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Hey everyone! :D
Sorry for keeping you waiting. Life's been really busy, and I had to write this chapter in bits over the past 3–4 days. Looks like it'll be like this for a while.
Hope you enjoy it!
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"Mom? Dad?..."
No one uttered a word. Their mouths hung open, and the silence was deafening.Everyone watched as Rein slowly walked toward the newcomers. Some exchanged bewildered glances, while others simply stared at the two figures before them.No one could comprehend what they were seeing. During the previous viewings, it had been said more than once that Sunless's parents were long dead.And yet here they stood—alive, real.It was terrifying. Deeply terrifying.
Everyone silently watched as the girl spoke with her parents, still unable to believe what was happening.It seemed she had already explained everything to them. At first, they spoke from a distance, still unsure if they could trust one another—but as the conversation went on, that distance slowly vanished, until finally Rein threw herself into the woman's arms.
They were witnessing a family reunion—a beautiful sight.
"Is it really you, Rein? My dear Rein?" Aurora whispered through her tears.Gods, she couldn't believe what was happening. Even after hearing Rein's words, she couldn't recover from the shock."Yes, Mom…" Tears streamed down her face as happiness overwhelmed her. Not even in her wildest dreams had she dared to imagine this. "Gods, I'm so happy…"
Aurora's embraces broke only so she could look at her daughter's face before drawing her close again."You've grown so much… you've become such a beautiful young woman."Her heart overflowed with joy. Finally, after a moment of hesitation, she released Rein and rose to her feet.
Rein turned uncertainly toward her father, unsure of what to expect—but before she could even stand, he pulled her into a tight embrace, lifting her several feet off the ground.It turned out her father was quite tall.
"I'm so glad you're safe," he whispered."Yes, Dad, I'm happy to see you too," she replied in a trembling voice.
Oh, how happy she was. She had always known they were dead, yet felt nothing at the time—because she hadn't remembered them.And yet now, seeing them before her, her heart was bursting with joy.
And then came the question she dreaded most.
"Rein… where is your brother? Where's Sunny?"
Her heart clenched, her breath caught, and tears welled up in her eyes.
As time passed, the joy of reunion gave way to the heavy weight of reality.Aurora wept silently, while George's expression hardened. He gently embraced his wife, trying to comfort her.No one dared to disturb them—no one so cruel existed among those gathered.Even the mad Mordred remained silent, turning away, unwilling to witness the family's grief.
After what felt like an eternity, George finally calmed his wife and seemed to grasp the situation. When he spoke again, his voice was colder than before.
"Once again, greetings to all of you. My name is George, and this is my wife, Aurora. You are already acquainted with our daughter. She has explained the situation and the rules of this place."
Daeron rose to his feet.
"Greetings. It's an honor to meet you both—and I'm truly sorry for what you've been through," he said, his tone uncharacteristically uncertain.
"There's no need. You are not to blame.May I ask your names?" George interrupted calmly.
"Of course. I am Daeron, King of Twilight and the Supreme.Beside me stands the very talented—and modest—Professor Julius, an Awakened.Behind us are the Saints: Noctis, Lord of the East, and Solvein, the Priestess of War."
"Greetings, new captives!" the sorcerer said cheerfully. Solvein didn't even glance his way.
George and Aurora exchanged puzzled looks, but Rein quickly stepped in.
"Don't worry, he's always like that."
"Hey! Why does that sound like an insult?" Noctis barked, but no one answered.
The heavy atmosphere lightened slightly. George and Aurora's gazes softened, and a gentle laugh escaped Aurora's lips. It seemed the people gathered here weren't so bad after all.
"Ahem. The woman seated in the lower rows is Ananke, the Priestess of Enchantments.We also have representatives of the Clan of Valor and the Blood Sisters of Song—both transcendent.And finally, the cohort of the Changing Star, also transcendents," Daeron continued.
A sigh escaped Aurora's lips as surprise took hold of her.So many powerful beings gathered in one place—and if Rein was telling the truth, each of them knew Sunny personally.It seemed her son had grown into a kind and strong young man, surrounded by loyal friends.
George was less astonished, but still struggled to keep his composure among such extraordinary figures.These weren't ordinary Awakened—these were Saints, champions of humanity. And as if that weren't enough, there was even a Supreme among them.As far as he knew, a person of such rank shouldn't even exist—unless, of course, the fact had been hidden by the states or clans.
