Sunny awoke to a shadow approaching his room, its light steps only barely audible.
He had spent the night in Ravenheart, as he was currently unable to return to the Waking World with the Queen not being here personally. His presence was not needed in the Waking World currently and he had already told the people that might care he would be gone for a while. The lazy shadow continued to watch for any oddities or dangers around Nephis, but for the past while, there had been none.
Sunny stood up, looking through his shadow to see who was coming to see him.
Seeing as it was a puppet of the Queen, Sunny hurriedly clothed and disguised himself before opening the door.
"Ah, you're awake."
"...What is it now?"
"How rude, I was just coming to see you!"
Sunny sighed, fixing his hair.
"When are you getting back?"
"Oh, did you miss me that much?"
"Maybe?"
The puppet laughed softly.
"I'll be back soon, don't worry your pretty little face."
Sunny sighed, deciding not to respond. Instead, he changed the subject.
"So what should I do while I'm here?"
The puppet seemed to fall into deep thought for a moment.
"Actually, I have a favour to ask of you."
Sunny inwardly tensed.
'A favour? This… can't be good.'
A Sovereign asking for a favour? He wasn't going to have to assassinate someone, was he?
"What is it? And just so you know, I won't be killing any humans."
The puppet turned to look at him with slight confusion.
"What? No, you won't be killing anyone… Just yet."
'Just yet…?'
The puppet continued:
"I was going to ask if you could train your sisters."
"Please stop saying that."
"Fine. Will you help train my daughters?"
Sunny narrowed his eyes.
"I don't mind. But why?"
"Ah, it's a bit embarrassing to say, but when I saw the difference in skill between you and Seishan, I thought that perhaps I've been doing it wrong?"
The statement shocked Sunny, Ki Song really wasn't anything like he expected her to be. She was willing to admit such a thing? And to ask a mere Awakened she had only recruited some time ago to help?
Hell, Ki Song hadn't even belittled him for his humble background or anything. Although she did tease him and make him do some unsavory things, she had never looked down on him.
For what reasons, Sunny did not know just yet.
Seeing Sunny not respond, the puppet added:
"Of course, you will be compensated."
Sunny broke his silence, not yet accepting the request. The way Ki Song treated him was simply too strange in his eyes, and he wanted to know why.
"I have a few questions first."
"Such a curious child… Ask away then."
Taking a deep breath, Sunny decided to ask the biggest one right away.
"Why do you tolerate my disrespect?"
His question was met with a few seconds of silence, as the puppet stared blankly at him.
Tilting its head slightly, the puppet returned his question with one of its own.
"What do you mean?"
"I just… expected a Sovereign to be far less tolerant to a subject talking back to them?"
The puppet laughed softly at his misunderstanding.
"Why were you so rude to me then?"
Sunny responded slightly awkwardly.
"Because you made me wear that wretched disguise! And… when I saw you didn't seem to mind my disrespect, I just… stayed that way?"
The puppet looked at him with a small smile before speaking.
"Isn't it only fair that I tolerate it? You were the one that didn't want to be a servant after all."
The answer was not enough for Sunny.
"And why did you accept me saying that?"
His voice echoed within the quiet halls.
It simply made no sense to him. A Supreme was supposed to be someone arrogant enough to bend the world to their will, someone who changed the world just with their desire.
Why on earth would one allow a mere Awakened to challenge their authority? Even if it wasn't through power, Sunny simply questioning her orders might've gotten him executed if it were a different Sovereign.
And yet Ki Song had shown him no ill will thus far.
The puppet took a deep breath, despite the fact it was a corpse and didn't need to breathe.
"Because… you remind me of someone."
'I… remind her of someone?'
Trying to think of who she could possibly be talking about, Sunny came up with a few guesses.
"Who?"
"...Myself."
"You?"
Sunny had made a few guesses, but Ki Song herself was not one of them.
"Ah… When I was young — the same age as you — I was… resentful. I was filled with nothing but anger and hatred for the world. I felt that it had given me nothing, and that I could only face its horrors alone."
Her words resonated with Sunny somewhat. Before he awakened, he was very much like that. But… Ki Song wouldn't have known that. As he was now, although he definitely held resentment towards the world, he didn't let it control him.
"Why do you think that?"
"Hm, I only thought that at first. But now when I look at you, I see someone else…"
Sunny wasn't curious anymore, instead he was a little worried.
"...Who?"
A dangerous smile appeared on the puppets face.
"What do you think the essence of combat is, Sunless?"
'Damnantion!'
Feeling the pain of his flaw build up, Sunny steeled his will and focused his gaze.
"Murder. The essence of combat is murder."
With a wide grin, the puppet was now slowly circling around him as if it were a vulture.
"Somehow, I just knew you'd say. Tell me, Sunless. Are you truly just someone with no background at all? No formal training, no Awakened relatives, nothing?"
