Kane was utterly flabbergasted, his mind reeling from the unexpected turn of events. He thought to himself, a silent groan echoing in the chambers of his mind, "Seriously, what is it with my fate? The only person I desperately wanted to avoid in this bizarre Dream Realm is standing right here, as if fate itself is mocking my attempts at peace. Let's just hope, against all odds, that she decides to reject our company, that she has no desire to travel with us."
Nephis and Cassie were regarding Sunny and Kane with a mixture of suspicion and caution, their expressions guarded. Nephis, in particular, held her sword in a defensive posture, the blade gleaming ominously in the fading light. Kane, ever vigilant, was prepared to attack if necessary, his senses heightened, his attention focused intently on Nephis, ready to defend himself and Sunny from any sudden aggression.
Suddenly, Cassie, her voice soft but clear, broke the tense silence. "Are you the boys who sat with me in the cafeteria?" she asked, her head tilted slightly as if listening intently.
Kane, recognizing her voice, replied, "Yeah, Cassie. It's me, Kane, and this is Sunny."
Nephis, her gaze still fixed on them, turned to Cassie and asked, her tone laced with a hint of skepticism, "Do you know them?"
Cassie, her expression thoughtful, replied, "I recognize their voices. He's Kane, ranked third from the last among the Sleepers, and that's Sunless, second from last."
Nephis, a flicker of recognition in her eyes, replied with a slight edge to her voice, "The pervert?"
Upon hearing this, Sunny himself found himself in a state of exasperation. He immediately protested, his voice rising slightly in indignation, "Hey! I am not a pervert! I merely… expressed myself in a certain way to some girls, and it was all a misunderstanding, a gross misinterpretation of my words!"
Nephis, her initial suspicion seemingly waning, lowered her sword slightly and asked, her tone shifting to one of curiosity, "What happened to both of you? You look like you've been through a battle."
Sunny, ever terse, replied, "We fought Carapace Scavengers. Each of us took one on."
Nephis raised an eyebrow, her expression a mixture of surprise and disbelief. "And you both survived? You managed to come out of that alive?"
Kane, his voice steady and calm, replied, "Not only did we survive, but we killed them." He gestured towards Sunny, who reluctantly showed them the chunk of meat he had harvested from his kill, the grotesque trophy serving as proof of their victory.
Sunny, despite his gruff exterior, tried to be somewhat humble about their achievement, downplaying their role in the fight. Kane, however, remained silent, not volunteering any additional information. He simply wanted the conversation to be over with as quickly as possible, eager to put some distance between himself and Nephis.
After this brief discussion about their encounter with the Carapace Scavengers, an awkward silence descended upon the group. The tension in the air was palpable, a mixture of uncertainty and unspoken questions. Finally, Cassie, her voice gentle, broke the stillness. "Are you guys hurt? Did you sustain any injuries?"
Kane, after a quick self-assessment, replied, "No, I'm mostly fine. Sunny took the brunt of it, though. He was hit on his ribs and legs. As for me, I just suffered some… bites on my shoulders from the creature. We'll both need a couple of days to fully heal, but other than that, we're both in relatively good condition."
Sunny, ever pragmatic, added, "Do you guys know the way to that tall hill? We were planning to go there, to find some higher ground and get a better vantage point."
Cassie, her expression brightening, smiled and replied, "As it happens, we were staying there until now. We were just about to head back. So, yes, we know the way."
Immediately, Sunny, seizing the opportunity, asked, "In that case, shall we join you? It would be safer to travel together, given the… dangers of this place."
Cassie, her smile fading slightly, looked at Nephis, seeking her approval and guidance. Sunny and Kane, their expressions carefully neutral, waited for Nephis's response, the decision resting entirely on her shoulders.
Nephis, after a moment of contemplation, finally spoke. "No," she said, her voice firm and decisive.
Kane, a wave of relief washing over him, almost imperceptibly relaxed. He thought, "Yes! Finally, some good news. Maybe I can avoid any further complications after all."
But his relief was cut short by the next word Nephis uttered, a single, damning word that shattered his hopes. "Problem," she added, her tone suggesting that while she wasn't keen on their company, she recognized the potential benefits of an alliance.
Kane, his shoulders slumping slightly, thought, "Crap. Of course, there's a problem. Why couldn't she just say no and be done with it?"
