Chapter 7 : Journey to the West

Before the morning. A piercing scream woke Sunny up. He instinctively stood up and summoned his weapon.

He looked around and saw Neph doing the same. 'Where is Cassie!?' Sunny looked around him and saw Cassie at the edge of the platform. Screaming in horror.

Sunny hurried to her. He instantly remembered what this was all about. He grabbed Cassie and tightened his hands around her

"It's okay, it's okay, everything is fine, Cassie. Calm down, calm down." Surprisingly, Cassie's trembling body calmed down after hearing Sunny.

He patted on her back to comfort her. Then, he took her to the center of the platform. He saw that she was still in horror. He knew that he should leave her alone for now.

Neph looked at Sunny and asked, "How's Cassie?"

"I don't know, she probably saw a nightmare or something. I think we should leave her alone for now." After saying that, Neph nodded in agreement.

After that, the sun rose, and the sea descended. Sunny sat at the corner, lost in the train of thoughts. He then smelled a good smell then turned around and saw Neph cooking food. He went to check on the girls and saw that Cassie was ready to talk.

"Cas, what happened to you?" Neph asked with concern.

"I....I...Just saw another vision" Cassie said while shivering.

"Another one? Is it about the human citadel?" Neph asked while her eyes frowned a little.

Cassie talked about the vision she saw. And it was the same exact from before Sunny's regression. Gunluag death, Effie surrounded by the monsters. and lastly, the injured angel getting devoured by a shadow.

Sunny was in shock. His [Chain Breaker] Aspect should make him unrecognizable by fate. Then how was he there in the vision. Not to mention that it didn't change a bit. Sunny knew about the future. Therefore, he was aware of the consequences of some of his actions. Like Caster's death.

But he wasn't planning on making that mistake again. And even so, if by some twist of fate Caster died, Sunny wouldn't leave Neph alone. And without [Shadow bond] existing, Neph won't be able to force Sunny to go back. Considering that even now, Sunny would even be stronger than Neph.

'So then, how was the vision the same as before?' Sunny was scared that he won't be able to change what happened even with his regression. He didn't want to leave Neph here again in this cursed place.

Sunny thought for a while, wondering why the visions were the same. Until someone tapped on his shoulder. He looked to the side and saw Neph.

"We should prepare to continue our journey now. I don't want Cassie to stay here for another day." Neph said while looking to the west

"I don't think we should. We have to stay another day here." Sunny sighed and pointed his finger towards something down."Because of them, we should stay up here for another day."

As Neph got to the edge of the platform and looked down, she saw the shark like corpse half finished. A transcendent soul shards appeared.

But before they could say anything, giant figures were going towards the soul shards. They looked exactly like carapace scavengers. But they were larger. And instead of pincers, there was a long bone scythe.

When they reached the transcendent shards, they didn't consume it. They just held them with their scythe. And as they were going away, Neph looked at Sunny and said.

"Make your shadow follow them."

Sunny chuckled and said, "I already did." After saying that, Neph looked at his shadow and saw that it wasn't there.

After a while, Sunny informed Neph that carapace like monsters were heading towards the west. Then, they came to a conclusion that they should wait up on the statue another day.

Seeing that they'll have to stay up the statue for a while, everyone just took it as a break day.

Neph was sitting somewhere alone in the platform, trying to get used to the pain from her flaw. Sunny saw the pain expression on Neph and some tears coming out. He felt sorrow in his heart seeing that. He couldn't just stop her. This was the dream realm. Even Transcendents were in danger.

While he was lost in thoughts, he didn't notice Cassie, who was coming towards him. She sat right beside and said

"Hey Sunny, do you think we would be able to go back?"

Cassie said while wrapping her hands around her knees and looking at the horizon.

Sunny looked at her and said confidently, "Of course we would."

Cassie was a little surprised by how confident Sunny sounded. "How are you sure about that?"

Sunny looked at the horizon while thinking for a little. "Because the all of us, of course. I'm sure that between all the sleepers in the world. I think we have the highest chance of surviving this wicked land."

Sunny stopped for a while and then continued, "Also, if this is our will, who dares to stop us."

Cassie looked at Sunny with a surprise. Then her ckeeks reddened a little and said, "Thank you, thank you, Sunny."

After saying that, the two kept silent for a while, and then Cassie talked again. "Sunny, is there someone you miss."

"Me? Well, there are many people I miss and want to meet them again. Like my sister." Sunny said with a smile. Remembering all the people he cares about. Or the people who saved him on some occasions.

