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

"All set! That's a wrap!"

Sunny beamed, having just woven the intricate Soul Bound Enchantment onto Nephis Sowrd. He admired the shimmering threads of magic, satisfaction radiating from him.

"Now we can dive into the rest of our tasks."

Though he longed to tinker with the sword further, a meeting with Cassie loomed on the horizon. He sighed, then shadow stepped to the Basement's entrance. Climbing the stairs, a grin broke across his face—first, he'd check in on Rain, who was nestled in her room.

He knocked softly on her door, anticipation bubbling within him.

"Come in, Sunny!"

He obeyed, stepping into her sanctuary but lingering in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame. "So, how did it go?"

Rain's face lit up with a smile, her eyes sparkling. "It was wonderful! We talked for hours, and I even found the courage to hug him at the end."

Sunny chuckled, his heart warming. "That's fantastic! Sounds like he's a gem. Guess there was nothing to fret about after all."

Rain's laughter danced in the air. "So, can I go on a date with him tomorrow?"

Sunny sighed, amusement lacing his voice. "Of course, but I thought you wanted to focus on your aspect?"

She hesitated, then replied, "I think waiting a couple of days won't hurt. I'll meditate in the meantime, so it's not all play."

Sunny nodded, a proud smile on his face. "You've been grinding hard for years; a little break sounds perfect. Anyway, I'm off to see Cassie for a bit. Since Nephis hasn't returned, I'm guessing her chat with Cass went smoothly."

Rain giggled. "Care to spill the beans on what happened between the three of you?"

Sunny cleared his throat, a teasing glint in his eye. "Actually, I'd rather not. It's a rather private affair, so let's leave it at that. Otherwise, I might have to share more than I'd like, and I'm not keen on that."

Rain nodded, a knowing smile gracing her lips. "Of course, I hope everything works out for you three. You're best friends, after all."

Sunny laughed. "You're right. I'll be off now, but first, come here."

Rain hesitated for a moment before rising from her bed, placing her hand in his outstretched one.

"I'm going to give you a Mark of Shadows. This way, I can sense if anything's amiss with you. I'll also know your location at all times—hope that's alright."

Rain nodded, a yelp escaping her as a small black snake slithered from Sunny's sleeve, coiling around her arm before manifesting into a tattoo of the very same serpent. She touched the ink, awe lighting her features. "Wow, so this is the Mark of Shadows?"

"Indeed! It comes with some nifty perks. First, you'll be able to see in the dark—super handy. Secondly, you can move silently through shadows. Plus, the snake can transform into a weapon of your choice. But the best part? I'll know if you're in danger, and either I or the original Serpent can come to your aid if needed."

Rain paused, her heart swelling, then wrapped her arms around Sunny. "Thanks for always having my back."

Sunny patted her gently. "Of course, you're my sister. I'll always be here for you. But now, I need you to keep the house intact while I'm gone."

Rain chuckled, nodding. She settled back onto her bed, legs crossed, hands resting comfortably.

As Sunny closed the door behind him, he set off toward the Ivory Tower, muttering to himself, "This is going to be so awkward."

After a while, he found himself standing before Cassie's office door, hesitating to knock.

'Why is having a blind seer for a friend such a headache sometimes?'

Mustering his courage, he finally knocked.

"Come in."

Sunny stepped into the office, shutting the door behind him. He approached the chair in front of Cassie's desk and sat down, taking a deep breath. "I know you've already talked with Neph about this, but I wanted a moment with you too."

Cassie was a bundle of nerves, her heart racing now that Sunny was aware of her actions. The earlier calm was shattered, and words stumbled from her lips. "Ri... right, I expected as much. First, I want to apologize... I was just so overwhelmed with stress and—"

Sunny took her hand, squeezing it gently. "Cassie, you don't need to apologize. I understand how deep the spiral of despair can go. Yes, you invaded our privacy, but I forgive you."

He sighed, adding quickly, "But that doesn't mean you can do it again. You need to find healthier ways to cope with stress from now on."

Tears welled in Cassie's eyes, the weight of relief crashing over her like a tidal wave. Sunny moved to embrace her, holding her until her sobs subsided. After a moment, he spoke softly. "I hope you sorted things out with Nephis."

Cassie nodded, a smile breaking through her tears. "We did! Thanks to you, Sunny."

Sunny sighed, relief washing over him. "I love you both dearly. I can't have two of the most important people in my life at odds."

Cassie blushed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I have to confess something, Sunny. Over the years, I think I've fallen for you too. I talked to Nephis about it, and she said I should find someone like you, just not you. And I know she's right."