"I am."
The puppet was now standing behind him.
"That's strange… because really, you kind of remind me of Broken Sword?"
Sunny felt his entire body tense at the question. It wasn't something he had done on purpose, how could he even know what Broken Sword was like? His act… it wasn't even really an act.
"I… don't know what you mean?"
Feeling a hand slowly trail across his back, Sunny did not move.
"Do you really not know? Even your answer was the same as his. The look in your eye… your resolve… Even the way you fight somewhat resembles his. Forgive me for not believing you when you say that."
Sunny took a deep breath.
"I have never met Broken Sword in my life. I haven't met Smile of Heaven, and I haven't met Immortal Flame. So, I don't understand, how can I resemble someone I have nothing to do with?"
The hand was now on his shoulder. Sunny could've easily slashed it off, but he felt like moving was a bad idea.
"Oh but Sunless, you seemingly appear out of nowhere, you have a similar origin to his, and you even display outstanding talent just like him. Why wouldn't I think you resemble him?"
Sunny was now inwardly panicking, but he tried his best not to show it.
"I promise you, I have never met or interacted with Broken Sword in any way whatsoever."
"Hm, you say that, but when I saw you for the first time… The scent of Dreamspawn was all over you. Why would that abomination want anything to do with you if not for him?"
'...Shit.'
The situation was not looking good. Sunny did not know what she was going to do with this kind of information.
"The Dreamspawn."
Sunny seemed to pause for a moment, deep in thought.
"That… that weird old guy who kept asking me questions?"
Both of the puppets' hands were on his shoulders now, it's cold breath whispering in his ear.
"Don't play dumb with me, Sunless."
Sunny shuddered slightly.
"I really don't know them! That was my first time meeting that Dreamspawn guy!"
The puppet slowly wrapped an arm around his neck.
"Then how do you know so much? You seem awfully well informed for someone with such an unremarkable background…"
"I'm… I'm a really good scout. I've been constantly gathering information over the several months I've been back."
The puppet let go of his neck, immediately circling around him once again as it stood before him.
"You… you really don't have anything to do with them?"
The puppet had a bewildered look on its face, its confusion clear.
Taking a deep breath, Sunny answered.
"I don't! If I did, don't you think I would've ran away instead of coming face to face with you?!"
The puppet then fell deep into thought, finding his words simply unbelievable.
And as it stood still, Sunny was debating whether or not he should take a certain risk.
'Do I ask her?'
Sunny was currently considering asking her to spare Nephis. In his mind, as long as Ki Song never made a single move to take Nephis' life, he would consider not killing her in the future. Despite all the terrible things the Sovereigns had undoubtedly done, making Nephis' life a living hell was the worst one in Sunny's eyes.
But… wouldn't it be better if she just never did in the first place? Changing someone's heart was better than waiting for them to make a mistake. He would not just sit around and wait for justification to kill somebody. If the world had an extra Supreme to watch over it, Sunny's life would be much easier. He simply had to steer Ki Song on a different path.
It felt strange, thinking of someone who was much older and more experienced than him in such a way. But perhaps people like Ki Song, who had been raised by the Nightmare Spell and had only ever known combat, needed this sort of guidance the most. Seishan had already told him that her mother was lonely, and that there was nobody by her side that wasn't a servant or responsibility.
If one day, Sunny grew strong enough, would Ki Song hear him out? Would she cease her cruel and callous methods that Sunny found so distasteful, just because he requested it?
Sunny did not know.
But what he did know was that if the Domain War was stopped before it ever started, countless lives could be spared.
Sunny made his choice.
"Ki Song."
The puppet in front of him jolted, as if it was the first time the Queen had been called by her own name in a long, long time.
"When I said I had nothing to do with Broken Sword, I left one part out."
The puppet immediately narrowed his eyes at him.
"What?"
Sunny's face was stone cold, cold air leaving his mouth as he spoke.
"I… I actually do have some relation to Immortal Flame."
"...Do you now?"
The corridor was silent. All that could be heard was the howling winds outside.
The puppet's eyes narrowed, and Sunny felt a chill run down his spine.
"Not too long ago, I was passing by a home not too far from mine. I just so happened to witness an assassination attempt on one of its residents, a young girl no older than eight."
The puppets eyes widened in surprise, its mouth opening but no words leaving.
"That girl's name was Nephis. I… I felt bad for her, so I left something behind to help protect her. Several times now, assassins have been sent after her, not even targeting the people around her, only her."
"Nephis…"
The puppet's voice was forlorn.
"Vale… you heartless old fool."
Sunny was silent for a moment before he continued to speak.
"Something I've noticed is that every assassin seems to come from Valor. Given that her only connection to Valor is through her clan, I figure that Song would be next?"
The puppet remained silent.
Sunny sighed, praying that she would agree to his request.
