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Hello everyone, I'm back with a new chapter! First of all, how are you doing? How long have you been waiting? I would like to share some news. As for the chapter, I want to warn you right away that the quality may not be important, because when you write a chapter in parts, sometimes you get lost in thoughts and ideas, but I hope I did a good job. And one more thing, I have almost half of the other chapter ready, and I think I'll publish it within three or four days if nothing bothers me. Actually, I planned to release two at once and please you, but I didn't think that the episode about the forgotten coast would be so big.
And in fact, I've already been rejected for a job application, in two places.:(
But just two hours ago I wrote to another place and I will hope for the best.
Finally, I want to say something else, to tell you the truth, when I started writing this fanfiction, the main goal was to improve my writing skills, because I had a desire to write something of my own, original, fascinating.
And while I was writing this fanfiction, I was developing the idea, or rather the story. And now I have the first five chapters ready, it's really difficult to combine writing fan fiction, another story, and applying for jobs and going for interviews. But there is something.
I hope I will pleasantly surprise you soon.
Have fun reading!
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Sunny was silent for a moment, then grinned.
"No chance."
Many faces grew grim, and some were shadowed with sorrow. Who could blame them? Even for the Dream Realm, this was too much.
A bewildered Effie turned toward her friend and gave her a meaningful look.
"Uh… Neph, why are you two fighting?"
She hesitated for a second.
"I mean, I get that only one of you can escape, but you could at least try to find a way out together. That seems like the best option."
Many people turned their heads in their direction—because, to some degree, they agreed with the fiery huntress.
Nephis herself looked tense and strange, not even glancing at her.
"I… I don't know," she muttered uncertainly.
"But, Princess—"
Effie tried to continue, but was quickly cut off.
"I DON'T KNOW!" Neph shouted, her voice shockingly loud.
The cry echoed through the hall. Many were stunned—seeing the ever-calm Changing Star lose her composure was something entirely new. Cassie, sitting beside her, flinched slightly.
Even the always cheerful Effie was left speechless. Nephs had never yelled at her like that. Saddened, she stared down at her feet. A moment later, she felt a surprisingly cold hand on her shoulder.
"Thanks, Jet…"
A grateful smile spread across her face.
"Now's just not the right moment, Effie. Anyone would understand that."
Effie understood even without being told—but hurt feelings don't vanish so easily.
"Just wait, Princess. Once we're out of this place, I'm not letting you or your husband off the hook," she muttered darkly.
Another evil plan was already forming in her head. Seeing her grin, the Soul Reaper sensed future trouble.
Nephis, not understanding—no, not remembering—what she had seen, was in turmoil. Part of her knew there was a reason for all of this, something she simply didn't know. Still… she shuddered for a moment, feeling a powerful gaze on her. She knew exactly whose it was, but couldn't gather the courage to look back.
Sitting off to the side, Mordret was filled with delight. The Changing Star's sudden burst of anger had even surprised him a little.
A wicked smile twisted his face.
"I sense discord approaching…"
The Prince of Nothing looked ahead—toward the lower rows, where the Changing Star's group sat. He could feel a conflict taking shape. And conflict, as a rule, gave birth to chaos.
And chaos… was something Mordret enjoyed very, very much.
Sunny and Nephis stared at each other, the air between them practically crackling with tension.
The white flame seeping from the Changing Star's wounds suddenly flared in a violent burst, knitting some of the injuries together and making others less severe. But then it dimmed and vanished, retreating back into the crucible of her soul. A grimace flickered across her face as a dull light pulsed beneath her porcelain skin.
At the same time, shadow curled around Sunny's body, filling him with power and vitality. He drew a deep breath and shifted his weight slightly.
'How… how can this possibly end…'
Before the thought could fully form, Sunny crushed it mercilessly and drove it out of his mind.
While motes of dust sparkled in the white rays streaming through the shattered roof of the ancient hall… while the stark shadows thickened in dark anticipation… Nephis raised the pommel of her sword to her shoulder.
White fire ignited in her eyes.
And then, suddenly, she dashed forward.
'Fast!'
But not fast enough to deny Sunny time to react. Raising the Midnight Shard, he lunged forward to meet her furious attack… and shuddered as the impact shook his entire body.
It felt as if his sword had struck a mountain.
Their blades locked for a heartbeat, then tore apart. Almost immediately, the silver longsword came again, lashing out from an unexpected angle… and again, and again, and again.
