Shadow Slave Fanfic: Peaceful Dreams...well...kinda. [New]

Sunny cast a worried glance at his sister, his mind racing to find the right words.

"Let's just say this isn't quite the chat you're ready for yet. So, do me a favor and ease off before my tongue slips and I spill something I'd rather keep under wraps."

Effie, regaining her composure, shot Nephis a triumphant look.

"Well, it's safe to say your date was a smashing success!"

Nephis turned a shade of crimson and mumbled, "I guess you could say that."

Effie gave her a thumbs up before pivoting back to Sunny.

"I'd love to delve deeper into Nephis's situation, but I'll play nice since Rain's here. Lucky you, Sunny."

Sunny smiled, exhaling a sigh of relief. "I appreciate that, Effie. Really."

Rain, still a bit perplexed, decided to let the matter slide, but curiosity tugged at her.

"Sunny, I want to start working on my Aspect. I've thought about it, and I'd like to hunt around Bastion—alone."

Sunny's eyebrows shot up in surprise at her bold declaration.

"Um... I'm not too keen on the idea of you wandering out there all by yourself."

Rain let out a frustrated sigh. "Didn't you say I need to make my own choices now that I'm an adult? I want to hunt solo. You can't protect me forever, Sunny. I need to learn to stand on my own."

Sunny rubbed his forehead, feeling the weight of his own words. "Sometimes I really should think keep my big mouth shut."

Nephis shivered, her cheeks flushing.

"Yes, I did say that. It annoys me, but I can't deny you're right. I have to concede, but with some conditions."

Rain's face lit up as she hugged Sunny tightly. "Thank you! I promise I'll be careful. What are the conditions?"

Sunny cleared his throat. "I have three. First, you must return every night. If you're not back by midnight, I'll come looking for you. Second, I'll give you a Mark of Shadows, a Serpent ability that lets you see in the dark, move silently, and more importantly, it'll help me protect you from any soul invaders. The odds are slim, but if you encounter something nasty, I want to be able to shield you. Lastly, you'll tell me where you're going. You're not familiar with the area, and there are places you should steer clear of."

"That's fair! I'll set out tomorrow then."

Sunny smiled and ruffled her hair before turning to Nephis. "Alright, can you stand?"

Nephis nodded, extending her hand to Sunny, who took it. She wobbled a bit as she stood, giving him a worried look, which made him chuckle. Nephis pouted, playfully hitting him on the shoulder.

"Don't laugh! This is your fault, you know."

Sunny grinned. "Well, you were the one who didn't follow orders."

Nephis smiled back. "If I had known the consequences, I would have... well, honestly, I probably would have done it anyway. But you still need to help me get back to the Tower."

Sunny laughed and gestured toward the door. "Let's get moving."

As they stepped out, Rain chimed in. "I'm going to explore Bastion later. Hope that's alright."

Sunny waved dismissively. "Sure, but take someone with you. I don't want you roaming around alone."

Effie piped up, "I'll go with her. No worries!"

Jet added, "Me too!"

Sunny beamed at them. "Thanks, have fun! Oh, Aiko, you can head home if you like. I won't be opening the Café for a while, and I'll still pay you."

Aiko's eyes lit up, and she waved enthusiastically. "Thanks, boss! Just let me know when you're back in business."

With that, Sunny and Nephis departed. Rain turned to Effie and Jet, a smile dancing on her lips. "Any ideas on where we should go?"

Jet's eyes sparkled with mischief. "How about shopping in Bastion? We could check out the new movie theater! They've brought some Earth tech here, and I heard they just started showing the new Mongrel movie."

Effie grinned. "Oh, I wish Sunny was with us. He'd definitely hate watching that flick."

Rain nodded, excitement bubbling. "Sounds great! I'll grab my things and we can head out."

Rain dashed upstairs, throwing on her hoodie over her shirt. When she returned to the café, she waved at Aiko. "We're off! Have a great day!"

"I will! Getting paid for doing nothing? Living the dream!" Aiko replied with a grin.

