Grey sky above, black mud below, and an endless sea of crimson stretching in every direction. This surreal, almost dreamlike backdrop painted the labyrinth as a place suspended between two worlds—one of beauty, one of peril. In the middle of this twisted expanse, two figures moved forward, their steps deliberate yet uncertain.
One of them was delicate and fragile, a vision of softness amidst the harshness of their surroundings. Her blonde hair fluttered like a golden banner, her cerulean eyes distant and aimless. Cassie's simple tunic clung to her slender form, and leather sandals barely protected her feet from the sharp rocks beneath. A cloak the color of the ocean waves flowed gracefully around her, a stark contrast to the barren landscape.
The other was Nephis, tall, lithe, and striking in every sense. Her silver hair, once as dark as midnight, shimmered in the dim light like moonlight on water. She moved with an innate grace, her revealing clothes—crude garments woven from black seaweed—left little to the exposed her vitals leaving her An easy target , she was acutely aware of the dangers around them. After all, she had seen the horrors of the previous night firsthand.
Nephis tugged on the golden rope, her gesture firm yet subtle, signaling to Cassie that it was safe to follow. There was no immediate danger—at least, that was what she thought.
But the moment the shadow appeared, her instincts screamed. A human shadow, small and unassuming, materialized from thin air. It had the form of a young boy, and it was a disturbance—obviously a distraction. Nephis immediately shifted into a defensive stance, sword subtly drawn, her eyes narrowing with caution.
"Nephis… Why did you stop?" Cassie's voice cut through the stillness, curious but unaware of the tension.
"There's a shadow."
"A shadow? Scavengers?" Cassie asked, her head tilting slightly as if trying to see it with her blind eyes.
"No. It's a human shadow."
The mere mention of a human shadow seemed to lift the weight of unease from Cassie's shoulders. She blinked in surprise, her face lighting up with a burst of curiosity. "A human shadow? What... what is it doing?"
Nephis hesitated, her gaze still scanning their surroundings. She took a deep breath before replying, her voice flat and emotionless:
"It's holding up three fingers."
As she resumed her vigilant watch, Cassie's voice, surprisingly hopeful, whispered from behind her. "Sunny…?"
"Got it on the first try!" A voice, brimming with cocky confidence, answered from the shadows.
Immediately, Nephis's head snapped to the side, pinpointing the exact location of the voice hidden in the darkness. Her sword shifted imperceptibly, the blade now aimed at the new threat, prepared for anything.
"If you're this 'Sunny,' why are you hiding in the shadows like a creep?" she called, her voice sharp but unshaken.
The voice emerged from the shadows without hesitation, revealing a small, wiry figure—Sunny. His presence was almost an afterthought, blending into the darkness until he chose to reveal himself.
'He's in the position of an armor and weapon memory,' she observed.
"I was hiding from those damnable crabs," Sunny answered, shrugging nonchalantly.
Before Nephis could respond, Cassie rushed forward, throwing herself at the boy. In a swift motion, Sunny caught her in his arms, offering an awkward but comforting embrace.
"And to be honest, I'm a little afraid," sunny continued said. "You sent me to the infirmary once."
And then, as if a veil lifted, Nephis recognized who it was Cassie had just tackled. Her heart skipped, and her breath caught in her throat as the realization dawned upon her—Sunless one of the assassins who had been Send for her.
He who was the least known factor.
He who was better equipped than her.
He who had a hostage between them.
But she was the one with a Devine aspect.
She was the one how detected her life to learn the way of the Broken Sword style.
She was Challenging Star of the Immortal Flame and who was he to change her will.
As Sunny held Cassie, soothing her with gentle pats on the head, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation. His voice, soft but steady, reassured her. "Hey, hey, it's okay, it's okay."
He didn't know what else to say. The words escaped him, so he simply held her, offering what comfort he could.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Nephis, her gaze sharp and unrelenting as she looked at him, daggers practically emanating from her gaze. But the effect was somewhat dulled by the state of her attire—or the lack of it—leaving little to the imagination.
Desperate to change the mood, Sunny glanced at Cassie, trying to regain some normalcy. "Were you the one who lit the fire?"
Cassie smiled awkwardly, wiping away the last of her tears. "Yes! But it wasn't such a great idea."
Her voice faltered, betraying her earlier confidence. She smiled uneasily, her gaze darting around.
