Shadow Slave: Back in time

 I've made some changes: Sunny and Nephis are from Ch. 2038. In the future I might change it again. The previous chapters won't be changed.

She took a step back and smiled. Sunny was saddened: he was aware that it was what she wanted and wouldn't accept any pity, don't get him wrong. But still, every time she suffered, even if she was used to it, even if he had suffered just as much, his heart ached.

Sunny soothingly ran his hand down Cassie's hair.

"Now that we are a team, I suppose we should let each other know our Attributes and Abilities and what tools we dispose of.. As a sign of good faith, I'll start."

He sat, Cassie still leaning on his shoulder and Nephis on the ground in front of him.

"My attributes give me a slight affiliation to shadows, divinity and fate. I also have some parts of a strange heritage or something. I can see in the dark, my ability consists of an independent shadow which can either augment me or scout. I am in possession of a sword and an armor. Also a really loud bell. Not to be underestimated, I say!"

He and Neph had decided to reveal as much as they could to Cas: before, they hadn't shared the true core of their Aspects due to the ambientes of distrust they'd grown up into. Now, they had no reason not to.

Cassie's expression was lighter: her friend had amazing abilities. Unlike her.

"I have a strong affiliation to divinity and duality. I have inherited the Lineage of the Sun God. My flames can both augment myself or heal. I have a sword."

Cassia clapped her hands.

"You both have great abilities!" She sighed. "I, meanwhile, can 'see' Attributes -by the way, you're both being honest- and, hum, sometimes have vision of the past or the future: I'm not really sure, as I've had them only a couple of times. As for Memories, I've got a bottle with endless water, a staff that can summon wind and a rope. I also have this armour, which was actually given to me by Nephis. For that, thank you, I don't know why you would give such a powerful Memory to someone as useless as me, but thank you."

Nephis' response was immediate and as firm as steel.

"You're are not useless. I did it because I wanted to."

Why do you answer to anything with ' because I want to'? Because I want to.

Very funny, Sunny.

Aww, I know you love me deep inside yourself.

Yes, because I want to.

Sunny rubbed Cassie's back, in an attempt to cheer her up.

"Look, she's right. Besides, the bottle is awesome! Is it really endless?"

"No, but the water can keep pouring out for half a hour."

"How'd you find out?"

Cassie's cheeks gained a red shade as she muttered something unintelligible under her breath.

"Sorry, I couldn't hear you. Can you repeat what you said?"

Cassie stayed silent for a few moments, before reluctantly answering:

"I emptied it in my bath and counted how much it took."

Sunny didn't see anything to be ashamed for. In fact, it really seemed a trustworthy method!

"What are you being so shy for? That's a great way!"

Cassie raised her head and beamed at him.

"Now that we have all presented ourselves, we should share all the info we have gathered about this place. I believe it is not a region known by humans, as I've never heard of similar places. An ocean that appears at, I hypothesize, sunset and recedes at dawn. I've already sent my shadow to explore. There's a strange labyrinth made of red coral formations, inhabited by crabs like monster. I think they all are Awakened Beast."

Cassie made a noise of horror.

"Awakened Beasts…"

Nephis awkwardly reached out and put her hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry. We're strong enough."

Sunny was standing on the edge of the island.

The dark water splashed quietly against the coral, producing a constant and relaxing noise.

[66/1000]

[14/1000]

At that moment, he had more fragments than Nephis. He knew it was destined to be short-lived, but it still filled him with an indescribable feeling. He had struggled so much, in his race to catch up to her, accomplishing astounding deeds, and still somehow he had always been trailing behind her.

He was quite satisfied. He had managed to kill eight scavengers. Sunny and Nephis had sometimes went out of their ways when they found lone beasts, or even if there were a couple of injured ones; most were still busy devouring the body of the Devil. Sunny wasn't sure how, but it was only in a slightly different position than the one it had originally been, even if it had changed course. Was it just a strange current of the Dark Sea, perhaps?

Sunny rotated the blade in his hand. It was of about one meter of length, its single-edged blade ended in an angular tip and it seemed like small stars were engraved into the azure steel. He had been pleasantly surprised to being given the [Azure Blade] again.

Suddenly, two warm arms enveloped him from behind.

How are you doing?

Sunny turned around and faced Nephis.

"I'm fine."

Nephis leaned down and kissed him passionately. Sunny responded in kind, caressing her body with his left hand and cupping her cheek with the other. Sunny's [Puppeteer's Shroud] covered most of his body; meanwhile, Neph's handmade clothes barely acted as garments…

Sunny broke the kiss for a moment, then pressed his lips on her neck, leaving a trail of kisses. Nephis let out a quite moan before weakly pushing him away.

"Cassie will…"

Sunny smiled.

"The island seems pretty big to me…"

You'll just have to keep quiet.

Nephis' answer was kissing him again.