"Ah, how unfortunate—I seem to have been forgotten," Mordred purred theatrically.
George turned toward the unfamiliar voice, then looked back at Daeron.
"And this one?"
"That strange fellow is Mordred. Don't be fooled by appearances—he's far from ordinary," Daeron said cautiously.
After casting one last glance at Mordred, George and Aurora followed their daughter.Reaching the designated row, they greeted the elderly woman seated nearby, then took their places on either side of Rein.
Whispers and murmurs rippled through the hall. Seeing that everyone had finally recovered from their initial shock, the professor rose to his feet once more. Clearing his throat into his fist to draw attention, he began to speak.
"And so, now that we've met our new guests, I suggest we continue from where we left off."
He glanced around the room, searching for objections—but everyone sat in silence, focused entirely on him. Finding no protest, he continued.
"In the third viewing, we witnessed Sunless's second nightmare trial, which he faced alongside Lady Nephis's cohort. We also saw a number of incredible deeds—some foolish, perhaps, but still extraordinary..."
He paused, weighing his words.
"And some far more dreadful things, which I'm sure many of you would rather not remember."
At that, several cast fleeting glances toward the new arrivals.No one wanted to be the one to tell his parents about the horrors their son had endured.Rein's sorrowful gaze fell to her shadow, unable to meet her parents' eyes.
"Now then, does anyone wish to add anything before we move on to questions?"
From the front rows, a voice spoke up.
"Yes, we also learned that he awakened his Aspect Legacy. Which is… still hard to believe," said Seishan softly."I still can't wrap my head around it…""Indeed…"
A low hum of gossip and speculation spread through the hall. But the professor raised a hand to quiet them.
"Thank you, Lady Seishan," he said politely, inclining his head. "Now then—if no one objects, shall we move on to the questions?"
He paused again, waiting.
"If there are no objections, I propose we give our two new guests the first two questions."
Aurora and George exchanged a surprised glance—they hadn't expected this.
"And why would we do that?" Mordred said coldly.
Every eye in the room turned toward him in silent disapproval.Aurora and George themselves didn't mind; they didn't even understand how valuable those questions were.But the professor's gesture was appreciated nonetheless.
To everyone's surprise, Daeron decided to speak.
"I agree with the professor," he said evenly. "They've only just arrived, and surely they have many questions—and no fewer worries. It's only fair they be given that right."
His piercing gaze fixed on Mordred, who faltered under the sovereign's stare and quickly looked away.
After Daeron's statement, murmurs of agreement spread through the theater.Though a few muttered their consent grudgingly, none openly disagreed.
The professor and the king exchanged a brief nod before turning toward the couple.
"Thank you, Julius. Thank you, Daeron. We appreciate it," George said respectfully.
He turned to his wife, and the two of them fell into thoughtful silence, deciding what they most wanted to ask.After some quiet deliberation, George nodded to Aurora and stood. His gaze shifted to the glowing screen.
"Is my son alive?" he asked, his voice filled with cautious hope.
In response, the screen flickered and displayed two simple lines of text.
[Yes.]
[At present, Sunless is alive.]
A great weight fell from George and Aurora's shoulders.Soft, trembling sighs escaped their lips as Rein watched them closely.
George sank back into his seat, giving the floor to his wife.Aurora rose hesitantly. For a long while, she said nothing, gathering her thoughts.No one dared to interrupt her. Countless emotions swirled through her mind, but in the end, she chose the one question that mattered most to any parent.
"I–is my son all right? Is he… happy?" she whispered, barely audible.
The screen shimmered again.
[Yes. At present, he is in good health.]
[But happiness is far from him.]
Her face twisted in silent pain. The bitter words struck harder than she had expected.What more could a parent wish for than for their child to live—and to live happily?And yet, it seemed Sunless had been denied even that simple grace.
She sank back into her seat, on the verge of tears.Gentle hands closed around hers from both sides, offering quiet comfort.
"Don't worry," George whispered softly. "He's strong."
No one else spoke. They simply let the couple sit in silence, allowing them to recover.No one in the hall thought their questions had been wasted. Everyone respected the parents' love—and their pain.
Mordred merely turned away, finding the scene far too sentimental for his taste.
Some time later, quiet discussions filled the hall again as they tried to decide what to ask next—something that might shed more light on Sunny himself.After the third viewing, they were left with more questions than answers.