For the rest of the time, Kane and Sunny found themselves reluctantly following Nephis and Cassie towards the tall hill, their pace dictated by Cassie's flaw. The uneven terrain, with its treacherous cracks and fissures, made it difficult for Cassie to navigate. Her steps were slow and hesitant, requiring constant assistance and support. This, in turn, slowed down the entire group, forcing them to proceed at a snail's pace.
Kane, observing the situation, thought, "Since we've essentially joined her team, at least for the moment, I should probably make sure my back isn't sabotaged by this group dynamic. We need to work together, despite my… reservations about Nephis."
Slowly and surely, the group reached the bottom of the tall hill, a steep and imposing structure that loomed over the desolate landscape. They paused for a moment, gathering their strength, before preparing to climb the treacherous slope.
All of them, with varying degrees of effort and agility, began the arduous climb to the top of the hill. The climb was challenging, the terrain steep and uneven, but they persevered, driven by the need for higher ground and a safer vantage point. Finally, before the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the cracked earth, they reached the summit.
At the top of the hill, they found a makeshift camp, a small cluster of tents constructed from what appeared to be dried seaweed, offering a meager shelter from the harsh elements. Kane, observing the camp, asked, "We saw an orange light yesterday, from the statue where we were staying. That must have been your doing, I guess."
Cassie, her expression darkening slightly, replied, "Yes, we lit the fire. But it turned out to be a bad idea. We quickly realized it was more trouble than it was worth."
Sunny, ever curious, asked, "Why? What happened?"
Cassie, her voice tinged with regret, replied, "The light started to attract… masters in the dark. Powerful and dangerous creatures, drawn to the glow like moths to a flame. It was too risky to keep it lit."
Kane, his mind piecing together the events of the previous night, said, "That makes sense. That explains why those Carapace Scavengers were out there, and why they were so aggressive."
Nephis, ever pragmatic, added, "We still have some time before sunset. We can light a small fire, just enough to cook some food, before it gets too dangerous."
Using the chunk of meat that Sunny had harvested from the Carapace Scavenger and water from a memory that Cassie possessed, a seemingly endless spring of fresh water, they began to prepare a meal. Kane, observing Cassie's seemingly magical ability, said, "Cassie, that's quite a useful memory you have there. An endless source of water? That's incredibly convenient."
Cassie, a faint smile gracing her lips, replied, "Yeah, it is. It's one of the few advantages I have, given my… limitations."
After the cooking was completed, the sky began to darken, the colors shifting from the harsh orange of the setting sun to the deep purples and blues of twilight. Sunny, ever vigilant, asked, "Do those Carapace Scavengers come all the way up here? To the top of the hill?"
Nephis, her expression grim, replied, "Yes… But only at night. They seem to disappear during the day, retreating to their lairs or wherever they hide from the sun."
Kane, his mind connecting the dots, immediately said, "That's because all the monsters were surrounding the tall statue where we stayed last night. They were drawn to something there, something that kept them occupied."
Cassie, her eyes widening in surprise, asked, "A tall statue? You guys were staying there, for your own safety…?"
Kane, confirming her suspicions, replied, "Yeah, it was a tall, ancient statue, headless and imposing. We stayed on the 'neck' of the statue, the highest point we could reach. And hundreds of monsters were surrounding the carcass of a dead creature at its base, feasting on the remains."
Immediately, Nephis, her expression thoughtful, asked, "That explains the lack of Nightmare creatures in this area. How long…?"
Kane, confused by her sudden line of questioning, asked, "How long what?"
Nephis, clarifying her question, continued, "How long would it take for those creatures to completely devour the carcass?"
Kane, after a moment of consideration, sighed and said, "Based on how they were fighting over it, and how many there were… I'd say about one day."
The meat was cooked, and they ate in companionable silence as the darkness deepened, the last vestiges of daylight fading away. Kane, ever cautious, switched his Aspect to perceive the minds and souls of his companions. He observed that all three of their minds were firing at different speeds, a chaotic symphony of thoughts and emotions. Sunny and Nephis, in particular, seemed to be on edge, their minds firing erratically, like a string of firecrackers about to explode.
Suddenly, Cassie, sensing the awkwardness of the silence, broke the stillness. "How about we introduce ourselves properly? I'm Cassie," she said, her voice soft and melodious.
Nephis, after a brief glance at the others, said simply, "Nephis," her tone cool and reserved.
Sunny, ever the pragmatist, followed up, introducing himself with his usual nickname. "I'm Sunless, but most people just call me Sunny."