"I have researched a lot about your former cohort, and I'm pretty sure I know what happened between you lot and Broken Sword, and I'm sure Nephis does too. So please…"
The puppet seemed to be lost in deep memories, so Sunny continued to speak.
"I understand why you might think she would be a latent threat. But I must ask you to reconsider."
The puppet sighed, rubbing its face as it snapped out of its reverie.
"Sunless, oh Sunless… a child like that would never grow up to be ordinary… The daughter of Broken Sword and Smile of Heaven… I-"
Sunny bowed his head, pleading with her.
"Please."
The puppet gave him a crooked smile.
"I haven't even tried to kill her yet, you know? Are you so sure that I'd do the same thing as Anvil?"
Sunny's gaze hardened.
"I do know. And I am sure."
The puppet turned its head away from him, its expression unreadable.
And after an excruciatingly long silence, the puppet sighed.
"Children are the only ones among us who are innocent, after all…"
Looking at him with a radiant gaze, the puppet declared:
"As you wish. I'll agree to your request."
Bowing further, Sunny spoke with a small smile.
"Thank you… I really did hope you'd understand."
He sighed in his heart, the shadows around him deathly still. There was always the possibility that Ki Song was lying, but he'd just have to take that chance. If he really was going through with this business with the Song Clan, they'd discover his connection with Nephis eventually anyways.
Taking a deep breath, Sunny met the puppet with a smile.
"Then, if that's done, I'll agree to your request."
The puppet nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Then come with me."
The puppet turned around, making its way through the dimly lit halls of the Jade Palace.
Sunny followed closely behind, his expression calm.
***
Sunny found himself in the room he and Seishan had once sparred in. This time, there were two others alongside her.
There were two young women a little older than him. One was fair skinned and stood tall with beautiful dark hair that cascaded over her like a waterfall of silk. The other had alabaster skin, raven black hair and dark eyes that seemed to be cut from two obsidian gems. Both of them were exquisite beauties in their own rights.
Beastmaster and Lightslayer, or rather, Eunbin and Revel were standing around rather nervously.
Seishan turned to Sunny and the puppet the moment they entered.
"You're here."
Hearing their sister speak, Eunbin and Revel turned to the two who had just entered.
"Mother? This is the new teacher you spoke of..? But isn't she…"
"That's right, Bin. Your new teacher will be Suming."
Revel seemed to be staring at him with slight confusion, not recognizing his face at all. That only lasted for a few seconds as Eunbin whispered something into her ear, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.
Meeting the two girls gazes, Sunny gave them a light smile and wave. Shifting his vision, Sunny saw dim soul cores within them, not yet Awakened. They were currently Dormant, having just completed their First Nightmare a few months ago. Within a few months, they were going to be sent to a random place in the Dream Realm for their Winter Solstice.
Although both Eunbin and Revel were older than Seishan, they had Awakened after her. For what reason, Sunny didn't know.
The puppet moved to stand with Seishan as Sunny approached the two girls.
"Hello. Name's Suming."
They both stared at him rather awkwardly.
"...Hello, we've met already. I'm Eunbin."
"Sup. I'm Revel."
Sunny gave them a small smile, trying his best to not appear nervous.
'Ah… Why is dealing with Legacies so hard?'
Raising his hand, beckoning them forth.
"We'll start with a light spar. Both of you may attack me at the same time, and both of you may use your Aspects."
Revel and Eunbin looked at Suming's still figure. No danger seemed to be felt from her, and the small smile combined with her cute face made her seem rather harmless.
Glancing at each other, they nodded and immediately rushed forward.
Revel led the charge as darkness surrounded her body like a dark tide, hiding her figure. At the same time, Sunny felt a light hex sneak into his mind, weakening his resolve.
'True darkness, huh?'
Taking a step back, Sunny narrowly avoided the first swing of Revel's training blade as Eunbin suddenly appeared behind him, ready to strike.
Leaning forward, Sunny took a step towards Revel, sweeping his foot under her and knocking her down as Eunbin's strike was blocked with a hand.
Sunny felt the compulsion in his mind strengthen as small illusions appeared at the corners of his eyes. Ignoring them completely, Sunny jumped over Revel who had immediately shot up from the ground in an attempt to surprise attack him, the darkness covering her sword shooting past like a black needle.
Sunny spun midair, his foot clipping the side of Eunbin's face as he fell back down and landed directly on Revel's back, pinning her to the ground as Eunbin staggered away in a daze.
Standing atop a groaning Revel, Sunny turned to Eunbin, who had now toppled to the ground, rubbing her cheek.
'I think that's enough for now.'
Stepping off Revel's back, Sunny walked a small distance away as he watched the two slowly raise themselves up, looking at him with sharp gazes.
"Ready for another try?"
Sunny was no longer smiling, fearing that he would appear condescending if he just beat them up over and over again with a polite smile. Instead, he took them seriously as they tried to attack him once more.
