Chapter Five: Reunion

Third POV:

Near the streets of the castle's outer settlement Washed in the ghostly light of the nascent dawn, Sunny and Kai were walking through the ruins of the cursed city. The night was slowly crawling away.

the artificial Sun was shining in the distance and Sunny wasn't feeling one bit of Discomfort, in fact, he even welcomed the artificial warmth.

And Somewhere in the distance, the waves of the dark sea were halting their eternal assault on the stone walls of the ancient city.

Sunny didn't take the safest route to the Outer settlements but took The fastest route instead.

As they ventured into the ruins. A massive, four-legged beast was walking through the morning mist, letting out a child-like cry. Its flesh was rotten and emaciated, hanging from the bones like a tattered coat. Sunny could clearly see the white arcs of its ribs through the holes in the rotting hide, the unnatural darkness hiding behind them, and the powerful jaws of the partially bared dog-like skull that were full of terrifying teeth. One didn't have to be a genius to understand that the horrid creature was one of the Fallen masters of the ruined city.

Sunny didn't bother himself to battle the Creature Since it would attract unwanted attention but didn't circle around it either.

Instead, Summoning the Talking Rock He activated its annoying enchantment and threw it so hard that it flew past the creature's face in a blur.

Startled by the Sound, The nightmare creature turned around and ran after the Rock.

Sunny could have waited till the creature left on its own but he was too eager to leave, and couldn't afford the wait.

Sunny and Kai had long grown accustomed to each other by now, Kai especially seemed to be fond of Sunny ever since he learned about the Pale Man's Flaw.

For him, Sunny was the very first person who was completely honest with him. Although he was still trying to digest half the things that Sunny told him the night before.

After their little 'sleepover' Kai was at least starting to trust Sunny enough to follow him through the ruins of the Dark City.

Soon enough Sunny decided that it would be appreciated if they Took a rest for a couple of minutes, Since Kai would be fainting from exhaustion at the rate they were moving in. And apparently, The poor guy hasn't eaten a thing for a couple of days at least.

Luckily, their hiding spot was somewhat close, to their destination.

"We'll have to stay here for ten minutes. So, Get comfortable."

Sunny said and Tossed him the Eternal Spring. The charming young man drank greedily, as though someone dying from thirst.

Soon Kai detached himself from the bottle, wiped his lips, and smiled in pure delight.

"Thank you Kindly!"

Their Rest didn't take long, and eventually, they continued their journey.

Along the way, Kai had asked Sunny so many questions. All of it variated from things like what types of shoes were in fashion, which celebrity wore what to some pompous award ceremony, who of them had a scandal and what was that scandal about, what was the latest dance craze, and so on.

These were what interested Kai the most, and Sunny patiently listened and answered what he could even if it wasn't much.

Still, Kai was perplexed by how Sunny was so clueless about the world!

"Sunny, tell me honestly... were you a hikikomori in the real world as well?"

Sunny blinked.

"A hik... a what?"

Kai cleared his throat and offered him an apologetic smile.

"Ah, you know... a recluse? A shut-in? Someone who lives under a rock?"

Sunny silently looked back at him and then nonchalantly shrugged.

"Well, Sorry to disappoint you my friend but as an outskirt kid knowing these types of things won't feed me."

Kai sighed one more time and turned away.

"I see. Well, sorry to bother you. It's just that I've been stuck in this place for about two and a half years now, and life here is so monotone."

Sunny patted his back and forced a smile.

"Well, you did good surviving that long in this hellish place. Maybe meeting me was your destiny. Don't you think?"

His beautiful profile was radiating melancholy and sadness, Sunny was sure he almost saw a tear threatening to leak from his green eyes.

"Let's go. We already wasted so much time."

Sunny turned toward the direction of the Bright Castle and continued his march toward its Outer settlement.

Kai wasn't too far behind. Catching up to him. He asked:

"But Sunny...Why are you in a such hurry?"

It didn't take Sunny too long to answer.

"There are people out there that I want to meet the most."

As the sun rose above the horizon, they went deeper into the city, slowly approaching its center.

________

The castle stood on a tall hill in the middle of the cursed city. It was grand and magnificent just as he remembered, with dozens of towers rising into the air, each supported by several elaborate arches and columns. Grotesque gargoyles were staring down on the ruins from under the eaves.

The road leading to the castle was as impressive as the castle itself. It was narrow and heavily fortified, circling the hill in a way that allowed the defenders of the castle to endlessly rain arrows down on any possible attacker.

At the end of the road, a grandiose staircase led to the gates of the castle. In front of it, there had once been a vast stone platform, meant to serve as the gathering ground for the soldiers in case the enemy was to somehow breach all but this one last line of defense.

Now, the platform had turned into a makeshift settlement, with small shabby buildings made out of stone, wood, and anything else the inhabitants of this slum could get their hands on standing chaotically here and there, forming messy groups and narrow alleys.

This place did not look like the outskirts where Sunny had grown up, but it had the same unmistakable air of misery, fear, and desperation.

As the two of them approached the outer settlement, several Sleepers greeted Kai with friendly smiles.