Sunny defended frantically, chaining blocks and parries into one continuous flow of swift motions. Despite all his efforts, he still staggered back slightly after each blow. It was as if he were being struck by a storm of adamantine hammers, every hit making his bones tremble and groan.
'How… how is she this strong…'
Most watched the screen with grim expressions. Two companions, two friends, forced to cross blades. The power carried in their strikes, their sheer will to survive — and yet, it was horrifying.
"Poor children…"
"How terrible…"
"Truly, fate shows no mercy to this Shadow!!"
Aurora was filled with quiet sorrow. As she watched the screen, she understood all too well that they were still just children. No matter what they had gone through, no matter how much they had endured, at their core they were still young.
And those children were forced into a situation where one of them had to die. Worst of all… one of them was her son. She knew the Dream Realm was a cruel place, but this…
Her gaze darted feverishly from the screen to Nephis.
Cassie, meanwhile, stared with empty eyes that revealed nothing. While everyone else watched in breathless fascination, she was trying to remember. A memory surfaced for a fraction of a second before slipping away just as quickly, tormenting her.
Clenching her teeth and staring at the screen, she whispered softly:
"Fate…"
Parrying another blow, Sunny clenched his teeth and lunged to the side, hoping to exploit the brief opening in his opponent's defense. However, he was met with a merciless sweep of the silver blade. The opening had been nothing more than a feint — one that nearly cost him his arm.
'Something is wrong here…'
Either the amplification from the white flame was far stronger than that of his Shadow, or something else was at play. Still, Sunny didn't believe that the radiance emanating from Neph's skin was more potent than his own physical enhancement. From what he had observed during her battle with Gunlaug, it had been about the same or only slightly stronger — it shouldn't have given her such a tremendous advantage, especially in her seemingly exhausted state.
Somehow, Nephis had become much stronger between then and now.
But how?
…At least the silver sword wasn't blazing with that annihilating, blinding light. If it were, the Midnight Shard might have been destroyed, or at the very least severely damaged. In that regard, luck was still on his side.
They traded a few more blows and separated for a fraction of a second, then clashed again. The Changing Star's sword lunged forward, missing Sunny's face by mere millimeters… or so he thought, until he felt warm droplets rolling down his cheek. A thin cut had appeared there, filling with blood.
A little farther to the right — and he would have lost an eye.
Everyone watched the battle on the screen with spellbound eyes. Even the Saints were astonished, for the fight unfolding before them did not resemble a clash between two Sleepers — it was as though two Awakened had met in combat. Their mastery, their strength, the sheer will they displayed, and the words of the Sunless confirming it all shocked everyone present.
Instinctively, all of them compared themselves to these two back when they were merely Sleepers, and every single person arrived at the same conclusion.
That such a thing should have been impossible.
"Dear sister, if I may ask… where does this strength come from, for you to possess it while still being Sleepers? I suspect everyone is wondering the same."
A voice echoed through the hall, drawing everyone's attention. All eyes turned to Morgana of Valor.
At her question, Nephis flinched ever so slightly. Slowly turning her gaze from the screen, she met the crimson eyes of her sworn sister. After several long seconds, she finally spoke.
"Why should I tell you?"
Her tone carried a cold edge.
Unfazed by her glare, Morgana shifted her attention toward the upper rows. Following her gaze, Nephis saw countless eyes fixed upon her, burning with curiosity.
Taking a slow breath, she began to speak.
"In truth… saturating your cores increases more than just your essence reserves. It also enhances physical strength."
She paused, feeling the weight of revealing her secrets tightening around her.
"Of course, it doesn't grant the raw might of a nightmare creature, but the increase is still significant. As we speak, Sunless is on the verge of forming his second core — the threshold of becoming a monster. Meanwhile, I am already a monster on the brink of forming my third core and ascending to the demon class. That is the reason for the disparity in strength."
A chill ran through the hall as murmurs erupted.
"Impossible!"
"Is this the advantage of possessing a divine Aspect?!"
"Physical strength comparable to Nightmare Creatures?!"
While everyone discussed the Changing Star's revelation, Morgana clicked her tongue, giving her sister one last glance before turning her attention back to the screen.
Nephis, however, was left in turmoil. Revealing her cards to potential enemies had never been her intention. Watching Morgana — who had already looked away — she clenched her hands so tightly her knuckles turned white.
