Step. Step. Step. Just like that, she left, left with the weight of their meeting upon her— only then, will they discuss the most important things; only then could she bring him back.
As the light of the sun descended upon her, Nephis looked forward— deep beyond the walls of the Bright Castle.
At this moment, a shadow of a smile danced across her lips; a silver flame burning in the depths of her eyes.
This is where everything will start, where she shall earn his trust once again.
—
The journey back to her base was eerily silent, leaving Nephis with much to think about what she'll say to him.
Perhaps sooner than she had thought, her feet brought themselves before the place she had spent these three months planning.
"Welcome Lady Changing Star," Kaor— the receptor greeted. Turning her head slightly, she gave her a brief nod, before marching right into the room.
As she entered, the first thing she noticed was the unusual silence of the room. During normal days—-if anything could even be considered normal in the Dream Realm—the central hall of the old lodge would be filled with noise.
At times, it would simply be mindless chatter mostly between Effie and Cassie. They would exchange tales of their lives in NQSC, which almost sounded abstract to her ears— the taste of city folk were intriguing yet concerning, for why else would they voluntarily consume the eggs of an abomination?
Yet on other days, when Caster was feeling like it, he would let slip a whisper of the life legacies led. The most common occurrence though, was talking about their future, their plan. They would exchange opinions under the cover of their memory, conversing on what way of revolting against Gunlang would be most effective.
Throughout all her memories made in this very hall, there would always be voices. Sure, they were irritating, strangely unplacing—perhaps because of the loss of Sunny here with them—but they were voices all the same, proof of the cohort that will go through high and low ahead. Even if one of them was the Assassin from Valor.
However, today was different. As she stepped inside, no one was talking, no one was planning, no one was here to notice her presence.
Nephis looked, and all she saw was Cassie, who was staring bleakly towards the window— a prophetic dream.
That was the reason no one was here.
And yet, despite knowing she shouldn't disturb whatever her friend was seeing, Nephis couldn't leave. Didn't want to.
Cassia's blue, empty eyes were filled with an unusual sort of melancholy, a wry smile dangling atop her lips, as tears slowly, but surely fell from her face.
She looked like she was in great mourning, as if something dear to her was stripped, separated from her very self, as if she was forced to make a decision a young girl shouldn't have to make.
But what could she do? Nephis wasn't allowed to do anything— her flames could only destroy, could only burn away those stains atop the surface, those injuries that were the most trivial.
Burn. Burn despite the ever closing darkness that was the world. It was the only thing she could do.
Taking care not to disturb her seer, with a heavy heart, she slowly retreated to her room, and decided to take a rest, in preparation for when he will come.
—
"Oh, so many familiar faces," Sunny said, as he entered the room, a grin on his face. Nephis never would expect him to be done with his 'shopping' that quickly. Just hours ago, had he met up with Night, grinning victoriously as her sanity collapsed at the sight of her idol, "Hi, everyone. No need to say how much you missed me."
Yes, she missed his presence for all those months— not many were strong enough to stand besides her, and there was only one that she trusted enough to guard her back. So– why must that he be gone for so long? Why is it that when she finally wanted something so dearly, that fate must tease her?
What is it that was so wrong? Wasn't the choice she made right? Correct?
No. Changing Star of the Immortal Flame will never doubt an already made decision; she can only hope her flames were strong enough, vibrant enough, worthy enough to burn. To burn all those uncertainties that lay within him.
Miss? Why would she indulge herself in such vulnerability? Nephis knew, expected, believed.
He would come back.
Their fates were tied.
And, true to his word, Night was there, his emerald eyes ever shining, ever stunning.
"Anyway, this is Kai," Sunny continued, "Kai say hi to everyone—these are Cassie, Caster, and Effie. You already know Nephis,"
At that, Night waved to them in response, a smile— wait. Kai? Night's name was Kai? Why didn't… why didn't he say so earlier?! She trembled—that was something every fan would dream of knowing—the real name of their mysterious star!
"Uh… hello. Lady Nephis, Cassie, Caster, huntress Athena… it's very nice to meet you," He said, sincerity dripped in his tone. And true to Night's title as triple orpheus winner, his voice was as captivating as the day she fell for his music.
Cas must have felt it as well, as she giggled— so different from the state she had been mere hours ago, "Huh, you won't believe it guys," She dreamily said, "I thought I just heard Night from Nightingale say my name. Crazy, right?"
Night—No, it was Kai—blinked, an awkward smile on his lips, "Oh, sorry. I am Night from Nightingale, actually."
At that, her friend grew deathly pale, as an expression of extreme terror appeared upon her face. Her hands trembled, and the cup she was holding fell from them.
The huntress reacted instantly, her hand reaching out to catch the cup— just before it hit the floor. With a sigh, she shook her head, disappointment lingering in her eyes, "Every time… this happens every time…"
Sunny furrowed his brow, glancing at the Kai with disdain— she could almost imagine what he would have said afterwards, the various comments he would throw.
It was almost… almost like they were back in the past. Where everything was better, simpler, without all these complicated problems, all these different solutions.
Placing the cup back onto the table, Effie turned her head, looking at Sunny with genuine surprise, "Doofus? You are actually alive?"
Alive? Of course he would be, that persistent cockroach would never die so easily.
Sunny blinked and stared at her for a few moments, then said in an acrid tone, "Sorry to disappoint."
Effie shook her head, "No, no. Just… how the hell did you manage to survive three whole months in the ruins?"
He grinned, "What can I say? I had a good teacher."
Usually, the huntress would leap for a trace of praise— today however, she simply shook her head, "No student of mine would be stupid enough to actually live in the ruins. Not to mention returning looking so… feral."
She looked, and indeed, Effie was spitting facts— the Sunny before her had ragged, dirty clothes, his raven black hair messy beyond belief, a testament to all those months he spent, battling for survival among the countless dangers that laid in the Dark City. A crooked grin rested upon his face, and those onyx eyes of his burned—not with the usual thirst for survival, but something more: something deranged, something insane—madness.
Sunny frowned, glancing at Effie, "Yeah? Well… you look like you've gained a little weight."
Gaining weight? Where? Huntress Athena still looked similar to what she had been months ago. Had she… had she really changed that much? Perhaps she simply wasn't able to see the difference— they were essentially living together for three months already. In fact, it would be stranger to be able to detect any changes in bodily appearance.
Effie glared at him for a few moments, before bursting into a laugh, "A girl got to eat. But also… wanna die?"
Staring at Effie strangely, Nephis wondered, thought, and yet… didn't understand. What did 'gaining weight' do to warrant a threat?
Cassie gave him a polite smile, "Welcome back, Sunny. I'm so happy that you are alright," She said, and yet, it was strangely cold, as if— her friend was hiding something.
And Nephis knew those blue eyes, those perfect, doll-like eyes well enough to know that it was a vision. Those damn visions that haunted Cassie no matter where she went, putting her through a burden that must have been larger, larger, heavier than hers, that she almost wished she could take it over, carry it herself.
In the corner of her eyes, she registered Sunny who took a seat on one of the chairs, before offering another one to Kai.
Leaning forward, he grinned, that madness within his eyes ever dark, abyssal, "So… what did you guys want to discuss?"