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

"STOP IT!!!! PLEASE DON'T!!!"

Rick's voice echoed through the abyss of despair, a frantic cry as he stood powerless, watching her essence being shredded and consumed by the monstrous entity within him.

"AHHHHHHHHHH PLEEEEASE, I'M BEGGING YOU!!!"

He fell to his knees in the realm of his Soul See, tears streaming down his face, his world crumbling like fragile glass. In a frenzied attempt to escape the torment, he clawed at his own chest, desperate to extract his heart from its cage.

"It's all my fault. I should have fled or, better yet, ended my own existence."

He had believed he could tame the beast lurking within, but his innocence had led to the demise of everyone he held dear.

"MAKE IT STOP! PLEEEEASE!"

But his pleas fell on deaf ears. The beast understood only one tongue—VIOLENCE. Just as he cursed his very being, a voice rang out through the chaos of his Soul See.

"WAKE UP! IT'S JUST A NIGHTMARE!"

In an instant, his eyes flew open. He gasped for breath, his heart pounding like a war drum, threatening to burst from his chest. Cold sweat trickled down his skin, and his eyes were bloodshot, remnants of the nightmare clinging to him. Panic-stricken, he glanced around and found Rain beside him, her hand cradling his face, her presence a soothing balm. As reality dawned upon him, he began to calm, her gentle touch and radiant smile anchoring him. After a few shaky breaths, he whispered, his voice trembling.

"Tha… Thank you."

He pulled her close, their lips meeting in a kiss that spoke of relief and need. She could feel the frantic rhythm of his heart, a wild beast beneath her fingertips. Looking up into his eyes, she spoke softly.

"It's okay, I'm here for you. Breathe. There's nothing to fear. Everything is alright."

Rick exhaled a shaky breath, his heart still racing. "I'm so glad you're here. I love you more than words can say. It felt so real."

With tender care, Rain began to rub his chest, resting her head against him, waiting patiently for the storm within him to settle. After a moment, she ventured gently, "Do you want to share what happened? I want to understand what's troubling you. I love you, and I care deeply, so please, tell me."

Rick sighed, the weight of his past heavy on his shoulders. "Do you remember our first date at Sunny's Café? You asked about my origins and my family?"

She nodded, her gaze unwavering, encouraging him to continue as he opened the door to his haunted past. He trembled as he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I told you my home was destroyed and that I was the only survivor, right? The truth is… I was the one who caused it. I… I killed everyone. My parents, my siblings, my friends… everyone. It happened right after my first nightmare. I was just a naive thirteen-year-old, unaware of the beast's ferocity within me. I never imagined it would lead to such devastation. I could only watch as I obliterated our entire community."

Tears threatened to spill, but only the raw sobs escaped him. Rain, sensing his turmoil, climbed closer, pressing her lips to his once more, holding him tightly until the tremors ceased. She pressed her forehead against his, her smile a beacon of hope.

"Thank you for sharing that with me. I know it's hard to talk about your past, and I'm grateful you trust me. I love you with all my heart. What happened wasn't your fault. You were just a child."

Rick tightened his embrace, unwilling to let her slip away. Despite her comforting words, a shadow of doubt lingered—fear that his past would drive her away. But deep down, he knew that wasn't true. Moments later, she began to hum a familiar melody. Rick chuckled softly, curiosity piqued.

"What song is that?"

Rain smiled, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "It's the lullaby my mother sang to me when I had nightmares or felt sad. She would sit beside me until I drifted off again."

Rick smiled, kissing the top of her head, the warmth of their connection wrapping around them like a comforting blanket. They remained in their cocoon, savoring the peace they found in each other. Suddenly, the door of the warehouse creaked open, and Sunny, Neph, Mordret, and Cassie entered, their eyes quickly landing on Rick and Rain, noting his disheveled state. Mordret broke the silence.

"Uh, good morning? Everything alright? Did you two break up or something?"

Before Rain could respond, Rick manifested one of his tails, swinging it playfully at Mordret, who dodged with a laugh.

"Okay, okay! Just a joke! Seriously, what's going on?"

Rain shot him an annoyed glance, and in a flash, a spark of electricity zapped toward Mordret, who stumbled back with a yelp. The room fell silent, eyes wide in shock—except for Cassie, whose blindfold concealed her reaction. Sunny stared at Rain, astonished.

"W… wait a minute… you… you awakened your Aspect, didn't you?"

Rain beamed, nodding enthusiastically.

Sunny erupted in excitement, his voice booming. "YES! THAT'S AMAZING! WHAT HAPPENED?"

