Fanfic Shadow Slave - All god (Regression)

Sunny was sitting on his bed, doing nothing in particular, waiting for Nephis to come and talk about a few things.

He was recalling the knowledge he had about the second step of the Shadow Dance, but it still didn't work—it seemed he absolutely had to practice to advance.

'The question is: how will I do it as a Dreamer?'

He clicked his tongue and got out of bed. He felt a familiar shadow walking down the hall. He approached the door and opened it; Nephis walked in without seeming surprised and flopped onto his bed with little decorum.

'That's not very princess-like—well, then again, she never really was…'

For some reason the thought reminded him of Mongrel and Saint—technically he had been considered a woman for a time.

'First of all—do shadows have gender?'

He didn't feel like continuing down that train of thought, so he discarded it.

He lay down beside Nephis, ran his hand through her silver hair, and hugged her.

They stayed silent for a while; neither knew where to begin, but above all they didn't want to break the quiet. Finally Sunny decided to speak.

"My latent skill has changed."

Nephis startled, looked at him with wide eyes, and smiled in joy as if she herself had been freed from the curse—well, in part it was her curse too.

She lay her head on Sunny's chest and rubbed her forehead against him.

"That's wonderful, Sunny… what is it now?"

Sunny brought up his runes and recited them.

"As a Divine Shadow you embody death itself; you are stronger when you fight to kill or to survive. When you are surrounded by your source element you grow more powerful and your will sharpens."

She put a hand to her chin and thought.

"So now you're a warrior class, I suppose. Seems a bit unfair, your skill."

Sunny laughed.

"Yes, it does. I guess this life I'll have the edge."

"Is that a challenge?"

Changing Star's eyes flashed with white flames in her pupils. She vowed Sunny would regret those words.

"Ah—I also got my Aspect Legacy, but it's annoying; it looks like I'll have to awaken and then ascend in order to really advance, which ruins many of my plans."

Nephis frowned; although Sunny spoke vaguely, it really was bad—having an awakened shadow on his side would be incredible, not to mention an Ascended or even Corrupt one.

"Also, I gained a new memory. I didn't fully understand it, but I think it's some kind of conduit of will—makes my will stronger and more precise. For an awakened memory, that's amazing."

"It is."

Nephis was surprised, but not too much—she herself had earned her own share of rewards.

"My Flaw changed: it's no longer 'agonizing pain,' now it's just 'pain.'"

Sunny's eyes widened. He had always felt bad seeing Nephis suffer, and with her Aspect it was almost constant—so even a reduction in her pain was incredible news to him.

Unknowingly he squeezed his hug tighter. Nephis was happy about it.

"Also, I received an attribute called 'Singer.' It gives me a boost when pronouncing True Names and grants affinity with all kinds of sorcery. I haven't tested it yet, but I have a feeling it'll be very powerful."

"That is incredible, but I still believe the Tapestry is much better."

Nephis tilted her head toward Sunny with a mischievous smile.

"Really?"

After that, they began discussing various topics: their memories, which classes they'd take, and how they planned to approach Cassie.

"What did you say in your interview?"

"Me? Not much—just enough."

Nephis nodded; she knew Sunny liked to remain anonymous.

"…to earn your place."

- - -

All the Dreamers stared at the screen with excitement, searching for their names. Some shouted in frustration, others nodded in satisfaction. Gradually everyone found their name on the list and turned their attention to the top—two names stood out.

Sunless and Nephis, followed by other names. True Names: Lost of the Light and Changing Star.

Sunny looked at the screen confidently, the corners of his mouth lifting, and leaned toward Nephis's ear.

"Looks like you'll have to try again in the next regression, Neph."

She stared at the screen, fists clenched—competitive by nature, after all.

Meanwhile, a pale-blonde girl looked around confused and disoriented.

"Guys—what's happening?"

Sunny smiled kindly at her.

"Oh, nothing important—just some idiots are impressed. Can you believe our names caused such a stir?"

She looked even more puzzled.