A moment later, another hand rested on hers — much smaller than her own. Lifting her gaze, she saw Cassie, her sightless eyes also fixed on the large screen.
Their furious clash must have looked wild and painfully beautiful. Both moved with unbelievable speed and wielded ferocious strength, both skilled and seasoned, forged into fearsome killers by hundreds of deadly battles.
One was darkness and shadow, and the other — radiance and light.
At last, they broke apart and retreated, standing still for a few brief moments.
Sunny was breathing heavily, his bloodied face even paler than usual. Nephis watched him with a grim expression, her own breath harsh and strained.
If this were some trivial drama, they would have exchanged words here — voicing their resolve and unshakable will. Admiring their foe or belittling them with contemptuous insults, showing fearlessness, tossing out a careless joke.
…But this wasn't that. Everything that needed to be said had already been said. There was no turning back.
Only violence remained.
Looking at Nephis, Sunny suppressed a sly grin.
Something had changed in the proud daughter of the Immortal Flame Clan. Something he had been waiting for since the beginning of their brutal battle.
The wounds that had been partially sealed by white fire had begun to bleed again.
And as they did, the Blood Blossom Amulet hanging from his neck finally stirred from its slumber, filling the Midnight Shard with boundless hunger.
"Gods, Neph, you two are monsters…" Effie gasped, prompting the others to nod vigorously in agreement.
"I—I suppose I'd have to agree," Jet whispered in astonishment.
Everyone watched the unfolding battle with eyes full of reverence. Many had known and witnessed the strength of the Changing Star… but now they were realizing there was another monster among them — perhaps an even more frightening one.
But Nephis paid no attention to their comments. She stared at the screen as if spellbound. The way he fought — so masterful, so familiar — the sword style she knew so well… it was beautiful.
'I wonder if I taught him that?' the unbidden thought echoed in her mind. Of course, she hadn't created her martial art herself — it was the style of the Immortal Flame Clan — but over time she had altered and refined it, and now she clearly saw those changes reflected in Sunless's movements.
Rain watched the battle blankly, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly open. After discovering the existence of her brother — her real brother — every passing second, every new moment of watching, brought another wave of madness crashing down on her.
She had never suspected that behind the gentle smile of her teacher — her brother — such things could be hidden. All his absurd, impossible jokes and wild tales of brutal trials she could never believe and always brushed aside… turned out to be true.
Every viewing showed her things so insane they were difficult not just to believe, but even to comprehend. But now she knew.
Because she'd seen it.
And now she watched as two friends, two companions — two lovers — were forced to fight for their freedom…
Sunny fell to the ground.
Damn… damn, that hurts…
Regaining some semblance of control over his mind, he lifted a hand and wiped the blood from his eyes. Then he pushed himself up to one knee and looked toward where Nephis was.
She stood a few meters away, leaning on her sword for support. A deep wound cut across her abdomen just below the cracked breastplate of her Star Legion armor, and her face was twisted in pain.
Blood flowed from the wound he had dealt her like a crimson stream.
Their eyes met for a brief moment, and then Sunny lowered his gaze to the severe tachi lying on the floor between them.
Somewhere in the chaos, he had lost his sword.
Both of them froze for a heartbeat.
Then, ignoring the terrible pain throbbing in his injured shoulder, Sunny lunged forward and seized the hilt of the Midnight Shard.
At the same moment, the Changing Star dashed ahead, raising her blade.
…However, neither of them was given the chance to strike.
Because in that very instant, the Crimson Spire shuddered again — far more violently than before.
And with a deafening roar of breaking stone, the floor beneath their feet suddenly split apart and collapsed into darkness, pulling them down with it.
The cinema began to shake in unison with the destruction of the spire, causing everyone to cling to their seats.
Everyone watched the two silhouettes gradually disappearing, falling into the darkness. Everyone present unknowingly held their breath, waiting for the worst.
"Gods, how insidious! You really deserve each other!" The sorcerer shouted with delight. Most of them silently agreed with him, because what they saw confirms this more than enough.
Sunny fell downward in a rain of shattered stone, the floor beneath his feet suddenly crumbling like broken glass.
The Crimson Spire shuddered and groaned, like a giant creature writhing in its death throes. The light of the artificial sun grew dim and weak, triggering another tremor that ran through the ancient tower; wide cracks appeared on its granite walls.
Surrounded by a downpour of falling stone fragments, Changing Star twisted her body and somehow managed to direct her sword toward Sunny. Even more miraculously, he managed to parry it with his own. Both were thrown apart from each other, their transparent wings intertwining behind their backs.