The trio made their way to the ferry, their first stop—a women's clothing store. Rain wasn't particularly fashion-forward; she preferred clothes that were practical, durable, and full of pockets. The dresses Effie and Jet picked out for her didn't fit the bill, lacking any semblance of functionality.

"Why do they even bother with fake pockets? Just give us real ones we can use!" Rain grumbled.

Effie and Jet exchanged amused glances before Jet replied, "Honestly, Rain, you're a bit of an anomaly in the fashion world. Most women prioritize style over practicality."

Rain frowned at Jet's remark, muttering under her breath, "Stupid."

Effie held up a dress with a flourish. "But you should still try this one! The color complements your skin, and this hat would create a perfect contrast with your hair and eyes."

Sighing in defeat, Rain relented. "Fine, I'll try it on. But I doubt I can afford it."

Effie beamed, pulling out a wad of cash. "Don't worry, big sis has your back!"

In the changing booth, Rain slipped on the dress and hat. Stepping out, she was met with wide-eyed admiration from Effie and Jet.

"Oh my goodness, you look adorable!" Effie exclaimed.

"You have to get it, Rain! You're stunning!" Jet added.

With a shy smile, Rain replied, "If you say so, I'll take it. Thanks, guys."

They purchased the dress and stepped outside, Rain feeling quite fond of her new look. As they approached the movie theater, Effie's face lit up.

"Perfect timing! The new Mongrel movie starts in eight minutes. Let's grab tickets and snacks!"

Rain, curious, asked, "Did Sunny ever explain how the whole Mongrel thing started?"

Jet scoffed. "He probably did, but we've forgotten the details. All I remember is it was an accident."

Rain raised an eyebrow. "How does someone become a legend due to an accident?"

Effie chimed in, "I don't know, but it's definitely something only Sunny could pull off."

They all laughed as they entered the theater, buying three tickets and enough snacks to feed a small army. They settled into a cozy booth, and soon the movie began, the title flashing on the screen: "The Legends of Lord Mongrel 2."

Two hours later, they emerged, still catching their breath from the hilarity of the film. It was an action flick, but knowing the truth behind Mongrel's antics turned it into a comedy as they debated what Sunny must have meant versus what the mask made him say.

"That was pure gold! I think I need to send the director flowers," Effie said, still laughing.

"Absolutely fantastic!" Jet agreed, her laughter subsiding.

Rain gazed at the Mongrel movie poster and asked, "But why did they cast a woman as Mongrel?"

Effie shrugged. "Sunny has a shadow that looks like a female warrior made of living stone. Her armor resembles his, so people started mixing them up, and the rumor that Mongrel is a woman took off."

Rain's eyes widened as she pieced it together. "Wait a minute! Oh my gosh, it all makes sense now!"

Effie and Jet exchanged puzzled glances, Jet asking, "What makes sense?"

Rain took a deep breath. "Back when I was in school at NQSC, a gate appeared near my school. I was terrified when a nightmare creature broke through during gym class. Just when I thought I was done for, a graceful female knight in black stone armor showed up and sliced the creature in half, protecting us. That day, I vowed to get strong so I'd never feel that fear again."

Jet's grin spread wide, laughter bubbling up from within him.

"Ah, I see you're talking about Saint. She's the perfect fit for discretion—Sunny's oldest companion and a fierce warrior. I imagine he sent her your way while he was battling at the gate."

Rain's heart fluttered as the realization washed over her: her brother had been her guardian long before she even knew him. A single tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away, her voice barely above a whisper as she gazed at the poster.

"Thank you, Sunny."

Effie gave Rain's shoulder a reassuring pat, her smile warm and comforting.

"Well, now that this mystery is unraveled, what's next on your agenda?"

Rain chuckled, a hint of excitement in her tone.

"Yeah, I'm glad too! How about we grab some drinks and a bite to eat?"

Effie pulled Rain into a tight embrace, a relieved sigh escaping her lips as she chuckled.

"Looks like you've found your long-lost sister after all."

Rain squealed with laughter, her joy infectious.

"Yeah, yeah, love you too, Effie! Let's get moving."

As they strolled toward a cozy restaurant with private booths, Rain rounded a corner and collided with someone.

