Shadow Re: Slave

The days flew by in preparation.

Nephis slowly began to bring Cassie into the plans. Piece by piece.

But she didn't tell her everything.

She left out the bond she and Sunny shared. She didn't mention his true lineage… or the Forgotten God. Not even the Divine Memory or the Weaver's mask.

Instead, she shared only what was necessary—or harmless.

Like why Sunny hadn't returned to them right away after surviving the sea creature.

Because when she thought about it, Cassie had made her opinion of Sunny very clear. She didn't like him. She distrusted him. And if she ever found out about the bond—about the control she technically had over him—Nephis could already imagine what she'd say:

That she should use it. That it was an opportunity. That Sunny was dangerous and this was the only way to stay safe.

But that wasn't who Nephis was.

And she didn't want to hear those kinds of thoughts—not from Cassie.

Because in her eyes, Sunny was the best man she had ever met.

Not like Caster, the hidden snake. She still suspected him of being an assassin, sent to kill her. But seeing how close he and Cassie had gotten… she didn't bring it up. If Cassie thought he was genuine, it wasn't her place to ruin it.

Besides, Sunny had told her these things in confidence. Not to Cassie. Not to anyone else.

So why would she betray that trust?

If anything… she thought with a faint smile… Sunny wouldn't mind if she shared it with Kai. He seemed to really like the handsome archer—"Handsome Archer" being Sunny's teasing nickname for Kai when he wanted to mess with him. It was subtle, but Nephis could tell. She'd never seen Sunny interact that way with anyone else. Maybe except her.

He didn't trust easily. He didn't like most people.

Which made her trust in him feel even more meaningful.

So when Cassie said, "But Neph, I don't understand. How can you trust him that much? Don't you see what I see? You trust him more than you trust Caster…"

Nephis took a long breath.

She didn't respond immediately. She wanted to say something about Caster. She wanted to warn her. But she knew it wouldn't matter.

Cassie would have to learn that truth on her own.

So instead, she simply said:

"Cassie… I care about you. You're my best friend. But I don't like how you talk about Sunny. I don't even like how you think about him.

I've made my decision, and unless you give me a real, valid reason… I won't change it. Not even for you.

Because he's never done anything to harm us. If anything, he's only helped us.

We never would have reached the Dark City that easily without him—maybe not at all. You and I were helpless… and at his mercy.

But he didn't use that power. He didn't exploit us.

He helped us.

He sacrificed himself for us.

And still, you only see the monster.

Just because he's different."

Her voice was low now. Steady.

"But he's only different because of what he's lived through.

Because of what he's had to endure."

She looked Cassie in the eyes.

"He was once a normal boy. Just like you. Just like me.

But he grew up in the outskirts, alone. No loving parents. No support. No protection.

And it changed him. Of course it did.

But I don't think that's all.

I think something else happened. Something worse. Something terrible.

And I don't even know what it was.

All I know is… we've both suffered.

My father was murdered. People have tried to kill me since I was a child.

I've lost everything. My family, my name, my future.

But I don't cry in my sleep. Not every night.

And I don't radiate that kind of killing intent while I dream."

Her voice grew softer.

"But he does.

Every single night."

She looked away.

"I don't even think he knows."

Cassie simply nodded and said quietly, "I see. So there's nothing I can do to change your mind."

Nephis shook her head slowly, her voice calm but firm.

"No. You could change my mind, Cassie. But only with real reasons. Not just this petty dislike for someone you don't understand—or can't control.

You're still my best friend. That hasn't changed.

But I won't let you act this way toward him. I'm telling you this because you're my best friend."

Her gaze sharpened.

"It's not right.

Not how you treat him.

Not how you speak about him.

And not how you think about him, either.

You don't have to like Sunny. I get that. Maybe his personality doesn't sit well with you—and that's fine.

But don't pretend that's a reason to question his loyalty or his honesty.

Not after everything he's done.

Not after everything he's done for us.

For you."

Cassie didn't reply. She just nodded again, more subdued this time.

But her eyes told a different story.

She'd heard Nephis' words. She understood them. But… she hadn't truly accepted them. Not yet.

And so, a quiet rift remained—unspoken, but growing.

Later, she found her way back to Caster.

And when she spoke to him—about Sunny, about Nephis, about her doubts—he listened carefully. He understood her concerns… even if they came from a different place than his own.

And instead of easing them…

He fed them.

Because to him, Sunny was a threat.

A new and unexpected obstacle in his path—one that had to be removed.

And if Cassie could help him isolate Nephis from that threat?

All the better.

Meanwhile, Sunny was training.

He focused on Niraye and Evara—shaping them, pushing them. Preparing them not just to survive, but to become fighters on the level of Kai and Effie. He didn't want them to just follow—they needed to lead, to strike, to hold their own in the chaos that was coming.

Seishan, on the other hand, had made progress of her own. She brought someone to Sunny's attention. A potential new recruit for the Shadow Clan.

His name was Ragnar.

Just a boy, by all appearances. Ash-gray eyes. Cropped black hair. A face that was neither handsome nor ugly—just forgettable. His entire presence seemed deliberately forgettable, actually. Sunny knew the type.

His Aspects were… ideal.

The innate ability made people overlook him. Not just ignore him—not see him.

His active ability was even more dangerous. He could generate a dome of silence large enough for three people, completely muting every sound inside. A perfect kill zone.

It was terrifyingly efficient.

Still, Sunny was cautious. He didn't fully trust Ragnar. Not yet. He didn't speak much to him either—not until he had more answers. Not until he decided.

And then there was the memory.

Ragnar had died in his past life, during the bloody conflict for control of the Great Castle. Sunny hadn't known him personally, but if he had survived he would have been mentioned in one of the files of the people who survived the Forgotten Shore.

He watched Ragnar closely.

Trained him. But held back.

⸻

Saint, meanwhile, had been set loose in the dark city.

After her evolution into a full Ascended demon, she was nearly unstoppable. Sunny sent her on a relentless hunt to collect shadow fragments. She moved like death on silent wings.

And now…

Sunny was three-quarters of the way to becoming a Devil.

His power had grown. His influence had spread. The Shadow Clan—his private army of assassins and killers and trusted allies—was nearly ready.

A week passed.

Training intensified. Plans solidified.

And finally, the time had come.

Everything was in place.

The trap was set.

The fall of Gunlaug was about to begin.