Nothing Left

Once again, Sunny remembered the chilling encounter with the creature that had come to the Ashen Barrow from the mist. Just like in the dark maze on the precipice of the Underworld, he had survived that encounter by keeping his eyes shut on Cassie's advice. 

The creature had been insidious, though, trying to trick them into opening their eyes. That was the first of the very few times Sunny had encountered an abomination capable of human speech… 

But now, looking back on that fearful night, Sunny couldn't help but doubt if it had really spoken. He went over each and every word the creature had said.

His expression slowly froze.

Now that he thought about it… was it not the case? Every word it used was one that Nephis, Cassie, or Sunny had spoken themselves. 

The mist being had stolen their words, just like it had stolen Cassie's voice. Like a twisted reflection.