Sunny breathed deeply, taking in the fresh air.
'Back again…'
Two days had passed since his return from the Nightmare, and having decided enough time had passed, he entered the Dream Realm.
Looking around, he saw the familiar sight of the Ivory Tower.
Only this time… it seemed a lot more barren and dusty. The last time he'd been here, it had already been cleaned up by the Fire Keepers, with them creating a small settlement just outside.
This time though, it was empty. Not a soul was in sight.
On the ground not too far away, Sunny saw something that made him sigh in relief.
The Dreamcatcher.
'He kept his word…'
It had been far longer than twelve hours already, but Sunny really didn't want to test his luck, so he had waited even longer to come check. Since the Dreamspawn had said he'd leave him alone, he was certain that the Supreme would simply leave the Dreamcatcher in a place he'd know where to find it. Both of them knew damn well that Sunny wouldn't dismiss it until he got a chance to inspect it.
'No way I'm letting that thing in my soul without getting a look at it first…'
Before he even approached the small charm, he shifted his vision.
It just looked like it always did. Nothing suspicious.
Sunny took a couple tentative steps towards it.
"Serpent."
The already lightless hall darkened even further as a stygian serpent emerged from his shadow. With a flash of darkness, Serpent transformed into Aranea.
Sunny turned his head to his Shadow.
"Anything?"
"..."
Serpent turned to him, completely silent.
Without ever making a sound, it crossed its arms together, forming an X.
"...Okay."
That was probably a no.
Still taking slow and careful steps, he treated the Dreamcatcher as if it could explode at any second.
'Please be fine…'
Bending down, he cautiously picked it up, pinching it with two fingers as he kept it as far away from himself as possible.
After nothing happened, he slowly brought it closer to himself, getting a closer look.
And after seeing nothing, he brushed his hands against it.
'I'll be damned.'
There really was nothing wrong with it.
He turned back to Serpent again.
"You're absolutely certain nothing will happen if I dismiss it?"
Serpent simply stared at him.
"...Okay, sorry for doubting you."
A moment later, the Dreamcatcher was gone, returned to his soul.
Sunny immediately dove into his Soul Sea. He simply had to make sure.
Nothing was wrong.
After staring at the massive dreamcatcher in the sky of his soul for a while, he breathed a sigh of relief.
'Thank goodness…'
Hope's final gift had not gone to waste. He still had it, and it was still working just fine.
Despite the fact he didn't need the charm to be anywhere near him for it to work, he still felt better knowing that it rested quietly within his soul rather than in the hands of some strange man with unknown motives.
'Now that that's done…'
Sunny looked around.
"Shall we clean this place up?"
He turned to look at Serpent, only to discover it had immediately dismissed itself upon hearing his words.
"Wha-"
His Shadow… did it really just do that?
"Serpent… I expected better from you."
It was supposed to be the most loyal Shadow he had! Despite the fact that he only had two Shadows remaining, of course…
Sunny sighed.
'I'll just clean this place later.'
Perhaps when he had more help, or perhaps when he wanted to put the space to use.
For now though…
Sinking into the shadows, he appeared on the top floor.
'Should be somewhere around here…'
He had never figured out exactly where it was, but Cassie had once told him the switch to open the path to the basement was hidden somewhere in Hope's chambers.
After sweeping the room for a while, he found it hidden behind a slightly suspicious brick. Flicking the switch, he heard the loud grinding of… something. It didn't exactly sound like gears, but it was probably something like it.
Stepping through the shadows again, he appeared back in the main hall, with the entrance to the basement now open.
Sunny took one look at it before turning away.
'I'll check you out later.'
The basement wasn't scary or anything, but… there was a monumental amount of dust in it! He had places to be today, and he wasn't about to cover himself in dust just to find nothing. This place had been cleaned out by Sevras a long, long time ago already. He had wanted to test how well he could read the runic sorcery of the place, but… that could wait.
'Another time.'
He wanted to check out the Ebony Tower instead, just to see if anything changed.
