Feeling the heavy stares of the two sisters, Sunny felt like sinking into the ground.
"Su…"
"...Ming?"
'I knew I shouldn't have come…'
Both Revel and Eunbin's expressions were ones of disbelief. Clearly, they didn't believe Seishan in the slightest.
'Wait… if they don't believe her, then…'
In a single moment his expression went blank and he was no longer attempting to hide himself under the table. With a small cough, he looked at Seishan.
"That wasn't very nice, Lady Song."
Revel and Eunbin's gazes immediately snapped to Seishan. The princess' expression faltered for a moment as she realised what he was doing.
"I don't know what you mean. What's not nice about the truth?"
The two gazes flicked back to him, causing him to hold himself back from shifting uncomfortably.
"You know what I mean. Look at how confused they are!"
The two gazes flicked to Seishan…
"And if you'd just admit to the truth, they wouldn't be confused anymore."
…and back to him.
"Lady Song… it is quite cruel of you to bring up Suming. Shouldn't you know by now the chances of her return are slim?"
Seishan's cruel joke had turned into a battle of wits. Sunny was almost certain that she knew what his Flaw was by now, as she was avoiding asking him directly.
'She wants to play fair? What a joke…'
It would only be fair if he could lie, but unfortunately, that wasn't possible.
"Sunless, I think you are being quite cruel yourself now. These two clearly don't understand what's going on."
"And I do believe that's your fault."
"What fault is there, when all I have done is be honest?"
"...All you have done is be heartless."
Watching the verbal exchange closely, Revel and Eunbin could only stare in quiet awe. Nudging her sister's side softly, Eunbin whispered softly:
"Hey… what's going on?"
She had only just arrived. What in the world were these two going on about?
Revel snapped back at her in a hushed tone, pinching her arm slightly.
"Shush! I'm trying to make out what they're saying…"
Swallowing hard, Eunbin went back to listening to the mental duel.
"...and have not considered what her absence might mean to them, for you to make such a tasteless joke?"
"I have done no such thing. In fact, I'd venture to say that you are the one making a cruel joke?"
"Oh? And do you have any proof?"
"You…"
Seishan's gaze darkened. Having seemingly had enough, she turned to Revel.
"I do have proof. I have a witness right here."
Both Sunny and Revel looked quite surprised at her words.
"What proof? Witness to what?"
"Me??"
Seishan slowly nodded.
"That's right. Revel, just now, when you attacked Awakened Sunless, did you feel like his movements were oddly familiar?"
A short gasp was heard, courtesy Eunbin.
"You attacked him?"
Ignoring her, Revel lowered her head, thinking deeply about her sister's question.
"Come to think of it… his moves, his aloof demeanor…. It did feel a little familiar."
Sunny glowered slightly upon seeing Seishan's smirk.
"That doesn't prove a single thing."
"Does it not? Fine then. Eunbin."
She turned to her other sister with a sharp gaze, causing Eunbin to tremble slightly.
"Y-Yes?"
"When you entered the room and spotted Awakened Sunless, you had a strange reaction. Why?"
The room stared at her, awaiting whatever her answer may be.
"I uhm…"
Blushing furiously, she did not answer for a moment, lowering her head and staring at her balled fists.
"Because… because I thought he was really handsome?"
Seishan's expression fell, while Sunny and Revel just palmed their faces in second-hand embarrassment.
"...Oh."
Quickly shaking her head, Eunbin added:
"A-Ah! But I also noticed something! He has that same… mesmer in his eyes. Just like Suming! Yeah!"
Sunny scrunched his eyebrows slightly at her words.
"Mesmer…?"
"Ha! See?"
Ignoring her sister's words entirely, Seishan pointed at him with a triumphant smile.
"Just admit it, Sunless."
"...Hm."
Her words had fallen on deaf ears, as he had immediately fallen into deep thought.
'Mesmer?'
What did Beastmaster- no, Eunbin mean? A mesmer in his eyes? Was that a compliment, or was she saying it looked like he was hypnotized?
"Eunbin."