Blushing, Rain confessed, "Well, it was during… um, intimate moments with Rick. Suddenly, a spark of electricity formed between us, and that's when I felt it."

Sunny froze, then facepalmed, sighing. "Oh, great. But hey, have you figured out how it works? Do you have a connection to the Spell now?"

Rain hesitated, her cheeks still flushed. "I haven't had time to explore that yet… you know."

A chill ran down Sunny's spine. Neph noticed his worried expression and turned to Rain.

"Try summoning your runes. It should come naturally. If not, we can ask Cassie for help."

Focusing intently, Rain envisioned a rune sheet, and to her astonishment, it materialized before her eyes. She gasped, her grin stretching from ear to ear. "By the dead gods, it worked!"

She appeared to gaze into the void, but in truth, she was reading her Rune Sheet, her smile growing as she took in the details.

Name: Rain

True Name: Arcstrider

Rank: Sleeper

Arc Core: Dormant 

Arc Fragments [32/1000]

Memories: /

Echoes: /

Attributes: [Isolated] [Mark of Divinity] [Fallen Destiny] [Mark Of Shadows] 

[Isolated] You are Immune to any form of Damage from Electromagnetic Charges.

[Mark of Divinity] Your Existence is blessed by the God's even from the Grave. Therefore you carry a Mark of Divinity in your Soul.

[Fallen Destiny] Your journey to Achieve your Goals has Never been easy and never will, but from hardship, a strong Will is formed and the World will recognize your Steadfastness and Reward you for it.

[Mark of Shadows] A loyal Servant of a Divine Shadow has bestowed upon you some of its abilities. Shadows will forever be a close Ally.

Aspect: Stormcaller

Aspect Rank: Divine

Aspect Description:

[A deafening Thunder can be heard echoing through time, to strike True once more. You are a Creature born from a never ending Storm that even the Gods feared. Because of the nature of your Existence you are doomed to be alone as nobody could ever handle the Strikes of Lightning that will always accommodate you.]

Innate Ability: [Overcharge]

Ability Description: [You Can Overcharge the Body's and Souls of your Enemies and strike them with your Almighty Will of destruction. Therefore destroying them Completely and absorbing parts of them Directly.]

Aspect Abilities: [Jolt]

[Jolt] You are in Control of Electromagnetic Charges. They bend to your Will and take shape as you Command.

Flaw: [Storm of Emotions]

Flaw Description: [As your Emotions get Stronger, you Gradually lose control of your Abilities and the ones near you will become Victims of your Outburst.]

Rain was left speechless, the weight of her newfound power settling in. A girl who had only dreamed of strength had awakened a Divine Aspect, a rarity that left everyone in the room wide-eyed, awaiting her words.

Taking a deep breath, she said, "You… you should all sit down. I think that would be wise."

Confused glances were exchanged, except for Cassie, whose eyes widened beneath her blindfold. They settled down, and Rick held Rain in his lap, concern etched on Sunny's face.

"Is everything okay? Are you unhappy with your Aspect? Or is the Flaw really that bad?"

Still in shock, Rain stumbled over her words. "It… it's called Stormcaller, and it's of the… Divine… Rank."

Silence enveloped them, the outside wind howling louder than their thoughts. Rain glanced at Sunny, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. "Well, I guess we're Divine Aspect siblings now."

Sunny found himself at a loss for words, his gaze shifting to Neph as he stammered, "Did I just hear her say Divine Rank?"

Neph's eyes widened in astonishment, and she simply nodded in affirmation.

The weight of the revelation hung in the air, leaving them momentarily speechless. The bombshell they had just been hit with was overwhelming. Sunny took a moment to gather his thoughts before exclaiming, "That's… incredible! What are the odds?"

Rain shook his head, mirroring their surprise. "I'm just as baffled as you are."

Neph finally regained her composure, a smile breaking across her face as she turned to Rain. "Welcome to the team! I'm thrilled for you. I know this is a lot to take in, but you're in good hands—every other Divine Aspect holder is here to guide you."

Rick pulled her closer, excitement bubbling over. "You're amazing! This day just keeps getting better!"

Sunny shook off his astonishment, a grin creeping onto his face. "I guess all that training I put you through paid off after all."

Rain chuckled, enthusiasm lighting up her features. "Absolutely! I can't wait to put it to the test. But wait, does this mean I'll be whisked away to some random spot in the Dream Realm during the winter solstice?"