She stumbled but was caught by a stranger, his arm steadying her back while his hand rested gently on her shoulder. Their eyes locked.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there," the man exclaimed, surprise coloring his voice.

Rain blinked, still processing what had just happened. The stranger was tall, with broad shoulders and dark brown hair that matched his captivating eyes. An athletic build complemented his striking features, marred only by a scar that traced from his brow to his jaw.

"Ehhh, I didn't see you either, my bad," Rain stammered, her cheeks flushing as she registered their close proximity.

The man noticed her embarrassment and blushed slightly, helping her regain her footing before extending his hand.

"Hi, I'm Rick. I hope you're alright."

Rain hesitated but took his hand, feeling a spark of connection.

"I'm Rain. I hope you're okay too."

Rick chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry again! I'd love to chat more, but I really have to—"

He trailed off, glancing to the side and spotting Effie and Jet, who were watching with amused grins. He bowed slightly, his voice turning nervous.

"Saint Athena and Saint Soulreaper Jet, it's a pleasure to meet you. My apologies for not noticing you sooner."

Jet chuckled, mischief dancing in his eyes.

"Oh, no worries. Watching you two was quite entertaining."

Rain's cheeks flared crimson while Rick let out a nervous laugh.

"Yeah, I was a bit stunned when I found such a beautiful young lady in my arms. Doesn't happen often, you know? Anyway, I really must be going."

With another polite bow, Rick hurried down the street, leaving Rain blushing furiously. Jet pulled her close, his voice soft and encouraging.

"Well, Rain, if I were you, I'd definitely ask that young man out. Trust me, you won't be rejected."

After a moment's thought, Rain called out to Rick, who had already put some distance between them.

"WAIT!"

He turned, surprise etched on his face as Rain sprinted back to him, her nervous smile brightening the air.

"I wanted to ask if you'd like to come over tomorrow? We could have cake and coffee, and I'd like to thank you for catching me. This dress is new, and I'd be sad if it got ruined."

Rick was taken aback, disbelief flickering in his eyes.

"Really? I mean, y… yes, I'd love to."

Rain's eyes widened with excitement as she stumbled over her words.

"Good! I live on the other side of the lake at Master Sunless Café and Memory Boutique."

Rick's expression softened, a gentle smile gracing his lips.

"Alright, see you tomorrow at noon?"

Rain nodded, her heart racing.

"Yeah, noon sounds perfect."

With a slight bow, Rick turned and hurried away, the evening shadows lengthening around him.

When Rain returned to Effie and Jet, Effie's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"And? What did he say?"

Still a bit flustered, Rain replied, "I invited him over for cake and coffee, and he said yes! He'll be there at noon tomorrow."

Effie and Jet exchanged wide-eyed glances, jaws dropping in disbelief. After a moment, Effie turned to Rain, a teasing glint in her eye.

"Rain, do you realize how that must have sounded to him?"

Jet nodded, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Exactly. You don't invite someone over unless you're implying… you know."

Rain looked bewildered.

"What do you mean? I just want to chat over cake and coffee. What's so strange about that?"

Effie sighed, facepalming.

"You really are Sunny's sister—clueless when it comes to the obvious."

Suddenly, realization dawned on Rain, her eyes widening in horror.

"Oh no, what have I done?"

Effie and Jet burst into laughter, patting her shoulder in camaraderie.

"Well, what's done is done. He seems like a good guy, so I doubt he'll overstep unless you want him to," Effie said, still chuckling.

Rain waved her hands in front of her, flustered.

"No, that's not what I want! I just want to talk!"

They made their way to the restaurant, Effie and Jet still chuckling. Once seated in a private booth, Rain buried her face in her hands, her cheeks still flushed. As they waited for their food, she turned to Jet.

"Well, I've never been on a date before. How do people usually do this?"

Jet shrugged, a playful glint in her eye.

"Don't ask me. I've got no time for dating, so I can only tell you about casual hookups. But that's not what we're discussing here."

"What? But you told me to ask him out! How did you know he'd say yes?"

Jet chuckled, a knowing smile on her face.