The girl squealed slightly at his abrupt change in demeanor, immediately placing herself closer to Seishan.
"Y-Yes?"
"What do you mean by a mesmer in my eye?"
Seeing his serious expression, Revel lowered her hands slightly as Seishan ceased her attempts at getting him to admit his identity.
"Oh, I uh, mesmer as in like, she looks kind of… enchanted? Not like, mystically enthralled or anything, just kind of obsessed with something. Or someone. There might be a hint of magic in it? It's hard to tell…"
Sunny's gaze lightened slightly.
"And when did you notice that on Suming?"
Frowning, Eunbin fell into thought for a second.
"It wasn't too long ago… it was back when she returned from that expedition or whatever. Revel and me saw her hurrying towards the Gateway, and that was when-"
"That was when you saw that look in my eye…"
Nodding slowly, he rubbed his chin in thought.
'So it was after the Second Nightmare? It could've been before that too. She hadn't seen me for a while at that point.'
It was probably nothing, but he couldn't help but feel a little suspicious. Even if she was just an Awakened right now, the words of a future enchantress couldn't be taken too lightly.
Before he could ponder it any further though…
"Ah!"
Revel and Eunbin stared at him with wide eyes and dropped jaws.
"What?"
Seishan looked away, snickering.
"You really are Suming?!"
Sunny paused.
"Huh?"
Eunbin turned to Revel, shaking her shoulder.
"Hey, hey, you heard what he said, right?"
Nodding, Revel turned to her sister.
"Yeah… he definitely said 'That look in my eye'."
"Ah."
Distracted by his own thoughts, he'd made a slip of the tongue, revealing the lie.
'Oops.'
With a long sigh, he slowly raised his hands.
"You got me."
He was tired of the charade anyways. His defense could've realistically lasted the entire day if Seishan continued to play fair, not that bringing witnesses to the stand was really fair.
"N-No way…"
Eunbin stood up and quickly approached him, trying to get a better look at his face.
"But how? They look nothing alike…"
Following closely behind her sister, Revel tried to get a better look at him as well.
"Let me try…"
Narrowing her eyes, she said:
"Hey, try saying 'Or should I knock out your teeth instead?'"
"Ugh…"
With a short sigh, he obliged.
"Or should I-"
"Make a sort of mean face as well!"
Though he really felt like sinking into the shadows and going home for a nice long nap, he obliged to that as well.
"...Or should I knock out your teeth instead?"
"Holy shit…"
"It's really her… What an incredible disguise…"
Laughing in disbelief, Eunbin slowly turned back to Seishan.
"But Shan, why is Suming dressed as a man? Is she gonna be a spy or something?"
Covering her mouth to muffle a snicker, the princess shook her head.
"No no, you've got it all wrong."
With a cruel smile, she said:
"It's the other way around. Suming was never real, but a disguise of Sunless instead."
"..."
"..."
The two sisters went silent.
Slowly, they turned to Sunny. Slowly, they turned back to Seishan.
Without saying a word, they calmly left his side, returning to their seats.
"Oh, I see. I definitely knew that."
"In hindsight, I think it was quite obvious."
Though he wanted to place his forehead in his hands and scream, Sunny's expression remained neutral. Though the two acted like the news didn't affect them, he could still feel their shadows…
Emotions stormed within. Distrust, anger, excitement, confusion… Wait, excitement?
Sunny subtly glanced at Eunbin. Feeling his gaze, she immediately turned away.
He… really did not want to know why. Retracting his shadow sense, he only left a small circle of perception around himself. Such a feat was quite easy in the halls of Ravenheart.
"Sunless, do you mind waiting for a bit?"
Now with a mildly serious look, Seishan motioned towards the distant door.
"...Fine by me."
Without a word, he left.
Waiting outside, he heard bits and pieces of the sister's conversation, but paid it no mind. It was quite obvious what they wanted to talk about anyways, with Revel and Eunbin no doubt wanting to know why they were lied to, what the point of Suming's existence was, why they were only revealing it now… all sorts of things.
