At the gates of the Bright Castle, two unfamiliar figures emerged from the slums.
One was a wiry boy with raven-black hair, his frame wrapped in a soft dark-grey cloak that clung to him loosely. The other, a striking blonde girl, moved with silent grace despite the blindfold across her eyes. Her lithe form was encased in a sleek black bodysuit, over which gleamed pristine white armor. Neither so much as glanced at the guards stationed before them—though in the girl's case, it wasn't a matter of choice.
The boy, on the other hand, simply didn't care to look.
"What do you rats want?" one of the guards sneered, eyes lingering far too long on the girl's form.
Sunny's lip curled in disgust. The guards barely had time to register the change before something colder than hate locked them in place. The boy's emotion surged outward, filling their minds with a fury that wasn't theirs.
The moment shattered with a pair of Soul Shards clinking off their armor—thrown with deliberate, yet dismissive force.
Without a word, Sunny brushed past, the blindfolded girl following close behind. While penning aliases for himself and Cassie in the receptionist's guestbook, he stole sorrowful glances at the now-living Harper.
***
"Bright Castle is ruled by a tyrant named Gunlaug," Sunny began. "He commands with the power of a Transcendent Echo—no one dares challenge him. Beneath him is Harus, his blade."
Cassie tilted her head, listening intently.
"The rest of the castle is divided into two groups," Sunny continued. "The Host and the Tenants. The Host are Sleepers who serve Gunlaug's regime. The Tenants are the ones who pay to stay here."
He spoke with a quiet disdain, as if the titles alone left a bitter taste.
"Within the Host, there are several factions. The two important ones are the Hunters and Pathfinders, who work together to feed the city and comprise the elite of Gunlaug's army."
Gloomy held up three fingers for the girl.
"There are three lieutenants important enough to memorize as well. First is Gemma, he leads the Hunters and Pathfinders. Second is Tessai, he is the leader of the Castle Guard. Lastly is a Legacy named Song Seishan, she leads her own faction called the Handmaidens."
Cassie nodded slowly, absorbing the information.
After a pause, Sunny added, "While we're here, we have another task that wont take very long. There's a shop in the inner quarter. One that sells Memories. We'll be visiting it first."
***
Strolling through the shadows, the Sleeper pair strolled past warning signs and into Bright Castle's restricted zone. Sunny didn't see the harm—he could charm Stev into looking the other way, and so as long as they weren't caught... no harm, no foul.
Down a narrow hidden staircase, they found a plain wooden door. With a gentle push, they stepped into the Memory Market.
Stev emerged from the backroom, blinking at the unfamiliar silhouettes in his dimly lit shop.
Before the shopkeeper could ask a single question, the boy flashed open a bag, revealing a generous collection of glittering Soul Shards.
"I came to buy some armor" Sunny said, plainly.
Stev swallowed. That amount of wealth made questions feel... unnecessary. New hires for the Host? Yeah, sure. That sounded about right. No one would fault him for skipping the formalities to make sure they had an invitation. Right?
Surely.
The pair of customers meandered toward the back—where the less impressive stock gathered dust. Shoddy enchantments, useless tools. Junk, mostly.
To Stev's shock, the boy's eyes lit up as he pointed toward a hulking set of ornate stone armor.
The shopkeeper raised a skeptical eyebrow. That armor hadn't moved in years—too heavy, too slow, utterly useless in combat, and damaged beyond repair to boot.
Sunny's voice was calm, confident: "We'll give you ten Soul Shards for the armor if you throw in those two torch and knife Memories over there."
Stev kept a straight face, but his soul practically danced. Ten shards? For that worthless rock?
He bit back a laugh and nodded slowly. "Of course. A fine selection."
And just like that, the dead weight was someone else's problem.
***
The first target on Sunny's list was Kai—he'd make winning the others over easier. They found him chatting with a group of women, and waited for his conversation to finish.
"Hello there," Sunny greeted, stepping forward with a polite smile, "You're Kai, right? I heard you have the ability to discern lies. I was hoping to speak with you."
Kai's expression flickered in curiosity. He'd grown used to the effects of his Flaw over the years—the whispers when told a falsehood—but something about this boy felt... different.
There was no lie to detect, but there was something else.
He could see the boy's emotions—nostalgia, a heart gripped by unspoken memories. Kai blinked. That wasn't his Flaw at all. It had to be the boy's.
Also, he knew his actual name. Not just his stage name. Who told him?
'I don't recognize him either...'
