Shadow Slave: Back in time

Sunny watched as the horizon was bathed in light by the rising sun. Two shadows danced at his feet. The indifferent waters of the Dark Sea shook and began to retreat and the crimson Labyrinth underneath was revealed. The day had come. Their preparations were completed. The day before, both of them had become monsters.

Shadow Fragments: [8/2000]

Soul Fragments:[1/2000]

He was still ahead of Nephis. He had also unlocked the third step of Shadow dance just after he'd become monster, augmented by Neph's flames. Sunny was aware that it was the maximum he could attain until he ascended, but not because he wasn't strong enough. The real problem was that he needed his ascended ability. The Shadow Lantern was resting in his Soul Sea, basically useless at the moment. The real boon was Serpent.

Rank: Ascended.

Class: Monster.

Shadow Attributes: [Shadow Guide] [Spirit Guide] [Soul Weapon] [Soul Beast]

Shadow Abilities: [Serpentine Steel] [Soul Reaver.]

 Sunny was now in possession of one of the strongest creatures that dwelled in the Labyrinth during the day.

Next to him appeared Nephis, who smiled and quickly kissed him of the cheek.

"Good morning, Sunny."

He turned and kissed her. Her figure was beautiful against the sunlight. Her silver hair reflected it in a way that made them seem white, and her spark eyes bore deep into his soul.

"Morning to you, too."

He woke Cassie up and they ate breakfast in silence. In the original journey, it was Nephis who had cooked. She was an amazing chef, but had more than gladly passed the role to Sunny. Their meals were never boring: after eating the same dish for a month, one would think they would grow tired of it. Instead, every plate was a wonderful culinary experience, that always left the two girls craving for more. That was just how much his skill had grown over the years.

Sunny summoned the Carapace Scavenger, whom Cassie had declared was now called Steve, name apparently originated from a game popular before the Nightmare Spell. He helped Cassie get on it, then attacked numerous makeshift bags to it. Those bags contained venom extracted from centipedes-like creatures, whom he and Nephis had actively hunted. Coincidentally, he had also received his only new useful Memory from one of them.

Name: [Venomous Bite]

Rank: [Awakened]

Tier II

Enchantments:

 [Venomous Bite]: Those cut from it will be poisoned.

[Cowardly predator]: The more damaged are those poisoned by it, the more they will be affected by the venom.

It was quite the boon. Its only downside was that it was a dagger, so its reach wasn't much.

As soon as the three descended the Bone Ridge and placed their feet on the sand, a black serpent appeared from Sunny's hand. Cassie startled.

"What was that?"

"Don't worry, Cassie. It was one of Sunny's Echoes."

Cassie beamed.

"Another one! What are its Rank and Class, if you don't mind me asking?"

"It's an Ascended Monster."

Cassie stayed silent for a minute, dumbstruck.

"When… How did you kill it?"

Sunny chuckled.

"I didn't. Do you think I'd be able to kill one? I'm still sticking to Awakened Creatures, and Corrupted and Great Devils until we reach the castle."

Cassie laughed. Neph gave him a side eye and a sly smile.

You can't wait to pull this on Kai, can you?

Who, me!? Of course, thank you very much. I can't wait to see his face when I say something like: Divine Creatures? Bah, I've met Hope herself!

Nephis shook her head. The truth was, she too wanted to watch how the charming archer reacted to Sunny's antics. It had been so much fun seeing the rattled Transcendent after each meeting with the Lord of Shadows. She remembered the scene clearly.

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Five very loyal, totally not plotting treason and very much honest and not deceiving Saints were sitting in the basement of the Immortal Flame Manor after the meeting with the reclusive and mysterious warrior of Godgrave.

Nephis looked at her companions.

"So, what do you three think of the Lord of Shadows."

Soul Reaper Jet answered first.

"That guy… is a bit strange, but he seems cunning and powerful. I like him."

Effie burped and placed her legs on the table.

"I've told you already, Princess!! Master Sunless is out of his league."

Nephis closed her eyes. 'Calm down. Don't react. You can't tell them that Master Sunless and the Lord of Shadows were the same person'. Sunny had never explicitly stated that she could reveal his identity. So, she would not. She did not deign Saint Athena with an answer and turned to Nightingale instead.

"What about you, Kai."

The Dragonslayer looked troubled.

"He is a madman! He must be. Everything he said, about fighting with a Cursed Terror for its spawn and being my best friend…"

Effie snorted.

"So, what about it? He just has a clearly bad sense of humour."

The gorgeous Saint shook his head, holding his red hair in his hand. It seemed as thought a very disturbing idea was consuming his sanity.

"It was true. How can it be true if it isn't? I don't remember having any bestfr-"

Kai closed his mouth, and opened it again. The faces of the cohort became confused, and their gazes unfocused, as thought oblivion had appeared. They frowned. There was something, or perhaps someone, at the back of their minds…

Jet furrowed her eyebrows. What were they talking about?

Nephis seemed to remember something.

"Ah, the war. As I was saying, it will take place in Godgrave in about a…"

--------------------------------

Her heart ached. She could now remember every time she'd become distracted while she was training, or eating, or planning, when her eyes blurred and her thoughts became slow for a fleeting moment. Afterwards, she would forget and go on with her life. She looked at Sunny. How did he go on, knowing that the world had rejected him? Knowing that his family and friends didn't ever remember that he had ever existed? Knowing that his every trace on the world had been erased?

What is it?

Nephis' train of thoughts was interrupted by Sunny.

What?

You're staring at me.

Nephis blinked. 'Am I?'

Oh, sorry.

Sunny smiled brightly. There was mirth in his onyx eyes.

Oh, don't be sorry. I'm aware I'm not the Eye Candy I used to be yet, but oh, apparently I'm still pleasant to eye.

Shut up.

---------------

Cassie's voice broke the silence again.

"I've been thinking about it… Sunny, if you didn't kill it, then how did you get your Echo?"

"It's my Aspect Legacy Relic."

Cassie's shock lasted for a couple of moment.

"Aspect Legacy?"

"Yes. I've unlocked my Aspect Legacy. Now, be careful: we're near."

In front of them, the red Labyrinth gradually collapsed into a sea of grey ash. In the distance, a massive tree with crimson leaves could be seen.