To call what Kai felt shocked would be the understatement of a century. In fact, it was more akin to the biggest downplay in history. Sunny — the most honest man in two worlds — had enlightened Kai with the excerpts of many of his journeys on the way to his living quarters. And with that tale came the many twisted truths this divine shadow had grown to love.
Kai's face had been pale since this tall tale had started — almost becoming as pale as Sunny himself — and its former colors did not seem to be returning any time soon.
"So yeah, that's how I killed a Great Devil a few months ago. However, it may or may not have been the spawn of a Cursed Terror. But I'll tell you about that ugly bird another time!"
Kai laughed awkwardly, doing well to hide the fact that, internally, he was in deep turmoil. Who just goes and rattles off such ridiculous tales — even if they are the truth? Unbeknownst to Kai, Sunny nearly began to chuckle when he looked at Kai's shadow, which betrayed any sense of stability that Kai had so desperately tried to maintain.
However, before Sunny could say anything, Kai sighed in relief. They had reached their destination: the ruined cathedral. Color returned to Kai's face, finally free from the torment that was the truth… for now.
Sunny put his hands on his hips and sighed, looking up with satisfaction in his eyes.
"Beautiful, isn't it? The security is quite good. So good, in fact, I was gutted the first time I visited this place. Of course, I plan to repay the hospitality tenfold…"
Sunny paused for a few moments, an unknown emotion filling his eyes.
"...eventually. Anyway, wait right here. I'll be back in a few minutes."
Hearing this, Kai could only wonder what kind of creature could wound such a powerful being. But while he would surely come to know this beast eventually — whether he wanted to or not — there was something that intrigued Kai.
Throughout their entire route here, Sunny had not once become sentimental despite how harrowing and desperate his journey to the Dark City had been. But just now, an almost indiscernible note of longing and sorrow was hidden beneath the amusement and absurdity.
For that split second, Kai managed to see Sunny's true feelings. Even if Sunny always spoke the truth, it seemed as if he never revealed his true thoughts… or his true self.
* * *
Sunny's wide grin remained on his face as they made their way to the castle. Despite the sudden melancholy that overcame him, he seemed to be in a good mood.
'Oh, Mantle of the Underworld, here I come!'
With his many soul shards in his rucksack, he was ready to regain what was rightfully his.
But a question suddenly popped up in Sunny's mind.
'If the Mantle of the Underworld became Marble Shell because I was a Master, what would it be named if I was an Awakened? Or a Sleeper, which I am right now?'
If he went based on Saint's evolution stages, he could logically guess that as an Awakened, it would become Stone Shell, since awakened Saint was called Stone Saint. But a Dormant shell? None of the Stone Saints were ever dormant — from the looks of it — so would it even become a shell?
Sunny, however, didn't really care. Firstly, he would need to defeat an absurd amount of enemies before he would be able to bind the Mantle to his soul. And secondly, Sunny was determined to regain Shadow Manifestation or Shadow Step — both of which having the same requirements. And based on his current theory, regaining either ability would make him an Awakened again.
During this train of thought, Sunny and Kai had continued on their path to the Castle, only stopping to hide from the Fallen masters of this desolate city. However, they had kept a decent pace and hadn't run into any major perils.
They hadn't, at least, until the sound of weeping resounded through the morning mist, sending chills down the two Sleepers' spines. Immediately, Sunny signaled for Kai and him to hide behind a pile of rubble.
Kai held his breath, wary of the threat that lay ahead. However, Sunny patted him on the back.
"Don't worry, it's just a Fallen one. It should pass in a bit."
Sunny knew exactly what effect his calm and concise tone would have on Kai. Kai's flaw was the perfect counter for any pathological liars, but actually became a flaw any time the truth was twisted to sound unbelievable. And Sunny reveled in this fact.
Eventually, the Fallen abomination had left and they came out from their hiding spot. Since there was still a decent stretch left for them to cross, Sunny decided to ask Kai some rhetorical questions.
"So, Kai, how long have you been in the Forgotten Shore?"
Kai, delighted by the sudden question, stared at Sunny. Was it finally his turn to share?
"About damn time."
Sunny looked at Kai questionably while blinking innocently.
"What was that?"
Kai jumped a bit, realizing that Sunny had heard his muttering. He coughed a few times, trying to change the subject.
"Nothing, nothing. I've been here for roughly two and a half years. Life here is so monotonous, there's really nothing to do."
Kai suddenly looked at Sunny with blazing curiosity.
"Say, Sunny, you've been here far less than I have… Do you happen to know who is at the top of the charts right now?"
Sunny froze. He had completely forgotten this one-sided culture shock that Kai had subjected him to.