"Yeah. That's me," he said slowly. "Who are you? What do you want?"
The boy's smile warmed. "My name is Sunless, but please call me Sunny. We'd like to hire you to mediate a negotiation. Just a short one. We can offer a Soul Shard for your time."
This boy was unusual—scrawny, composed, yet radiating something raw beneath the surface. Kai's own Flaw often left him isolated, even among those who meant well. Knowing the truth of every word should've brought assurance, but it only left him feeling dejected.
He imagined it was the same for this boy too. If people could discern his hidden emotions at a glance, forming genuine connections might be just as difficult—perhaps even more so.
"...Hello? Kai?" Sunny prompted, one eyebrow raised.
Kai blinked, snapping out of his thoughts.
"Let me confirm something first," he said. "Do you intend to scam, harm, kidnap, rob, or trick me in any way?"
Sunny's grin widened, genuine and carefree. "No, of course not. I would never! You'll be safe, and free to leave whenever you like. No tricks, no traps."
The truth.
Kai squinted, then sighed. "Alright, I guess. I won't pass up a free Soul Shard."
One down.
***
The newly formed trio stepped into the gambling den of Bright Castle. At the far end stood a petite young woman behind a table stacked with handcrafted dice, cards, and tokens.
Her eyes sparkled as she spotted them.
"Oh! Two new customers? Bringing little Night around?" she chirped. "What a nice surprise! Welcome to Aiko's Game Corner! What can I do for you this fine evening?"
Sunny caught the flicker of her gaze as it lingered—just a moment too long—on Kai. The boy's looks really weren't fair. Sunny stifled a sigh and brushed the thought aside.
"Ah, well—you see, I have a little proposition. One I think you'll find very good for business."
He gestured to Kai with an open palm. "My friend here can confirm I'm telling the truth. And just for hearing me out, I'll offer a Soul Shard. All I ask is a private conversation after we gather one more person."
Kai nodded.
Aiko's smile didn't waver, but a glint of greed flashed behind her eyes. Whatever she'd noticed about Sunny's emotions, she was far more focused on profit.
"Well, of course," she said brightly, already circling the counter to join them. "Tell me more."
Two down.
***
The growing quartet of Sleepers strolled into the cafeteria, eyes set on a brown-haired, green-eyed teenager eating at a cafeteria table. His clothing was plain, but a beautiful crystal hourglass hung from his neck—a priceless Memory hanging on an ornate chain.
"Long time no see, Caster." Sunny greeted, slapping the boy lightly on the back. "What a shame to see you wound up in this dreary corner of the Dream Realm, too."
Caster turned, startled—but recognition dawned quickly.
"Hm? Oh. It's you two. From the Academy, right? Your names were... Sunless? And Cassia?"
He blinked, visibly thrown off by what he saw.
There they stood—the misfits of the Academy—now armored in powerful-looking Memories. The same two students who'd all but vanished after their infamous breakdowns before the solstice. Back then, their reclusive nature had become the talk of the school. Most assumed they wouldn't survive their first venture into the Dream Realm. The boy had been ranked somewhat high, sure—but many assumed that his evaluation had to have been a mistake.
Apparently not.
And not only had they survived, they'd gathered a small entourage: the local golden boy, and the sly proprietress of the gambling den. How strange.
Sunny spoke with a fake smile. "Would you mind coming somewhere a little more private for a chat?"
Caster hesitated—but curiosity gnawed at him. The way they carried themselves was entirely different now... he wanted answers.
But there was one thing he couldn't ignore.
The boy's Flaw. It had been as distinct as the blind girl's, and arguably just as debilitating. At the Academy, he had radiated sorrow to all who had the misfortune of gazing upon him. But now? It was something else entirely.
Suspicion. Bitterness. A grudge.
Directed at him, no less. Though Caster hadn't the faintest idea why. Neither did Kai or Aiko, who chose to ignore it, not wishing to endanger their free Soul Shard.
The mystery grew.
He stood slowly, his expression unchanging. It wouldn't hurt to try to find some answers, right?
"Sure."
Three down.
***
The group of Sleepers trailed behind Sunny as he led them through Bright Castle. But, when they realized he was heading toward the gate, unease began to ripple through the party.
Aiko was the first to voice it.
"Wait—are you taking us outside the castle?" she asked, brows furrowing. "What is this about?"
Sunny didn't even turn his head. "We'll be joined by Effie just beyond the walls. It's just a quick chat. If any of you prefer to turn back, feel free. But if you leave now, you forfeit the Soul Shard I promised."
