How did I get to this point? Nephis thought, her expression unreadable as she stood under the warm spray of water in Sunny's house.
The water droplets slid delicately down her alabaster skin, tracing faint paths over the scars she carried. Her mind wandered as the steam filled the small bathroom. The warmth of the shower was soothing, but her thoughts remained turbulent.
It feels strange to be back in the waking world... but who wouldn't miss it after spending two years in a death zone?
She closed her eyes, letting the water cascade over her silver hair, washing away the grime and memories of her time in the Forgotten Shore. The water felt purifying, almost as though it could cleanse the weight of the nightmares she carried. The simple luxury of a hot shower felt surreal after enduring sandstorms, blood, and death for so long.
The sound of the water filled the space, a comforting hum against the quiet chaos of her mind. Memories of harsh winds, endless battles, and nights of sleepless vigilance tried to creep in, but she forced them back. Not now. Not here, she told herself.
Nephis let out a small sigh as she reached for the shampoo on the shelf, lathering it into her hair with practiced ease. The rich scent filled the room, unfamiliar yet oddly comforting. She froze mid-motion, realizing something.
Wait... this is Sunny's shampoo.
Her eyes snapped open as embarrassment flooded her. Why am I using his soap?
She covered her face with one hand, her cheeks burning despite the steam around her. Why did I even agree to this?
She tried to justify it. Logically, staying at Sunny's place made the most sense. Her clan's castle was in ruins, and anywhere else would have been inconvenient. This has nothing to do with... other reasons. Absolutely nothing.
But logic didn't help the fluttering in her chest, especially as she remembered that, once the shower was over, she would have to wear one of his shirts.
She groaned, running her hands through her hair in frustration, the strands slipping through her fingers like threads of silver. Why did I even think that would be okay?
The water finally stopped as she turned off the faucet, droplets clinging to her skin. She took a deep breath, bracing herself to leave the sanctuary of the bathroom.
As she stepped out of the bathroom, Nephis saw him. Sunny, the young black-haired man, was in the kitchen preparing something for the two of them. She never imagined that someone so reserved and cold would have a knack for cooking.
His long, messy black hair gave him a wild look that, to her surprise, suited him surprisingly well. His pale skin, as white as snow, contrasted sharply with his deep, onyx-black eyes. And, as always, he was dressed entirely in black.
We should go shopping for clothes someday, Nephis thought absentmindedly, then quickly reprimanded herself. What am I even thinking? God...
As she took a step forward, her presence caught Sunny's attention. He turned to look at her.
—Nephis... why are you wearing that? —he asked, pointing at the shirt she was wearing. It was obviously too small for her since she was significantly taller than him.
Nephis raised an eyebrow, wondering what he expected her to do. Does he think I can use magic to conjure clothes out of thin air?
With her usual cold tone, she simply replied:
—I don't have any clothes.
She sat down at the small table in the living room, her eyes scanning the house as she waited for her food. Though modest, the house felt warm and comforting. It lacked the luxuries of her old mansion, but it also lacked the cold emptiness that had accompanied her for so many years. Here, there was a sense of life, a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time.
Moments later, Sunny appeared with a plate of food. It was waffles, topped with maple syrup and a cherry. Nephis took the first bite and was surprised. They were incredibly delicious, although her lack of recent culinary experiences might have played a part. For two years, she had eaten nothing but nightmare creatures, either raw or burned by divine fire.
After they finished eating, Sunny broke the silence with an unexpected comment.
—It's unfair.
Nephis looked at him with a mix of curiosity and confusion. What does he mean? Does he not like my company? she thought, feeling a faint twinge of sadness deep down. But before she could respond, Sunny continued:
—You're a tyrant. You have an extra core, and I don't.
She raised an eyebrow, realizing he was referring to their abilities. Nephis knew her divine aspect allowed her to absorb more essence than Sunny. Her advantage was clear: she could absorb essence even from humans, while he was limited to creatures stronger or equal in rank. Still, her expression remained stoic.
—I can't make an Echo level up —Nephis said, her voice carrying a faint hint of frustration. Was she... jealous?
Sunny let out a mocking laugh and replied:
—Jealous. And it's not just a horse. I also have a snake that can level up.
The smug grin on his face made Nephis click her tongue silently, thinking that this conversation was far from over.
"Jealousy? I can regenerate from any wound," Nephis said, arching a brow with her usual air of superiority.
