***
Near the gate of the sanctuary of Nocis, back on the chained island, Sunny appeared where he placed his anchor.
It wasn't his doing to come to the dream realm, but it was a good choice nonetheless.
He knew he couldn't harm Nephis, as he loves her too much. But even then, He refuses to live as a Slave.
Even if dying as a slave is much worse than living as one, why would he care?
As long as he can be free from slavery in this life, he can always be free in the next.
Or if he can't be free in the next life, maybe the one after that.
He stood at the edge of the island, his body barely able to stand and slowly losing strength bit by bit.
He fell into the dark void of the sky below, his life nearing the end.
"SUNNY!!!!!" A scream of Nephis reached his ears, but he was too lazy to focus on that.
A brilliant light chased after him, but it was clear she wouldn't catch up.
As Nephis watched in dreadful pain, Sunny lost consciousness.
It is on this day that Master Sunless, Captain and Major Sunless, also known as Mongrel and the Devil of Antarctica, died right after conquering his Third Nightmare.
Maybe the world was a Nightmare, as even the Spell said.
[Your Nightmare is Over.]
***
In the void-filled sky below, Nephis floated at the place, her radiant silvery wings like those of a fairy, symbolizing magnificence, divinity, and...hope.
Contrary to that, in the ruined kingdom of Hope, her own hope broke, shattered into thousands of pieces.
"Haha!" She laughed, a mocking laugh directed at herself.
"I still haven't changed..." Her eyes are sunken. She is still that selfish princess of the Immortal Flame clan, someone who forces their will upon others.
Even to the person they love and cherish.
She didn't want to forget him, so she stripped him of his freedom.
As if mocking her, the spell whispered, first time showing emotions as clear as clean water.
[Your slave is free.]
A tone of clear amusement, like even it itself didn't expect this noble hero's selfishness.
She stared below, her heart filled with sorrow, and she knew she couldn't handle it. She didn't even notice the flow of time.
The day passed, and soon night followed. The next day arrived as well, yet her eyes didn't blink for a single moment, staring at the vast void.
A week passed. She still kept staring, her longing never ceasing for even a moment.
Even in her second nightmare, she didn't feel this harrowing loneliness.
What is left? What is left in this world for her to find meaning?
Her mother is now an empty husk, father killed by traitors, grandmother dead, and the entire family slain.
Maybe I should end my sufferings as well?
Maybe there is no meaning left. If I die, I'll be free from all this suffering.
"Neph!" A familiar voice called her.
She looked beside her, on the chain breaker. Cassie looked at her with a worried expression. Effie and Kai were beside her, their expression clearly saying that they knew their beloved friend, Sunless, was now gone. Free of this cruel world.
'They hate me now, don't they? After all, he hates me--' A sudden realization hit her. Sunny hates her, so he wouldn't want her to end her life and be free of this sorrow.
He'd want her to suffer every bit of it. Like he did being her slave.
She landed on the chain breaker, a laugh escaping her lips. The three stood there, confused and worried.
Her laugh turned to hysteria, and then tears began to flow from her dry eyes. Soon, she started to sob miserably and pathetically.
Cassie hugged her tightly, unable to let her go. Any normal human would've suffocated, but she wasn't as strong as Nephis.
"I should've listened to you..." She sobbed and kept mumbling the words over and over. "Ishould'velistenedIshould'velistenedIshould'velistenedIshould'velistenedIshould'velistenedIshould'velistenedIshould'velistenedIshould'velistened...."
***
Another week passed. On the island of Ivory Tower, a large group of people wearing black stood in a somber atmosphere.
Some were awakened, some adcended and some transcended, but one thing is common among them all. They are acquaintance with Sunless, the person this funeral is arranged for.
It might seem like nonsense, but it rained on the chained island. This part has already been taken under the king's domain, so even mundane people can still stay in the dream realm.
It was about time the Ivory tower would be shifted to Bastion. At the place where the dragon once was, now stood a dark tomb, shaped like a pedestal with a crown on top. White engravings clearly formed,
"SUNLESS"
"My Beloved..."
Most of the people who knew the cohort understood what it meant, and those who didn't, didn't say anything, thinking of it as a reminiscing quote, something to remember him by.
After the heartfelt speech, everybody presented flowers on the altar.
They looked very familiar, a certain flower nephis witness sunny crush in Wind Flower Island, the Dream Flower.
It was made from pure bright essence, made from Nephis's essence. What felt odd to everyone was that Nephis was missing.
After everyone presented bouquets of dream flower ont the altar, they stayed and chatted for a while, and after some time, they all returned to the waking world.
Sunny's death has affected many, but grief is not an excuse; they all had to leave to fulfill each of their responsibilities.
After everyone, including the cohort left, only Cassie and Nehis remained. Cassie was now driving the Ivory Island towards the Bastion, while Nephis stepped in front of Sunny's tomb.
She had witnessed Sunny smile, looking at this flower, given by the woman, wind flower. He had smiled, and his eyes held an emotion, an intimate emotion that is now unbearable to her.
She knelt and, with her hand, broke every single flower made from her essence. The flowers broke like crystal shards, merging into the world.
"You were attracted to her, didn't you?" She had already shattered every flower that was offered.
Touching the engravings that marked him hers, she softly mumbled with an exhausted smile, "You'll stay mine... for eternity!"
***
All Stories have an Ending, but not all Endings have a story.
Fortunately for you, this is not the END.
If the Protagonist has died, we only need a new one.
SO!!!
TO! BE! CONTINUED!!!!
***