Aiko fell silent, visibly weighing her options.
Behind her, Caster spoke up—trying, perhaps, to ease the tension between him and the boy.
"Would you mind explaining more about what you wish to discuss?"
Sunny stopped walking.
His voice dropped, calm but razor-sharp. "I do mind, actually. We can't have a real conversation without one of the handmaidens eavesdropping." He turned, eyes hard. "Now quit speaking. All of you."
The group went quiet.
Caster blinked, startled by the words. The boy's demeanor, the blind girl's seemingly unassisted navigation, none of it made sense. These were not the Sleepers he met at the Academy.
'Maybe this is more than just a chat.'
***
In a crumbling shack on the outskirts of the slums, a handful of Sleepers huddled close, tension thick in the stale air.
Sunny opened with a curt command.
"Caster. Use your flute Memory. Make sure we're not overheard."
Caster hesitated for a split second—then nodded. The boy knew of his Memory.
'How.'
Summoning a slender bone flute, he lifted it to his lips and played a soft, eerie note. A shimmering bubble of silence expanded, sealing off the room from unwanted listeners.
Caster's attention had been fully captured. 'Who are you, really, Sunless?'
Before anyone could speak, Sunny seized initiative.
"Let's get introductions out of the way. I'm Sunny. This is Cassie. The rest of you already know each other, or at least of each other."
"Now," He paused, taking a breath, "I've brought you all together today to form a cohort."
His gaze swept across the room.
"Our mission will be to escape the Dream Realm."
Effie and Cassie remained unmoved, but Kai sat perplexed. Caster's emotions remained unreadable, and Aiko let out a disbelieving laugh—though no one joined her.
Kai spoke first, slow and cautious. "You're telling the truth, but... you do know escape is impossible, right? We are surrounded on all sides by death zones, and there are no gateways to be found."
Sunny shook his head. "No. I've escaped from here before, so it is more than possible to do it again."
Kai did a double-take. Effie dropped her face into her hand. Caster stiffened, his mind spinning like a storm. Aiko looked from Kai to Sunny, lips parting.
"H-He's lying, right? Kai?"
Kai didn't answer immediately. Then he shook his head, voice faint. "No. He's delusional enough to believe it."
Effie lifted her head, groaning. "He's not mad. The story is—but he's of sane mind, and telling the actual truth... as far as I can tell."
Sunny raised a hand to quiet the room before voices could rise.
"Due to some unusual circumstances, I found myself sent back through time into my younger body. This is my second time traversing these lands."
The room stilled.
Kai let out an involuntary "Huh?!" The others froze—looking towards the singer, knowing the implication of his reaction.
"In my past," Sunny continued, calmly, "I worked with Nephis—the last of the Immortal Flame Clan. I supported her in leading the Sleepers of this region to their freedom. We shared a peculiar bond, but traveling through time has left it broken, creating an anomaly that has rendered her Hollow."
He gazed down solemnly.
"So, I am left to take the mantle myself."
His voice hardened, and he looked back up pointing at Caster.
"All of you—except him, fought beside us. You were our trusted allies. Survivors. He, on the other hand, was sent by his Legacy Clan to assassinate Nephis in the Dream Realm."
His voice turned inquisitive. "So, Caster. Let us clarify something quickly. Have your masters discovered she turned Hollow? Or were you sent with the same mission again?"
'He knows too much.' Caster's pupils narrowed. Swirling sparks in his hand converged into the shape of an elegant jian as he poised to speed forward.
But he stayed frozen.
Cassie's blade was pressed to his throat. Hard enough it was drawing blood.
He hadn't noticed her move, though not from speed. Unnervingly, she had simply crept behind him some time earlier. The girl had not just overcome her blindness, she had turned into something lethal.
'Dangerous.'
The blind girl's voice left a layer of frost within the room.
"Sit."
Caster didn't move. Didn't breathe. Slowly, he dismissed his weapon.
Sunny's tone was steady now, as he stared down the boy. "I'll take that as a no, which certainly complicates things for you. In my first life, I killed you for trying to fulfill your mission. I won't hesitate to do so again"
He paused in reflection.
"I hope I wont have to though. Humanity will appreciate a fighter as talented as you, so don't throw your life away."
His eyes glossed over, as his voice became tainted with regret.
"Besides, you never stood a chance at killing her, and doing so would have been foolish. She is... indispensable to the preservation humanity."
