Sunny was currently residing in Cassie's shadow, preparing to give her the armor memory he had crafted.
[Hey Cassie, don't flinch.]
She felt something cold graze her hand—still resting on the cafeteria table, gently curled around a spoon. A spark, like phantom lightning, slithered across her skin and sank deep into the quiet waters of her soul sea.
[Sunny… what?]
Her expression didn't shift. But if Sunny had to guess—it was surprise, tinged with unease, and maybe… maybe a flicker of excitement. If her situation wasn't so utterly desperate.
[Today's the winter solstice, isn't it? I just wanted you to be prepared.]
The memory he gave her had been forged from the hide of a venomous beast—one that killed with more than just claws or fangs.
Sunny had spent days grinding through the process, tethering the hide to Awakened-rank soul shards with cruel precision. But the effort had paid off.
He'd made a key discovery: threads touched by his hands became… different. Softer, stronger—more malleable than even golden threads. More responsive. More willing.
The result?. A fourth-tier Awakened memory that had no right to be so powerful. A black cloak lined with iridescent navy fur, wrapping tightly around the bearer like the night sky refusing to let go.
It could withstand the claws of Fallen beasts. But the shockwave from their blows… that would liquefy the wearer from the inside out.
Sunny had tried weaving in a passive enhancement to disperse the kinetic force. But he was already blurring the line of what Awakened soul shards could handle.
She took a few moments before responding, probably inspecting and reading the runes for her new memory.
[Th—thank you, Sunny… But how did you get it?]
Her voice was dull, stifled.
Cassie was clearly distressed. Of course she was. She was being sent to gods-know-where—blind and alone, armed with hope and a cloak.
[You're welcome Cassie and… let's just say that I made it.]
She ran a fingertip across the corner of her eye, brushing away something invisible. A slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
'How can he still lie at a time like this.'
Cassie didn't even bother asking him about who he is.
He would probably have said something absurd again, along the lines of: "Well, I was someone, but then I became no one to everyone, but then I became someone to some people, and here I am."
[Sure, Sunny…]
They sat in silence for a few seconds.
Then—
Her hand trembled slightly,
[Why help me? You barely know me.]
Sunny considered her words, then spoke through his armour:
[Because I want to, and you will survive, I will make sure of it.]
He said it like it was nothing. Like it didn't matter.
A long silence.
Then, finally, her voice cracked.
[Thank you, Sunny…]
A pause. Then, hesitantly—
[Do you mind… giving me some time alone?]
Sunny considered her words,
Then spoke—
[Sure, Cassie. I'll find you in the Sleeper compound.]
Sunny separated himself from her shadow, reluctant to go. But there was still someone else he needed to see.
Nephis.
He didn't need his senses to find her.
A moment later, he shadow-stepped into the Academy's armory. She was there—of course she was—still moving through her sword forms. Still refining her edge. And, now, slowly threading in the bits of instruction Sunny had passed on.
He emerged from the shadows in front of her—not suddenly, but with care. Not that he thought she'd startle.
"Lady Nephis," he said, leaning casually against one of the stone pillars.
"Sovereign Sunless," she replied, pausing mid-swing.
Sunny had spent the last three weeks shaping her technique. Not that he ever doubted his ability—but it had taken subtle pressure to steer her toward a style more… suited to her aspect. One that sacrificed everything for offense.
She still hadn't let go of defense, not completely. She detested the agony of her Flaw. That would take time.
"You'll be sent to a death zone," he said, blunt as a falling sword. "North of the Hollow Mountains. It's called The Forgotten Shore."
Nephis tilted her head, brows knitting faintly.
"How do you know that?"
"I've been there," Sunny said, his tone going cold. "I've seen it all."
It confused her more. To her, it could only mean one thing—prophets. Oracles. The mysterious powers of the Shadow Clan. Not that she needed to know the truth.
"I'll be watching over you. Making sure you don't die," he continued. "But the rest… the fighting, the surviving, the path you carve… that's all on you."
Nephis stared at him, her expression unreadable as ever. Cold and calm.
But before she could answer, Sunny added, without breaking pace:
"I will, however, be cooking."
She blinked. What?
"Anything else?" she asked, after a beat.
Sunny smiled—genuinely, this time.
"Yes. First, you'll be placed near a blind girl. Cassie. Take care of her. She's useful."
He let those words settle like coals in a hearth.
Nephis considered. Then—
"And the second?"
Sunny stepped forward. Then again. Closing the space between them until only inches remained.
"Hold out your hand," he said, his voice velvet and calm.
Almost melodic.
She held out her hand.
'Totally necessary for memory transfer,' he told himself, mostly to justify the hand-holding.
A small sphere of light slipped from his soul and into hers. A faint spark passed over their skin.
He'd recovered—and improved—the Starlight Legion armor.
As soon as he released her hand, Nephis didn't hesitate. She summoned the memory without even glancing at the runes.
A black bodysuit bloomed across her skin, layered over her existing combat suit. Elegant white plates manifested one by one—shining like frostbitten marble. The seven stars engraved on her chest gleamed with quiet dignity.
Testing the limits of her new armour.
She moved—
Smooth.
Sharp.
Lethal.
As she twisted at the waist and struck the air with an invisible blade, the white plates shifted in concert, seamless over the black bodysuit beneath.
Then—without a word—she dismissed the memory. The starlit armor faded in motes of pale brilliance, leaving her in her training gear once more.
She turned to Sunny and gave him a short nod.
"I'll put it to good use."
Sunny returned the gesture with a warm grin.
"Please. It was nothing. I mean, if I really wanted to, I could forge a Supreme memory of the seventh tier… but that wouldn't help you, now would it?"
Nephis tilted her head. She knew the answer, still… she wanted a Supreme's perspective.
"Why not?"
Sunny scoffed.
"Well, for starters—borrowed strength isn't real strength. You could wear the finest memories ever made, but if you can't survive without them, you're still useless. Besides… you wouldn't be able to use a Supreme's enhancements. And it'd just stunt your growth."
She nodded again, slower this time.
Understanding.
"Well. I'll be off, then."
He turned, shadows drawing to his heels in reverence.
But just before he vanished, he paused.
"Oh—and I haven't told Cassie about my Sovereignty. Try not to give it away before I decide to."
Then he was gone.
Like he was never there to begin with.
---
In the Sleeper Compound of the Academy; Sunny watched as Cassie lowered herself into the pod, tears streaking down her beautiful face.
[It'll be alright, Cassie. I'll find you. I swear it.]
She didn't answer.
Just adjusted her posture, turned toward the darkness, and waited. Silent. Resigned.
She wanted to say goodbye. Just once. But the moment never came.
Sunny hated it.
Hated that he could do nothing for someone he saw as a sister.
He could only watch as she disappeared into the pod, helpless words clinging to the silence like dust.
Her tears stopped.
Her soul was gone—drawn into the Dream Realm.
Sunny shadow stepped to another room where Nephis had just entered her pod.
He felt it with his shadow senses; she had used her aspect, one last time being plunged into the dream realm. Her face had probably been contorted into a pained grimace.
This… however, was something she would have to get used to.
---
In another world, on the Forgotten Shore, Sunny extended his shadow senses as far as they would reach, scouring land and sea alike.
He had a rough idea of where Nephis and Cassie would appear—no need for precision. His shadows would find any Sleeper he wished.
There.
A ripple. The faint signature of souls being cast into the Dream Realm.
One—Nephis.
Two—Cassie.
Three…
Caster?
'WAIT, WHAT?!'
---
Alright so, do we want Caster's redemption?