Shadow Slave: Back in time

Sunny was carefully inspecting the waters of the Dark Sea as the boat slid through them, checking for any potential threat. Originally, they had been attacked by one of the depths dweller, but the enchantment, that made the target unassuming, of Cassie's armour would probably be enough to let them travel safely. If not, he would deploy the Scavenger and Serpent to stall the creature. There was another factor to it, too.

Behind them, the inferno that the Soul Devourer Tree was growing slowly smaller. The raging fire had reached the top of the tree. The burning Terror was illuminating the horizon, akin to a second, lesser sun, and alluring every abomination in a radius of tens of kilometres. Sunny could see grotesque figures rising from the Dark Sea in the distance, aiming for the light and battling each other in the process. With such a banquet, who would care for insignificant ants like them?

Sunny watched with dark satisfaction: the damn tree was burning. Sunny turned his gaze to the one who had ignited the spark. Changing Star was lying next to him, with her head resting on his laps. She was sleeping soundly and tuned to the side, hugging him tightly, as if he were her anchor. Sunny massaged her scalp with his free hand; the other was busy directing the staff.

Cassie moved to his side. She was trembling, either because of the fear or of the cold, or both.

"Is it going to be ok?"

"Yes, you can sleep."

She nodded, but then hugged his arm and rested her head on the shoulder. Soon, she drifted off.

After a couple of hours of tense observation, he finally caught a glimpse of a giant stone hand, and redirected the boat slightly. Sunny shook Cassie, who woke up.

"Where are we?" She asked looking around, maybe expecting the sun to be rising.

"We have reached a giant hand, which I'm assuming must be part of another of those colossal statues."

Sunny deactivated the enchantment of the staff. His arm hurt like hell: he'd been holding it for a while now.

The boat keep moving forward with its momentum, slowly colliding against the stone. Sunny helped Cassie to get off the boat, moved the bags with their possessions to the platform and gently picked up Nephis. She was still unconscious: using the Sorcery of Names really had taken a toll on her. He carefully laid her on the ground, the sat. He chuckled: Cassie was already profoundly asleep next to him. Well… He could understand her. He had spent a mentally exhausting day after a physically exhausting day…

His eyes started to close… The last thought he had before falling asleep was the Memory he'd received from killing the Great Devil.

----------

When Sunny woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. A nice smell was permeating the air, making his appetite show itself. He looked around and was gifted with the view of Nephis cooking. Cassie was still lying on the stone.

"Good morning, Neph. How are you?"

She turned towards him and smiled as he approached her.

"Good morning, Sunny. I'm fine."

She kissed him on the cheek, a merciless flame burning in her eyes.

"It's dead."

Sunny grinned.

"Good."

Sunny ate enthusiastically what she'd prepared.

It's been a while since you've cooked for me, huh?

Yes. I was truly enthralled by your cooking skills… Her expression changed, and her eyes gazed off in the distance, as if she had seen the object of her dreams.

If we just had some syrup… She sighed. …Well, at least I will have waffles every morning after we get out of here.

Sunny's eyes were sharp and full of mirth as he looked at her.

You will have waffles every morning, you say?

She confirmed it without really thinking about it.

Yes…

So, you're just assuming we'll leave together, huh?

She turned towards him, a light blush on her face. She stammered.

Well, I mean, we won't if you don't, but I thought, I

Sunny interrupted her, chuckling.

Of course we will live together, Neph. However, let me tell you, you really have stayed an extremely socially awkward person, even with the façade you put on.

Nephis scowled.

I haven't received anything from the tree.

Quick to change topic, huh? Ah, If I reckon correctly, the first time you tried to replicate Cassie's smile, you scared the shit out of me.

Nephis' frown deepened.

You don't like it when I smile?

I do. Your genuine smiles are the most beautiful thing to exist.

Nephis hid her face behind her hair.

Did you receive Weaver's Ichor?

Sunny's expression became serious.

I think so. I'll check it now.

Sunny dove in his Soul Sea.

The lightless expanse was the same as always. Two black suns could be seen in the distance, and hundreds of creatures were populating the still space. They were motionless, staring into the distance with unfocused gazes. Sunny tsked. He had managed to millions of shadow when he reached Transcendence.

Sunny summoned his runes, expecting to see the [Drop of Ichor]. Instead:

Memory: [Weaver's Eye]

Rank: Divine.

Tier: I

Memory Description: [ The loathsome Vile Thieving Bird was hated by both the gods and – the unknown- . However, it only cared about shiny things. Enamoured by Weaver's beautiful eyes, it stole one of them on a dark, starless night. Impatient, the vile creature looked at its bounty while still in flight. However, when it saw the reflection of – unknown – forever frozen in the depths of Weaver's eye, it went mad and screamed, dropping the eye on the mortal realm below. All that was left in its greedy beak was a drop of pure, golden Ichor. The treacherous Lost From Light, inheritor of Weaver's Ichor, ruthlessly reclaimed the life of its unborn spawn, thus receiving the stolen eye.]