she just nodded.
The shadows under the table manifested themselves into a near-flawless flute. Its dark, polished surface seemed to absorb the dim light of the room.
As he played, the very air around them seemed to thicken, resonating with a melody that was both ethereal and deeply melancholic. His incarnation, shimmering into existence beside him, began to sing. Its voice, clear and pure, wove through the flute's haunting notes, each phrase a whispered confession.
The song began with a lament for distant shores—not physical places, but echoes of forgotten peace, of a life untainted by shadow. The flute's low, lingering notes painted a picture of yearning, of gazing across vast, unreachable oceans of the past.
As the melody swelled, the lyrics spoke of forgotten dreams—aspirations that had been buried under the weight of duty and loss, dreams that perhaps weren't even his own, but carried on his soul like heavy stones. He closed his eyes, his real body focused solely on the intricate fingerwork on the flute, while his incarnation poured raw emotion into every word.
But then, just as the despair threatened to overwhelm the tune, a subtle shift occurred. The flute's notes ascended, becoming lighter, clearer. The incarnation's voice, while still tender, infused the lyrics with a fragile, persistent strength. This was the quiet hope that lingered even in despair—a stubborn, almost defiant spark in the darkness.
It spoke of enduring, of finding light in the smallest corners, and of the profound belief that even after everything, something good could still remain. The music flowed around Neph, a vulnerable, intricate map of Sunny's hidden soul, finally laid bare.
Both the flute and Sunny's incarnation disappeared into the shadows, since they weren't needed anymore. His breathing became hoarse, and hurried.
But it was worth it, just as Sunny hoped, Nephis smiled. Not only that, but even her eyes betrayed her, showing jim just what she thought about him and the performance.
Finally, she spoke—her voice a fragile tapestry woven from a thousand threads of emotion. It was wonder and sorrow, awe and a dawning understanding, all mixed in proportions she couldn't yet name.
"It... its beautiful, Sunny."