"The way he looked at you was pretty telling. It's what they call… love at first sight."

Rain blushed again, glancing at Effie.

"Can you help me, Effie? You have a husband, after all. How did you two get together?"

Effie paused, chewing thoughtfully before responding.

"Well, I can't help much either. I met my husband in Antarctica, and it was just supposed to be a stress release. I ended up pregnant, and when I returned, we decided to be together."

Rain sighed, exasperated.

"Unbelievable! So neither of you can help me?"

Jet shrugged.

"Not really, but you could ask Sunny for advice."

Panic flickered in Rain's eyes.

"Oh no, I can't do that! I don't even know how to tell him I invited someone over, let alone ask for dating advice!"

Effie sighed, rubbing her forehead.

"Well, if you want to keep it from Sunny for now, you could ask Neph. She might have some insight."

Rain groaned, frustrated.

"But how do I hide it from Sunny while we're at his café?"

Jet scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"You might as well just tell him. He's one of the best scouts in the world, so he'll find out anyway. Just talk to Neph first, then have a chat with Sunny. He's said it himself: you're an adult and can make your own choices."

Rain nodded, a smile creeping onto her face.

"Okay, I'll go see Neph later. She might have some ideas on how to approach Sunny."

Jet and Effie smiled back at her as they continued their meal. An hour later, they left the restaurant and headed toward one of the grand towers connected to the main castle. They boarded the Chain Breaker and ascended to Ivory Island, stepping off onto a sprawling expanse of soft grass beside a magnificent white tower.

Rain gazed around in awe, her voice filled with wonder.

"It's beautiful! Nothing like I expected—so vast and breathtaking."

Effie cleared her throat, pointing toward the lake.

"Wait, is that Gorn and Sid over there?"

Jet squinted, narrowing her eyes at the two figures by the shore.

"I'll be damned, you're right! And they're not just sitting there."

Effie chuckled, a knowing smile on her face.

"I had a feeling something would spark between them after Sid jumped at the chance to help Gorn clean the Chain Breaker, but I didn't think it would happen this quickly."

"Let's slip inside before they notice us," Jet suggested.

They nodded in agreement and hurried inside, ascending the tower's grand staircase. Eventually, they reached Cassie's office. Effie knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Cassie called.

As they entered, Rain froze for a moment, spotting Kai lounging on a couch to her right.

"Welcome to the Ivory Tower, Rain! I've been expecting you. This is Saint Kai, and I'm Saint Cassia, but please, call me Cassie."

Kai felt the weight of a gaze upon him, and as he turned, he found a young woman staring, captivated. Rising to his feet, he approached her, extending a hand. Rain, momentarily spellbound by the presence of the Charming Archer, hesitated before accepting his gesture.

"As Cassie mentioned, I'm Kai. You must be Sunny's sister, correct?"

With a slow nod, Rain gathered her thoughts, struggling to find her voice.

"I... I know who you are. I wanted to thank you."

Kai tilted his head, a smile playing on his lips.

"For what?"

Taking a deep breath, Rain continued, "Sunny told me you were the one who taught me most of my archery skills, and those skills saved my life recently. I just wanted to express my gratitude."

Kai shook his head, still smiling.

"While I don't recall, Sunny has filled me in. But you should know, that shot was all you; I merely guided you."

Rain beamed, her gratitude unwavering.

"I still wanted to thank you, Saint Kai. Without your teachings, I wouldn't have made that shot."

Kai let out a relieved sigh.

"Alright, but please, just call me Kai. I think we were on first-name terms before our memories faded."

"Okay, Kai," Rain replied, releasing his hand.

Turning to Cassie, she asked, "Do you know where Neph is?"

"Of course! She's in her room, alone. Sunny went back to his café about an hour ago."

"Could you let my brother know I'd like to talk to Neph before heading home?"

Cassie nodded, focusing her thoughts on Sunny.

[Sunny]

'Yes, Cassie?'

[Your sister is in my office. She wants to speak with Neph and will be home later.]

'That's fine. Just let me know when I can pick her up.'

[She can stay the night if she wishes.]

'That works too. Can you ask her?'