Nephis, still on edge, took over the conversation, as she took Cassie into her care
. "Was that how you found us?"
"Yes. You lit up the night like a beacon. I took the risk to see what had started the fire," Sunny replied, his words smooth but evasive, a half-truth for the moment.
"But we really should get going before the sun goes down. That is, if you'll let me join you."
He offered the suggestion with a hint of hope, but his eyes were sharp. He knew Cassie would be okay with it, but she was the least influential voice in this decision right now.
Nephis's response was simple, even cold, but it held a sense of finality. "Follow me."
'*'
The journey to the tall hill took little time. Nephis led the way, effortlessly navigating through the labyrinth. She took all the right turns, avoided dead ends, and expertly kept them on course. There was no need to retrace their steps, no wasted time.
For Cassie, the going was slower. Her blind eyes made each step more calculated, each move more deliberate. But still, she covered the ground faster than expected, her every movement guided by the golden rope Nephis held, and her staff tapping rhythmically ahead of her.
The crimson forest was unforgiving, and though it was not an ideal surface for someone who couldn't see, Cassie pressed forward with quiet determination.
Sunny, though, couldn't stop casting sideways glances at the pair. He couldn't help but think of how Cassie was dead weight in this scenario—too slow, too vulnerable. It was a cruel thought, but one he couldn't ignore. In this unforgiving world of the Forgotten Shore, weakness meant death. And Cassie's blindness only made her a liability.
So why, then, was Nephis helping her? Nothing outweighed the grim reality that Cassie couldn't protect herself. She would drag her companions down. And yet, Nephis didn't seem to care. Was she a fool? Or was there something more to her actions than met the eye?
The sun was starting to dip lower in the sky when they finally reached the hill. The climb was swift, and as they approached the massive coral structure, Nephis dismissed the golden rope, only to summon it again—untangling it from where it had been wrapped around her wrist. The rope, though seemingly ordinary, began to stretch in her hands, extending impossibly long.
'Ah. So it's a Memory.'
Sunny watched with growing interest as the rope seemed to stretch endlessly, and Nephis wasted no time. She tied one end into a loop, tossing it easily to a high point on the coral pillar. She then tested its strength before swiftly climbing, a fluid motion that only a few could master. She reached the top in seconds and waved down at Sunny, signaling him to follow.
For a split second, Sunny considered what an ideal time it would be for Nephis to betray him. She could easily end his life while he was climbing, defenseless and vulnerable. But then, the thought disappeared as quickly as it had come. Nephis had the power to kill him whenever she wanted.
'Stop being paranoid,'he told himself.
It was true—if she wanted him dead, it wouldn't have taken this long. She would have struck him down already.
With a resigned sigh, Sunny followed her, climbing the rope with speed and agility. Once at the top, he paused, glancing down at Cassie, wondering how she would manage.
Cassie moved with careful precision. She let go of her staff, gripping the rope in one hand as she traced it down to the loop. She placed her foot inside, and once ready, Nephis and Sunny began to lift her slowly, ensuring she made her way up safely.
Once she was at the top, all she had to do was grab Nephis's hand and step over. The whole operation was surprisingly efficient, and Sunny was almost impressed by their teamwork.
The coral mound was much larger than the stone platform they had once encountered. At the peak of this mound, nestled behind the towering coral blades, the girls had set up a small camp. There were piles of seaweed to sleep on, strips of scavenger meat drying under the sun, and a firepit already set up.
Sunny looked at the firepit and then back at the two girls. "You said it was a bad idea to light a fire. What happened?"
Cassie paused, her fingers nervously playing with her hair as she answered. "We were attacked by scavengers first. And then... then…" Her voice trailed off, and her pale face betrayed the memory she hadn't finished sharing.
But Sunny didn't need her to finish; the memory of the monstrous tentacle that had nearly killed them both was fresh in his mind.
"Uh, I see," he muttered, his stomach churning at the thought.
Nephis glanced up at the sky before clearing her throat. "It should be fine now. We still have time before the sun sets."
With that, she busied herself making the fire. Cassie sat quietly on the seaweed, waiting, and Sunny lowered himself to the ground, unsure of what to do.
After a while, he spoke up, breaking the silence. "I've got fresh meat in my rucksack. Do you have water?"
He hid the soul shard from view, making sure it wasn't visible.