Sunny did not care too much. It definitely felt awkward for him, but he was far more occupied with other things.
'Mesmerised…'
Was he hypnotised? Eunbin had said that there was a possibility of it only being mundane, but his paranoia told him it wasn't.
'Is it Asterion?'
That was the absolute worst case scenario. If it were him… he had no chance. Even with everything in his arsenal, there wasn't a single thing he could do against a Supreme. All he could do was run, and even that wouldn't be easy.
'But he said he'd leave me alone…'
That was only until the day Nephis awakened, so he still had time. Really, if he wasn't a Transcendent by then, he'd be quite embarrassed with himself. The only problem was that even a Saint couldn't stand against a Supreme, and even then, he had other people he had to worry about as well.
'What if it isn't him?'
Asterion… creepy as he was, did seem to have a thing with his deals. He didn't exactly seem like a man of his word, and Sunny wasn't counting on him being one either, but he still had to consider that his hypnotisation wasn't caused by him.
'What if it's that thing in the lake?'
He passed by that Terror a lot, and it stared at him quite often. Its abilities weren't fully known to anyone, but it had to have been quite insidious for it to survive all this time.
'I should kill it soon.'
He'd already come up with a plan on how he'd kill it, and all that was left was for him to get Tyris' permission, or even help.
'That's one thing crossed off then…'
But what if that wasn't the source either?
'What if it's Hope?'
The Demon of Desire did seem like she was able to manipulate minds, so there was her as well.
But then there was the fact that she was dead, so it couldn't be her.
'Hope would never do such a thing anyways…'
Tapping his forearm, Sunny did his best to think of others.
'Could be a human Saint I don't know about…'
'Could be lingering effects from that storm Aranea used…'
'Could be Valor…'
There were plenty of possibilities, but there were plenty of answers as well.
'Agh, I don't know.'
He'd keep the fact in mind for now, but seeing as he wasn't actively being controlled or anything, it was probably nothing.
'She also said it could be an obsession with someone…'
Was it the impression Hope had left on him, forever changing the look in his eye? Or perhaps it could've just been his strong desire to protect Nephis.
'Don't know…'
Slight frustration brewed in his heart, but it was mostly drowned out. There were plenty more pressing matters to worry about instead.
Like…
"Okay, that's sorted. Let's go."
Seishan casually stepped out of the cafeteria, motioning for him to follow her.
"...Where are we going now?"
As he turned to follow her, he glanced inside the hall for a moment, catching a short glimpse of Revel and Eunbin.
'They don't look happy…'
"My office."
Sunny blinked.
"You have an office?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
Looking around, he shrugged.
"I don't know. Because we're in Ravenheart, I guess?"
Seishan sighed.
"Offices aren't a waking world thing, Sunny. They're just places where people do work."
"Oh."
How had he never known that? He'd thought offices were those dead looking rooms that were in those big skyscrapers back in the city, not just… places where people do work.
'Hm… maybe I should convert some of Mimic's space into an office then…'
It was quite a fun idea, as it was only in the embrace of shadows where he was truly comfortable.
'Maybe… Would I even get a signal there?'
He'd given Aria a communicator to play with while she was staying, but that had been for offline use only, so he'd never really found out.
"What are we doing now? Just so you know, if it's something like that again, I'm leaving."
"Relax. It's just some administrative work."
"Like what?"
"Like making sure you actually exist, and your identity isn't completely forged."
"...Okay."
Sunny dreaded the idea of any sort of administrative work, but alas.
Hours passed as he followed the princess around, performing mundane task after mundane task. They went from registering him into their database, to completing what Seishan called a 'CV'. All of it was very boring, and Sunny found himself feeling quite sleepy from time to time.
The sun had already begun rising back on Earth, and he wanted to make breakfast before Nephis woke up.
"Hey… we really couldn't have done this in the waking world or something?"
Seishan stopped for a moment, turning to him.
"Maybe, but our clan prefers doing stuff in the Dream Realm. Mother said it was for a deeper foundation or something like that."
"I see."
