Happy Birthday!

After only moments of hearing the spell's whisper, I felt the sensation of being unburdened, and suddenly remembered how I flew when I got hit by that bus.

Quickly recalling the novel's portrayal of the first night, I braced myself and felt a cold sensation wash over me.

Feeling Sunny's fear, I looked through his eyes and saw him submerged in the black waters.

[What the hell are you doing? SWIM!]

Some clarity returned to him, and he began to swim upward. Breaching the surface of the water, his sight was clouded and he couldn't see well.

Not being in control proved useful as I could focus better and saw a grey platform a little to his left.

[Get a hold of yourself. To the left! Quickly! Augment yourself with the Shadow!]

Little hesitation emerged from Sunny, but he trusted me and swam at astonishing speeds to the left.

In just a few seconds, he reached the statue's head.

His hands grasped the cold stone and, almost on reflex, he reached for a protrusion and hoisted himself up.

Now atop the statue's head, he breathed out a mouthful of water and gasped frantically.

The beating of his heart began to subside, and after a few minutes, he calmed down.

Deciding it was the perfect time, I happily told him, [Happy birthday, may many more come.]

Regaining some clarity, Sunny looked around before a feeling of amusement emerged.

"Of all the times, you decide now was the right time for that?"

[But of course, I was gonna do it later, but it seems like that thing isn't here yet.]

Distinctly remembering the novel and the clash of the abominations from the sea, I didn't notice anything weird.

As soon as I dropped that comment, Sunny looked around frantically before frowning.

"What are you talking about? There's nothing here."

[… Are you an idiot?]

"What the he—"

Before he could finish, a massive shadow approached, causing him to stumble and move to the other side of the head.

The abomination lunged at him. Sunny let out a shrill scream involuntarily as the abomination slithered closer.

As it drew nearer, another abomination emerged from the waters and bit down on the upper body of the first one, its maw clenched hard, causing black blood to spill from the wound.

While the abominations wrestled, Sunny sat there helplessly, still looking at them with shaking hands.

[I don't mean to be rude, but it is my body time.]

The previous horror Sunny felt was replaced by fury as he stopped focusing on the wrestling abominations.

"Do you have no sense of decorum? Are you even human?"

If I had eyes, I would have rolled them, but I could only focus on the abominations.

After a little longer, the one that had lunged at us first wavered and got pulled into the water shortly thereafter.

 Sunny's heart beat rapidly, and his breaths were ragged and visible in the cold air.

While he calmed down a little, the furious clash of the abominations continued.

[Fine, I'll let you have body time this once. Sleep, and tomorrow we'll make plans.]

"Sleep? After that?"

[Oh please, after one of them gets their fill, do you really think they'll want such a meek appetizer?]

"Do you have no sense of empathy?"

I chuckled to myself and responded flatly, [I do, just a very small amount.]

Sunny sighed and looked at the ripples caused by the clash of the abominations still going on.

After another few tense minutes, the violence subsided, and the ripples stopped.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Sunny summoned the [Puppeteer's Shroud] and lay down.

A thought seemed to hang in his mind, but he refrained from saying it. This caused me a little concern, but I let it be. It was a long night, after all.

Even though he was still uncertain, I let it be and drifted off myself.

'He's too shocked to do anything, I'll let it be.'

I then focused on Alisto, and to my surprise, I was able to connect.

I saw the pale face of Sunny within the sleeping pod, sleeping peacefully.

I focused on the other ravens I had stationed elsewhere and looked at the other sleeping pods. I switched to Caster's and saw his figure floating in his sleeping pod.

Changing to the ones stationed in Nephis' chamber, I saw her in her sleeping pod, although I also saw her completely nude figure as well.

Flustered, I immediately stopped my connection and uncomfortably giggled.

I did this aloud, to Sunny, who was still trying to sleep.

"Do you mind? Is there another enemy?"

He perked his head up and looked around. I reassured him that everything was fine, and he began to drift off.

I tried using my [Black Bird] ability, and almost instantly Sunny's hand was covered by black feathers that stretched out and formed into a raven.

'So I can use some abilities while not in control. Very good.'

Sunny was alerted but calmed down after seeing a familiar raven.

[I'll look over you while you sleep. Get some rest. Count this as my birthday gift to you.]

(…Thanks.)

Somewhat surprised by his gratitude, I happily focused on the connection with the raven and soon saw through its eyes. Sunny eventually drifted off to sleep, his breathing evening out.

I continued my watch, feeling a strange sense of responsibility for him. 

Despite my detached demeanor, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of empathy for the kid.

He was thrown into this dangerous world with little preparation, and now, he had to rely on a stranger like me to survive.

But that was of no importance right now. I just focused on keeping watch. I didn't grow tired through this.

The night passed without further incident. As the first light of dawn broke, Sunny stirred, waking up with a groan. He sat up, rubbing his eyes, and glanced around.

[Good morning, sleepyhead,] I said, injecting some cheer into my voice. [Ready for another day in paradise?]

He groaned again. "You're way too chipper for someone who saw two abominations fight to the death."

[It's a coping mechanism. Keeps me from losing my mind.]

"Well, it's not helping me much."

[It really isn't that hard. You just have to go insane a couple times.]

'That is a lie, but I gotta keep my mysterious man persona.'

He uncomfortably coughed and looked down from the head. Looking down, he saw multiple giant scavangers feeding off the corpse of the first abomination we saw.

Sunny's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched the Carapace Scavengers tear into the corpse of the abomination.

The sight was both fascinating and horrifying, their pincers effortlessly breaking through the tough hide and shell of the creature.

[Well, at least we know what's for breakfast,] I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"You can't be serious," Sunny replied, his tone incredulous. "Those things are huge! And look at what they're eating!"

[It's a joke,] I assured him.

He seemed somewhat unsure but kept looking down. He studied the red coral labyrinth, while I commanded the raven to fly around.

And then I saw it: the multiple transcendent soul shards emerging from the corpse of the abomination.

'Now that's a sight. You'll be mine soon.'

"And thanks for keeping watch."

[Anytime, partner. Anytime.]