"Rain, since it's getting late, would you like to stay here tonight?"

Rain hesitated for a moment.

"If it's alright, that would be lovely."

"Absolutely! We have a spare room for you."

"Wonderful! Please tell Sunny I'll be staying."

Cassie nodded, then concentrated on Sunny again.

[She wants to sleep here tonight.]

'Thanks for the update. Tell her goodnight for me. Goodnight, Cass.'

[Goodnight, Sunny.]

Cassie turned to Rain with a smile.

"Sunny is fine with it and says goodnight."

Rain nodded, then inquired, "Where can I find Neph's room?"

Cassie gestured towards the door.

"Just head out, up the stairs, and you'll find her door at the top. She occupies the entire top floor."

Rain nodded and departed, leaving only the four of them in the room. Effie and Jet exchanged mischievous glances.

"So, Cassie, when I called for you this morning, you seemed a bit dazed. What was that about?" Jet asked with a smirk.

Cassie flushed, stammering, "Oh, that? It was nothing. I just woke up!"

Effie and Jet turned their attention to Kai, who was looking at Cassie with surprise.

"You want to know if she's lying, right?"

Effie grinned. "Oh, we know she is, but we still want confirmation."

Kai paused for a moment before nodding at Effie. Cassie, peering through Effie's eyes, let out a small scream.

"KAI!!!"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "What? I'm just curious about this."

Jet chuckled too. "We suspect that Cassie not only checked on Sunny and Neph while they were in that cave but got a little carried away, deepening her connection with Neph for a bit of fun."

Cassie buried her face in her hands, contemplating a hasty escape through the window.

"Do I need to ask, Cassie, or will you come clean?" Kai asked, a playful smile on his face.

Taking a deep breath, Cassie confessed, "You don't need to ask. They're right. I just wanted to let off some steam and got carried away by Sunny's charm. I deepened the connection to Neph's mind, and when it started, I couldn't cut it off. It overwhelmed me. I feel so ashamed; please don't tell them."

Kai approached her, patting her shoulder. "You can't change what you did, but you should definitely stop. It's a huge invasion of their privacy."

Cassie nodded, sighing. "I know. It was my first time doing something like that. I just needed an outlet, but I don't have time for dating, and I'm too shy anyway, so I used the situation as a substitute."

Jet joined in, patting her shoulder. "Why didn't you talk to us about it? We could have helped lighten your load."

"I don't know. I thought if I did this, you guys wouldn't need me anymore. Since I lost my ability to see the future, I felt less useful. I was afraid you'd distance yourselves or even throw me out."

Effie wrapped her arms around Cassie, pulling her close. "Shut your mouth, Cassie! Don't ever say that again. We would never leave you. You're our friend and comrade. We love you with all our hearts, and you're the most important person here. Now say 'yes' before I really get angry."

Tears welled in Cassie's eyes as she sobbed, "Yes, thank you."

The group enveloped her in a warm embrace, a hug she didn't know she needed.

At the top of the stairs, Rain knocked on Neph's door. Moments later, Neph opened it, wearing Sunny's shirt and shorts from weeks prior.

"Hi Rain, what's up?"

"Can I come in? I'd like to talk."

Neph smiled and stepped aside, allowing Rain to enter.

"Of course! I'm sorry I don't have any cake, but I can offer you some tea."

Rain smiled back. "Tea sounds wonderful."

As they entered, Rain admired Neph's room, exclaiming, "Wow, it's beautiful in here! So cozy!"

Neph chuckled, gesturing to a couch beside a fireplace.

"Please, have a seat."

As Rain settled in, her eyes caught a glimpse of a stunning pearl resting on a small red pillow, shimmering with rainbow hues.

"Wow, that soul shard is gorgeous! Where did it come from?"

Neph laughed heartily. "Sunny gave it to me on our date, right before he revealed he's the Lord of Shadows. He defeated the creature it came from and harvested the shard as a gift."

Rain chuckled, then sighed as she began, "I wanted to ask you something. I could have asked Sunny, but I'd rather not since he's my brother and might be biased."

Neph sat down with two cups of tea, placing one in front of Rain. With keen interest, she crossed her legs. "Okay, I'm all ears."