"Maybe we should ask about his abilities?"
"Or how he's connected to the God of Shadows?"
"He's also linked to the Demon of Fate…"
Countless ideas were voiced, yet no one could come to a single decision.It turned out that Sunless was a rather extraordinary figure indeed.Amid the storm of questions and speculations, George and Aurora found themselves bewildered.
The people around them were saying impossible things — the God of Shadows? The Demon of Fate?Husband and wife exchanged puzzled glances, occasionally glancing toward Rein.
"Don't worry, my dear. We'll understand soon enough," George whispered warmly.
Seeing the confusion and rising debate, the professor finally raised his hand and made a suggestion.
"I propose we first ask when and under what conditions we'll be released from this place.We still don't know how long we're meant to remain here, or what's happening in our realms while we're trapped."
The proposal was met with quiet thought. It was, in fact, a sensible question — none of them had any idea when, or if, they'd be allowed to leave.With everyone's agreement, the professor turned to the screen.
"Can you tell us when we will be able to leave this place?And what is happening in our world while we're here?" he asked firmly.
All eyes fixed on the screen as it flickered to life, displaying a message.
[Viewers need not worry. When all episodes have been watched, only a few seconds will have passed in your world.]
Many were astonished. It seemed the power that had summoned them here far exceeded their comprehension.Some had expected such an answer; others hadn't even considered the possibility.
"Then I suppose we have nothing to worry about," the professor said confidently."Any other suggestions?" he asked, sweeping his gaze over the assembly.
Everyone fell silent again, lost in thought. Then, unexpectedly, Noctis rose to his feet.
"Ahem, I'd like to know—did Sunless inherit the bloodline of the God of Shadows?" he said excitedly.
The professor looked around.
"Any objections?"
When none came, his eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"Very well… Is Sunless connected to the God of Shadows?"
The screen shimmered once again.
[Yes.]
[Sunless is the entire bloodline of the God of Shadows.]
A stunned silence swept through the hall.Mouths fell open, eyes widened — every gaze was glued to the glowing words.George and Aurora stared in disbelief; George with pride, Aurora with genuine awe.But both shared a single thought: "How powerful he has become…"
As usual, the silence was broken by the ever-boisterous huntress.
"WHAT?! HE IS THE BLOODLINE? HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!" Effie blurted out.
"Damn… for once, I agree with you," muttered Jet in disbelief.
Even Daeron — the sovereign embodiment of strength — looked astonished.In his own people, not everyone bore the divine bloodline of the Storm God.Not everyone could inherit one — and yet this boy was the bloodline itself?A strained smile tugged at his lips.
"He truly is… something else."
Nephis's hands tightened; her knuckles turned white as she whispered softly,
"Strong…"
She herself bore the bloodline of the Sun God, and yet even she hadn't expected this.To be the bloodline itself — such a thing defied reason.
Rein stared at the glowing words in awe, her mind racing.
"My brother… he's that strong? Why am I so ordinary? Damn, I'm not even Awakened… Wait—if I do awaken, will I be a princess? Will I be divine too? Hehehe…"
A dangerous gleam lit up her eyes.
"Damn, I knew our shadow was special—but this special?" Noctis muttered gloomily.
Everyone still dazed turned toward him.
"What do you mean?" asked the Beastmaster.
"Oh, right, you probably didn't know," Noctis began bitterly. "I've been offering sacrifices to the Shadow for a bloody century, and that bastard's never answered me once! And now I find out our little shadow hogged it all for himself!"
The wizard's outburst only deepened everyone's astonishment. But the same question burned in every mind:
"How did he obtain it?"
The professor, however, was ecstatic. So much knowledge — so much to uncover!Barely containing his excitement, he spoke again.
"Does anyone have suggestions for the next question?" he asked eagerly, eyes gleaming.
"You seem… rather enthusiastic," Daeron observed dryly.
Julius scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Ah, yes, forgive me. When it comes to history and knowledge, I tend to get a little carried away…"
Daeron chuckled softly.
"No need to apologize. It's admirable, really."
A happy smile spread across the professor's face. But before he could speak again, another voice rose.
"I wish to know whose side he has chosen in the coming war of the Domains," Seishan said firmly.
The air instantly grew colder.Representatives of Song and Valor glared at one another, tension crackling between them.
Rein, startled, looked around in confusion — her unease did not go unnoticed by Nephis.