Kane, the last to introduce himself, said, "I'm Kane," his voice neutral, revealing nothing of the turmoil within.
Slowly, the conversation began to flow more freely, the initial tension easing as they shared stories and observations about the strange new world they had found themselves in. Suddenly, Sunny, ever direct, said, "Since we're going to be depending on each other for survival, it might be a good idea to share our abilities and the Memories we have at our disposal. It could be crucial information in the long run."
Kane, his eyes narrowing slightly, glanced at Sunny, his mind racing. He thought, "Dude, really? Are you seriously suggesting we lay all our cards on the table, to these people we barely know?"
Immediately, Sunny, oblivious to Kane's internal reservations, volunteered to explain his own abilities. "My Attributes give me an affinity for shadows," he began, his voice low and serious. "I also have a slight affliction towards divinity, which tends to get me caught in… unlikely situations."
Cassie, her head tilted slightly, as if listening intently, interjected, "Uh… he's telling the truth. Not that we doubt your honesty,"
Kane was surprised by Cassie's seemingly nonchalant confirmation of Sunny's somewhat cryptic statement. He thought, 'Quite an unusual ability she has, being able to see Attributes like that. And she can also see visions of the past and future? That's incredibly useful, almost like having an oracle in our group.'
Sunny continued, "That's a good ability, Cassie. As for my own abilities, you've already seen some of it in action. My shadow can move independently, detached from my body. It can explore areas I can't reach, and I can share its sight and hearing. It can't affect the material world, but it can move with stealth and speed. I can also see in the dark, which is… helpful, given the circumstances."
Kane thought, impressed despite himself, "Quite a versatile set of abilities. Perfect for scouting and reconnaissance. He's a natural scout, that's for sure."
But what transpired next seemed to surprise and darken the ladies, as Sunny's explanation of his abilities was met with a chorus of playful suspicion and accusations of spying on women, a consequence of his infamous "pervert" tag from the cafeteria.
Sunny, flustered by the accusations, vehemently clarified his intentions, his face reddening slightly. Kane, however, couldn't help but laugh from the heart, the situation striking him as both hilarious and ironic. He said, a wide grin on his face, "Next time, Sunny, choose your words more carefully. Mr. Frank."
Sunny, his composure regained somewhat, scoffed at the nickname. "What? I am not Frank. I am honest, in both worlds, even."
Kane, his laughter subsiding slowly, said, "Sure you are, Sunny. Sure you are."
Nephis, her expression unreadable, changed the subject. "I haven't seen either of you in any of the classes… not even once"
Sunny, his tone matter-of-fact, replied, "Of course you haven't. We both attend the Wilderness Survival class, while you were busy… swiping Sleepers in combat."
Nephis blinked, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. "Wilderness Survival… Is there even such a course?"
Sunny, his expression a mixture of amusement and resignation, replied, "Yeah, there is. Since we're both from the outskirts, and lack the resources of the Legacies, we chose this course because there are no private tutors for us to hire, and no faculty willing to train us. It's the only option we have."
Nephis was completely bewildered by this revelation, her expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. Kane, observing her reaction, thought, a bitter smile playing on his lips, 'Yeah, you should have no idea about the struggles of the common folk, Nephis. After all, your family is one of the clans that pushed me to outskirts and my parents to the afterlife, forcing me to live in poverty and squalor. I wonder how many other families your clan has displaced, how many lives they've ruined.'
Sunny, continuing the conversation, listed the Memories he possessed: an Armor, a Sword, and a Bell. Then, it was Nephis's turn to share her own. She spoke, her tone measured and controlled, "My Attributes have an affinity for light and fire, and a strong inclination towards divinity. I have two Memories: a Rope that can change its length and flexibility…"
As Nephis spoke, Kane, ever cautious, subtly peered into Cassie's mind, attempting to glean any additional information. He concluded that Nephis was deliberately withholding certain details, carefully guarding her secrets. He thought, 'As expected. She isn't revealing all her cards, not yet. She's playing it close to the chest.'
Nephis continued, her voice steady, "...and a Sword that provides protection against soul attacks. My abilities… can be used to heal."
Kane, his mind racing, thought, 'Can be used to heal, huh? That's an interesting choice of words. What might be the other purpose of her abilities? What else can she do?'
Immediately, Sunny, ever optimistic, exclaimed, "A healer? That's quite good! And quite a stroke of luck for us! Having a healer in our group is a huge advantage."