Only… he didn't exactly have a way of entering it. He had discovered a way of opening the gate in the Nightmare, but he had no idea if that would still work today. The small device that was used to open the gate had been left within Sevras' residence, no doubt, and that place had been destroyed for thousands of years now.
Sunny took a deep breath.
'Still worth a shot.'
It was still a far better option than traversing the sky below. Now that Shrike was gone, he didn't have any fast and reliable ways to get around.
Sunny sighed.
'Maybe I should repair the Chain Breaker?'
He could have Serpent turn into the shadow of Aidre, utilizing the remnants of her Aspect to fix it…
But then there was the fact he didn't know where Cassie had found the seed of the mystical tree that was used as a component of the flying ship.
'I'll just check later…'
He had no real reason to rush over to the Ebony Tower. It was simple curiosity.
'I don't want to stay here too long anyways…'
He wasn't comfortable with leaving Nephis alone for too long. The only reason he was even here was because she was currently asleep. She was still in a fragile state, and he did not want her to feel like she had been abandoned again.
Her recovery was going… okay. At least, that was what he thought. Nephis had thrown herself into her studies, training both her mind and body nonstop. Sunny had dealt with people like that before, so he knew when he needed to stop her before she hurt herself.
'I should teach her how to use the entertainment system.'
He sighed once more, rubbing his face tiredly.
Currently, he was standing on the edge of the Ivory Island, staring at the stars in the night sky. He was waiting for something.
Not too long ago, he'd had Serpent transform into Solvane. Wrapping three shadows around them, he gave the command for it to throw something as hard as it could.
That something was actually the Shadow Lantern, with a single shadow wrapped around it.
And once it hit the ground, he was just going to Shadow Step.
'Why risk myself yet again? I should've done this the last time I was here!'
Sure, it drained quite a lot of essence, but it was better than risking breaking all his bones. The drop from the Ivory Tower to the ground below wasn't that far either, so the drain wasn't even that bad.
Down below, the Shadow Lantern crashed into the ground, lodging itself into a mound of dirt as a cloud of dust was kicked up. A second later, a pale young man emerged from the dust, coughing slightly as he fanned his face.
Looking at the lantern at his feet, he sighed slightly before dismissing it.
'I wonder how Shadow God would feel if he knew one of his relics was being treated like this?'
Honestly, he wanted to throw the Weaver's Mask down instead, but as the Memory was made of wood, it would fall much slower. Although he wasn't exactly in a hurry, that didn't mean he wanted to waste any time.
Looking around, he saw nobody on the island. He had aimed for the Iron Hand island, as it was an easy target to stop from where he was. It was a familiar place as well, and one he kind of missed.
Sunny yawned, stretching slightly. The sun was rising in the distance, and he thought he saw a cohort of Awakened traversing one of the chains nearby.
Turning into a swift shadow, Sunny made his way towards the Sanctuary of Noctis.
***
Arriving within his room, Sunny looked around.
Nothing had changed. A bit more dust had gathered than usual, but he really didn't care.
Turning to the door, he opened it and left, appearing within the sanctuary like nothing had ever happened. He was never one to show his face often, so he doubted anyone even noticed he left. But then again, there were far fewer Awakened anchored here during this time, so perhaps some of them may have noticed something.
'Surely Tyris will cover for me…'
And speaking of Tyris…
"Excuse me, is Saint Tyris here today?"
"Hm? Ah, Awakened Sunless! Yes, Lady Tyris is here today. Shall I tell her you are looking for her?"
"Yes, please."
Approaching the first member of White Feather he saw, he inquired on the location of their matriarch. And luckily, she was currently here.
'Good! I won't have to leave a message for her then.'
Tyris had told him to come see her once he completed his Nightmare, and he wasn't planning on letting her down.
And after waiting at the fountain square for a while, Sunny felt a soft breeze brush against his face as a powerful shadow approached him with measured steps.
"Awakened Sunless."
Sunny smiled and bowed.
"Saint Sky Tide."