"You have a sister?" Cassie was surprised by that information. "What about your parents? You don't miss them?"

"I miss them. But they died when I was a kid." Sunny said casually.

Cassie felt sad for him and hated herself for mentioning this topic. "Well, what are you going to do when we get back to the waking world." Cassie tried changing the topic to cheer the mood a little.

The two of them chatted for a little. But then Sunny looked at Cassie and said, "Hey Cassie, can you do me a favor?"

"What is it, Sunny?" Cassie asked him with curiosity.

"Can you check my attributes and tell me what do you see." Cassie looked with confusion at Sunny from his weird request.

"Can't you see your attributes?" Cassie tilted her head a little

"Yeah, I can, but I just want to check on something real quick" Sunny said with a casual smile.

Cassie was confused, but she did what he wanted. After checking his attributes, she said,

"Okay, let me see. Fated, child of shadows, and mark of divinity." After hearing that, Sunny was shocked from what Cassie said.

"Thanks, Cassie, you're the best. Anyway I'll go train in the corner." Sunny said as he got up. A serious look appeared on his face.

After hearing Cassie vision about the crimson spire and seeing that nothing had changed, Sunny had his doubts. But after hearing what Cassie just said right now, he confirmed his theory.

What his Aspect meant by being unrecognized by fate, it meant Sunny's soul that regressed. And seeing that to Cassie, his attributes were the same from his first time. He was sure that from the very beginning of his trial, till the 3rd nightmare. Fate was controlling his life.

Sunny felt horrified of this idea. To think that everything you did in your life was all fate doing.

Sunny understood now why Cassie was going all the way out to make a weapon to destroy fate. She probably knew about all this. That everyone's life was all controlled by fate. She saw the death of herself. The death of her friends. And knew that fate was mighty and couldn't be changed. But she was able to create a weapon who can defy fate.

But who would've ever thought that he'd regress to the very beginning of his journey. Sundoes don't know how he regressed. Maybe there was someone who controlled all this behind the scenes. But if it was true. Then who's that person? If there was something Sunny was sure about. It is that the one who was the reason of his regression must be one of the deamons.

But if there is one thing that Sunny was thinking about. Is what changes in fate will he make. Knowing the fut e, and being able to manipulate upcoming events. Was a huge power. His existence is a huge variable in the upcoming events.

"..uny"

Sunny heard someone

"Sunny!"

Sunny's train of thoughts stopped as he looked at who was calling. Sunny widened his eyes as he realized that the sun would soon disappear, and Neph made dinner before it was night.

Sunny was lost in his thoughts for a long while without realizing. Surprisingly, his body was training on his own. He was doing a bunch of sword techniques unconsciously.

After that, he went and sat with Neph and Cassie. They ate dinner while talking a little. Neph was learning more on how to socialize with people. And there were some improvements.

When it was the night, they all slept. Thankfully, Cassie didn't have another vision.

After it was morning, they began their journey to the west. Sunny was in front, sending his shadow to far areas as he used his shadow senses to use the shadows in the area. Cassie was in the middle riding on the carapace Echo. And Neph was last. Protecting Cassie from unexpected dangers.

They stumbled on little hordes but with having two other awakened beasts by their side made their fights much easier. And Neph was able to leave many last hits to Sunny.

After traveling for a while, they sensed the Strom approaching. They quickly ran to the nearest cliffs to them. After resting on the cliff, Sunny saw the 8 corpses of the scavengers.

Knowing what's about to happen, Sunny went to check if the carapace centurion was there. And indeed, it was resting in the same place from what Sunny remembers. He took the soul shards from the 8 corpses and went back to the girls.

After telling them about the awakened monster, Neph looked at Sunny and said they had to kill it. This time, Sunny didn't protest a little. He just agreed with Neph and started preparing their plan.

Their plan was the same from before. Except this time, it's 4 vs 1. Sunny went to the cliff where the centurion was resting and then attracted his attention and made him chase him. After falling on his head from the golden rope, they started attacking him.

[You have slain an awakened monster. Carapace Centurion.]

[You have received a Memory: Starlight Legion Armor.]

[Your shadow grows stronger.]

Thankfully, this time, they were able to take him down without any injuries. It was easy taking him down, but it was all because of the element of surprise. Sunny was confident that they'd still win even without it, but it would be a tough fight.

After going back to Cassie, Sunny looked at Neph and said. "Hey Neph, I have a gift to you. Guess what it is." Sunny said in a good mood.