Kane simply sighed, his expression carefully neutral. Cassie, however, complimented Nephis on her fighting capabilities and then proceeded to explain her own abilities and Attributes, which were inclined towards revelation and fate. She had already mentioned her ability to see Attributes and visions of the past and future earlier, so this was mostly a recap. She also revealed that she possessed an Armor, a Wooden Staff, and the seemingly magical Endless Spring, the source of which came from Nephis.
After Cassie finished her explanation, she added, her voice tinged with sadness, "I used to be a decent fencer, but now… I can't really do it anymore. My flaw makes it too difficult."
Kane, observing her, thought, 'Her flaw is quite a burden. It severely limits her mobility and makes her vulnerable. She needs to learn to adapt, to find ways to overcome her limitations.'
After everyone had shared their abilities and Memories, all eyes turned to Kane, waiting for him to reveal his own secrets. Kane, taking a deep breath, began, "My Attributes give me a slight affliction towards divinity, and I have a tendency to get into… awkward situations. I also have another Attribute that increases my adaptability."
All three of them, Nephis, Sunny, and Cassie, looked at Kane with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. Nephis, her brow furrowed slightly, asked, "Increase your adaptability? What does that even mean?"
Kane, a wry smile playing on his lips, scoffed slightly and spoke, "Yeah, it does what it says. I adapt… quickly. To pretty much anything."
After that cryptic explanation, he continued, "My ability is that I can comprehend the Mind, and my physical attacks can directly affect the Mind. My Memories consist of an Armor and a Sword. The Sword has a sharper cut than any other weapon I've seen, and the Armor is quite flexible, able to change."
Nephis, Sunny, and Cassie were visibly shocked by Kane's revelation, their expressions a mixture of awe and disbelief. Sunny, his eyes wide, asked, "You can perceive and your physical attacks can affect minds? That's… incredibly powerful. A sheer attacker in our cohort."
Nephis, her usual composure slightly shaken, replied, her voice low and impressed, "Quite an ability, Kane."
Kane, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, thought, 'Let's see how impressed you are when you learn about the full extent of my dormant abilities, the true potential.'
After all the introductions and revelations, Sunny, ever practical, exclaimed, "Good, that's good! We have a decent set of tools and abilities to survive, provided we use them wisely and work together effectively. I guess it's time to get some sleep, before whatever horrors this night brings descends upon us?"
Before Nephis could even speak, Kane, sensing an opportunity, jumped in and said, "I'll take the first watch. You guys can sleep peacefully. I'm not feeling particularly tired, and I'd rather be alert, given the circumstances."
Sunny, ever cautious, spoke, "My shadow doesn't sleep. It can stay awake and alert, and it can wake us up if anything happens."
Kane, however, had his own reasons for wanting to stay awake. He replied immediately, "Your shadow can't see everything, Sunny. That got you ambushed by that Carapace Scavenger, remember? I can complement its senses with my ability to perceive minds, giving us a more comprehensive view. Moreover, I'm not feeling sleepy anyway."
Sunny, understanding the logic behind Kane's reasoning, nodded in agreement. But Nephis, ever independent, interjected, "I will take the first watch."
Kane, his patience wearing thin, spoke, his voice firm, "You didn't hear a single thing I said to Sunny, did you? I'm staying up, not for the first watch, but for the entire night, until sunrise. So, you can save your energy."
Nephis stared at him, her expression a mixture of annoyance and defiance. Sunny, sensing the brewing conflict, chose to remain silent, observing the exchange with a wary eye.
Kane, breaking the tense silence, said, "Look, you can stare at me all you want and waste your energy for tomorrow, but I can manage just fine. Do whatever you want. I will be on watch until sunrise."
Nephis, defeated but clearly annoyed, reluctantly went to her makeshift bed, settling down to sleep. Kane, however, had reasons for his decision that went beyond the points discussed with Sunny. Firstly, his flaw, the constant ravings, made it nearly impossible for him to sleep peacefully. He needed to meditate to calm the voices in his head, and the night provided the perfect opportunity for uninterrupted contemplation. Secondly, as long as Nephis, the daughter of his parents murder, was nearby, he needed to remain vigilant. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not with her presence looming over him.
Kane thought to himself, a silent vow echoing in his mind, 'Like hell I would sleep soundly with you around, Changing Star. I need to keep a close eye on you, and on everyone else, until I can figure out what's really going on in this twisted realm.'