Rain hesitated before continuing, "Today, Effie, Jet, and I were in Bastion, shopping and watching a new movie. On our way to grab a bite, I bumped into a guy, and he caught me before I fell. He apologized and introduced himself."

Neph's smirk widened. "Go on."

Rain blushed slightly. "He left quite an impression, and when Jet suggested I ask him out, I panicked and ran over to him. I invited him to my place tomorrow for cake and coffee so we could chat."

Neph's smirk grew even wider. Noticing it, Rain blushed deeper and nervously asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Neph chuckled. "Did you know my aspect is about longing, Rain?"

Rain shook her head, intrigued.

"I can sense the type and intensity of emotions around me, which means I can feel yours quite well right now."

Rain's face froze, her cheeks flushing. "Is... is that so? What do you see?"

With a teasing smirk, Neph replied, "Let's just say I recognize that kind of longing, and from what I sense, it seems you're experiencing something akin to 'love at first sight.'"

Rain's face turned crimson as she wanted to protest, but looking at Neph's smirk, she sighed in defeat. "Alright, I admit I'm quite taken with him. His name is Rick, by the way, and he's pretty hot."

"Ah, young love! Now I understand how Effie felt when she talked to me about Sunny."

Rain sighed, sinking back into the couch. "I don't know what to do, Neph. I've never been on a date before. What do people usually do? And how do I tell Sunny?"

Neph took a sip of her tea, leaning back thoughtfully. "First, Sunny believes you're an adult who should make your own choices. He knows better than to shield you from every potential threat, so he won't be angry. You will, however, need to have a conversation with him because he's not naive. He'll give you the wisdom you need to navigate this. And don't worry; if Jet suggested this guy, he must be decent. Everything will be fine."

Rain contemplated Neph's words for a moment before asking, "Okay, but what do I do when I meet him tomorrow?"

Neph sighed, leaning back as she prepared to offer her guidance.

"Well, I guess you're chatting about the usual stuff. By the way, is he of Awakened type?"

"Oh, absolutely! He radiated a certain aura—something I can't quite put my finger on. He might even be a Master or a Saint. But then again, there's that scar on the right side of his face."

Nephis pondered this for a moment before responding.

"Even Saints can bear permanent scars. Some of those nightmare creatures can inflict damage on the soul, and if the injury is severe enough, it can leave a lasting mark on the Astral body. I've never heard of a Saint named Rick in Bastion or anywhere else, so he's likely a Master or an exceptionally unique Awakened."

"I see. Well, I'll uncover the truth tomorrow. I just hope he's upfront with me."

"Don't get your hopes too high. Many people guard their secrets closely. The best approach is to ask him about his life—where he resides, what he does for a living, that sort of thing."

"Right, now that I think about it, I didn't even ask him his age… oh no, what if he's way older than me? Or worse, much younger?"

Nephis raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"And if he is? I doubt there's a huge gap. What's your take?"

"I'd guess he's around my age, so about 21."

"Perfect! And even if he's 19 or 23, it hardly matters. What truly counts is how he treats you and whether you feel comfortable around him."

Rain let out a resigned sigh.

"Well, I suppose you're right. It's not the end of the world. I'll find out tomorrow."

"Great! Is there anything else on your mind?"

"Not really, I think I'll just head to bed."

"Alright, Rain, feel free to use my guest room over there if you'd like."

"Sounds good. I'll catch you tomorrow, Neph. Thanks for the chat; you've really helped me."

"Of course, Rain! I'm always here for you, just like Sunny."

Rain chuckled, rising from the couch. She strolled over to the guest room and opened the door, pausing to frown and ask Neph one last question.

"Neph?"

"Yes, Rain?"

"Please tell me you haven't… you know, shared that bed with Sunny."

Nephis flushed crimson and took a sip of her tea before replying.

"No, we haven't."

Rain exhaled a breath of relief as she stepped inside, closing the door behind her while muttering.

"Good."

Nephis stood, moving toward her own bedroom. Before entering, she glanced at the guest room door and whispered to herself, "I think…"