Sunny felt a warm flush creep up his cheeks. "I understand, I think. I'm more than happy to help you with that. Finding someone similar to me will be a challenge, but we'll do our best."

Cassie chuckled, pulling him into another hug. "Thanks for everything, Sunny. You're incredible."

As she spoke, her face turned crimson, and she inhaled deeply. Sunny noticed her sudden change and asked curiously, "What's up, Cass? You look troubled all of a sudden."

Cassie took a deep breath, her cheeks still flushed. "It's a bit embarrassing, actually. Neph will probably spill the beans anyway, so I might as well tell you myself. When my talk with Neph ended, we were hugging, and she mentioned you, saying you're 'fucking incredible.' For some reason, I tried to make a joke and said I know how amazing you are at... well, you know. She squeezed me so tightly I thought I'd pass out!"

Sunny covered his face with his hand, his voice trembling with disbelief. "Cassie, can we please agree to never speak of this again? When I said I see you as a little sister, I meant it. I love you, but not in the same way I love Nephis. More like how I love Rain. So let's bury this topic deep, like it belongs in Dread's Tomb, and never dig it up again."

Cassie's face turned beet red, and she nodded, wanting to speak but silenced by the sudden opening of the door.

"Hey, Cass, I hope you're not watching Sunny and Neph fucki... oh, wait, never mind, we need...."

Effie, of course, burst in without knocking, her audacity unmatched.

She froze, noticing Sunny. "H... hey, Sunny! I didn't realize you were here. Sorry for what I just said. I meant to say I hope she's not watching..."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, let's just stop right there. We've already talked about this, both Nephis and I. We agreed to never mention it again, so spare us your usual teasing and just tell us what you need from Cassie."

Effie blinked, momentarily stunned. She considered ignoring Sunny's request but, for once, decided against it. After a brief pause, she cleared her throat and spoke evenly. "Alright then. Cassie, we need your help for a quick mission. A Harrowing creature has been spotted far outside of Bastion. Jet and I have been requested to investigate because, for some reason, the creature doesn't seem hostile, at least according to the Awakened who saw it."

Cassie's smile returned. "Sure, I'll help you."

Effie grinned. "Thanks! Jet is waiting at the base of the Tower for me, so I'll be off."

Sunny smiled back. "Good luck! Stay safe out there."

Effie smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Since your sister's here in Bastion, you've become strangely protective, you know?"

Sunny shrugged, a playful grin on his face. "Maybe just a tad, but you're right. I have no reason to doubt you wouldn't just eat your way out of any situation."

Effie laughed. "Love you too, Sunny. Bye!"

With that, Effie dashed out of the Tower, off on her mission with Jet.

"Well, I guess we're done here. I'll check in on Neph to see if she needs anything, then I'll head back to Rain."

Cassie nodded, a warm smile on her face. "Alright, say goodnight to Rain for me."

Sunny returned her smile and left, making his way to find Nephis.

Somewhere beyond the borders of Bastion, adventures awaited.

Under the vast, star-studded sky, Effie and Jet dashed toward the location where the Awakend had detected a mysterious creature. The moon shone brightly, illuminating their path and making their trek smooth and effortless.

"Let's pick up the pace; I'm absolutely starving," Effie exclaimed, her voice tinged with genuine urgency.

Jet shot her an exasperated glance. "You're always hungry. We both know that. Just tell me where we're headed."

Effie chuckled, "It's still about 60 kilometers away. There's a small mountain range, and on its northern side, we should find a cave entrance. That's where the Awakend Travelers spotted the beast."

"Any intel on its Class and Rank?" Jet inquired.

Effie shrugged, "Nope, nothing at all. The creature didn't seem hostile, but it was quick, so they didn't get a good look before it darted into the cave. That's why I asked Cassie for assistance."

Jet laughed, "Sure, you could've just used telepathy to ask Cassie, but you wanted to sneak snacks from the kitchen again. And don't even try to deny it; I can see the stain on your armor."

Effie nearly stumbled as she glanced down at her armor, which was just her usual form-fitting metal bodysuit adorned with a white cloth across her chest, accentuating her figure. No stain in sight.

Jet chuckled, "Gotcha! I knew it."

Effie huffed, falling silent for the remainder of their journey.

After about forty minutes, they arrived at the mountain range and quickly located the cave entrance.

"That's it; it matches the description perfectly," Effie said, her voice steady.

Jet nodded and summoned her weapon, a scythe, her favored Aspect Legacy Relic. Effie conjured her spear, the weapon of choice for a Huntress like her. She nodded at Jet. "Alright, let's move."