All ten minutes of it.
Perhaps it was because it held little relevance to him, or maybe it was because it shocked him so much his brain had locked it away. But regardless, he would be subject to it once again.
* * *
Even without his fate, it would seem that Sunny would always be subject to those ten grueling minutes.
Thankfully, the hill that Bright Castle stood atop was coming into view and soon enough, they made their way up it. Just like before, Bright Castle was tall and magnificent. It hadn't changed one bit.
However, Sunny knew that it wouldn't remain this way. Nephis would soon ask him to join their expedition to the Hollow Mountains, and once they returned, Gunlaug would fall. The civil war that would ensue and the battle for the Crimson Spire would take out most of the populace, a price Nephis was willing to pay. But Sunny wasn't going to let so many people perish. He was ready to save these lost souls from the fate that they were bound to.
But that didn't mean he'd spare everyone.
Gunlaug was a tyrant who got what he deserved in the end. Even being the necessary evil that kept order within the Forgotten Shore, he had long given up on claiming the Crimson Spire's gateway. And thus, he could not offer hope to the people of Bright Castle and the outer settlement, only solace. But that solace came at a price. Corruption ran rampant within the ranks of Gulaug's different castes, hidden beneath a facade of order and unity.
But there was one person who Sunny found more despicable than Gunlaug.
Harus.
Harus, in Sunny's eyes, was nothing more than a slave who loved his master. It seemed ironic, especially coming from Sunny, but it made perfect sense. That damned hunchback had willingly let his freedom be taken, while Sunny had lost his freedom at the hands of Cassie.
Sunny sighed. While that wound had long been closed, and Sunny had come to understand Cassie's actions, it still hurt to think about. But now, he wasn't able to be enslaved. And he would use that to his advantage.
However, all of these events would be dealt with at a more appropriate time, as Sunny was approaching the edge of the outer settlement.
A group of sleepers approached the duo, waving.
"Hey, Night! How are you? It's been a while and we've been wondering where you've been."
Kai smiled and rubbed the back of his head.
"Just… flying around, you know? It's really more tiring than you'd think it'd be."
Kai turned around to look at Sunny, who had been hiding in his shadow the entire time. Sunny thought that Kai would understand why he would hide, but he guessed wrong.
"This is my friend Sunless. He is quite… eccentric and imaginative. But he's an honest and integral man at heart! Although, he does live in the Dark City and hunt nightmare creatures for food."
The gaze of the hunters followed Kai's, and they made eye contact with Sunny.
"Holy shit, are you sure this guy lives in the Dark City?!"
"I would've never guessed that!"
"Are you sure he's not some gorgeous Saint who made his way here?!"
Kai chuckled a little and gestured towards Sunny.
"I thought so as well, but he claims to have traveled the Crimson Labyrinth for a while before making his way here."
Suddenly, the Sleepers' demeanor changed. They began to scrutinize Sunny. His onyx hair, jewel-like eyes, and perfectly sculpted porcelain face.
"Wait a second…Sunless…aren't you that little rat that traveled with Lady Changing Star and Lady Cassia?"
Kai's face paled once again. Sunny began to giggle at the sight of Kai's colorless face, but then composed himself.
"Yes, that's me. But I prefer being called a cockroach over a rat."
A few of the sleepers began to look at Sunny with suspicion.
"Didn't you leave our encampment four months ago? Why are you back?"
An earnest smile grew on Sunny's face, but that was merely a mask. Sunny was here to scam Stev out of his greatest asset. The shadows deepened as his smile grew.
Sunny paused for a second.
'About time you cowards! I guess you guys just needed to see a few deaths.'
However, the two pairs of eyes didn't stop scrutinizing Sunny with difficult looks. And neither did the pain from his flaw.
"I'm just here to run some errands, that's all."
The two hunters seemed half-satisfied with that response and walked away. But Kai still stood there with a silent question permeating the air.
Sunny shrugged, trying to pass it off as if this happened every other day.
"I forgot to mention that one, itty-bitty detail. Sorry about that!"
Kai shrugged, almost used to the amount of absurdity he's had to put up with in the past day.
"I should've expected something like this to happen. But what errands did you need help with?"
"I need you to find me the best information on who is selling memories. I don't really care how long you take, just get back to me when you're done."
Kai blinked.
"That's it…?"
Sunny glanced at Kai with a smug look.
"Did you expect me to have you spy on Gunlaug himself?"
Kai looked away from Sunny.
"Well, you did say you needed me to scout for you."
Seeing this, Sunny began to walk away as he said:
"Well, don't keep me waiting too long!"
Kai sighed dejectedly and made his way towards the castle.
"Some demigod, huh."