[Wake up, Sunless! Your nightmare is over....again.]
'Huh, seems like the Spell knows that I am from the future-past? Whatever.'
Sunny found himself in a space between dream and reality. It was an endless black void illuminated by a myriad of stars. Between those stars, countless strings of silver light were woven into a beautiful and inconceivably complex net, forming various nexuses and constellations.
This is the Spell's inner work. Sunny shook his head and waited for rewards.
The Spell was still appraising his performance. However, the first reward had nothing to do with it.
[You have received a Memory: Puppeteer's Shroud]
'Hmmm, will I get only the same memories? Or will I get different memories and also more memories in the future?' he pondered.
Then the Spell finally finished its appraisal.
[Aspirant! Your trial is over.]
[A nameless slave ascended the-.] The Spell stopped, its strings trembling for a split second.
'Did the Spell have problems because I already did this? And because I came from the future, does this make me an error?' Sunny thought.
After a few seconds, the Spell started speaking again.
[A treacherous divine shadow descended upon the River of Time. After suffering for thousand of years, he still didn't break. Wanting to be his master's equal, not his slave. Trying to go against the very nature of a shadow. He entered the estuary and learned the secrets of the gods and daemons. There he met The Vile Thieving Bird, who was hated by both gods and unknown, stole his fate, but he survived, and became free. Defying the very nature of a shadow. Favored by the Spell, he went back in time and ascended the Black Mountain. He entered the ruined temple of a long-forgotten god and spilled his blood on the sacred altar once again. The gods were dead, and yet they listened.]
[You have defeated a dormant beast: Mountain King's Larva.]
[You have defeated three dormant humans, names unknown.]
[You have defeated an awakened human: Auro of the Nine.]
[You have defeated an awakened tyrant: Mountain King.]
[You have received the Shadow God's blessing.]
[You have achieved the impossible!]
[Final appraisal: Divine! Your treachery surpassed time, space, death, and fate itself!]
Sunny gulped. He had expected to have a higher appraisal, but this? This was just too much.
'Seems like I am quite a treacherous person, huh.'
Even though he didn't like being called treacherous, he couldn't help but feel proud of it a little bit.
[Dreamer Sunless, receive your boon!]
[You have been bestowed a True Name: Lost from Light.]
He had expected to have the same True Name.
Because a True Name defines a person's fate. Because of [Unseen from Fate], fate still thinks that [Lost from Light] is still his fate. That's why it didn't change his True Name.
[Your Aspect is ready to evolve. Evolve Aspect?]
Now, the moment of truth.
He took a heavy breath. "Yes."
[Dormant Aspect Temple Slave is evolving...]
'Please be different, please be different.'
Even though he knew that Nephis wouldn't use a Shadow Bond against him, he still didn't want to be a slave. Just thinking about someone having full control over his body sent him chills.
[New Aspect acquired.]
[Aspect Rank: Divine.]
[Aspect Name: Dance of Light and Shadow]
He hurriedly checked the runes.
Aspect Description: [You are a rebellious shadow left behind by a dead god. You, who wanted to be his master, his light equal, not slave. However, you never managed to do that. But when you finally did it, you felt empty. You're a lonesome existence, yearning to return to his light. Yet, you still don't want to be a slave.]
Innate Ability: [Unknown Bond]
Ability Description: [You're still a divine shadow. So, your light has to own a True Name at least. Find your light and exchange True Names. Once you both recite them out loud, both you and your light's soul will be connected and able to see each other's location, and teleport to it. Because it is improper for a shadow, let alone a divine one, to walk around without being near his light.]
Sunny let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Relief washed over him.
'Finally... Finally!'
He had never been this happy in his life... Previous life.
He looked up to the runes and smiled, a genuine smile.
'I don't have to suffer anymore. I don't have to be a slave anymore! Nephis also doesn't have to be extra careful with her words and unintentionally command me. We can have a healthy and... normal? relationship!'
Sunny was too happy at the moment, because he didn't have to become anyone's slave.
Plus, he and Nephis would be able to see each other's location and teleport to it if one of them was in danger.
He didn't know if they could also augment each other or see each other's runes like the Shadow Bond.
Well, they would figure it out later.
The Spell began to speak again.
[The First Seal is broken.]
[Awakening dormant powers...]
Sunny felt something waking up inside of him. This didn't feel painful or unpleasant.
It felt like power awakening inside of him. His eyes became sharper, his senses enhanced. His body started to change.
But he felt like his body changed more than in his previous life.
But not in a bad way though.
His body was now more refined. Stronger, and better.
Not the level of an Awakened of course.
'Is it because, even though I traveled back in the past, some of my supreme qualities traveled with me?' Sunny thought.
He was currently in his soul sea.
[Awakening Aspect Ability...]
'Please be the same.'
[Aspect Ability acquired.]
[Aspect Ability Name: Shadow Control.]
Sunny chuckled.
'Seems like those seven bastards are coming with me.'
But it made sense.
The Spell only unlocks everyone's Aspect. Because Aspect and Flaw are always sealed inside of them from birth. The Spell only unlocks them.
[All power has a price.]
[You have received a Flaw.]
[Your Flaw is:...]
Flaw: [Clear Conscience].
Flaw Description: [You cannot lie.]
He smiled.
Not gonna lie, he was really happy to have this flaw.
Because of this flaw, he was able to tell the truth and build trust. Because of this, he was able to have trustworthy friends who he could depend on.
He checked his runes before going out.
Name: Sunless.
True Name: Lost from Light.
Rank: Dreamer. [Sealed rank: Supreme]
Shadow Core: Dormant.
Shadow Fragments: [12/1000].
'Hmmm, so my rank is sealed, instead of just disappearing. So, do I have some of my supreme qualities? Like my will? Plus, how am I going to unlock it? Do I have to reach it first naturally?'
Sunny pondered.
With that, he left his soul sea