Sunny pondered for a moment before replying, "You don't have to go that route. We can bring you to the Dream Realm and let you anchor yourself to the Ivory Tower. That way, you can ascend to Awakened status."

Rain hesitated, a frown creasing her brow. "But wouldn't that mean my Appraisal would be pretty dismal since I didn't earn it myself?"

Sunny shrugged, a nonchalant smile on his lips. "True, the Spell might rate you poorly for taking the easy way out. But we can't be sure how much the Appraisal affects your Awakened abilities or potential Attributes. Divine Aspect Holders have a strong connection to fate—well, except for me, of course. It's ultimately your choice. The winter solstice is just a couple of weeks away; you could wait and give it your all, though it will be riskier."

Rain mulled over Sunny's words, then sighed. "I don't want to take the easy route. One of my Attributes emphasizes that achieving my goals has always been a struggle, but it also says that it will forge a strong will that the world will recognize and reward."

Sunny beamed. "I had a feeling you'd say that. Your Attribute makes perfect sense. Going through the winter solstice will undoubtedly strengthen your will and enhance your power. I still want Serpent to accompany you, just to be safe."

Rain nodded, a smile gracing her lips. "That sounds good. I have no idea where I'll end up, but let's hope it's nothing too wild."

Sunny laughed, casting a playful glance at Neph. "What do you think?"

Neph paused, then replied evenly, "If she ends up in the Forgotten Shore, she's pretty much out of luck, isn't she? Or worse, in a Death Zone."

Sunny's expression froze. He knew the risks all too well; he himself had faced the horrors of the Dream Realm years ago. But could he really tell Rain she couldn't make her own choice? Was it too dangerous? With a heavy sigh, he spoke in a somber tone. "You're right; that's a possibility. Rain, I think you should reconsider. Ending up in a Death Zone could be fatal in mere minutes."

Rain locked eyes with him, her lips pressed together as she contemplated his words. 'He's right. The chance of landing in a deadly place is real. Tamar and Ray, along with their friend, ended up in Godgrave—a Death Zone so harrowing that even Sunny and Neph struggled to rescue them.'

With a long sigh, she asked, "But can't I just reach out to Cassie if that happens?"

Neph smiled. "True, you'd just need to hold on until one of us can reach you."

Sunny chuckled, a smirk dancing on his lips. "Serpent can definitely protect you from anything below a Great Devil and a Titan, but what are the odds, right?"

Rain facepalmed, then smiled at Sunny. "You just had to say that. But it sounds good. It's settled then—I'll head out for the winter solstice in a couple of weeks."

They continued discussing Rain's Aspect, but when her Flaw came up, the mood shifted awkwardly.

Rain chuckled, "Yeah, my Flaw is that if my emotions spiral out of control, so do my abilities. It's called 'Storm of Emotions.'"

Rick laughed. "That explains why I was getting zapped the whole time yesterday."

Rain blushed, mumbling, "Yeah, you didn't exactly help me calm down. But I could tell you enjoyed it a bit."

Rick's cheeks flushed as he rubbed the back of his head, grinning. "What can I say? It was refreshing. It kept me focused on you, and it tickled more than it hurt."

Rain giggled, pulling him down for a kiss. Mordret scoffed, "So it's safe to say you've officially shed the Greenhorn label, right?"

Rick beamed, "Yep, with flying colors—especially since it even awakened Rain's Aspect."

Rain laughed heartily, her voice sultry as she fell back against Rick. "I think we need to repeat that soon. Maybe I'll awaken my ability just from being with you again."

Rick leaned down, whispering with a chuckle, "I'd love to test that theory, but let's discuss it in a more private setting—Sunny's currently covering his ears and looking sour."

Rain blushed deeply, turning to Sunny and gesturing for him to uncover his ears. After a moment of hesitation, he complied, letting out an exasperated sigh. "I'd really appreciate it if you didn't discuss your sex life in my presence. I'm sure you wouldn't want to hear about mine and Neph's."

Embarrassed, Rain nodded, and they shifted to another topic. Sunny's expression turned serious. "You need to prepare for the winter solstice. I didn't have much time back then, nor the academic knowledge or training. But you already have more experience than most Sleepers, even Legacies. Understanding your Aspect is crucial. How you approach it and the techniques you develop are entirely up to you. We can help, of course, offering ideas and doing our best to prepare you."

Rain nodded, absorbing Sunny's words. Most of it was clear to her, but there was one question she knew Sunny wouldn't like. Sitting up straight, she met his gaze with determination. "I know you're not going to like this, but I really want to visit the Academy. I know I don't need it, but I could meet others there, maybe even find friends like you and your cohort did."