"A weapon?" Neph said while raising an eyebrow

"An armor?" Cassie participated in this guessing game.

Sunny placed his hand on Neph's shoulder and gave her the memory. "Cassie was the one who guessed it right," he smirked teasingly.

Neph was surprised from the memory and summoned it instantly. 'It looks beautiful on her.' This thought crossed Sunny's mind.

This time, because no one was injured, they continued their journey after the sea descended.

...

After two weeks, they reached a huge skeleton body. They entered through the skull of the huge skeleton body and started climbing up.

After it was night, they camped there. Neph was sitting on a corner by herself and was meditating. Try getting used to the pain.

"Hey, Sunny." Sunny looked to the side and saw Cassie sitting beside him.

"What is it?" He asked casually

"I'm sorry" Cassie said while looking to the ground.

"Why are you apologizing?" Sunny frowned in confusion.

"I'm sorry for being useless" Cassie said, and a tear fell on her cheek.

Sunny frowned a little, and then a soft smile appeared on his face. He brushed the tear from her cheek, which made her flinch and blush a little.

"No one said you're useless. In fact, you've saved our lives. If it wasn't for you. We could've traveled to the east. And knowing that we might not reach the human citadel. We could've died. So, don't think low of yourself."

After saying that, Cassie's eyes filled with tears. Tears started coming out of her eyes. "Sunny, thank you. Thank you so much. Everyone thought I was just a dead person. But you were the only one who came and cheered me up. You're the only one who believed I could survive. Even if it was a lie just to comfort me. Thank you for being there." Sunny was embarrassed. He didn't know what he should do after she suddenly started crying.

Unsure, he just hugged her awkwardly. And that seems to do the case. After Cassie calmed a little, she asked.

"Sunny, can you promise me something."

Sunny looked at Cassie, he knew that this was the question that changed everything between the two "What is it?"

"Can you.... can you promise me to protect Neph" Sunny looked at her and smiled gently

"I promise, I promise to get you both back. And I promise to protect Neph. Even if I had to put my life on the line." Sunny said softly.

Cassie looked at him, then a smile appeared on her face.

The two fell silent for a while. Then Sunny said.

"I can't lie, Cassie"

Cassie looked at him with confusion. "What do you mean, Sunny?"

"I said that I can't lie. That's my flaw." Sunny said as he was laying on his back.

Cassie was surprised from the fact that Sunny openly shared his flaw.

"Why are you telling me this, Sunny?" Cassie was confused from Sunny.

Sunny smiled and said "Well, I already told it to Neph, so it's kinda unfair to not tell you. And also..." Sunny stopped for a moment.

"I said it to show you that I wasn't just comforting you when I answered you. I won't leave any of you in this wicked place." Cassie opened her eyes wide. Then he a happy smile appeared on her face as she look down.

After that conversation, they went to sleep.

In the morning, Sunny woke and saw Neph already awake. In the past two weeks. She started fully trusting Sunny and letting her guard down around him. "Good morning" Sunny said as he was stretching

"Morning" Neph said while staring at him.

"What? Is there is something on my face?" Sunny asked with confusion.

"It's nothing, I was just thinking about exploring the surroundings." Neph said while looking at the gab between the giant vertebrae.

"Alright then." Sunny nodded and summoned Echo to guard Cassie and left his shadow just in case.

Sunny helped Neph climbing to the gab, and then after reaching it, she threw the golden rope to Sunny. After Sunny climbed, he shook his hands and looked to the west.

Sunny's body then froze. His eyes widened. A wave of memories flooded his mind. A mix of emotions surged through him. His facial expression showed a mix of emotions. Fear, horror, hatred, anger. His body shivered uncontrollably.

Some distance away, the labyrinth seemed to lose color. The crimson blades of coral stood grey and misshapen, as though struck by some unknown disease and drained of all life. The stone-like material looked brittle and fragile, ready to crumble to dust at any moment

The patch of dead coral spread for as far as the eye could see. Further away, the walls of the labyrinth seemed to have collapsed into a sea of ash-grey sand. This ashen wasteland looked so alien and strange after weeks of seeing only the endless crimson pathways.

There was only one visible high point to the west of them. Far away into the distance, the ground rose, forming a tall hill.

There, a tree rose into the sky like a tower, its branches wide enough to cover the whole island in their shade. The bark of the giant tree was as black as the water of the dark sea, while its leaves were red as blood.

'Soul devouring tree!'