Their training swords clashed, Sunny slid his blade down hers before twisting it, trying to disarm her, though it was to no avail as Nephis voluntarily let go of her sword to drill her fist into his side, knocking him back.
"Huff.. Huff.. Did I.. hold on, give me a second.."
Holding his side, he sat down before turning his head to see Cassie there with water for him.
"Thanks.."
Currently, they were using Cassie's prize to access the academy's training facility late at night, they couldn't waste any time relaxing; after all, they're leaving soon. Nephis took the other water out of Cassie's hand, guzzling it down. Every night for the past 3 days they met up here and did these spars. Though he lost most of them, not because the gap between his and Nephis's skills was that vast, but for another reason entirely.
"That's not your true battle art, is it?"
Wow, what poor timing to have that thought. But he supposed it would come up sooner rather than later, and if they were going to face the dream realm together, he needed to reveal some things — not everything, though, of course.
"When did you realize?"
"It's simple.. When I fight, I fight for myself, for my dream.. yet you.. it seems like you're letting someone else entirely fight for you, that someone not being you."
Did she think he had a split personality or something? Were the rumors getting that bad?! He may have to check up on them soon for his own sake, but he could put that off for now.
"Ah, I got a rough idea of what you mean, and in a way you are correct."
Cassie approached, sitting down near him. This led to Nephis sitting down across from him. All of the attention was now on him.
"Well, as you know, I was in the outskirts my whole life.. not many chances to learn how to use a sword. When I challenged my first nightmare, I learnt one battle art, but later on.. I learnt another, though it wasn't mine. The first one wasn't either, in all honesty, to be fair."
Cassie raised her eyebrow, her voice laced with confusion.
"How long was your 1st nightmare to be able to learn two battle arts? I couldn't imagine you learning two during the usual time first nightmares take, even if we were to say you were a genius."
He felt "that" flaw pressing against his mind, but he didn't bother to resist it. What use would it have anyways?
"You see, my first nightmare was quite odd.. it was a whole year long."
Nephis's face didn't show much change other than an eyebrow raise, but Cassie shot up looking at him. She's getting better at finding locations through sound lately.
"So you were in a coma for a year essentially!?"
"No, it only lasted two days for this world.. nobody knows why, probably because you're the first I'm telling."
Sunny laid on his back, his eyes landing on the ceiling. Eventually, if they were to go into the dream realm together, it may be better to tell them about his aspect, but.. not yet. After all, despite them seeming trustworthy, in this world you truly can't trust anybody — not even yourself.
"Well, it's of no matter. Cassie, get up."
Cassie looked confused; to be honest, he was as well.
"Did you think you wouldn't be training as well?"
He couldn't help but hope one god is alive at least so he could pray to it for her.
---
Feeling the water cascade down his body like little bugs crawling on his skin, he realized he still wasn't used to this life. Despite his entire body being sore, he didn't hate it. He could have never dreamed of a life like this in the first place.. Showers whenever he wanted, food whenever he wanted, he wasn't sure if he could truly call them friends just yet, but to be able to communicate with anybody in general is a privilege he didn't have back then. He supposed back then he was misanthropic, but now.. after that long year, he didn't want to live out of spite any longer; no, rather he wanted to live just to live. That was enough for him — more than enough, in fact.
Stepping out of the shower, he reached for his towel. Once the steam from the mirror cleared, he noticed his hair was getting longer; to be honest, he should probably cut it, but he should probably get used to not being able to maintain it for when he gets to the dream realm. Oh.. he realized that this lifestyle was only temporary until he ventures into the dream realm.
They also have to prepare for the situation during the time they are separate, especially for Cassie. Even with the training she can receive from Nephis, there's one thing that will hold her back.. well, he doesn't have to say what it is. Wrapping the towel around his waist, he walked out of the shower room only to see Cassie and Nephis in his room as if it's nothing unusual.
"Oh Sunny! I was wondering when you were going to get out."
"Don't waste time, hurry up and get ready. We have many things to discuss."
What the fuck.