Sky Tide looked him over before nodding.
"So you have succeeded. Well done."
"That's right. Why did you-"
"We will speak later."
Tyris tossed him a small paper.
"Come find me here. The Sanctuary has… listeners."
Sunny blinked.
"I see. I don't have a problem with that then."
Tyris nodded, and turned to leave.
"See you soon."
Sunny stared at her disappearing figure for a moment, confused.
'...Listeners?'
Looking down at the paper, Sunny realised that an address was written on it.
'This is… what?'
***
Sunny let out a short breath, the hot air turning into mist from the night's chill.
Looking down at the small paper Tyris had given him, he looked up again.
'This is really the place…'
The address had led him into quite an affluent district. One where Awakened and the like frequented. Normally, that wouldn't be a problem, but… the district wasn't exactly a quiet one.
Lights were on everywhere, with all sorts of music blasting from every direction. Sunny felt painfully out of place in such a setting. Neon sign boards were announcing all sorts of events for the night, and many people were in the street, drinking, dancing, and chatting.
The address had led him to a partying district. One where Awakened went to go wild.
'Of all the places…'
Saint Tyris did not seem like the partying type. This was honestly quite the shock to him.
'Oh well. Here goes…'
Bracing himself, Sunny entered the building. He had not reached his destination just yet, as the paper had contained a couple additional instructions.
'Hall B, go downstairs, take the elevator…'
Doing as it said, Sunny entered the basement of the strange building. The elevator was clearly an older model, as it creaked and shook quite a lot as it descended.
'Scary!'
He'd probably be fine even if the entire building came crashing down on him, but still.
Finally arriving at the floor written on the paper, Sunny stepped out of the elevator, finding himself within a dark corridor.
He walked through it silently, only a little nervous.
'Why on earth would we meet in a place like this??'
He was already confused why Tyris would say there were listeners in the Dream Realm. If anything, the amount of possible things that could be listening in on you in the waking world was far more numerous! Listening devices, bugged communicators, hidden cameras… there were all sorts of things.
'Then again, most Awakened can detect that type of thing pretty easily.'
Sunny had forgone bringing his own communicator as well. He was fairly certain it wasn't bugged, but it was better to be safe than sorry. He kept it hidden within the Covetous Coffer most of the time as well, just to ensure no one could listen in on him. Perhaps he was paranoid, but for an Awakened, paranoia was a virtue.
Reaching the end of the dark corridor, Sunny found himself standing before a steel blast door.
'...'
He looked down at the paper again.
'Do I really have to say that?'
There was supposed to be someone who'd ask him for a password, and he'd be let in…
And just then, a small slit on the door opened up.
"Password?"
Sunny sighed.
"Glory, glory, glory."
With a loud click, the door opened, its hinges groaning loudly.
Stepping inside, Sunny looked around, only to find nobody guarding the door, despite the fact he'd just spoken to the supposed guard.
'...Strange.'
Ignoring it, he walked in as the blast door shut behind him.
Now, he was in another corridor.
'Seriously?'
This one had steps leading downwards, which he took. Not long after, he reached the end, where a simple wooden door waited. The paper didn't say anything about that, so he simply opened it and stepped in.
'...'
Sunny's eyes widened slightly as he entered.
Music and chatter reached his ears. Despite the fact that only a wooden door had separated him and the room, he had not heard anything before he entered.
A couple curious gazes landed on him, but left a moment later. The paper had instructed him to disguise himself before coming, so he had molded his appearance to resemble the Shadow Lord from his Nightmare.
Looking around, Sunny realised he was in a bar. A dark, underground bar. Low lights hung overhead, and he thought he recognised the sound of flutes and lutes in the ambient music.
A couple more nosy gazes landed on him as he made his way towards the bar, but he ignored it. He couldn't recognise anyone here, so he didn't care much.
'Then again, they're probably disguised too.'
Sitting at the bar, Sunny ordered himself a drink, a simple water. The bar area was empty aside from a clearly drunk young man who was completely passed out, slumped over and snoring. Sunny ignored him.