Cassie smiled warmly, her expression softening. "Yes!"
With a swift motion, she extended her arm, and a beautifully patterned blue glass bottle appeared in her hand. "This is a Memory I have. It's always full."
Sunny took the bottle from her, his eyes filled with envy. 'An endless supply of water, huh? Sure beats my super loud bell!'
"Thank you," he said, lifting the bottle to his lips and drinking deeply. The cool, refreshing water slid down his throat, and he marveled at how the bottle never seemed to run dry.
"Is it really endless?" he asked, curiosity lighting his eyes.
Cassie shyly touched her hair. "Uh… not exactly. If you turn it upside down and let the water flow, it will stop in about half an hour. But then it will refill soon after."
"How did you find out it would run out?" Sunny asked, genuinely curious.
She blushed, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. "Uh… I… ehe… emptied it into my bathtub!"
Sunny couldn't help but laugh, the tension in the air dissipating.
As they shared this small moment of levity, Nephis, having finished making the fire, reached into Sunny's rucksack. The soul shard tumbled out, and she looked at it with a raised brow before turning to him. "How did you get this?"
"Killed a scavenger," Sunny replied, meeting her gaze squarely.
Nephis merely nodded and put the shard back into the rucksack, pulling out the meat. She didn't press him further.
Sunny's muscles tensed, but he kept his expression neutral as he resumed his conversation with Cassie. "It's still a great Memory. Getting drinkable water like that isn't easy!"
Cassie smiled, pleased with his words.
And soon, the rich scent of roasting meat filled the air, blending with the fading light of the setting sun. In the distance, a loud rumble shook the ground beneath them, signaling the arrival of the black waters—reminiscent of the dangers lurking just outside their haven.
'*'
As night approached, the sky deepening into shades of indigo and violet, Sunny gazed off toward the east, his thoughts drifting like the whispers of the wind. The air was thick with anticipation, and the faint hum of distant creatures stirred just beneath the silence.
"Do scavengers come all the way up here?" he asked, breaking the stillness, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity.
Nephis, unphased by the question, continued turning the meat over the fire, her movements smooth and deliberate. She nodded, her eyes flicking momentarily to the horizon as she responded.
"Yes. But only at night. During the day, most of them seem to disappear, like shadows retreating from the light."
Sunny grinned.
"That's because they all gather near the place I've been spending my time recently. You should have seen it—the tall cliff to the west of here. Well, it's actually a statue... or what's left of one." He leaned in slightly, clearly relishing the memory.
Cassia blinked in surprise, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"A... a statue? But for you to survive, it should be..."
Sunny chuckled softly, the sound a quiet echo in the cool evening.
"Yes, it's a giant statue of a knight—at least two hundred meters tall. The thing is massive. But he's missing his head. I made my home on top of the neck for a while. It's the perfect spot to stay out of sight."
He paused, his gaze growing distant as he recalled the events that followed.
"Anyway, the day we were sent here, two sea creatures fought each other near that statue. When the water receded, I saw an enormous carcass lying there, nearly half submerged. Hundreds of scavengers were slowly tearing it apart, feeding on whatever they could. It was like something out of a nightmare."
Nephis nodded, her face unreadable as she processed the information.
"How long?"
Sunny blinked, slightly taken aback by her abruptness.
"How long… what?"
Changing Star turned her intense gaze on him, holding it for several seconds, her silent scrutiny making everyone at the fire feel uneasy.
"How long... until they're done devouring the carcass?"
"Oh," Sunny replied, shaking his head, as if waking from a daze. "One more day. Maybe two at most."
Nephis gave a terse nod and turned away, taking the meat off the fire before quickly extinguishing the flames with a flick of her wrist.
'There's definitely something wrong with that girl,' Sunny thought, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her, though he kept his thoughts to himself.
The two girls ate in the dimming light, the air thick with the quiet hum of the coming night. Cassia, blissfully unaware of the subtle tension in the air, ate her meal with enthusiasm. Nephis, on the other hand, seemed indifferent, her gaze fixed somewhere far beyond the fire. Meanwhile, Sunny didn't eat, his thoughts swirling.
From time to time, the girls passed a glass bottle between them, sharing its contents without a word, the silence of the moment stretching on. As they finished, the last traces of twilight faded, and the world around them was swallowed by the encroaching darkness. The night had arrived in full force, a deep, oppressive blackness that blotted out everything except the faint, starlit sky above.