They ventured into the cave, weapons drawn, piercing the darkness that loomed within. Effie had summoned a small lantern that dangled from her hip, though it barely dispelled the shadows. After a while, she mused, "What do you think we'll find? A Fallen? A Corrupted? Or something even greater?"

Jet hesitated, "I don't know, but I hope it's nothing too crazy. I'm not keen on fighting anything too formidable in here."

Effie nodded in agreement, and they pressed on. Eventually, they reached what appeared to be the end of the cave, only to discover a boulder had been rolled over to block the tunnel's exit.

Effie stowed her spear and placed both hands on the boulder, pushing with all her might. To her dismay, it didn't budge. She sighed and looked at Jet. "Could you lend me a hand?"

Jet chuckled, "You can't be serious; it's too heavy? That's a first."

With a smirk, Jet joined her, placing her hands on the boulder. "Alright, on three. One, two, three—push!"

With their combined strength, the boulder shifted, and they managed to move it aside. Effie stretched her arms, groaning, "Wow, that thing is a beast!"

Jet sighed, still catching her breath. "Who put it there anyway? The creature?"

Effie scoffed, "I hope not. If it could move that boulder, we'd be in serious trouble. Maybe it saw the boulder and decided to retreat."

With a resigned sigh, Jet picked up her weapon, and Effie did the same. They focused on Cassie, and Effie called out, "We're here, Cass. Can you tell us anything?"

[NO, I can't sense anything from inside that cave; it feels empty.]

Effie exhaled, "Alright, we'll check just to be sure, then head back."

[Be careful.]

They ventured deeper into the cave, which opened into a spacious chamber. They scanned the surroundings but found nothing. Effie sheathed her weapon, relieved. "It's empty. Thank the dead gods we won't have to fight anything here."

Jet also stowed her scythe, crossing her arms. "Yeah, let's get out of here; our task is done."

She paused, glancing at the dark ceiling, unable to see anything. Suddenly, two tails lunged at them with incredible speed. Jet noticed first, but even she couldn't react in time to push Effie out of the way.

"FUCK..."

Her scream was abruptly cut off as a tail clamped over her mouth, holding her tightly. Her eyes widened in horror as she dangled headfirst, another tail poised with a sharp stinger just inches from her face.

Both were suspended a few meters off the ground, legs bound together, arms pinned to their sides, the tails anchored to the floor to keep them immobilized.

They struggled against the tails, but their efforts were in vain.

'CASSIE! WHAT IS THAT THING?' Effie screamed in her mind.

[I DON'T KNOW; I CAN'T SENSE ANYTHING. IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOU'RE BEING HELD BY NOTHING.] Cassie's voice trembled.

They froze as the grip tightened, and a voice echoed from above.

"Stop resisting; it's futile. You won't free yourselves. But fear not, I mean you no harm. Just tell me why you're here."

'What? It's talking? That's unusual for a Nightmare Creature,' Effie thought.

'I doubt it's a Nightmare Creature; if it were, we'd have been attacked the moment we entered this room,' Jet replied hesitantly.

[Let's hope it's being truthful.]

The tail shifted, freeing Jet's mouth. She gasped for breath and said, "We were sent to investigate the sighting of a Nightmare Creature that entered this cave."

The creature paused, then spoke in a calm yet dark tone. "Then return from whence you came and inform those who sent you that there is no creature here."

Jet sighed, "Who are you? You're definitely not a Nightmare creature."

The creature sighed, "That's none of your concern. Just know that I mean no harm. That should suffice as an answer."

[I expected as much from someone residing in a cave.]

Jet chuckled, "Alright then, would you mind letting us go?"

The creature chuckled in return. "If you attempt anything, I won't be so gentle next time."

It extended the spikes on the tails hovering in front of Jet and Effie's faces for a moment before retracting them, making it clear how precarious their situation was.

"Alright, we promise to leave without causing trouble. Right, Effie?"

The creature released Effie's mouth so she could respond.

"Yes, please let us go. I'm getting hungrier by the minute; I want to go home and eat."

The creature laughed as it lowered them to the ground, allowing them to stand. Once they were back on solid ground, it removed its tails entirely and spoke again.

"Very well, it was a pleasure meeting you two. However, please be on your way. I prefer solitude."

[Very polite for someone who seems to dislike company. I'm curious about what it looks like.]

Jet chuckled, "Okay, but could you at least show yourself? We're quite curious, you know."

The creature sighed, gesturing with one of its tails toward the entrance. "No, you've seen enough. I don't like others seeing me, so I'm not inclined to reveal more than you already have."

[That was to be expected. It seems friendly enough; maybe you can persuade it.]

'But how? It doesn't seem like it needs anything from us. There's probably nothing we could offer that would convince it,' Jet thought, crossing her arms again.