Sunny sighed, preparing to respond. "First, while I met Neph and Cass in the Academy, we didn't really talk much. Second, how do you think the people from the Song Domain will react? You'd be magically reappearing there, and as far as they know, you're missing. Lastly, you're 21; most people there will be around 16. What kind of friends are you hoping to make? So, my answer is no—you can't go to the Academy."

Rain let out an annoyed sigh, leaning back against Rick. She looked down, mumbling, "Why do you always have to be so serious? You're no fun."

Sunny frowned, frustration creeping into his voice. "Fun? Do you think I got this strong by being fun? No, Rain, I worked my ass off, trying not to die over and over, facing impossible odds at every turn. And the worst part? I'm still not done. A war is looming, and I have people I love to protect, a life I want to build, a future to save. So forgive me if I can't be fun all the time."

Noticing her troubled expression, guilt washed over him. He sighed, softening his tone. "I'm sorry, Rain. That was a bit harsh. But I can't risk you taking chances when I already have so much to worry about. It's not about fun; it's about being realistic. So please, stay with us, and we can help you train."

Rain nodded, her voice tinged with embarrassment. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry. I know you have a lot on your mind, but it's tough to always be cautious."

Sunny fell into thought, realizing Rain must feel like a bird trapped in a cage, shielded from the predators lurking outside. He always tried to give her as much freedom as possible, but in the end, it was just a larger cage. He slumped back on the couch, burying his face in his hands. "This is going to be one hell of a week."

A sea of bewildered expressions washed over Sunny as he mumbled to himself, his words slipping through the air like whispers in a storm. Not even Rick could decipher the cryptic murmurs. After a moment of contemplation, Sunny inhaled deeply and declared:

"You can't set foot in the Academy, but a girl with hair as white as snow and eyes as green as emeralds—let's call her whatever you fancy—and a random fellow with the aura of a Master, whom Rick can name at his whim, can waltz right in."

Rain and Rick exchanged puzzled glances, their heads tilting in unison as they echoed, "What?"

Nephis and Cassie erupted into laughter, while Mordret turned to Cassie, curiosity etched on his face. "What's so amusing? Did I miss the punchline?"

With a beaming smile, Cassie replied, "Oh, you did, but I suspect Sunny will be more than happy to clarify for the three of you."

Sunny chuckled, letting his arms drop to his sides as he straightened up, addressing Rick and Rain. "Come on, you two, engage those brain cells for a second, will you?"

Suddenly, realization dawned on Rain, her eyes widening as a grin began to spread across her face. "Wait… you mean you're going to give us something like your Mask, so we can sneak into the Academy without being recognized?"

With a heavy sigh and a warm smile, Sunny nodded. In an instant, Rain was off like a bolt of lightning, leaping into his arms with uncontainable joy. "Thank you, thank you, thaaaaaank you sooooooo much, Sunny! You're the best brother in the universe, you know that?"

Sunny smirked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Two universes, actually."

Rick chuckled, rising to envelop both Sunny and Rain in a hearty hug. "Thanks, Sunny. I can't even begin to repay you for this."

As Rick released them, a devilish grin crept across Sunny's face. "Oh, don't thank me just yet. The memory I'm crafting for you will change your appearances too. Since I'm too lazy to alter your hair and eye colors, you two will look suspiciously alike. Good luck explaining to everyone that you're not siblings practicing incest. That's just my little way of having fun."

The expressions on Rick and Rain's faces froze in shock. Moments later, Mordret burst into laughter, exclaiming, "Hell yeah, that photo is going straight on my fridge!"

Sunny anticipated their next questions and preemptively stated, "That's the deal I'm offering, so take it or leave it."

Rain sighed, "Damn."

Rick facepalmed, muttering, "Crap, this is going to complicate things, but I guess we'll manage."

Nephis shot Sunny a playful smirk. "You're quite the schemer, aren't you?"

Sunny chuckled, planting a kiss on her cheek. Cassie stood up, declaring, "He sure is, but what truly matters is that Rain will have the chance to mingle at the Academy. The more she socializes, the greater the odds of crossing paths with others."

Curious, Rain turned to Cassie. "Does that really make a difference?"

Cassie nodded, her smile radiant. "Absolutely. Data shows that those who interact the most before the Winter Solstice often end up in the same region. It's like their destinies start intertwining. Fate is the unchangeable current of events, while destiny is the twist that adds flavor. The more time you spend with someone, the higher the chance of meeting them again. There's even a saying: 'You always meet twice in a lifetime.'"