…And less than a minute later, the result was the same.
As they continued training over the course of several hours, Sunny offered them words of advice during their fights and breaks, but he simply had no chemistry with these girls and found it quite hard to talk to Revel in particular.
Whenever he would give Eunbin a word of advice, she would accept it gracefully or with a small smile. Meanwhile Revel seemed offended and would often click her tongue at his words, turning away with a frown.
'Moody…'
Even if she would show her dissatisfaction, Revel still seemed to accept his words though, as now they stood a far better chance against him.
As they fought, Revel now utilized her true darkness far better, as Eunbin began to use her hexes in a far more devious manner. Both were now able to keep up slightly as they fought him too. Although their moves were still hopelessly predictable in Sunny's eyes, they were far better than when they had started a few hours ago.
Sunny only gave them basic insights on what they should have done. He did not know their Aspects and attributes and could only guess what the Beast God's lineage did, but he was still able to see their effects and find ways for them to better utilize their skills.
And as they were both Legacies, Sunny did not need to teach them much, he only needed to offer them some measure of advice and many things they would just pick up on their own as they fought him. There was no need to teach them how to survive, nor was there a need to teach them about the Dream Realm. They probably knew even more about it than him, if their mother had bothered telling them about its important secrets.
Sighing in his heart, Sunny continued to spar with the girls, training them in a way he thought might suit them. Both Seishan and Ki Song watched them silently, their gazes trained on the three.
And as Sunny fought, he got in some training of his own. Although it was a supposed favour to Ki Song, he did not just want to spend his days training a couple of Dormant girls. So in the midst of their spars, Sunny was attempting to refine his essence. Normally, such a thing required immense focus and concentration, so Sunny had to meditate during the process of it. But he had already been doing it for several months now and had made major progress in Ascending. And so as he was fighting, he refined the essence within his cores as he moved them around at the same time.
The efficiency was nowhere near as good as it was when he was meditating, but Sunny was sure that doing it was important. Ascending wasn't just about refining one's essence, it was also about refining one's body. From what Sunny knew, the best way to do so was exercise as one refined their essence. Of course, simply refining his essence would still refine his body alongside it, but doing this gave Sunny the best of both worlds.
And after a few more hours of training, the Queens puppet stood up and clapped once.
"Alright, that's enough for the day, my dear daughters! Return to your chambers and get as much rest as you can, and we'll continue tomorrow."
Nodding at their mother, Eunbin sighed in relief as Revel seemed to be slightly disappointed. Tiredly leaving the training hall, they gave Sunny subtle glances as they stretched and massaged their bruises.
It was as if they were saying: 'It won't be so easy next time!'
Sunny gave them a small smile and wave, not moving from his spot.
As the two women left the room, Sunny turned to Seishan and Ki Song.
Looking curiously at Ki Song, Sunny asked:
"Is there anything else today?"
Seishan turned away as if it had nothing to do with her as Ki Song looked at him with an amused smile.
"No. You may leave."
Sunny nodded, turning to leave.
'What a strange woman…'
"You're thinking of something rude, aren't you?"
Sunny froze in his tracks.
"I might be."
The puppet laughed slightly, now leaning forward again.
"Same time tomorrow, Suming."
Sunny sighed, leaving the room without a complaint.
***
Watching Suming's figure disappear, Seishan turned to Ki Song.
"Weren't you going to ask him for something?"
Glancing at her daughter with an amused smile, the puppet spoke.
"Ah, that… I changed my mind."
Seishan turned away, her expression softening.
The puppet then leaned back, kicking its feet out slightly.
"Seishan. What do you think of him so far?"
Seishan answered without turning back.
"He's strong, but there's something off about it."
The puppet gave her a knowing smile.
"Is that really all you think?
Seishan said nothing, her face still turned away.
After a short pause, the puppet spoke some more.
"What do you think his Aspect does?"
Seishan seemed to fall deep into thought.
"It's a kind of physical enhancement, combined with some sort of foresight."
The puppet now had a curious expression on its face, tilting its head slightly.
"Foresight?"
"Yes. Whenever he fights, it's like he can see all moves in advance. It's… frightening."
The puppet nodded, looking down in thought.
"He might be an oracle."
Turning to her mother in surprise, Seishan spoke again.
"An oracle? But I thought fate…"
"Oh Shan… Not all oracles operate with fate, you know? Some can simply divine knowledge and information, it's not always future sight. That's not to say he can't do something similar though… And his abilities do seem quite potent. He says he's a scout, but there's no way a mere scout could learn this much in such a short time."
The puppet, now seemingly done with the conversation, turned to Seishan with a slight smile.
"Anyways, you should rest Seishan. Are your injuries healed yet?"
Shaking her head, Seishan bid the puppet farewell before leaving the hall.