Just as quickly as his mood shifted, it reverted. The audience squirmed under the weight of renewed bloodlust.
"If you wish to try your luck fighting me, you shouldn't be so quick to use your Aspect. At the very least, wait until we finish our discussion! Even better, let me get some use out of you first before you age yourself into a withering old man."
Caster stood frozen, his expression flickering through shock, disbelief, and something far deeper.
Kai swallowed hard, seizing the silence.
"He hasn't said a lie." His voice shook. "Everything is true."
***
Sunny entered the next phase of negotiation, and summoned the resolve to do something rather uncharacteristic of himself.
If he ever wished to build true trust with his allies, he would have to start by fixing an innate power imbalance between them. Not of fighting ability, but of knowledge.
'I know everything about these people, but they know nothing.'
Keeping his cards close to his chest, wielding unbelievable powers, and leading with indecipherable motives would create incredibly fragile bonds. Nothing like what he once shared with his friends, a facsimile at best.
Besides the obvious implications that could have during fights, it would also leave Sunny... sad.
So, he would be doing something he once considered unthinkable.
"I would like to share my Flaw with you all, in the hope it shows my sincerity. Aside from the obvious effect of making my emotions transparent, it also compels me to answer questions and forbids me from lying. Would you mind verifying this, Kai?"
Kai nodded. "True, and... it makes sense, given that my own has yet to activate from anything he has said. Most people do not realize how many subconscious lies they tell... so it stands out."
Sunny glanced around. "It is unwise to share too much of my knowledge. I have come to learn that having prophetic knowledge, and especially speaking it to others, has the tendency to make things you wish to avoid overwhelmingly more likely to happen. Don't just write that off as superstition by the way, there are truly strange forces impacting causality in this world."
He then looked at Caster. "Also, I hold secrets that would force my hand in silencing those who learn of them."
Sunny waved his hand side to side. "But, I digress. If there's something you need to know—something important—ask. I will answer to the extent I deem safe."
Sunny had spent much time considering how to handle this conversation before gathering everyone. His past allies were trustworthy, he knew from experience. Caster was not, though, if the boy didn't fall in line, he had no qualms with disposing of him. Being able to judge where his true loyalties and intentions lie would be easy enough. Having a walking lie detector was certainly convenient in that regard.
'Or would it be flying lie detector?'
Regardless, this was the bare minimum he needed to do to inspire confidence for his soon-to-be allies.
An awkward stillness strangled the room, and none dared to break it.
That was at least, until Aiko spoke. Her voice was soft, sheepish, and she avoided eye contact in favor of looking from side to side.
"You said you'd help me make more money. How, exactly?.. If you don't mind me asking..."
The rest of the group turned to her with varying degrees of irritation.
Sunny sighed. "You'll make more money in the waking world than you ever will here, no? Is that not obvious? Please... ask better questions, the rest of you."
Kai spoke soon after, face serious. "What is your plan for escape? We deserve to know that much."
Sunny considered the question, then nodded.
"This might be confusing, though it depends on how much you know about this region's history. The first step is gathering seven special Shard Memories. Each is awarded by the Spell after slaying the champions guarding the beheaded statues of the Starlight Legion's heroes. Some have already been located, like Effie's spear, Cassie's sword, and the First Lord's crown. When the Memories are brought together, the last vestiges of the Hero's power emerge, able to be used to repair the seal that once held back the Dark Sea."
Sunny trained his gaze outside of the shack's window.
"Once gone, the Crimson Spire will activate, revealing it's true function. The false sun in this region will begin to devour essence from everything it shines upon to power the evolution of the citadel's guardian, the Crimson Terror. Inside the Spire, there lies a dormant Gateway. When the false sun is unleashed, the saturation of power inside the structure will temporarily open it. That is our method of escape."
He took a deep breath before continuing.
"Collecting the Shard Memories will be something we can accomplish on our own, but storming the Crimson Spire will not be so easy. Originally, Nephis dueled Gunlaug and waged war to seize leadership of the Sleepers here. The battles were bloody, and many unnecessary lives were lost. Ultimately, everyone who was left marched on the Crimson Spire. I sealed the Dark Sea, and Nephis... slew the Crimson Terror... "
A grimace took hold of his face. "The survivors escaped through the Gateway, but Nephis was left behind. She eventually found a Seed of Nightmare, and emerged from it a Master."
The room grew still. Everyone was processing the weight of what he'd said. Sunny's flaw acted upon them again. A strange sense of pain. Grief, mourning, sorrow.