Nephis laughed heartily. "It makes sense that the three of us ended up on the Forgotten Shore all those years ago."

Mordret and Rick exchanged bewildered glances, with Rick asking, "What? There was no one named Sunless or Sunny among the Forgotten Shore survivors. Not even in the movie!"

Sunny sighed, "Yeah, yeah, we get it. But I was there, fighting alongside Neph and Cass. Long story short, I lost my Fate in the Third Nightmare, got erased from everyone's memories, and was banished from the Spell."

Mordret and Rick's eyes widened at Sunny's unbelievable tale, but the others offered reassuring smiles, leading them to accept it—though not without questions.

"How do you even get memories and echoes then?"

"Yeah, and why do the others remember you?"

"How the hell did that even happen?"

Sunny rubbed his face, bracing himself for a conversation he had grown weary of. "Quick answers, because my Flaw forces me to respond. I don't get memories and echoes anymore; the others can't really remember me. We've just figured out a way for them to hold onto the info I give them from our shared past. And lastly, a vile thieving bird snatched it while I was in the Heart of the Tomb of Ariel."

They blinked at him, processing his words. Sunny groaned in annoyance and gestured for Rick to take a seat. "Sit down; I'll explain in more detail. I've had this chat a few times now, so it'll be quick."

Rick complied, and Sunny began to unravel the tale. Since they had no memories of Sunny before he lost his Fate, he could explain everything without needing to summarize their shared experiences. In less than an hour, he wrapped up, finishing with his favorite line: "And all of this is the truth, of course, since I literally can't lie because my Flaw is that I can't."

Mordret and Rick's eyes were wide, twitching occasionally. After a moment, Rick said, "I see. That makes sense because I've never caught you in a lie. But losing your Fate to that vile thieving bird is terrifying, especially knowing what could have happened to me if it had caught me."

Sunny froze, a thought striking him. "You… you've met it? That bird?"

Rick trembled at the memory, his voice shaking. "From your description, yes. Tall as a hill, eyes brimming with hate and greed, black feathers, a long sharp beak, and the suffocating presence of a cursed terror. It was a really bad day—that's where I got this scar on my face. I barely survived, losing only a core. If I hadn't transformed before the attack, I wouldn't have made it out."

Panic surged through Sunny as he realized they were talking about the same creature. He shouted, "WHERE? WHERE IS THAT THING? YOU NEED TO TELL ME. IT COULD BE MY ONLY CHANCE TO GET MY FATE BACK!"

"I… I don't know. It was about five months ago. It attacked me while I was visiting the place I was transported to for the Winter Solstice. I can give you the location on a map, but honestly, Sunny, that thing is too strong, even for you. I'm not sure a Sovereign could even hurt it; it's a cursed terror after all."

Sunny took a deep breath, calming down as Rick's words sank in. "Ahhhhhhhh… You're right. Hunting that thing would be a suicide mission. I guess I'll have to wait until I reach supremacy. But I still need that location from you. Maybe it's still lurking around, though I doubt it."

Sunny pulled out his communicator, searching for a map of the Dream Realm. After a minute, Rick handed it back, and Sunny's eyes widened as he recognized the place where Rick had encountered the vile thieving bird. It was the Ashen Forest he had traversed after leaving the Forgotten Shore. "Damn, I was already there, but on the surface. How did you survive that place?"

Rick shrugged. "I unleashed my beast and it stumbled into a cave entrance. When I realized where I was, I sealed it away and scouted the area, taking down some creatures. For some reason, the nightmare creatures are weaker down there, except for that bird. I found it digging a hole in the mountain beneath the Citadel. I couldn't feel its presence, so I ventured deeper into the cave. But when it spotted me, I ran for my life. The only reason I escaped was that it was too big to follow me through the cave back outside. I've never been back since."

Sunny frowned, "But how did it even get there if the entrance to the underground world of the Ashen Forest was too small?"

Rick sighed, "I have no idea. But if it could enter the cave, it could definitely leave it again. So I think it's gone."

Sunny let out a frustrated sigh. "Well, you're right, I guess. I couldn't pursue it even if I wanted to, so there's no point in wasting time and resources on it."

Nephis pulled Sunny close, wrapping him in a warm hug. "It's a good thing we know it's out there and not in the Tomb of Ariel. We'll definitely go after it once the war is over. By then, we'll likely be Supremes, making it much easier to take it down."

Sunny chuckled, kissing her softly before standing up, ready to face whatever lay ahead.