Of course, Sunny could see both Nephis and Cassia perfectly, the darkness holding no mystery for him. Under the cover of night, however, Changing Star remained as composed as ever, her demeanor unchanged. Cassia, on the other hand, seemed far more fragile, her true emotions slipping through the cracks of her forced smile. She seemed more lost, more uncertain in the dark than she did during the day, and Sunny could almost feel the weight of her unease.
Trying to push through the discomfort, Cassia spoke, her voice bright but slightly forced.
"How about we formally introduce ourselves? I'm Cassie."
Nephis barely glanced in her direction, offering a shrug before replying, her voice flat and matter-of-fact.
"Neph."
With a quiet, self-conscious chuckle, Sunny spoke up.
"I'm Sunless. But my friends call me Sunny."
'*'
Sunny was beginning to find a certain comfort in the quiet, oppressive stillness of dark conversations. In the absence of light, people seemed to shed their usual guarded facades, allowing themselves to relax and, more often than not, speak more honestly. It reminded him of the frequent blackouts that would roll through the city during his childhood — when the lights would flicker and die, plunging everything into pitch black. In those moments, his family would have no choice but to huddle together in the dark, spending hours with nothing but conversation to fill the void.
Now, those long, intimate stretches of time had become some of his most cherished memories. Something about the quiet, shared vulnerability made everything feel raw and real.
He sat in the dark for a moment, lost in thought, before speaking up, his voice cutting through the quiet:
"Since we're going to be depending on each other, should we share what abilities and memories we have at our disposal?"
The suggestion seemed only natural. After all, if they were to fight side by side, it would be foolish not to know what each of them was capable of. Still, as he spoke, he noticed Nephis' eyes flick toward him, her expression unreadable and cautious. He couldn't help but feel that she was considering him, weighing whether or not to trust him.
He was grateful for the cover of the darkness.
"I'll start," Sunny said, his tone calm and steady, aiming to show his sincerity. Sharing information felt like the right thing to do, but just how much he revealed was still entirely up to him. If he were asked something specific, well... that could turn unpredictable.
"My attributes give me an affinity for shadows and an overall enhancement to my physical strength. I also have a slight connection to divinity. Lastly, I tend to find myself in... unlikely situations."
"Oh, and my ability lets me use my shadow as a spy. I can share its senses, and it also provides me with an enhancement."
Sunny felt a twinge of discomfort as he divulged so much. It wasn't like he wanted to give away his secrets, but Cassie already knew about his shadow's spying capabilities, and he had no intention of holding back now. So, he kept the rest of his secrets buried, leaving out anything to do with [Shadow Slave].
He watched them both closely, expecting them to at least understand the practical use of his Shadow Scout. Instead, their reactions were far more awkward than anticipated. Nephis turned slowly to look in his direction, her expression unreadable, while Cassie's face flushed a deep crimson as she raised her hands to cover her mouth.
"Uh... what?" she asked, her voice a bit higher than usual.
Nephis' voice cut through the silence, her tone flat and measured:
"Have you ever used your ability at the Academy?"
Cassie giggled nervously.
Sunny blinked in confusion.
'What a strange question!'
"In the Academy? Sure, of course, quite a bit actually. Why?" he responded, puzzled.
'Wait, does she think I'm some kind of creep?'
It suddenly made sense. He had always been a quiet, solitary figure, keeping to himself and speaking to only a few people. It was only natural that others would perceive him as strange, even if that wasn't how he intended to come across.
Before either of them could say anything further, he quickly raised his hand and blurted:
"But I've never used it to do anything improper! You have to believe me!"
Cassie couldn't hold back anymore. She burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.
Nephis, on the other hand, seemed less than amused.
"Hahaha… he is telling the truth. Not that I doubted your integrity!" Cassie said between peals of laughter.
"And how are you so sure?" Nephis asked, her voice still flat.
"I've talked with him since the first week at the Academy. He never tried anything," Cassie explained, finally calming down. "Anyway, let's move on. My ability... I can 'see' people's attributes. Sometimes, I also get, uh, 'visions.' They can be about the future or the past. I think... I mean, it's only happened a couple of times."
"Oh! So that's how you knew about my birthday!" Sunny said, realization dawning.