Suddenly, Effie's face lit up with a mischievous grin. 'Well, maybe there is. Just play along,' she said, her voice dripping with mischief in Jet's mind.

Effie dismissed her weapon to show she meant no harm, then said in a sweet voice, "Pleeaase, Jet will even show you her titts."

Silence hung in the air for a moment before laughter erupted from above. Jet shot Effie a furious glare. "Absolutely not! I'm not exposing myself to some random creature!"

The laughter subsided, and the creature chuckled before replying, "Good, because I'm not interested. Now please leave; I wish to enjoy my solitude."

To Effie's surprise, Jet paused, pouting. "What do you mean you're not interested? Am I unattractive to you or something?"

Suddenly, the voice from above sounded a bit flustered. "No, that's not what I meant. I apologize if I offended you."

Jet chuckled, "Well, good! It's settled then; we'll be on our way. Enjoy whatever you're doing here, and I hope we cross paths again, mysterious one. Maybe in a more open setting next time."

The creature chuckled again. "Thanks, I suppose, but I hope that never happens, at least not while I'm in this form."

[In that form... Hmm, so it's either a saint or possesses a unique Aspect Ability.]

'I could use the spear form of my Legacy Relic to flood the room with light, you know,' Jet thought, chuckling to herself.

[Ah, the unknown reactions of the enigmatic stranger remain a mystery, but for now, let's take our leave. We can ponder our next steps later.]

"Alright then."

"Let's roll, Effie."

With a nod, Effie followed Jet out of the room, and as they exited, the imposing Boulder sealed off the entrance to the Spacious Compartment.

"Wow, he's quite the powerhouse," Effie marveled, her eyes wide with awe.

Jet chuckled lightly. "Seems he's a rather extraordinary individual."

They strolled back to the Ivory Tower, settling onto Cassie's inviting couch. Cassie was the first to break the silence.

"That was one peculiar character you encountered."

Effie finished her slice of pizza, her thoughts lingering on the encounter. "He's definitely powerful. I gave it my all in that cave, but those bizarre tentacles of his were like iron."

Jet took a sip from her drink, exhaling a weary sigh. "Yeah, if he had wanted to, he could have wiped us out in an instant. It was downright frightening."

Cassie leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "His presence was utterly absent, like he was a ghost. Not a trace of him was left behind."

Just then, the door swung open, revealing Kai.

"Hey ladies, hope your mission went smoothly."

Effie scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, if nearly getting killed counts as smooth, then yes, it was a resounding success."

Kai froze, slowly taking a seat. He poured himself a drink, his voice tinged with concern. "Wha… what happened? Are you both okay?"

Jet smirked, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Everything's fine, just Effie pulling a Sunny on you again. We were attacked, but the assailant wasn't hostile—just wanted to keep things low-key, so he grabbed us to prevent any rash decisions."

Kai paused, processing the information. "Well, I suppose he didn't share his identity or intentions with you?"

Effie chuckled, a playful glint in her eye. "Nope! I even offered him a peek at Jet's assets to coax him out, but he wasn't biting."

Kai burst into hearty laughter. "Sounds just like you! But I suppose he's either not into women, a true gentleman, or already taken and fiercely loyal."

Jet sighed dramatically. "Well, we probably won't ever know. I doubt he'll be hanging around that cave now that we're aware of his presence."

Cassie chimed in with a chuckle. "What a shame! I would have loved to uncover the mystery behind that deep, dark voice and those tails."

Kai looked puzzled. "Tails? He had tails?"

Effie laughed, her voice bright. "Oh yes! Those were what captured us. They were lightning-fast, with stingers and retractable spikes."

Kai nodded, draining his drink in one go.

Jet stood, stretching. "It doesn't matter. Perhaps we'll cross paths with him again, or perhaps not. I'm off to catch some sleep—haven't had any in ages."

Effie winked, a teasing smile on her lips. "There are a few things you haven't done in a while. Maybe you should revisit that cave and persuade him to show you more, if you catch my drift."

Jet laughed heartily. "Even if I wanted to, there's no way I could budge that Boulder alone."

Effie grinned at her, then turned to Cassie. "I think Cassie here would be thrilled to help you out. She's still on the lookout for someone to relieve her stress, after all."

Cassie blushed, her voice laced with indignation. "That doesn't mean I want to jump into bed with some random stranger living in a cave!"

Laughter erupted among them, and after a moment, Effie stood. "I'll head out too, see you tomorrow!"

Cassie and Kai waved goodbye as Jet and Effie departed, leaving just the two of them in the office. After a moment of silence, Kai spoke up.