"Hey, Night! Glad to see you, man. Where have you been lately?"

Kai smiled in embarrassment.

"Ah, you know. Flying around. What about you, pal?"

While the charming young man was exchanging pleasantries with his acquaintance, Sunny cautiously looked around.

'Neph has done a wonderful job in this place.'

The place had imperceptibly changed since Nephis had taken over. The settlement itself seemed to be almost the same, with just a few buildings slightly changing shapes.

What changed the most was The people,

... people seemed more energized and confident, as though the ever-present fear of death and starvation was not as pressing anymore.

And their eyes Shone with radiant light.

'Hope...'

That was the very reason why Sunny decided to leave this place. He didn't agree with Nephis on how she was willing to give those people the hope they longed for and use them to achieve her goals in return.

Even In the waking world Sunny wasn't fond of using other people for his own benefit. He sure will use them if that is what it takes for him to survive, but that was it. He just wanted to survive. Back then, Sunny wasn't the type of person who would strive to achieve a specific goal. It had always been about his survival.

He later learned how much precious true friendship and true affection were. He strived to make sure his friends would always be safe.

Before Sunny left the Dark City in the previous round, he opened up to Nephis about his family when he asked her about her goals. This led him to learn of her true goal of destroying the Spell back then Sunny thought she was insane.

Was he any better though? Wasn't he the one who wanted to destroy fate itself?

Sunny let out a low chuckle.

For her goals, Nephis was willing to condemn everyone to death causing Sunny to be unable to trust her at this point in time.

And knowing now that only Ten percent of these people will make it back to the waking world didn't make him feel any better.

Back then Neph was the person he longed to see the most and, at the same time, hoped to never see again.

Back then Even if the things between them became strained, she was still one of the only two people he cared about in the world. The way he felt toward Neph was almost like a second Flaw. No matter how much he wanted to, he just couldn't get rid of it. Somewhere along the way, it had taken root in his soul. Taking her existence for granted.

Sunny was sure Neph had also felt the same about him. The fact that she simply assumed that they were going to continue working together after arriving at the Dark. City, as though it was a given, had not avoided his attention.

Nephis might have always been vague about how she felt, but her small gestures were more than enough for Sunny to tell.

Her silence screamed more words than the mouth ever could, her eyes revealing more than the words could know about.

Sunny had already lost His person once, twice if he counted his mad version. and that left a deep hole in his soul that would never heal.

His Feelings for Nephis had long grown uncontrollable for him to contain.

He was the person who knew her best in the world. He was her companion, battle partner, friend, and pupil. He was already practically her shadow, her compliant little helper. Caught in her net, in her insane, insatiable desire, and incapable of breaking free — not only because there was no other choice, but also because he didn't want to be apart from her.

Sunny Soon dismissed Kai and told him that he would find him. Sunny soon started to look around.

Knowing how they parted the last time they met before he left the Dark City, Sunny shuddered at the thought of his potential meeting with Nephis.

He was both Nervous and excited.

*********

Somewhere far into the distance on a different side of the Outer settlement. A relatively large building stood in a place that directly faced the ruins.

The place looked nothing like how it was when the cohort of Lady Changing Star from the Immortal Flame Clan first arrived.

In fact, The headquarters of Changing Star's hunting party had changed a lot. It had already looked pretty presentable back when they arrived and took the place but now, the lodge was much more impressive. additional structures were built to expand it both horizontally and vertically.

Now, it was by far the largest building in the outer settlement, almost starting to resemble a small town hall. It was heavily fortified, too, especially from the side that faced the white road. A couple of lookouts were visible on the roof, observing the ruins below. They were wearing armor-type Memories and holding bows in their hands. It was a far cry from how things were before.

Behind the building was an open space often used for training purposes, but this early in the morning it was practically empty.

A graceful Silver-haired woman sat in the middle of the training grounds meditating in a quiet environment.

'How long has it been?'

It was exactly four months since they arrived at the Dark City....and Three Months Since he left.

'Sunny...'

Fragments of their last confrontation resurfaced in her mind breaking her out of her focus. A barrage of questions came with them.

How he was doing, where was he living, how much has he grown, etc. All types of questions about his wellbeing came up but none of it was about if he was alive or not.

Sunny was a formidable fighter, he had a huge talent for wielding a sword. In fact, his learning ability had left her astonished that she thought he was sent by one of the Great Clans.

In her Mind Sunny was the only one in this world who she was confident in his Survival. What bothered her the most was their currently strained relationship.

The last look he gave her was still engraved in her memory. He looked angry, hurt, and heartbroken. He appeared as Someone who had lost his trust in someone whom he held dear.

Although she hadn't shown it, Nephis felt her heart ache. At some point, she had taken Sunny's existence by her side for granted. He was someone who she held dear. Sunny was her friend, her companion, her pupil, and someone who knew her the most. He was also the only person she trusted enough to have her back.

But unfortunately, her ways and Goals didn't fit well with Sunny.

In his absence, she realized that she really had missed him. In this Suffocating place, she hoped to have Sunny by her Side. Someone who would openly point out her mistakes and counter her opinions to give her a different points to view the things from.