"Ah! I forgot to tell you about my memories," Sunny continued, suddenly remembering. He reached into the cloth mask hanging from his neck and pulled out a small stone slab. "I have this armor and dagger," he said, showing them the items. "Also, there's a charm that infects the thing I hit, a sword, and, um... this."
With that, Sunny summoned *Mother's Maw*. An alligator-like head materialized from the air, about the size of Cassie, its mouth opening wide to reveal a collection of items. Inside were plain clothes, each with a small sack of grain attached. He handed Nephis a pair of shorts, a tank top, and a hoodie after cutting off the sacks. These were the clothes most likely to fit her since she was taller than him.
"It slipped my mind during all the chaos... Anyway, this thing lets me store living things inside it, but the old man had a workaround."
Nephis glanced at the clothes with a calculating look, and Sunny quickly understood the silent request, turning away from her.
"Who's the old man?" Nephis asked, her voice as cold as ever, her hands still working quickly to adjust the clothes.
"Oh, that's what I call Teacher Julius. He teaches the wilderness survival class," Sunny said, answering honestly, though he omitted the fact that he had received some of his memories from the man, which would undoubtedly lead to uncomfortable questions.
"Oh, I didn't know that such a class existed!" Cassie responded with a curious tone.
"Yeah, not many people take it. I was the only one who attended this time. That's why it was scheduled at night," Sunny replied, trying to head off any questions before they were asked.
"My attributes give me an affinity for light and fire, as well as a strong connection to divinity. I have two memories: a rope..."
Nephis' voice sliced through the silence, startling him. Sunny glanced over at Cassie, trying to gauge her reaction. From what he could tell, Nephis was being truthful—though not entirely so. She was hiding something important beneath her words, and the tension in her voice only confirmed it.
'Interesting…'
"...and a sword. The rope is very sturdy and can change its length. The sword is exceptionally sharp and can protect its wielder against soul attacks, to an extent. My ability... can be used to heal."
Sunny noticed the careful phrasing. "Can be used to heal." He wasn't one to let things slip, and he caught it immediately. She was lying, though she was doing her best to hide it.
"You suck at lying, but keep your secrets. A tip for next time: don't hesitate, and hide the lie in the middle. Most people won't pick up on it that way."
A brief, awkward silence followed his words.
Then, Sunny clapped his hands, breaking the tension.
"You're a healer? That's great! Having a healer among us is incredible luck!"
Cassie nodded with a smile.
"Neph is also an amazing fighter! You should have seen her handle those scavengers. Well... I didn't actually see it, but it sounded really intense."
Sunny didn't need anyone to tell him how formidable Nephis was. He had seen it firsthand.
Meanwhile, Cassie sighed.
"It's my turn? Well, uh... my attributes aren't anything special. I guess I have an affinity for revelations and fate. My ability is like I told you before. It's not all that useful. As for my memories, I have three: the bottle, the wooden staff, and this armor. You already know about the bottle. The staff can create wind. The armor is actually of the Awakened rank... um, Neph gave it to me when we met. It has a very strong protective charm."
'So... she's not only carrying Cassie, but she even gave away her only clothes? An Awakened-rank armor, at that? What... what is Nephis thinking?'
The blind girl turned away, her words dropping after a long pause:
"I used to be a pretty decent fencer... before. Now, I can't really fight."
Sunny noted the vulnerability in her voice and understood it was tied to her Flaw. Both he and Nephis kept theirs concealed for now.
Sharing one's flaw required immense trust, something Cassie had clearly earned. He would tell her later.
"Don't sell yourself short, Cassie. Your attributes are perfect for the situation we're in. With you as our source of information, Neph as our healer and primary fighter, and me as the scout and backup, we make the perfect team."
Nephis tilted her head slightly, listening to his words with a faraway look in her eyes.
"Alright. I'll... take watch first."
Sunny nodded in understanding and added:
"Actually, my shadow doesn't sleep. It can wake us if anything happens."
Changing Star fraud faintly.
"I'll take watch first."
Her voice had a colder edge, but Sunny didn't let it bother him. He sighed and shrugged inwardly.
'Suit yourself. What are you going to watch, huh? You can't even see anything! Whatever. Just don't blame me if something giant swallows us whole in the middle of the night...'
He shuddered.
'Wait... that wasn't a deathflag, right? Right, of course not. No way...'