Shadow Slave
chapter-1966

Once again, Sunny felt Neph's healing touch, and a soothing warmth cascaded through his body, washing away his pain like morning tide clearing the shore.

The relief was intoxicating, almost overwhelming in its intensity.

Yet the pleasure was tainted by knowing that whatever pain he escaped, Nephis now carried an equal or greater burden. Such was the nature of her gift - to take others' suffering into herself.

As the white radiance faded from her hands, she steadied the avatar and shot a pointed look at the real Sunny, still seated at the table.

Her expression darkened briefly before hardening into something stern and unyielding.

"No more secrets between us.”

Sunny tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Pardon?"

Nephis released the avatar with a gentle pat and rose gracefully, returning to her chair. She picked up a crystal goblet filled with honeyed wine, took a long drink, then set it down with deliberate care.

"This habit of yours - trying to protect me from pain. It needs to stop."

She leaned forward, eyes intense. "If our positions were reversed - if you saw me wounded and suffering, would you hesitate to help because it might cause you momentary discomfort?"

"Of course not," Sunny replied without hesitation. "Watching you suffer would be far worse than any physical pain."

"Precisely." Nephis's voice softened. "So don't deny me the chance to help you... please.”

Sunny remained quiet for a long moment before dismissing his avatar with a playful smile. "My, my... is this your way of confessing that you care for me, Lady Nephis?"

She rolled her eyes, but there was fondness in the gesture.

"Honestly... why am I always surrounded by such impossible people?" She sighed deeply. "You and Cassie both. She has this maddening tendency to shoulder everything alone, treating me like I'm made of glass. I watched her withdraw into herself for four years, never once sharing her burden..."

Sunny's eyes lit up with vindication. Even knowing Cassie might be listening, he couldn't resist commiserating. "Exactly! The way she keeps everything locked away is infuriating. Important things, too! For years!”

Of course, he knew the truth - that Cassie's withdrawal stemmed from the curse that made others forget her words, and her secretive nature was born from watching her visions twist into devastating self-fulfilling prophecies. He'd played no small part in that particular trauma.

But who could resist the opportunity to lovingly complain about a friend to someone who understood?

Nephis's eyes sparkled with shared frustration. "And she didn't even tell me you were the Lord of Shadows! Can you believe it?"

Sunny opened his mouth to agree, then caught himself with an awkward cough. "Ah... that particular omission was actually my doing..."

Nephis tried to look scandalized but dissolved into laughter instead. "Oh, I'm well aware.”

She glanced at him curiously then, as if wanting to ask something. But whatever question danced on her tongue remained unspoken.

Sunny realized he'd revealed more than intended about his history with Cassie. Nephis must have noticed, but chose not to press the issue.

By now, she had surely sensed the mysterious connection between them. Yet perhaps remembering their conversation in Bastion, she never demanded answers about their shared past.

Sunny felt grateful for her restraint, knowing he couldn't explain even if he wanted to.

...And yet, part of him desperately wished she would ask.

Nephis studied his face a moment longer before leaning back with a thoughtful hum. Then her expression sharpened.

"Now then... about this arrow through the heart in the Shadow Realm..."

Her voice took on a dangerous edge.

"Who exactly do I need to have words with?"

****

Sunny carefully recounted his experiences - the revelation during his battle with Revel, his subsequent experiments, and his journey into the Shadow Realm. The telling took longer than expected, as he had to navigate carefully around certain topics that would trigger the forgetting.

When he finished that tale, he eagerly showed off his latest creations. "This is the [Green Canteen]," he explained, holding up an elegant vessel. "It's a spatial storage Memory, but with some unique features. Beyond managing its weight like the Bag of Withholding, I've woven in a purification enchantment. It can even process saltwater, though that takes time. The real challenge was designing separate chambers for pure water, contaminated water, and the extracted impurities…”

He trailed off, noticing Nephis's amused expression.

"What is it?"

She shook her head fondly. "I'm just seeing yet another side of you. I don't think I've ever seen you quite so animated about anything."

Sunny's gaze drifted to her lips, lingering perhaps a heartbeat too long.

"I can think of at least one thing that excites me more."

Nephis laughed, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "Oh yes... I've noticed your... enthusiasm."

Sunny blinked, momentarily flustered, then composed himself.

"Well, we are quite different, you and I.”

"How so?" She asked, genuinely curious.

Sunny turned the canteen over in his hands, considering his words carefully.

"You were born into a warrior's legacy, inheriting your father's gift with the blade. It's both your passion and your destiny. I, on the other hand... I learned to fight because I had to. I've become skilled, yes, but left to my own devices? I'd probably be running a quiet Memory shop somewhere, writing treatises on enchantment theory, or perhaps operating a small teahouse."

This seemed to surprise her. "Really?"

Again, unspoken questions flickered in her eyes, but she held them back.

Sunny pushed through the awkward moment with a nod. "Indeed. I'm not naturally brave or noble. My true nature is equal parts merchant and hedonist, with a dash of pettiness thrown in for good measure.”

A gentle smile graced Nephis's lips. "Then you're even more remarkable than I thought, Master Sunless. It takes far more strength to become who you are while fighting against your nature."

She sighed softly. "It almost makes me question my own path. As you said, my swordsmanship is merely an inheritance."

Sunny tensed at her words.

'Inheritance...'

As much as he longed to stay in this moment with her, there were more pressing matters at hand.

He dismissed the [Green Canteen] and spoke carefully. "Speaking of inheritance... you should speak with Cassie soon. We've discovered something significant. Something that could be invaluable to you, and you alone.”

In his mind, he added, 'Something that might help you remember…’