A lonely Shadow

Cold air invaded the room upon the mention of Clan Valor. How could Sunny forget? They were the three ghouls Nephis had been willing to sacrifice him to defeat. In being the objects of her hatred, they were also partly responsible for his betrayal. If Nephis wanted his attention, her words had commanded it.

Sunny straightened his back as he closed the distance between himself and Nephis. His eyes were no longer just a pool of murderous darkness—something far more unsettling lay beneath their surface. He couldn't quite grasp it, and quite frankly, he didn't need to.

"Speak."

His voice was chilling. Essence radiated from his body, shifting the mood in the room. Nephis met his gaze, staring into the abyss of his eyes without faltering.

"You've been invited to the Ball to discuss your relationship with Clan Valor. Don't think they haven't noticed your dealings with the government."

Nephis's voice was calm and matter-of-fact. Her tone was so neutral that it unsettled Sunny, as well as infuriated him more than he'd like to admit.

Sunny didn't let any surprise show on his face, but he was shocked. He hadn't thought they would discover his dealings with the government. It wasn't anything special or interesting—he simply killed who he was asked to, when asked, without asking questions. It served as a stable source of income, allowing him to avoid traversing the Dream Realm and deciding a Citadel.

Still, his brutal style of execution, leaving blood splattered on every wall, had earned him a moniker:

Man-slayer.

Sighing, Sunny sank onto the couch, falling flat against it. Nephis paused in her cooking and approached him. She seemed ready to sit down, but a sharp glare from Sunny made it clear he wouldn't allow that. Not killing her was favor enough.

"Alright, so they want me because I'm strong. What does that have to do with you?"

It was no secret Sunny had once been a part of Changing Star's cohort. However, he had no intention of cooperating with them after leaving the Dream Realm. The connection between them was tenuous at best.

"You were once a member of my cohort, though unofficially. And your escapades in the Forgotten Shore have been duly noted. You've become a subject of interest to both great clans. It's obvious they'd try to get you on their side."

Sunny glanced up at her, sighed, and allowed a smile to creep across his face. The opportunity was perfect. Where better to monitor Nephis's progress toward her goals than within the very clan she hoped to defeat? Providing her with insider information wasn't off the table, but Sunny wasn't about to work under anyone without good reason.

"If I don't like what I see, I'm not joining Valor. Do as you please, Master. I'll enjoy watching your progress."

Nephis opened her mouth, ready to comment on his continued use of "Master," but Sunny spoke first.

"Are you going with them? What deal are they offering you?"

He sat up slowly, studying her expression carefully, ensuring no detail escaped his attention.

"It's either me or you and the rest of the cohort. I plan to reveal my Divine Aspect to strengthen my position during negotiations."

Sunny stared at her blankly, then laughed. The hollow sound reverberated through the room, sending chills down Nephis's spine as he fixed her with an incredulous expression.

"Originally, I thought you'd send me in to spy on them and report back like the good slave you think I am. But you're going yourself! You either surpass or fail my expectations, Master. How do you do it?"

Nephis narrowed her eyes at him, roughly grabbing his collar and pulling him close. Flames danced in her grey pupils as she spoke.

"Could you not call me 'Master'? I don't intend to use my authority over you any further than I already have. Unless you plan on killing me, there's no way forward except dealing with our… situation."

Sunny raised a hand and unceremoniously flung her onto the couch, breaking her grip on his collar. He stared into the air, checking his runes, before turning back to her.

"You said I shouldn't call you 'Master,' but my runes say you're my Master. Tell me, Nephis—since that's what you'd like to be called—is the spell lying to me? Are you the only one I can trust? Should I give my life for you!? Tell me! Give me a speech!"

Standing, Sunny glared down at her. He leaned in, his face close to hers, and hissed, his voice cutting through her resolve.

"Spin me a tale. Tell me why I should rely on you. Convince me to die for you like the other gullible fools on the Forgotten Shore!"

Before he could continue, Nephis grabbed his chin, standing and making their height difference apparent. Sunny summoned his scythe, its cold blade resting a hair's breadth from her neck. Nephis remained unperturbed as she began to speak.

"Sunny, this is a command. You will not let me use my control over you to make you do anything you don't explicitly want, even if it means killing me."

She shoved him backward. He stumbled but caught himself, scratching his chin thoughtfully.

"You see?" she said, stepping forward. "I'm willing to do anything to make things right! I needed to do what I did, but the reasons don't matter anymore. It's happened. All we can do is move forward!"

Her voice rose with passion, flames burning in her eyes as she stared at him. Sunny's gaze met hers, a bitter smile forming on his lips. Hatred, confusion, and something unnameable flashed in his eyes.

"Do you know why I hate you?"

He paused, his eyes darkening with unholy rage.

"It's not just because you betrayed me. It's because you're the type of person who would do it in the first place. Same with that witch! You'll sell anyone out the moment you have to choose between your principles and your goals!"

His voice cracked into a pained growl as tears welled in his eyes.

"You're just as selfish as anyone else. You claim to have principles, but only when times are good enough for you to afford them! Why have temporary principles instead of none at all?"

Nephis stayed silent, eventually turning to leave. There was nothing she could say that would serve to deescalate the situation. She paused at the door, glancing back at him. Her voice was steady, emotion forced out.

"I'm not giving up on you, Sunny. I hope to see you at Valor's Ball."

She closed the door quietly behind her. Leaving Sunny to lament his interaction with her, regret every second he had spent even taking a word that flew out of her vile and venous mouth seriously.

Sunny summoned Saint and bolted toward the dojo. Ordering her to go all out, he fought with all his might, letting himself bleed and be cut to drain the storm of emotions in his lightless soul.

'No matter what she says,' Sunny thought bitterly, 'I'll take everything from her. I'm not the same gullible bastard I used to be.'