"…well, Sunless and Nephis aren't exactly common names."

"No, not those! They're impressed by our True Names. Can you believe it?"

At that moment Cassie short-circuited.

Later, Sunny and Nephis walked down a hallway, stopped before a wooden door with a plaque reading: "Wilderness Survival Class."

They were both enrolled in two classes: Wilderness Survival and Combat Class. Although the classes only filled half their schedules, the other half was reserved for "learning to use their Aspect," which was really just an excuse to assign extra tasks.

Sunny knocked and a hoarse yet lively voice called from inside.

"Come in!"

They entered and sat at the front of the room. It looked exactly like Sunny remembered: spacious, tastefully decorated, and completely empty—something he found lamentable.

'There are so many uncultured people in the world…'

His shadow eyed him suspiciously—he himself had been someone with little or no popular knowledge.

A spry old man approached them. His gray hair and thick brows brought Sunny good memories and some not so good.

"I am Awakened Julius; you can call me Master Julius. Let's start by introducing ourselves!"

He nodded first to the short-haired girl.

"My name is Nephis."

'Expressive as ever…'

"My name is Sunless, but you can call me Sunny."

Julius moved to the board while speaking.

"Ah—what ominous names! But that's good—we deal with ominous things constantly!"

He turned to the board and wrote a few questions.

"Very well—let's begin with a diagnostic exam to build a proper study plan!"

By the end of class Master Julius was muttering something about "advanced subjects."

- - -

They were now in the academy dojo, surrounded by nearly all enrolled Dreamers.

Sunny shifted uncomfortably; nearly every gaze in the room was on him—or rather, on them. Despite his constant complaints, Neph decided she'd stay by his side.

He might have imagined it, but he saw Nephis's mouth twitch in amusement at his discomfort.

'…is she getting revenge?'

He made a mental note never to push the princess again.

Yet he was also annoyed—one look in particular repulsed him, even though it wasn't directed at him. Caster had been observing them with thinly veiled hatred since they walked in.

The door creaked open and a giant man entered.

He began explaining the class and testing their skills: basic combat moves, then lining them up to strike a wide steel plate.

The average was about twelve, some reaching fourteen.

Finally it was Sunny's turn. A few snickered—his build was far from ideal and many doubted his combat ability.

Sunny stepped in front of the plate and took a deep breath. He assumed a fighting stance—something as natural to him after a lifetime of battles as breathing.

He thrust his fist forward with chilling precision for a youth. Empowered by a shadow, by his latent skill, and by a killer's intent rivaling the greatest hunters, he struck the plate.

His fist connected, and the machine displayed a satisfying thirty.

Sunny stepped back, head held high; everyone stared in astonishment, including the Awakened Rock.

The Dreamers continued taking turns hitting the plate until it was Nephis's turn. Like the other Dreamer with a True Name, expectations were high.

In her past life she scored a sixteen, and though her technique was polished, something was missing. But this time was different. As she prepared to strike, her skin began to glow; her eyes ignited with flames.

She delivered her blow. The entire dojo fell silent—even Sunny—stunned at the number on the machine.

'Thirty-four…'

As she stepped back she smiled at Sunny. He returned a nervous grin.

On the other side, a young Legacy was about to take his turn—but he couldn't compete with two Divine Aspect users.

To his frustration, he scored a dismal twenty-one. Caster clicked his tongue.

After that, the Awakened Rock moved beside the dojo.

"All right, now we'll move to sparring to assess your overall training level. I need two volunteers."

When no one moved, Rock was about to say more—when Changing Star stepped forward, grabbed a training sword, and climbed into the ring.

Rock glanced at Sunny, but when Sunny stayed put he shrugged. On the other side, a tall, muscular Dreamer entered the ring.

"The rules are simple: make your opponent's back touch the ground or force them out of the ring. Use any skills or techniques you deem appropriate."

The match began. The Dreamer charged at Nephis like an avalanche, his muscles bulging to appear more fearsome.