"Something wrong?" Nephis asked gently.
"I–I just don't understand what's going on," Rein admitted.
"Ah, of course. You wouldn't know," Nephis said softly. "A long conflict has been raging between Valor and Song — for years now. The final battle is said to take place in the God's Grave."
"Oh…" Rein gasped quietly, finally understanding the hostility between them.
Both sides were deadly serious. Each wanted to see Sunless fighting under their banner.Each side already had its divine representative — Nephis for Valor, Mordret for Song —and after seeing his power, Sunless had become the prize they all coveted.
"Hah! What's wrong, princess? Afraid you'll lose?" Jest sneered dryly.
The Bloody Sisters shot him murderous glares, invisible sparks flashing in the air.But the Song representatives didn't take the bait — they still remembered the rules of this place.
"Tch. How boring," Jest muttered in disappointment.
And so, after a quick vote — since most present belonged to the great clans — it was decided to ask the question.
"Which side did Sunless choose in the War of Domains?" Seishan asked coldly, though a faint note of hope trembled in her voice.
The screen flickered once more.
[He chose neither side.]
Valor and Song exchanged uneasy glances.
"He didn't join anyone?"
The screen pulsed again.
[Instead, he cooperates with the Changing Star.]
Even greater confusion was written on their faces.Every gaze turned toward Nephis in silent question.
Nephis looked just as bewildered as everyone else. Yet, the corner of her lips twitched slightly.
"So… he's with us after all. It's good to know.""I'm not sure," she replied firmly. "I don't even remember meeting him. Maybe that happens in the future?"
Some, still unsatisfied, continued to stare at her, but there was little they could do.Seishan bit her lip in frustration.
"Damn it… If he's cooperating with the Changing Star, then that's basically the same as siding with Valor," she thought bitterly.
Morgan, however, held a different opinion.She had long suspected that her so-called sister and her cohort were scheming something — that her newfound gentleness since joining them was nothing but a façade.She had even discussed it with her father more than once, but he always dismissed her concerns as trivial.
Of course, she could accuse Nephis openly, even act against her, but Nephis was still a princess.She carried her own dignity, her authority — and no matter how much Morgan wanted to, she could not bring herself to act rashly.
"Well then," the professor finally said, "that concludes our questions. We didn't learn much, but… it is what it is."
With that, he took his seat again.The others followed, settling back into their places, waiting for the next episode to begin.
And as if responding to their readiness, the screen flickered to life.To their surprise, there was no prompt to make a choice this time.
[A bonus episode will now be presented.]
[The Shadow of Regret]
The audience was pleasantly surprised.Though none had asked for it, no one complained.If anything, they were thrilled — after all, this meant more answers, more precious knowledge they desperately sought.
The screen shimmered, colors flowing and shifting like liquid light.
***************
(The following is not part of the original novel. I took some creative liberty — of course, I can't write on the same level as the original, but I hope you'll enjoy it.)
A lone figure walked through the grand halls of a majestic temple.He wore a dreadful demon mask with three horns, and armor of haunting beauty — black as night, glimmering like a serpent's scales in the endless dark.
The figure moved with steady, confident steps, as if this place belonged to him.Strangely, it was impossible to discern his height, his build — even his gender.Reality itself seemed to waver around him.
It was none other than Sunless.And at that moment, he stood in his citadel — within the Nameless Temple, hidden deep inside the God's Grave.
"So that's who the mysterious Lord of Shadows is," Seishan muttered dryly.
It wasn't truly a revelation.The clues had been there all along — the connection to shadows, his sudden appearance as a Saint.After watching the earlier episodes, it wasn't difficult to piece everything together.
Effie, however, was deeply offended by the charming shopkeeper she once knew.
"Oh, gods! I didn't expect this from you, Master Sunless! So you're that two-faced after all!" she fumed inwardly.
Mordret, on the other hand, was delighted.The memory of meeting the mysterious Lord of Shadows had never left him — especially the moment when the man invaded his soul and an entire legion of shadows hunted him down.
"Ah… such fond memories," Mordret murmured to himself, amused.
But all attention quickly turned to Ananke.She had risen to her feet, whispering in awe, her voice trembling with reverence.
"The Weaver…" she breathed.
The blood in everyone's veins turned to ice.Even the weaker ones shrank into their seats.What did she mean by the Weaver? Was she saying they were witnessing the Demon of Fate himself?
