Love is Worth Waiting for

Sunny closed up the cafe for the day and was just cleaning up when Morgan walked in. She looked the same as ever, except for the unembellished, lustrous white gold ring wrapped around her ring finger.

She flashed him a smile and sauntered up to a table before sitting down. "Take a seat, I have a few things I'd like to talk about." Sunny watched her move with such confidence, that any outsider would be sure she owned the place.

He sighed and made his way over, pulling a chair back and sitting across from her. "I assume this is about the ceremony?" 

Morgan nodded, "We've decided to hold a small ceremony with only the most important people." Since their last discussion, Sunny had been holding onto the hope that Valor would abide by his wishes. For once, things had turned out as he wished them to.

"I've already compiled a list of saints. I've discussed it with my father, and he will not be attending." She seemed to have more to say so Sunny let her continue. "As for the venue, we would like to use the Lord of Shadows' citadel within Godgrave."

Sunny wasn't surprised. Since Valor had agreed to hold a small, secret ceremony, they would need a place far away from prying eyes. Such a place could be arranged within Anvil's domain, however it couldn't be arranged without making some sort of commotion in and of itself.

Of course, those were all excuses. Anvil had enough authority to suppress any curiosity, all it would do was expose that they were doing something private to Song.

Valor's choice of venue was actually to ascertain the tactical advantage of the nameless temple in Godgrave while additionally holding the ceremony in a place where the Shadow Clan would be comfortable showcasing its forces.

Sunny remained silent for a while before responding, "The Lord of Shadows had agreed to this use of his citadel." Sunny paused once more as if listening to something. "He will personally transport Valor's saints from the waking world to the dream realm."

Morgan gave him a wide smile. "Wonderful! Is tonight acceptable?" Her proposal was to lower the chances of the Shadow Clan being able to prepare anything but also her desire to solidify the alliance as soon as possible.

Sunny simply nodded before adding more information, "A few guests from the Shadow Clan will be there." All of them would be him of course, but he had to make sure Valor didn't find out the Shadow Clan didn't exist.

'It doesn't exist yet at least.' Sunny had some plans to grow it ever since Serpent gained [Mark of Shadows]. 'The war is a perfect place to pick up some outstanding individuals after all'.

***

Morgan had originally put Anvil on the guest list as more of a formality. He held all the authority so even though she knew he wasn't coming, she still had to check with him. There was no way Anvil would leave his domain after all.

She had anticipated the Lord of Shadows' acceptance of her proposal and had already sent out invitations instructing the guests to meet in the waking world. "Shall we depart?"

Sunny looked at her and dismissed [Nebulous Shroud]. "We shall." He disappeared from his seat and Morgan pulled on her Anchor, disappearing shortly after.

Morgan found herself in front of the cafe she had last met the Lord of Shadows at and looked over at the gathering of saints.

Standing in a loose group were some of the most fearsome individuals belonging to Valor. The sheer presence of their gathering would be suffocating to some weaker saint, let alone a master.

Among them were Nephis, Cassia, Jest, Tyris, and Roan. The rest were very important beyond a doubt, but those five were even more so in this situation.

Tyris and Roan had a connection to Sunny while Nephis was possibly Valor's strongest saint. Cassia could anticipate events if the Shadow Clan tried something, as well as gauge their abilities. She was also the seneschal of Valor and in the same regard, Jest was the advisor of the king. Overall, there were 12 saints.

Soon, a solemn and dark presence permeated the surroundings, the shadows grew deeper and the presences of the other saints became more muted. Only Nephis and Morgan's presences stood unopposed.

Nephis' presence seemed to shine brighter and hotter, the backdrop of shadows accentuating its brilliance. Morgan's presence however, shifted. The sharp edges of it were dulled, but that only seemed to make it grow deeper and more meaningful.

Morgan herself was surprised at the change. 'That didn't happen the last time I met the Lord of Shadows.'

The Lord of Shadows appeared without any of them noticing and suddenly spoke. "I will take all of you one at a time." His voice was deep, extremely so, at least that was what she thought. 

When she actually focused on his voice, she couldn't determine any defining features, only that it was a voice. She had noticed it last time, but didn't have time to appreciate it as he had come and gone as he pleased.

He did exactly as he had proclaimed. He took one saint at a time, the group slowly dwindling as time passed. Each time he disappeared, about five seconds later he was back to bring another saint with him.

'He's hiding the extent of his strength.' Morgan had no doubt the Lord of Shadows was capable of taking multiple saints into the dream realm, but he purposely chose not to.

Soon it was only her left. She counted out five seconds and he appeared once more. Wordlessly he held her arm and soon she felt a familiar sensation. It was the same feeling she got whenever she pulled on her own anchor.

Morgan felt like she could resist it but didn't, allowing the Lord of Shadows to pull her into the dream realm.

She found herself in complete darkness, only able to feel the familiar presences of the 12 saints.

She chuckled to herself, 'What a greeting.'