Meeting the gruff-looking bartenders eyes, he said:
"I'm looking for a griffin."
The bartender grunted and nodded towards one of the rooms at the back.
Nodding as thanks, Sunny quickly finished his water and made his way towards the room.
Entering, Sunny immediately felt all the noise from the rest of the bar vanish as he closed the door.
'Not bad.'
He wasn't sure whether it was just advanced soundproofing technology, or if it was the work of a decent sorcerer, but either way it was impressive.
Looking in the room, Sunny saw a table with four comfortable looking chairs around it. On the table was a small lantern, the only light in the entire room. Of course, Sunny could still see just fine.
And on one of the chairs, a stunning woman sat, swirling a glass of wine. She had jet-black hair, was wearing a tidy suit, and her face was framed by thick rimmed glasses. Her appearance was reminiscent of an office or government worker.
"Lady Tyris?"
The woman paused, turning to him.
"Awakened Sunless."
Sunny smiled and nodded, making his way over to the table before sitting across from her.
'So cool. It's like a detective story!'
His Awakened career had never included any sort of subterfuge or spying quite like this. It was certainly an interesting experience! He felt like he was in a movie or something!
"Say… is this place like… a speakeasy or something?"
Tyris nodded.
"That's correct. You know of these types of places?"
Sunny smiled weakly.
"Well, I read a lot of fiction in my youth. These sorts of things were present quite a lot."
"I see."
Raising the glass of wine, Tyris drank the rest of it. Although Sunny had not taken long to get here, the district was still quite far from his house. Saint Tyris had probably been waiting already.
"Lady Tyris, what did you mean that there were listeners at the Sanctuary?"
Setting down her glass, Tyris wiped her mouth with a handkerchief.
"An important Awakened has recently arrived at the Sanctuary, and there have been spies sent to monitor him. I am unsure of what sort of Aspects they have, so I would prefer to speak in a place like this."
Sunny nodded.
"I see… then, what would you like to speak about?"
No doubt, Tyris was talking about Mordret. The estranged Prince of Valor… no doubt, they'd want to keep eyes on him.
'I'll have to look for him eventually…'
But Sunny had no clue on how he would approach Mordret. He would wait for his life to calm down a bit first, then he'd begin planning.
"You have completed your Second Nightmare?"
"That is correct, Lady Tyris."
Tyris nodded.
"Good. If you are an Ascended, no doubt you will have a much better time keeping yourself hidden from Valor. Do you have any ways of hiding your rank?"
"I do. Actually, can you tell whether or not I am an Ascended? I would like to test its effectiveness."
Taking off her glasses, Tyris stared at him intently. The glasses seemed to actually be a Memory or enchanted object, as the moment she took them off her brown irises reverted to the peculiar amber ones she normally had.
"Hm. It is effective."
Sunny grinned slightly.
"Well then, if that is done, then what did you want to speak with me about, Lady Tyris?"
Putting her glasses back on, Tyris adjusted them, pressing them against the bridge of her nose with a finger.
"First off, what were your motives in coming to my sanctuary?"
Sunny nodded.
'Makes sense… she doesn't want any malicious Masters hanging around.'
"I came here to find a way to enter the Ivory Tower."
"Did you succeed?"
Sunny smiled.
"Yes."
Tyris' eyes widened ever-so-slightly before she immediately composed herself.
"So you have access to that place now?"
"That is correct."
Tyris looked down at her empty wine glass.
"Fascinating… in the years we have been here, nobody has ever found a way to brave the crushing like that."
Sunny shook his head.
"I didn't brave the crushing, I simply bypassed it using the Ebony Tower."
Tyris narrowed her eyes.
"...So it does exist."
Sunny nodded once more, finding himself wanting his own glass of wine.
"It's true. There is a gate there that connects to the Ivory Tower, and I simply used that to get there."
Tyris nodded, falling into thought.
"And the Seed you were looking for was there?"