"What do you mean, Priestess of Spells?" Daeron asked, his voice edged with curiosity.
Reluctantly, Ananke tore her gaze away from the screen.
"The mask…" she whispered. "That mask — it's the Weaver's mask."
Although the tension eased slightly, her words still sent ripples of shock through the room.
"You claim that's the Weaver's mask? Are you certain?" the Sovereign pressed.
"Y-yes. That is to say — followers of the Weaver often receive similar masks, I have one myself. But those are mere imitations." She swallowed hard. "This one… this one is the original. Without a doubt."
Even Ananke herself hadn't expected this revelation.
"Without question… that's the young master," she whispered softly, almost afraid to be heard.
Mouths fell open in disbelief.Some realized they'd been holding their breath.And who wouldn't be stunned?
Not only did he possess the bloodline of the God of Shadows,but he'd also received the legacy of the Demon of Fate,and now this — the Weaver's true mask.
It was at least a Divine-tier memory — a treasure beyond comprehension.Envy burned in many hearts. Who could blame them?
And yet, alongside that envy… came awe.
At these glances, a warm smile lit up George's face.
There was no doubt about it—he was proud of his son.
"I thank you for your insight, honored priestess," Daeron said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.
A genuine smile blossomed on Ananke's lips.
"No need for such formalities, my lord. I am simply pleased to share what I know," she replied quietly.
Daeron nodded respectfully. Nevertheless, he was quietly struck by the priestess's kindness.
Meanwhile, Sunny's mood improved slightly—a rare moment of peace had finally arrived.
Such moments had become painfully rare lately.
Finally, he reached his destination—one of the many chambers located in the very heart of the temple, adjacent to the throne room.
The chamber was illuminated by countless torches, and a magnificent tree towered in the center. Looking at it, Sunny smiled faintly.
"Don't forget to thank the Flame Guardians," he muttered.
It was thanks to them, Nephys's elite squad, that the tree continued to live and grow.
One of them had an Aspect related to plants, which greatly pleased Sunny.
It seemed even a demigod had his limits.
Approaching the tree, he stood silently for a few moments, simply admiring its beauty.
He ran his hand along the trunk until his fingers touched three carved lines.
"Hello, Mom... Dad..." he said quietly, with rare warmth in his voice.
This tree, in truth, was merely the grave of his parents.
Life on the outskirts was harsh—a hell, not anything resembling civilization.
No cemeteries, no graves... not even a proper morgue.
When his parents died, he did everything he could and constructed at least some semblance of a grave.
The third line was carved for himself.
When the spell touched him, Sunny accepted his death and chose a resting place near them.
He couldn't blame who he once was—how could an uneducated slum rat hope to overcome his nightmare?
"Heh. Brings back memories," he whispered softly.
The hall fell silent, broken only by the occasional soft sob.
At first, everything seemed peaceful—Aurora and George were genuinely glad that their son still remembered them, that he had created at least this small refuge for their souls.
But his last words hurt more than they expected.
He had suffered so much—alone. Aurora's heart sank, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Forgive me, my son... for leaving you so early..." she whispered through her tears.
George, on the other hand, understood the cruel reality of their world.
They had done all they could, but it still wasn't enough.
The world was merciless, especially on the outskirts.
"Forgive me... for not giving you a better life," he muttered quietly.
Rain's heart sank. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized how lonely her brother was.
She regretted not being there for him—while she lived happily with her adoptive parents, he suffered silently.
"Why? Why didn't you come to me? Why didn't you tell me you were my brother? Why didn't you appear to me?"
Questions swirled endlessly in her head, but there was no one who could answer them.
Nephis felt... a strange sensation. Something stirred deep within her—a glimmer of a long-forgotten memory.
Two figures stood before that very tree, like light and shadow on a winter's day.
"What is this? Why can't I remember?" she thought in shock.
Next to her, the silent seer watched, catching the slight change in her friend's expression.
"Another reaction..." she whispered softly.
"Is life on the outskirts really that terrible?" the Beastmaster asked hesitantly.
"Yes, of course," Jet replied coldly. "Life there is pure hell: scavenging for scraps to survive another day, sleeping in fear that someone will slit your throat for a crust of bread. If that isn't hell, I don't know what is."
The Beastmaster turned away, at a loss for words.
