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Hi all!
Here I am, back with a new chapter. You're probably wondering why—after all, I was taking a break. But seeing your support, I actually started working on the new chapter yesterday. I wrote half of it then, and today I finished the rest. Honestly, I had planned to make it longer, but since I was tired after the gym, this is how it turned out. It's a total of 6,500 words. Once again, thank you so much for your support.
Enjoy the reading! 😉
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The last thing he saw before falling into the abyss was her graceful, beautiful figure, standing forlornly amid the tall grass.
Then Sunny sank into the embrace of darkness...
"BROOOTHER!!!" Rain screamed through tears.Though everyone was confused by her words, each of them was lost in their own thoughts.
Her mind was a storm of chaos — just minutes ago, she had seen him die. And yet, somehow, he had survived… barely, but still alive. Back then, it was an Ascended who killed him — but now, standing before him was a Transcendent. A demigod. How could an ordinary Awakened possibly stand against that?
Only a few hours ago, she had learned that she even had a brother… and now, for the second time, she was forced to watch him die right before her eyes."Brother… brother…" she whispered, wanting nothing more than to escape this place and run into his arms — to hold him tight and never let go.Beside her, a sorrowful Ananke could only wrap an arm around her shoulders, trying to offer comfort.
The cohort sat in heavy silence.Tears fell onto Nephis's trembling hands, her heart aching with unbearable pain."No… this can't be happening…" she whispered.Next to her, Effie wiped away her own tears before they could fall.
The blind seer quietly muttered under her breath, "A weapon…"
Kye and Jet sat motionless, their eyes empty, fixed on the glowing screen.There were no words left to say.Then, from the upper rows, a calm voice broke the silence.
"A truly tragic end… Even he couldn't grant me a worthy death," Solvein said softly, her tone tinged with melancholy.
Effie couldn't take it anymore — she shot up from her seat.
"A tragic end, huh? You heartless monster — you're the one who gave them that end!" she snarled through rage."What did you expect from an Awakened? If you want a worthy death so badly, I can give you one myself!"
The atmosphere turned tense — until the Twilight King intervened.
"Calm yourselves. I remind you — violence is forbidden here," Daeron said firmly.
Effie turned her furious gaze toward him."After all that, you're still defending her?" she spat.
In response, Daeron's voice softened."I understand your anger. He was your comrade… I know what it's like to lose someone close," he said, a hint of sorrow in his tone.
"But if you recall the first episode we saw — he was a Transcendent," Daeron continued.
Effie blinked in confusion. "What are you saying?"
He let out a heavy sigh. "If this is his second nightmare, and he's an Awakened here, that means he must have survived. How else would he have become a Transcendent?"
"That's right!" Kye said excitedly.
Everyone's eyes widened as his words sank in.Of course — he couldn't die here. They had already seen him alive in Bastion, sometime in the near future.Remembering that truth brought a bit of relief… but not much.
Because now, everyone had the same question — how did he survive?
Right before their eyes, his heart had just been torn out.
And as if answering their thoughts, the image on the screen began to change.
Rain hesitantly lifted her head, hope flickering in her tear-filled eyes — praying that it was true. That her beloved brother was still alive.
His body plummeted downward, faster and faster, vanishing swiftly into the void of the Lower Sky.
Soon, he was so far from the Red Island that even the memory of sunlight could not reach such a distance.
His chest had been torn open, his heart brutally ripped out, leaving behind a gaping, grievous wound.
…After falling for a while, Sunny finally drew a breath.
Fortunately, his strange body possessed two hearts. And while anyone else would have died from blood loss after the destruction of one, he still had the Blood Weave sustaining his life despite such a terrible injury.
However, the sensation was anything but pleasant. In fact, the pain was excruciating.
"YES!!! THAT IDIOT IS ALIVE!"
"He made it!"
"Two hearts?"
"I don't know if that's luck or fate," Jet said with a strained smile.
"Who cares? The important thing is that he's alive!" Noctis shouted joyfully. "That wicked shadow really does have an interesting life!" He was absolutely thrilled — and why wouldn't he be? With every passing minute, things only grew more exciting. Ah, his dull life in the sanctuary — to hell with it! Hahaha! Even Solvein's reproachful glance couldn't dampen his enthusiasm.
Rain, finally recovering from her earlier despair, smiled softly. But her mind was filled with silent reproach. "Just wait, teacher. Once I get out of here, you're in for quite the scolding."
"He's incredibly lucky," Julius noted with a smile, drawing Daeron's attention.
"Indeed. But I wonder how long he can survive," Daeron said thoughtfully. "Even with two hearts and that Blood Weave of his, as he calls it, I doubt one heart alone will be enough. He's still in a dire situation."
The joy in the hall faded into a heavy silence. After all, even if he had survived, Sunny was still plummeting into a dark abyss — and the damage to his body was far from trivial.
Sunny closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Elyas. I failed you. But… don't worry. I'll kill her in your name, someday… I'll kill her again. I'll kill her as many times as it takes to erase even the memory of her from existence. Just wait…"
He clenched his teeth, then summoned the Heavenly Burden and drove the black needle into his flesh.
The Dark Wing unfurled behind his shoulders, quickly dissolving into a hazy blur.
Sunny's fall slowed, then slowed again — until it became flight.
He soared into the darkness, farther and farther away from the Red Coliseum…
Far above, the eastern horizon was already turning pale lavender, heralding the arrival of a new day.
Eventually, Sunny reached the height where the dark undersides of the floating islands could be seen. Exhausted, he approached one of them, sensed something stirring within its deep shadows, and drifted past without coming too close.