Sunny knew why of course, and Ki Song had to know as well. The waking world wouldn't last forever, so it was better to focus their efforts onto the Dream Realm now before it was too late, a notion he couldn't really disagree with.
Of course, their future plan of only saving a part of humanity while leaving the rest of them to die appalled him, but really… the Sovereigns were geniuses, elite among elites, for them to have made such a choice, the situation must've really been hopeless.
'I'll have to do better. Work harder.'
"How much longer is this going to take by the way? It's already morning…"
"It is?"
Pausing her steps, Seishan stepped over to a window to look outside.
"No it's not?"
Sunny sighed.
"In the waking world, Seishan."
"Ah, I see."
Fumbling with a small parchment she kept in her dress' sleeve, she quickly read over it before turning to him.
"I suppose you can leave. If anyone stops you, just show them the insignia. They'll start remembering you eventually."
"Alright, bye."
Bidding Seishan farewell, he left.
***
Unlocking the door to his home, Sunny stepped inside, stretching as he discarded his shoes by the door.
'That was an interesting morning, I suppose.'
Staring at the small insignia made of jade in his hands, he sighed.
'Guess I'm really with them now…'
In the past, he'd sided with Valor, and now, he'd sided with Song. Really, he would've preferred to side with neither of them, but it wasn't like this was the worst possible outcome either. There were many advantages in working for a Great Clan, especially on the financial side.
Still, he felt a little nasty inside. Though that feeling was swiftly suppressed when he remembered what Ki Song agreed to do.
'I can't believe it…'
The goal he'd been working towards this entire time was looking quite feasible now.
'Maybe, just maybe…'
If everything went well, then maybe Nephis really could live a proper life. One without death and despair clouding every corner.
"Sunny…?"
Smiling, he greeted Nephis, who was walking down the stairs with a sleepy look on her face.
"Hey there, kid. Hungry?"
"Yeah…"
"Good! Just sit and wait for a bit…"
His shadows had already prepared all the pots and pans he needed, so now it was time for him to work his magic.
Minutes passed as he started on the food. Nephis lazily sat on the sofa, fumbling with the controls of the entertainment system.
Below, he felt the shadows in the basement stir as well, announcing the awakening of Jet.
Humming Oblivion's tune, Sunny added an extra portion to their breakfast. He was feeling quite hungry today, so may as well…
"Kid."
"Yeees?"
Turning his head slightly, he glanced at Nephis.
"How's Teacher Julius?"
"Oh! He's great!"
Her voice was immediately filled with excitement, a hint of wonder contained within it as she spoke about the old man. Sunny had taken Seishan's words to heart back then, and had immediately asked Julius for a bit of help.
Thinking about how their lessons looked, he felt endless gratitude towards the man. It must've been quite awkward, using the net and teaching a student you couldn't see or hear, but Julius managed nonetheless. Sunny had received many words of praise for Nephis' efforts as well, making him quite happy.
Still, he wondered if it was enough.
'Nephis seems happy, so it's probably fine…'
But at the same time, she was just a kid, she couldn't have known what she truly wanted just yet. The fact she'd barely seen the world didn't help either.
"...and Teacher Julius also said-"
Nephis' passionate speech was interrupted by a hidden door sliding open.
"Ugh… What's for breakfast?"
"Big sis!"
Jet appeared from the darkness, her hair disheveled and unkempt.
Tilting the pan he was currently holding towards her, he showed her its contents.
"The usual."
Some of her tiredness seemed to vanish at the sight.
"Alright!"
After giving Nephis a short greeting, Jet vanished upstairs to get ready.
And after a while, they were all gathered at the dining table, sharing light conversations with each other as a news report they all ignored played over the entertainment system.
The morning continued as any other, the mood warm. It was a feeling Sunny never wanted to lose, no matter what.
Time passed like a blur, and since Jet had the day off, they'd all spent the day together.
Eventually though, the day ended, and night fell.
"Goodnight Sunny…"
"Sweet dreams, kid."
As he slowly shut the door to Nephis' room, his gaze lingered on the Dreamcatcher for just a moment.