"It's been a while since I visited you, hasn't it?" Sunny asked quietly, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Sorry... I've been busy lately."
And indeed, his life was consumed by chaos. The Domain War still raged, leaving him no time for rest, but he desperately needed a moment of peace.
"Strange, isn't it? The Heir of Death speaks to the dead. Heh-heh... ironic," he remarked dryly.
"Not that they call me strange," he added with a slight smirk.
He'd heard the word so often that it had long since lost its edge.
"You're probably asking why I came, huh?" he continued quietly.
"Perhaps... this is our last conversation. That's why I wanted to visit you—and share everything that's on my mind."
A faint, tired smile touched his lips.
"The end of this war is near. And, as usual, your son is plotting something grand."
He sighed quietly, almost laughing.
"But let's not talk about that."
"Oh, actually, I had quite an interesting trip recently!" Sunny said, his lips curling slightly into a grimace.
"I visited the Underworld! And believe it or not, it's a wonderful place... though not the most hospitable."
He chuckled bitterly.
"Can you believe it? I, the heir of the God of Shadows, was almost back home—and the first thing I was greeted by was a hail of arrows!
I was surprised, to say the least. But when I visited him a second time, I learned who it was."
It turned out to be the Sacred Shadow.
She had been dead for a long time, but she still wielded terrifying power.
Even the memory of their battle made Sunny shudder.
"But your son is no weakling either," he said casually. "After all, I killed her."
A deathly silence fell over the hall. Mouths dropped, blood ran cold. No one could believe their ears.
"This... is impossible," Daeron muttered under his breath.
Even the ever-energetic Noctis froze, his words caught in his throat.
Nephis herself hadn't expected this—when she'd once said that an Awakened with a divine Aspect could challenge someone of higher rank, she'd definitely meant something else.
But the screen continued to glow.
"Before I killed her, I heard a voice. Strange, isn't it? Who talks in the Underworld?"
It turned out to be another dead Sacred One—well, more like a pile of bones. But we had a nice chat. His name was Euryss of the Nine.
He told me many interesting things... and we even made a deal. "All I need to do is kill the Immortal."
Shock after shock fell on the audience like hammer blows. Many sank even deeper into their seats, unable to comprehend what they had just heard.
"He killed a dead Sacred One?"
"Euryss of the Nine?"
"Kill an Immortal!?"
Noctis was the first to recover and burst into wild laughter.
"Hahaha! Our little shadow never ceases to amaze!" he growled through his laughter.
Though everyone silently agreed, no one shared his sentiment.
Why did the Carefree One speak of this as if it were the most ordinary thing?
Does he now encounter and kill Sacred Ones every day?
Even George and Aurora were stunned.
They weren't Awakened and didn't understand the full weight of his words, but seeing the others' reactions, it became clear: their son had done the unthinkable.
They were proud.
Proud that their son had become strong enough to shape his own destiny. "Ha-ha-ha, yes, that was quite an adventure! Oh, and recently I was attacked by thirteen Saints! I defeated them—and, hmm, I think I killed six of them? Yes, six."
His words echoed through the hall.
Blood ran cold.
The clan representatives exchanged furious glances; the Valiant Ones grinned grimly.
Everyone recalled the question posed earlier: whose side was Sunless on in the Domain War?
Seshan and her blood-bound sisters bit their lips in anger, fear clenching their insides.
Fear of a future in which one of them might die... or even more.
Even Nephis was stunned. She disapproved of the deaths of so many potential defenders of humanity, but another thought crept into her mind:
"He's on par with me... maybe even stronger."
Sunny's voice continued to sound calm and heavy.
"I didn't want to kill them, you know. They were some of humanity's greatest defenders.
We'll need every ounce of our remaining strength soon.
They each had families... some even had children.
Taking life is never easy."
He paused, then smiled faintly.
"Speaking of taking life... did I tell you? Rain awakened. Can you believe it?
But don't worry, she wasn't infected with the Nightmare Seed.
It turns out there's another way to awaken—naturally."
He chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"And the best part? She's acquired a suitable Flaw. She literally can't take another life.
She even received her True Name—[Promise of the Distant Heavens]. It suits her perfectly."
Then he laughed again, warmer this time.
"She really does look like you, Mom," he said with a gentle smile.
Everyone in the room turned to the girl.
Their gazes echoed the same question: how was this even possible?
In the Age of Nightmares, no one ever awakened naturally.