"I have my Aspect Legacy without even being a legacy," Sunny replied, puffing his chest with mock pride.
He paused dramatically before adding with a smug grin:
"And even though I don't like everything my name Lost from Light implies, it's still cooler than Changing Star."
Nephis blinked, her usually stoic expression crumbling as she processed the comment. How dare he? Insulting her true name—her symbol of power?
Her silver eyes narrowed as she stood from her chair with graceful precision, stepping toward Sunny, who was caught entirely off guard.
"Repeat that," she said, her tone low but razor-sharp. The glacial calm that usually defined her features was gone, replaced with barely-contained fury.
Sunny tried to maintain his composure, but the small snake resting on his shoulder didn't help matters. It stuck its tongue out at Nephis, almost mocking her.
"My true name is much cooler. It could be the title of some epic movie," Nephis added indignantly as her steps brought her dangerously closer.
Sunny didn't even have time to respond. Before he could react, Nephis lunged at him with inhuman speed and precision.
"Shit!" was all Sunny could think. Even with the Shadow Dance, he couldn't dodge the attack.
In mere seconds, Nephis had grabbed his wrists with overwhelming strength, pinning him to the floor. Sunny felt the impact of the fall as her weight kept him completely immobilized.
The situation was... peculiar. They were sprawled on the ground in a rather compromising position, her hands gripping his firmly, and the proximity between them was alarmingly close.
Sunny's heartbeat quickened as their eyes locked. Her silver hair, still damp from the shower, fell in soft waves around her face, framing her glowing gray eyes. There was an intensity in her gaze—a mix of anger and something else he couldn't quite place.
Every detail about Nephis was impossible to ignore: the droplets of water still clinging to her skin, the way her lips were slightly pursed in determination, and the faint blush dusting her cheeks. Sunny tried to look away, but he was trapped, captivated by the beauty and ferocity of his companion.
Nephis, on the other hand, wasn't faring much better. As she stared into his dark onyx eyes, she couldn't help but notice their strange allure, like an abyss hiding more secrets than she was willing to uncover. She could feel the warmth radiating from his body beneath her own, and it was... unsettling.
"And?" Nephis asked, still angry, leaning in slightly to emphasize her dominance.
Sunny's blush deepened as he struggled to find an escape. Finally, in a hurried tone, he blurted out:
"Fine, your name is cool. I'm just jealous..."
Why did I say that? Sunny immediately regretted it. But it was true, damn it.
Nephis raised an eyebrow, a barely-there smirk beginning to form on her lips. For now, she had won this little battle.
Sunny looked at Nephis with embarrassment. Sometimes he hated that she knew his defect—he couldn't lie. It was unfair.
But then an idea popped into his head, and he smiled inwardly.
Nephis, you don't know how to control your essence, do you? he said with a mocking smile.
Nephis shook her head, her expression confused.
Alright, come with me, Sunny said as he led her to the basement.
Sunny handed her a wooden training sword, one of the many he had. However, after seeing the state of the place, he wasn't sure how many would remain intact by the end of the session. He was convinced his sword arsenal would be reduced to zero in no time.
Nephis, without hesitation, assumed a fighting stance, ready to continue the training. Over the next hour, the sound of wood clashing against wood echoed through the basement. With each strike, Nephis showed fierce determination, but her control of the sword wasn't perfect. By the end of the session, she had broken at least three swords, and at one point, a powerful strike had pierced through the ceiling, creating a hole that revealed the darkness of the outside world.
Sunny sighed, crossing his arms as he surveyed the damage. Although it was a mess, he couldn't help but feel slightly proud. Nephis had made progress, but the lack of control was still evident.
Deciding it was time to stop the training, he thought about trying something he'd been considering for a while. "Let's see if this works," he thought to himself.
Sunny raised his hand and, with a simple command, ordered Crepy, his first shadow, to slide out from the basement's shadows and wrap around Nephis's body. He watched closely, waiting for the outcome. As the shadows enveloped her, a strange surge of energy began to emanate from Nephis. To Sunny's surprise, not only did it work, but it worked far more effectively than he had expected. The Shadow Bound, which he despised, seemed to have bonded with Nephis in a much deeper way than he had imagined. His hatred for the bond was intense, as it had cost him so much to relinquish his personal freedom, but now, seeing her power increase, he couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and intrigue.
What did you do? Why am I so much stronger? Nephis asked, her voice filled with confusion.