This was the second time he had become like this after speaking about Nephis. Suspicions brewed in the back of minds, but the audience respectfully chose to leave them unvoiced.
Not every secret was meant to be spoken.
Some time later, Effie was next to talk, more to the group than the leader. A considerate attempt to lift the morose mood which seized the room.
"This kid kicked my ass in sparring earlier like it was nothing, repeatedly. Then, I watched him and the blind girl butcher Awakened creatures in the street like they were trash."
She turned her gaze back to Sunny.
"How the hell are you so strong? I can understand your story, but that level of power is far beyond what a mere Sleeper should ever be capable of."
Sunny answered without fanfare. He knew this would likely come up as well, and had resolved to tell his cohort about his powers as well. It followed from the same principle of reciprocity after all.
"I gained a Divine Aspect, and my True Name—Lost from Light, from the First Nightmare. I killed an Awakened Tyrant in it, getting the armor Memory you see me wearing now. I also unlocked my Aspect Legacy, receiving this remarkably versatile companion."
He held out an arm, and his tattoo shimmered, uncoiling into the form of a snake before morphing into a blade.
The new members of the group watched in amazement. They were not sure what the creature was, but it's aura was dreadfully powerful.
"As for skill... I used to be the strongest Master alive, even once slaying a Saint and various Great Nightmare Creatures. Though my powers are largely gone, the technique I learned remains."
A hush fell over the room, every listener silently digesting the terrifying truths. He was the second known Sleeper to get their True Name from the First Nightmare, let alone his unprecedented possession of a Divine Aspect and accomplishments. A singular existence.
Cassie broke the silence next, wishing to refocus the discussion away from the boy's powers.
"Can you explain your original relationships with us? I know already... but I want everyone else to know where they stand."
Sunny nodded. "Cassie. Kai. Effie. The three of you were part of the cohort Nephis and I made. We actually challenged our own Second Nightmare together. You grew to be exceptionally powerful."
He then looked towards the petite girl.
"Aiko, you ran my Memory shop in the waking world, but you never fought again after leaving the Forgotten Shore. Cassie insisted on recruiting and training you regardless. Congratulations."
He turned to Caster. "You and I were enemies, but we already went over that."
He shifted back to address the group. "That should be it, though while I'm thinking about it—Song Seishan, the leader of the Handmaidens, will eventually be someone we work with. She's too deep in Gunlaug's regime to be of use now, but she's intelligent and will switch sides to support us when the time comes."
He paused for a second, and turned towards Caster.
"Despite being able to benefit, she never revealed my more delicate secrets to Clan Song. I expect she will do the same this time around, should we all escape. As for you, Caster. I know the loyalty of your clan lies with Anvil of Valor, but let me be clear: the kind of grace Seishan showed me? That is non-negotiable if you wish to stay alive."
His eyes deepened into an endless abyss.
"Supreme backing you or not, I'll kill the entire Han-Li Clan if a word of this conversation escapes."
Caster's glare was sharp, though his voice was sharper.
"Explain yourself. Now. Which Domain do you belong to?"
Sunny's expression darkened. Pure loathing crept into his voice, his Flaw assaulting the minds of the listeners.
"None. I grew up in the outskirts. I learned to despise the Sovereigns in my past life. All three. Someday in the future, I will likely be responsible for the death of at least two. You might think it impossible, but perhaps enough time spent with me will give you perspective on my confidence and motivations."
Caster stood abruptly. The absurdity of the conversation broke his mind, but not disbelief. No... belief was the problem.
"This conversation can't be real... And yet, it is."
He turned toward the door.
"I'll be back here tomorrow. The things you've said have shaken what I believed to even be possible. I'll be taking the night to think."
He left, quietly. Aiko and Kai exchanged uncertain glances, subtly inching toward the exit.
Sunny cut in before either could leave. His voice was low, but it came with a quiet strength.
"You two take the night to think as well. You should know though, whether you accept now or not, you two will join me eventually, even if I have to carry you through the Gateway. If I have to grow strong enough to storm the Crimson Spire alone, I can and will."
He reached into his bag, pulling out two Soul Shards and tossed them toward the pair.
"Buy yourselves an extra week in the Castle with these if you wish, though I hope you won't disappoint me. When the time comes tomorrow, I hope you will be here. We can continue talking then."
Kai and Aiko left together, speaking in hushed tones. Effie spoke up some time after the two had left.
"Do you think they'll come back?"
Cassie replied simply.
"If they don't, then they are fools."