It was thought impossible, but Rain sat right in front of them, living proof that it was possible.
She stared blankly at the screen, disbelieving her ears.
"I... really did it? I awakened? I even have a True Name?"
Joy surged in her heart, but vanished almost instantly.
Because her brother had just revealed her flaw to everyone.
"You smug fool! Why did you tell everyone about my flaw!?" "And what the hell is this flaw?!
Who am I now – the kindest Awakened in the world!?" she seethed with anger.
The next moment, she was hugged tightly, and the room filled with laughter.
"Oh my God! My children are so strong – and so special! Can you believe it, Georgie!?" Aurora exclaimed, beaming with joy.
Her husband's lips twitched into a smile.
"Well, really, could it be any other way? They are our children, after all…
and, uh, could you not call me that in public?" he whispered the last part in her ear.
Aurora only laughed harder.
Rain, caught in her mother's embrace, was blushing furiously but smiling all the same.
"I'm really not that special…" she murmured shyly.
George and Aurora exchanged a look — and both burst into laughter.
Rain buried her face in her mother's chest, glowing with warmth.
The sight brought relief to many who watched — a small moment of light after the storm of revelations.
But Sunny's smile faded.
"She still doesn't remember me…" he whispered.
"I never told you, but… it seems no one in the world remembers who I am anymore.
This time, I overdid it."
He let out a long, tired sigh.
"Be careful what you wish for…"
Cruel — but true.
"Mom, Dad… what should I do?" he asked, his voice trembling.
But there was no answer.
"Even my friends don't remember me. Cassie, Kai, Effie, Jet… even Nephis.
It's been four years, but seeing them… still hurts like hell."
His fists clenched with grief.
Faces around the hall fell into sorrow. The grim weight of his reality pressed on everyone's hearts.
His former cohort looked the most devastated of all.
"Damn it…" Effie hissed through her teeth.
None of them blamed themselves — how could they? It wasn't their fault they'd forgotten him.
But knowing who he'd been to them… what they'd gone through together…
the guilt was unbearable.
Four years of solitude.
No family, no friends, no one to lean on.
It was a fate worse than death.
"Not to mention… my relationship with Nephis," he added quietly, his voice soft with sorrow.
The room stilled once more.
"I never told you," Sunny said, a faint smile returning to his face,
"but… Nephis and I were actually together."
And yet… it still doesn't feel real," he murmured quietly."As if these feelings are false. I remember everything… but she remembers nothing."
He turned his gaze toward his true body — and before him unfolded a breathtaking sight.
Beside him, resting with her head on his arm, slept a woman of ethereal beauty — the kind of woman he had once believed existed only in dreams.Her long white hair cascaded over the sheets like streams of moonlight, her graceful form hidden beneath a light blanket, and on her lips rested the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.
In that moment, Sunny was happy — truly happy.Happy to distract her from the harshness of reality, even for a little while.Each battle weighed on her, each victory left scars unseen.And if he could make her forget that pain, even for a few days, that was enough.
Right now, he was content.
Then, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
"Uh… Sunny? You're not planning to come down anytime soon?It's been three days already, and, just a reminder—Nephis is in charge of this camp," Cassie's nervous voice called out.
He smiled faintly.
"Heh, yeah, I know. Don't worry, Neph's tired. I'll come down soon."
In the nameless temple, the Lord of Shadows rose to his feet and summoned his mask.He looked one last time at the great tree before him and whispered softly, almost inaudibly:
"I won't miss you…"
And with that, he dissolved into the shadows.
The screen faded, leaving only the image of a beautiful tree — and the three carved lines upon its trunk.
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I hope you enjoyed this chapter — I really tried my best. It was challenging to describe Sunny's parents' emotions and reactions, but I think it turned out pretty well.
I also really hope you liked the bonus episode I added.
There's one more important thing I want to tell you. I realized that I haven't always written chapters very well. I used to try to write them in one or two sittings, and I would burn out quickly. At times, the quality of the chapters would drop. Now, I write only in my free time, and only when I'm in a good mood. I will do my best to make the chapters even better.
But, as you can probably guess, you might not like the release schedule. Most likely, chapters will come out every 4–5 days. I can't promise exact timing, but I will try to make them come faster.
And finally, I am very grateful for your comments, the "stones of power," and all your feedback. I hope to see even more of them by the time the next chapter comes out.
Thank you so much!
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