For a few seconds, Sunny felt his body plunging into darkness. Then, finally, the Dark Wing fully manifested and became a blurry patch, supporting his weight.
Dodging a massive granite slab that threatened to crush him, Sunny used it as a stepping stone and surged through the air. The Midnight Shard flashed, aiming for Changing Star's wings, but was blocked by the blade of a silver longsword.
As the debris fell downward, the two human figures clashed and spun in the air. Without any footing, the only chance to exert force was to use the opponent's body as such. Their bodies tangled, almost like lovers.
But in reality, of course, the aim of this intimacy was not love; it was violence.
Nephis stared with wide eyes. Even though she was still lost in the confusing storm of emotions overwhelming her, she was utterly mesmerized.
"…How beautiful…" she whispered, her voice full of reverence.The soft murmur made Effie choke on her own breath and cough violently in surprise.Beside her, Kai was watching Nephis with an innocent, slightly stunned smile — which only made Jet burst into laughter.
Nephis once again failed to notice her friend's reaction, her gaze still fixed, spellbound, on the unfolding battle.
"Uh… princess, you really need to learn not to phrase things so suggestively!" Effie grumbled.
Yet even she couldn't deny it — not entirely.As the clash on the screen continued, the entire world seemed to fade into the background.
Because it was beautiful.
And at the same time horrifying.
But still… mesmerizing.
"…How wonderful…" Daeron whispered, entranced. Even he, a Monarch, was impressed. He had never imagined a battle between ordinary Sleepers could look like this. The way their blades met and parted in fractions of a second, the strength, the willpower they displayed — all of it left him shaken.
"Do you truly think so?"A calm voice spoke beside him. It was the Professor. Turning to him, Daeron furrowed his brows, pondering before answering.
"It's as beautiful as it is terrifying."
The Professor was caught off guard, but a sad smile slowly appeared on his face.
"Indeed… you're absolutely right," Julius said softly.
Focusing on the distant balcony, Sunny hesitated for a brief moment, then cast a glance at Nephis.
Then he dismissed the Dark Wing and dived downward, abandoning the safety of flight.
Instead, he chose to fall.
He had to calculate everything perfectly.
When the Gate grew close enough for him to distinguish the individual runes glowing in a ring around it, he summoned the enchanted cloak once more.
At almost the last possible moment, the Dark Wing finally materialized. Instantly, Sunny activated the enchantment and forced his vertical plunge into a horizontal glide.
As inertia pulled him downward with terrifying speed, he carved a smooth arc through the air and slammed into the stone surface of the balcony, turning what should have been a brutal impact into a tumbling roll. Then, without wasting an instant, he jumped to his feet and dashed toward the Gate.
Wracked with pain and limping, Sunny crossed the shimmering runes and stepped into the circle. Almost immediately, a strange sensation enveloped him.
It felt like… that odd, indescribable moment just before you realize that the world around you is nothing but a dream, and you're about to wake up.
The light of the runes grew stronger. At the same time, his own body began to glow, radiating that same ethereal brilliance.
…But before the glow could fully ignite, a shadow fell from above with the deadly whisper of sharp steel.
'No!'
"His mind is truly impressive," Saint Kor said approvingly, earning a series of agreeing nods from the others.
"Indeed. We haven't seen him use any of the shadow abilities he showed before. Has he really grown that much?" Julius added, his eyes filled with disbelief.
And in truth, everyone found themselves wondering the same thing. Was such growth even possible?
Or… was this the advantage of possessing a divine Aspect?
"It seems we underestimated him," Ananke said softly, drawing the room's attention. Many wanted to argue, but no words came — remembering the madness they had witnessed, no one dared to deny it.
A few seconds later, the roar and tremors accompanying the scene on the screen pulled them back to the unfolding battle. It seemed the fight was nearing its end.
No one could tear their eyes away from the fierce clash. It felt like they were watching a dance — a dance of death.
Because in the end, one of them had to die so the other could live.
Yet everyone in the hall held one shared understanding. The knowledge of the Changing Star's feat — how she spent two years in the Dream Realm, challenged the Second Nightmare, and emerged victorious.
They all knew she would likely lose here. They didn't know how, but even that didn't lessen their anticipation. And knowing that, no one dared say it out loud.
There was no real need to, because after several long minutes…the battle finally approached its conclusion.