'Hm…'
With a short sigh, he locked the house up and disappeared into the Dream Realm.
***
Stepping into the Sanctuary of Noctis, Sunny looked around, searching for someone.
Spotting a familiar man, he smiled.
"Awakened Roan?"
The man, Roan, looked up from the small stone tablet he was looking at, the blue scarf he'd carelessly tied around his neck blowing in the wind.
"Awakened Sunless! Good day to you, young man. What brings you here today?"
Sheepishly scratching the back of his head, he turned towards the residence of the White Feather Clan.
"Is Lady Sky Tide in today? There's something I'd like to speak with her about."
Lightly patting his shoulder, the man laughed.
"What is it? I'll pass it along to her, seeing as she's quite busy today."
Swallowing hard, Sunny looked around, making sure no one was nearby. In a low voice, he said:
"It's about the Creature of the Lake."
Roan paled immediately at his words. The man immediately looked around, also making sure no one was nearby.
"That thing? What… no, nevermind. You should probably speak with Tyris about it."
"Isn't she busy?"
The man sighed, pressing his fingers against his forehead.
"Yes. Just… just come back in an hour."
"Understood."
Glancing at the distant Ivory Tower, Sunny quickly made his way into his living quarters, intending on weaving for a bit while he waited.
The hour passed before he even knew it, and there was a soft knock at his door.
"Awakened Sunless?"
Sunny's eyes snapped open. With a silent dash, he was at the door, opening it gently.
"Yes?"
The Awakened of White Feather jumped slightly at how fast he responded, but quickly composed himself.
"The Lady has agreed to meet with you."
"Understood. Thank you."
The man left, jumping out of a nearby window as he flew back towards his clan's residence. And as for Sunny, he simply sunk into the shadows, gliding towards one of the heavenly chains before making his way towards one of the nearby islands.
There, he met with Sky Tide.
"Lady Tyris."
Sunny gave her a small bow.
"Sunless."
Nodding in return, Tyris glanced at the Sanctuary before glancing back at him.
"Roan tells me you have something to say about the Creature of the Lake?"
"Indeed."
"Well, what is it?"
Taking a deep breath, he looked around with slight nervousness.
"Can you take us to the waking world first?"
With a slight movement of her eyebrow, she nodded and stepped towards him, wrapping an arm around his neck. In a second, they were gone.
Appearing in the waking world, Sunny looked around.
"Where… where is this?"
They seemed to be deep underground somewhere, so far underground that he couldn't even sense the surface with his shadow sense. Judging from the distance between himself and the gloomy shadow though, he could tell they were still in NQSC.
"Stop. You are not permitted to look around here."
Sunny's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh. Of course."
'This must be White Feather's compound or something…'
"I neglected to change the location of my tether, seeing as you did not inform me you wanted to meet today, but nobody will be able to listen in on us here, so speak."
Feeling a little nervous now, he slowly nodded.
"Yes, yes… About the Creature of the Lake, I was wondering if there is any particular reason you leave it alive?"
Tyris' expression did not change, but he felt her subtle confusion.
"Why do you ask?"
Making himself appear as confident as possible, Sunny met her inhuman gaze.
"Because I was thinking of killing it."
The Terror had some strange and mystical abilities, no doubt. Ones he would love to get his hands on.
'If I could get an Echo…'
He almost shuddered at the thought. Seeing as the Terror never left the lake, it must've had some sort of ability relating to water as well, and since he was leaving for the Stormsea soon, that would most certainly prove useful to him.
"...I see."
The air around them changed slightly, but Tyris did not move.
"Why do you want to kill it?"
"It attacked an associate of mine, so I don't really want it to live anymore."
"Do you have a plan?"
"Yes."
"Do you know its rank?"
"It's a Corrupted Terror."
Sky Tide's eyes widened slightly at his words.
"It is?"
Sunny nodded.
"Saw it for myself."
'To think she didn't even know its rank…'
The beast lived practically right next to the Sanctuary! How could she not…
"What about its abilities?"
"That I don't know as much about, but I know it can manipulate several types of mystical forces."