For her Sunny was more than just a valuable and trustworthy ally. He was more than just a friend to her. His existence had taken a root in her life that she didn't want to lose him.

But she failed miserably.

To her, He was so much more than a friend or an ally, he was something that she couldn't quite put her hands on.

Sunny was the first person she met who wasn't swayed by her title as The Changing Star from the Immortal Flame clan. He was someone who only Saw her As who she was.

He Simply Saw her as Nephis.

Nothing more and nothing less.

Which always made her at ease around him. She acted more like herself around Cassie and Sunny.

They were like her safe space. Without the expectations that people had for her she felt more at ease around them.

Nephis opened her Calm Grey eyes as the Sun Rose.

She stood in her black leather suit and summoned her armor. Soon the Starlight Legion armor manifested itself around her Slender and lithe body.

Going Inside, a lot of people were busy with various tasks. the neat and tastefully decorated interior, with warm carpets covering the stone floor and various tapestries hanging on the sturdy stone walls. No, the main difference was in how the people here comported themselves. The rot of hopelessness was almost gone from their eyes, replaced with energy and vigor.

Getting occasional morning greetings from the passers Nephis ended in a small corridor. At the end of it was a staircase that led to the floor above. Right beside the staircase, A petite, exquisitely beautiful young woman with delicated features, pale blond hair, and stunning blue eyes stood in front of a small room, one of her hands was holding a fabric of sorts while the other was holding a wooden stick.

Nephis made her footsteps audible so the blind girl could hear it and walked to her.

Recognizing the familiar Footsteps Cassie focused her eyes on the general direction which she heard the footsteps from.

"Hi Cass, Good morning."

Nephis Greeted the Blind Girl. She tried making her voice softer but it still sounded as flat as ever. Even if she herself didn't know that.

Very costumed to her voice Cassie replied.

"Good morning to you too Neph."

"What brought you here?"

Nephis asked.

Pushing a towel-like fabric to Nephis she replied.

"I wanted to give you a towel knowing that you would be practicing around this hour."

She said Sheepishly with a warm smile. The blind girl seemed more mature. She looked older, somehow. It was as if there was an invisible weight pressing down on her, the kind that people usually accumulate with the flow of years. Her demeanor was calmer, more restrained, and sometimes almost cold. Nephis knew that Cassie Knew more than what she shared but she did not press her for answers.

She already knew enough

And Cassie had her reasons too.

Taking the towel Nephis replied.

"Thanks, Cass. But You didn't really have to-"

"I just wanted to."

Cassie replied, cutting her off in a playful manner.

Soon enough they walked side by side while Nephis was holding Cassie's hand, they arrived at the entrance of the lodge. Walking out, they soon arrived at a nearby bench that was recently built. Guiding the blind Girl to the bench they sat down, Neither of them saying a word. Each drowning in their own thoughts.

Soon the comfortable silence was broken by Cassie.

"Do you think....we can make it? I mean the operation."

Cassie asked leaning slightly on her cane.

Nephis glanced at her and replied:

"I believe so."

Nodding slightly Cassie exhaled and asked again after a while:

"Do you think he would agree?"

It was obvious who Cassie was referring to. Nephis remained silent for a few minutes and eventually replied with a heavy tone:

"I hope so."

After that, the silence descended again. Around them, the people of the outer settlement were starting their day and going through their daily lives.

Cassie's head which was hanging low suddenly jerked up. And started looking around. Not like she could see anything but she appeared startled and slightly confused.

Noticing that Nephis carefully asked:

"Cass what's wrong?"

Cassie turned to her Direction but didn't say anything.

It took her a while but she eventually said:

"Sorry Neph.... I just. I just had a lot to think about."

Nephis simply stared at the blind girl. Her face was expressionless as usual. She too was lost in her thoughts. Thinking about the approaching Operation, Gunlaug, Caster, and Sunny. She had her fair share of dark thoughts.

"Yeah, Me too."

Nephis said and relaxed back in her seat not expecting any response in return.

Cassie opened her mouth to say something but then closed it as if contemplating what to say. She eventually sighed and said sounding a bit clumsy.

"Maybe you should take a walk around.....you know. To clear your mind. Oh! and don't worry about me, I will be fine. I will just sit here and....you know enjoy the breeze."

Nephis looked at her friend for a while and slightly smiled. not finding anything wrong in what she said Nephis simply agreed and walked away leaving the blind girl alone.

Walking through the slums Nephis had a lot of things to worry about. The hunting party she formed, the people she had to feed, the matters with Gunlaug, and The Strange rumors about Effie killing Six Guards.

And mostly it was about Sunny, and how would she convince him? Would he even agree? What if he didn't? What would she do?

Unbeknown to her She had walked across the whole outer Settlement arriving near the Castle walls, lost in her thoughts.

A voice brought her back to reality.

"Hi Neph. Long time no see."

She Slowly turned around with an inexplicable expression on her face. She was met with a set of familiar Dark eyes that seemed to contain a dark bottomless abyss.

Now That She was fully Facing Sunny, she uttered.

"Hi.....Sunny."