Seconds later he lay stunned on the floor—thrown down before he knew what happened.

Rock smiled and called the next Dreamer.

Everyone who entered the ring was defeated, one after another, without Nephis needing more than a single move. In the end only two remained: Caster and Sunny.

The Legacy gave Sunny a hateful look before stepping onto the ring.

"Miss Nephis, I apologize in advance."

No sooner had he spoken than Caster blurred—except Sunny could see exactly what was happening through his shadow. The moment Caster lunged behind Nephis, adjusted his grip, and swung his sword at her neck—

Caster was on the floor. Nephis had done something so simple Caster was ashamed of himself. For the first time in all these matches, she'd moved her feet more than a few centimeters—she extended her leg and tripped him.

Sunny—one of the only two who saw it all—burst into laughter in front of Caster.

Nephis, though she wouldn't admit it, was also on the verge of laughter.

Sunny only stopped when every Dreamer stared at him like he was insane, and Caster glared as if wanting to slit his throat on the spot.

He grabbed a practice weapon rack and climbed into the ring.

"Hey, Neph—do you really want to fight?"

She raised an eyebrow, confused.

"Yes?"

Sunny shrugged.

"You look a bit tired; I don't want you complaining when you lose."

White flames danced in her eyes and an irritated smile formed on her lips.

"Looks like you're confident you'll win."

"Hmm—maybe?"

He responded with a cocky, feigned grin.

'I said I wouldn't provoke her—but this is too much fun…'

They stood still, analyzing each other's stance. The room seemed frozen; the Dreamers looked like statues, even Rock seemed eager for the fight.

Then the ring burst into motion. Sunny moved first—he crouched and lunged forward, his speed as great as an Awakened's, boosted by his shadow and latent skill. His strength, three times greater, drove his fist—

Nephis remained still. When Sunny was close enough he swung upward; she just stepped back, letting the blade whistle past her face. Seizing Sunny's open flank, she lashed out with her left leg.

He reacted swiftly, blocking with his own leg—but Nephis's sword was already aimed at his arm. Instead of defending, Sunny lunged forward again, narrowly evading the strike.

He struck Nephis in the stomach with the hilt and tried an off-balance throw that failed—and was met with a knee to his own gut.

Sunny backed away just in time to avoid being slashed; Nephis pursued with a downward chop. Sunny met it with his sword's flat, deflecting it to the ground and then swinging at her neck.

She caught his fist and jerked it back, throwing him off balance. A kick flew at his face—Sunny's legs bulged and he leapt; in midair he was at Nephis's mercy—she seized him—

But Sunny yanked his arm, spun in the air, kicked Nephis, and landed several meters away.

Sweat beaded on his forehead; his breathing was ragged—but he didn't care. He was exhilarated to fight her again.

The duel grew fiercer, both on the brink of defeat countless times, narrowly averting it each moment. The clang of steel rang in the ears of everyone present, who could barely discern anything in the whirlwind of martial skill and metal.

They reached a stalemate; neither risked much, and every feint collapsed instantly.

The fight had to end quickly; despite his boosts Sunny was still weaker than Nephis and much more fatigued. If it went on, he'd lose sooner or later.

Nephis seemed to notice his exhaustion and prepared a final strike. Her skin's glow faded, replaced by a pristine white flame around her blade.

Sunny grinned and sent his shadow to enshroud his sword too. She swung downward—he answered with a horizontal slash.

At the clash the weapons seemed to fight on their own. The shadow tried to smother the flame while it burned it. Sunny felt immense pain in his soul, and Nephis felt it too through her Flaw.

The collision continued until the crack of splitting steel rang out.

Nephis stood before Sunny holding a hilt without blade, the steel on the floor melting in the heat of her flames.

Sunny, meanwhile, was pale—the soul-pain nearly unbearable.

He looked her in the eyes and gave an arrogant smile.

"A tie?"

Nephis eyed her sword and tossed it over the ring's edge.

"No—you won."

'Ah, it's not so bad to win every now and then…'