Sunless was beginning to get used to conversations in the dark. The absence of light seemed to bring an unexpected honesty to people, as if darkness were a veil encouraging them to let their guard down.
He remembered how, during childhood blackouts, his family would end up gathered, talking for hours without distractions. Now, in that moment, he felt a strange nostalgia for those times.
"Since we're going to depend on each other," he began, breaking the silence, "should we share which Abilities and Memories we have at our disposal?"
It was a logical suggestion. Knowing each other's strengths was essential to working together. Still, he noticed Nephis's expression harden slightly—a cautious look she tried to hide. Cassia, seated next to Ariandel, also looked hesitant, but did not show as much discomfort.
"It's a sensible idea. Transparency may save us from future misunderstandings," Ariandel interjected in a slightly casual tone, before the tension could rise.
The pleasant sound of his silky voice seemed to dissipate any resistance.
Sunless narrowed his eyes at him, suspicious. There was something disturbingly natural about how Ariandel won people's trust.
"I'll start," he said then, preferring to take the lead. "My Attributes give me an affinity for shadows and... a touch of something divine, I suppose."
He tried to keep the tone casual, but could not avoid an ironic humor. "Ah, and apparently I have a special talent for getting myself into unlikely situations."
Ariandel laughed.
"We can confirm those 'unlikely situations'."
Cassia, tilting her head slightly, added with a timid smile:
"Yes, he's telling the truth. Not that anyone has questioned that..."
Sunless raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"How do you know?"
"My Ability," she explained simply, "is that I can "see" people's Attributes. I also receive visions from time to time."
He kept his face impassive, but inside he felt a shiver.
'Great, some kind of oracle. Wonderful... one more type of person I have to watch my secret around.'
"Interesting," Sunless replied casually before continuing:
"Now, my Ability: my shadow can move on its own. It scouts and reports back to me what it sees and hears. It's agile, stealthy, almost impossible to detect. Oh, and I can see in the dark."
Nephis watched him with calculated attention, giving no hint of her thoughts. Cassia, in turn, seemed more at ease, though still reserved.
Ariandel then took the floor in a relaxed manner:
"My Attributes grant me high affinity with fate and the divine, enhance my mental acuity, and bolster my resilience."
He paused briefly, choosing his words.
"My Aspect allows me to manifest illusions—some tangible, others not—and to become practically invisible to human perception. Moreover, I have no need for sustenance and possess a sixth sense that lets me perceive nearby presences."
'There it is! The flowery bastard is the Spell's favorite... What kind of madness is that?!' Sunless's stomach churned.
"As for Memories," Ariandel continued, showing no sign of noticing Sunless's tension, "a bow that forms its own arrows."
Cassia smiled at him, clearly at ease in his presence.
Nephis, on the other hand, remained impassive, observing Ariandel with renewed interest.
When it was her turn, she stated practically:
"My Attributes give me affinity with light and fire. I also possess a connection to the divine."
She paused briefly, almost imperceptibly, before adding:
"I have two Memories: a sharp sword that protects against attacks on the soul and armor with a strong defensive enchantment."
Her eyes scanned the group for an instant, trying to sense something through the darkness, before concluding, with the same practicality:
"My Ability can be used to heal."
Sunless watched her silently, noticing how her words were carefully chosen, revealing only the essentials. He did not know if this was merely a matter of reserve or if there was more she preferred to hide.
However, before he could fully digest her words, Cassia cleared her throat politely.
"Is it my turn? My Attributes give me affinity with revelations and fate."
Her voice was somewhat soft.
"My Ability is limited, as I mentioned before. As for Memories, I have three: a staff that can create wind, the bottle, and this Awakened armor, which conceals my presence."
She hesitated and, almost imperceptibly, turned her face toward where she sensed Ariandel's presence.
"Aria lent it to me when we met."
Sunless raised an eyebrow.
'He gave Awakened armor to the blind girl... How generous, huh...'
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Well. I think these means are sufficient to keep us alive," Sunless remarked.
Ariandel nodded, still wearing that gentle, polite smile.
"Indeed. Although it also takes some time before we are in sync."
Nephis remained silent for a moment before finally speaking:
"I'll keep watch first."
Sunless, wanting to demonstrate usefulness, said:
"My shadow can warn us if anything happens. It doesn't sleep."
Nephis replied with a light, almost mocking smile.
"Still, I prefer to do it."
Sunless sighed but did not insist.
'As you wish. I just hope you know what you're doing. I don't want to end up being bitten by some aberration in the middle of the night.'
And then, suddenly, he shuddered.
'Wait... that wasn't a death flag, was it? Right? No... Of course not...'
***
Sleep escaped Sunless. Sitting in the dark, he listened to the distant murmur of waves breaking on the corals.
The cool night air made his mind wander through recent memories and the faces now accompanying him. He was alive, warm, and, for now, safe. That was more than he could hope for.
In the distance, Ariandel sat elegantly in a chair too comfortable for the setting.
Sunless now understood where something so outrageous came from.
'Nonsense.'
Cassia lay farther away; soon her breathing pattern changed, indicating she had fallen asleep.
On the other side of the camp, Nephis stood watch, her gray eyes turned toward the darkness, but oblivious to them. Sunless knew she would still be listening; nothing escaped her attention.
The silence between him and Ariandel stretched until Sunless gave in. He spoke in a low voice, his own shadow hovering alertly at his side.
"So, you're overburdening yourself with Cassia. Why?"
Ariandel turned his precious eyes toward him, unsurprised by the direct question... Then, he let out a chuckle—his fair face amused by some irony only he recognized.
"Because I want to."
The simplicity of his answer was almost disarming, and Sunless narrowed his eyes, unconvinced.
"Really? That's all? Not because you thought she would be useful or something like that?"
Ariandel's kindness remained, but his gaze somehow conveyed a veiled conviction.
"No. Even though I see potential in her Aspect, it's secondary. She needed help, I could offer it. So, I helped."
Sunless felt the now-familiar discomfort arise, prompted by the chasm between their perspectives. He tried to contain his usual cynicism, but the acidic retort escaped before he could avoid it:
"That kind of naiveté is going to get you killed, you know?"
Ariandel's smile widened.
"Perhaps."
Patterns in his eyes flickered subtly.
"But that very 'naiveté' gives me strength."
After that, he turned and leaned back. Resting silently under the starless sky.
It seemed their conversation had ended.
Muttering internally, Sunless lay down and tried to sleep.
Something in Ariandel's tone seemed profoundly genuine, yet Sunless still did not completely trust him. The young man was a mystery, and mysteries, in the Realm of Dreams, could be dangerous.
'It's not! Jealousy, it's just... caution!'