"I see. Do you truly think you can kill it?"
"With enough planning, I think so."
"And if you can't?"
"I'll toss it into the sky below."
Tyris shifted slightly, her gaze growing scarier.
"And if that doesn't work?"
"I'll ask you for help."
At his words, the Saint went silent for a moment, seemingly stunned.
"Why don't you just have me help from the start?"
Sunny paused.
"Well, I… I didn't know if you wanted to?"
Tyris took a deep breath.
"It's a Corrupted Terror living near my Citadel. Though it has never shown any aggression before, this is no longer a risk I can take. If you will, include me in your plans, Sunless."
With a short bout of silence, he nodded.
"Of course, Lady Tyris."
"Actually…"
After having thought for a moment, she added:
"The man who originally discovered the Sanctuary said that before he claimed the Citadel, the creature had spoken to him."
Sunny's eyes widened.
"Really?"
How had he never known this? What man?
"Yes, he said… oh, he's dead now, so we only have a written record of what he said. But he said that the… Terror had said something about him being hideous, and that its hands would be tainted by his disgusting heart."
Sunny leaned in slightly, curious to hear more.
"And?"
"That was all it said. He died not long later due to an incident with the Crushing. Some scholars and experienced Awakened have theorised that the Terror is the true guardian of the Citadel, but has just never acted before, preferring to remain dormant. But considering it attacked your associate… I'm afraid such a thing may no longer be possible."
"I… see."
From his experiences in the Second Nightmare, he had a sneaking suspicion he knew what the Terror meant.
'So, nobody pure in heart and thoughts has appeared all this time?'
Or perhaps someone had, and it had still never moved?
'Come to think of it… did Cassie ever actually enter the Sanctuary of Noctis?'
Searching through his hazy memories, he found that…
'No way…'
The blind seer had never actually gotten near the Sanctuary even once. Had she known? Had she…
"Sunless?"
"G- Yes?"
Snapping out of his thoughts, he looked back at the Saint in front of him.
"Do you know what those words may have meant?"
"Yes, I think so. Not that it really helps us in any way though…"
With a short nod, Tyris put her hand on his shoulder.
"No matter then. Is that all?"
Sunny nodded.
"That is all."
In a second, they were back in the Dream Realm, standing on the same island. Fearing that the Terror's range of perception might stretch all the way to their location, letting it know that they were planning to attack it, Sunny had requested they speak in the waking world.
Immediately letting go of him, Tyris began taking steps towards the edge of the island.
"When will your plan take place?"
"In under a week."
Her steps paused.
"Then, I must prepare. Inform me of your plan by the end of the day."
"Of course."
Just as she was about to jump off the edge of the island, Tyris turned back to him.
"And Sunless…"
"Yes?"
"I hear you are working with the Song Clan?"
With a sheepish laugh, he nodded. It was a little surprising to hear, considering he'd only officially joined them a day ago, but Sunny had never underestimated the information network of a Saint.
"Yes I am! I met Song Seishan back on the Forgotten Shore, so we'd already known each other. And with my recent exploits, they decided to recruit me as a contractor."
Nodding, Sky Tide turned back to the sky below.
"Good. Will this affect your work here in the Chained Isles?"
Sunny thought for a moment.
"It shouldn't really… though I am leaving for an expedition in a bit, and it may take several months.
"...Sunless."
Tyris turned back to him with a deadpan stare.
"A several month leave of absence counts as affecting your work here."
Sunny blinked.
"...Oh. Then I guess it will affect my work here?"
Sky Tide sighed, much to his surprise. It may have been the first time he had seen her genuinely express her annoyance with something.
'Whoops.'
"No matter. Just make sure you inform me of any more leaves like this."
"Of course, Lady Tyris."
Hearing his words, Sky Tide leapt off the edge of the island, returning to her quarters at the Sanctuary.
Watching her disappear, Sunny turned towards the distant silhouette of the island the Terror resided on.
'Enjoy your last week alive.'
Sinking into the darkness, he left the island as well.
'Now… Where is Mordret at?'