"That's right. But I would rather not speak of the Nightmare, if you do not mind, Lady Tyris. But just know that I was the one who took the obsidian knife, and the ivory knife has been put to use already."
Tyris nodded slowly.
"Fascinating… but you are so young? How did you…"
Sunny smiled sadly.
"The Spell taught me quickly and harshly, Lady Tyris. In our world, if you do not adapt quickly, you will die."
"Hm. I suppose you are right. Have you conquered the Ivory Tower?"
Of course, Tyris was only asking such a thing to probe whether or not the Ivory Tower was a Citadel. Sunny would've preferred to hide the fact, but he supposed he could let it go for now.
"I have. But I have not managed to use any of its components yet, and the gate to the Ebony Tower remains closed still."
Tyris nodded, her expression stern.
"You have done well, Ascended Sunless. Are you willing to give up the Ivory Tower to the White Feather Clan?"
Sunny's smile cracked.
"Not… really? Sorry."
'She's not going to force me, is she?'
"That is fine as well. Just do your best to keep the fact that it is conquered a secret."
Sunny paused for a moment.
'Come to think of it… doesn't this mean that Ki Song's Domain reaches into Valor's now?'
Considering the clans weren't falling into conflict and chaos, Valor hadn't seemed to notice it yet. That or territorial Domains didn't quite work like how he thought they did.
Placing her hands on the table, Tyris leaned forward slightly.
"Although I must ask you, Ascended Sunless, do you bear any malicious intent towards our clan or Citadel?"
Sunny shook his head.
"Not at all. I would like to get along with you all, if possible."
Tyris leaned back, relaxing.
"Then, why is Valor so keen to get their hands on you?"
'Ah, here we go.'
The conversation was moving towards the fact he was hiding the fact he had Shrike from Valor.
"I don't know either, Lady Tyris. All I know is I'd rather not let a Great Clan get a hold of me. No offense."
Tyris' eyes narrowed.
"And what about your raven Echo? Whispering Blade seemed awfully persistent on finding it."
Sunny remained silent for a moment.
"It died. In the Nightmare."
For a couple long seconds, the small room was quiet.
"Ah, I see. I'm sorry for asking."
"It is no problem. It was my stupid mistake that cost its life."
Tyris took a short breath, clearly stunned at the fact a powerful Echo like Shrike had been destroyed.
"For that beast to fall… your Nightmare must've been hellish. You did well to survive, Sunless."
"Thank you, Lady Tyris."
Shiting in her seat slightly, she met his eyes.
"Will you be returning to the Sanctuary?"
Sunny shook his head.
"I will remain anchored to the Ivory Tower for now. But I will come to the Sanctuary whenever possible, to, you know… keep up appearances."
Tyris nodded, her expression unchanging.
"Then, that will be all for today."
With those words, the Saint stood up, and Sunny quickly followed suit.
There were a couple other things Sunny had wanted to ask her, but… that would have to be another time, perhaps when they trusted each other more. He'd have to be delicate in approaching manners pertaining to the Prince of Valor, after all.
"Then I suppose this goodbye for now then, Lady Tyris."
"It is. See you soon, Ascended Sunless. I expect many great things from you in the future, whether they are credited to you or not."
Before he could say anything in return, Saint Tyris vanished back into the Dream Realm.
Sunny stared blankly at the empty space the stern woman had been standing in, feeling the faint traces of someone having travelled between worlds.
'Okay… that went well, I think.'
Though even with the Dreamcatcher, it was difficult to get a read on Saint Tyris' emotions. She kept them under control very well. He couldn't be certain everything was fine.
Sunny himself vanished into the shadows, emerging on the roof of one of the nearby buildings, having left the naughty shadow there.
Looking at the partying Awakened below, Sunny felt slight envy. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves quite a lot. Too bad for him, that simply wasn't his type of thing. Even if he joined them, he'd no doubt be far too uncomfortable to enjoy himself.
Sinking into the shadows, Sunny made his way home.