"Were you able to decipher his runes?"

Cassie shook her head. "No, I couldn't even sense him. It was as if he was simply… absent. Maybe it's tied to a memory or his aspect; it's all perplexing. He must be immensely powerful, though."

"Yeah, if he managed to catch both Effie and Jet without breaking a sweat, he's got to be something special. A saint, perhaps?"

Cassie nodded, a smile creeping onto her face. "Well, it doesn't matter. He said he doesn't want to harm anyone; he just prefers to stay hidden. I think that's why he's in that cave. It might relate to his flaw, which means he doesn't necessarily have to be a saint. Perhaps he's just a uniquely awakened being with transformation abilities."

Kai pondered this for a moment before nodding. "Though such aspects are rare, it's not impossible. Let me know when you plan to search for him again; I'll join you. He can't hide from me forever."

Cassie stood, and so did Kai. "Of course, I'll inform you next time, if we ever search for him again. Anyway, I'm off to bed now; trying to sleep is definitely something I haven't done in a while."

Kai chuckled, pulling Cassie into a warm hug. "Good. Rest well, Cass."

A few hours later, Jet found herself poised in front of the cave, determined to see if their not so little monster would emerge during daylight.

She lay on a small hill, about 150 meters from the entrance, binoculars in hand, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious man without being spotted.

Hours passed in silence, and just as dawn broke, she thought, 'Maybe he slipped away right after we left.'

With a long sigh, she began to pack up when suddenly, movement caught her eye at the cave entrance.

"Well, I'll be damned! He's coming out after all."

A smile spread across Jet's face, but it quickly faded as she recognized the figure emerging from the shadows.

"Wait, that's Rick, the guy Rain is dating. Is he the one we met? But he's just a Master!"

As she watched him approach, her heart raced, and she froze, realizing Rick was staring right at her, a smirk playing on his lips. In the blink of an eye, he vanished into a blur.

"Damn, he's fast. I need to get out of here."

Just as she stood, a hand landed on her shoulder.

She looked up to find Rick, his smile a mix of charm and something darker. "Care to explain what you're doing here, Saint Soulreaper Jet?"

Startled, Jet managed a smile. "Oh, just birdwatching! You know, I'm a big nature enthusiast."

The grip on her shoulder tightened slightly, and Rick's smile took on a more sinister edge. "Is that so? I can tell when someone's lying. So let's skip the games and get to the truth."

Jet's smile faltered. "Great, don't tell me you have the same flaw as Kai."

Rick shook his head. "No, I can tell because of my senses. I notice the slightest changes in your heart frequency, for example. Now, please, tell me what you were really doing out here."

With a resigned sigh, Jet relented. "Alright, alright. I was trying to figure out who that mysterious guy in the cave is. You left quite an impression, so I came back a few hours ago to see if you'd show up."

Rick released her shoulder, letting out a sigh. "Okay, but I'd appreciate it if you kept my secret."

Jet grinned. "Fine, but you owe me some answers first."

Rick took a deep breath. "Ask away."

"Why do you come here at night to transform into that monstrous form?"

Rick hesitated. "It's a long story. My flaw causes my body to transform into a demonic figure every night, beyond my control. I hide here to avoid scaring anyone."

Jet nodded thoughtfully. "So you can use that form during the day?"

Rick confirmed with a nod. "Yes, but I prefer not to. I only use its senses and occasionally other aspects when necessary."

"Like those tails?"

Rick stepped back, one of his tails emerging from his back. He waved it playfully before retracting it again. Jet's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Would you mind showing me the full transformation?"

Rick's expression dimmed slightly. "Actually, I would."

Jet sighed, then asked, "So you're a master with an aspect that lets you transform into a demonic figure?"

Rick smiled and shook his head. "No, my aspect has nothing to do with that form; it's simply my flaw."

Jet's eyes widened in disbelief. "How on earth do you end up with such an incredible flaw? That's not a flaw; that's a second aspect!"

Rick's face fell, his voice tinged with sadness. "It may seem great to you, but it wasn't always. I couldn't control my body during the transformation, turning into a mindless beast that wreaked havoc. It took me ages to gain control."

Jet's heart softened at his sorrowful expression. "I'm sorry. I should have understood. A flaw is still a flaw, no matter how it appears to others."

Rick smiled again, a flicker of warmth returning. "Yeah, I know. Saint Kai has a similar struggle. His flaw seems useful to most, but it's a burden for him."

Jet nodded in agreement. "You're right. But let's switch gears. How are things with you and Rain?"

Rick's cheeks flushed. "Well, I think everything is going well. We have a date later."

Jet chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Sounds promising! Are you going to tell her?"