The next island seemed free of lurking horrors. He flew toward its rough, stony surface and sank his claws into it, clinging to the island's underside like a bat. Strangely, he didn't need to make any conscious effort to stay in that position — and for a while, he simply hung there upside down against the cold rock, fighting the crushing weight of exhaustion.
He was in far worse condition than he had realized. Two months of merciless battles in the Red Coliseum had left his body battered and spent, and the terrible wound in his chest still refused to heal, draining his strength and vitality.
Thanks to the Blood Weave, the four-armed demon's body had survived even after one of its two hearts had been savagely torn out. But that didn't mean it would ever fully recover from such a grievous injury… With only one heart left to pump blood through his veins, Sunny felt sluggish and weak. That weakness would likely never fade — not unless he somehow managed to find or grow another heart.
He was tired to the bone, filled with pain, and completely numb. Terribly, utterly numb. After the grueling strain of the past two months and the catastrophic escape attempt, Sunny had finally reached a place of safety… only to find himself devoid of all thoughts and emotions.
He couldn't summon the energy to feel joy or relief, sorrow or grief… not even anger or hatred.
He was tired… just too tired.
The lifted mood vanished in an instant. Yes, he had managed to escape the abyss, but his condition left much to be desired. A batter
"Two months… he spent two whole months in that hell," Rain whispered quietly.
But everyone who heard her fell silent. Even for Saints, it sounded horrifying — to endure two months in that nightmare, to find a way to escape, only to face bitter failure.
And yet, he survived.
Despite everything that had happened, his immediate goal remained simple and clear. He had to cross the entire Kingdom of Hope and reach the Isle of the Iron Hand to regroup with his cohort. Once they were together—if the others were still alive—they would know what to do.
Sunny needed to move unnoticed through the vast territory of the Followers of War, reach the southernmost border of the region, and then travel the same path he had once taken to meet Effie and Kai—almost all the way to Noctis's Sanctuary.
It was also unclear who ruled the eastern territories in this era, or whether they were wild and overrun by Nightmare Creatures, as they would be in the future.
He grimaced, stayed motionless for a while, then summoned the Covetous Chest.
Catching the frightened box before it could fall into the abyss, Sunny freed one of his remaining hands and pulled out a handful of synthpaste tubes, then dismissed the chest. As he consumed the tasteless mixture to restore his strength, he called forth his runes and, for the first time in months, truly looked at them:
Name: Sunny.True Name: *************Rank: Awakened.Class: Demon.Shadow Cores: [3/7].Shadow Fragments: …
His pupils narrowed.
"...What?"
But there was no mistake. The runes read:
Shadow Fragments: [2223/3000].
Sunny stared at the number, then leaned his head back and tried to laugh—but instead, a harsh, guttural growl escaped his throat. Pain throbbed there, but he ignored it, baring his teeth in a dark, bitter grin.
When he had first entered the Nightmare, Sunny had possessed fewer than three hundred fragments… which meant that in the Red Colosseum, he had gathered nearly two thousand.
In fact, over those two months, he had probably killed more Nightmare Creatures—and humans—than in the previous two years of his life as a Spellbearer.
...Was this the price of glory?
"I think he's slowly losing his mind…" Effie said hesitantly. At those words, Rain's heart clenched.
"And who could blame him? I'd be more surprised to see someone go through all that and not lose their mind," Jet protested.
No one argued. It was no secret that every Awakened had experienced things no ordinary human ever should. That was why many of them needed guidance afterward—therapy, counsel, or simply someone to help them face their inner demons. Some managed to overcome it on their own, carrying their burdens in silence. Yet many others… simply went mad.
It was the terrible side of being Awakened—one that ordinary people never saw, but everyone present knew all too well.
For a while, Sunny remained still, then shifted his gaze to the very end of the field of shimmering runes. Soon, Nephis's description appeared before him. He lingered for a few moments, then read:
...Soul Fragments: [2478/4000].
The corner of his mouth twitched.
"Of course. After all, she's in her own hell…"
The gap between them had narrowed—but only slightly. He was still behind... it still wasn't enough.
But at least she was alive. And she was fighting with everything she had to return.
If Nephis refused to give up, then he had to endure as well.
All eyes turned to the Princess of the Immortal Flame. Effie spoke first, voicing the question that had been troubling them all.
"Uh... Princess, why can he see your runes?"
"I... I don't know..." Nephys answered hesitantly. She was completely taken aback, her thoughts in disarray. She didn't understand what she was feeling—on the one hand, she felt vulnerable, knowing all her secrets were visible to him. But on the other... there was trust between them. Absolute trust.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Ephys's mocking voice.
"You've been together? You can even show each other your runes," Ephys cooed.
Nephys's usually impassive face faltered, her expression distorting slightly. "What?"
"That can't be!" she snapped.
"Come on, Princess, don't be shy." "You're long past the age where..."
"NO!" Nephys cut her off again, her tone firm and agitated.
Everyone around her was clearly enjoying this conversation. The idea that the eternally cold princess could be dating someone? No one could believe it.
Even the always cold Mordreth was smiling...
Effie glanced at Cassie, looking for an ally to continue teasing the princess. Nephys also slowly turned her head, waiting for Cassie's response.
"Well, considering how many times he's been called someone's lover on screen... it's entirely possible," Cassie said with a sly smile.
Effie burst into loud, triumphant laughter.
Nephys stared at her friend, her eyes wide, her mouth silently opening and closing. "Did I just get betrayed?"
Laughter rippled through the hall, everyone watching the scene as if it were a hilarious spectacle.
Rain, however, was lost in her thoughts. "You know Lady Changer Star ? I was practically her boyfriend!" Sunny's words echoed in her head. She glanced uncertainly at her idol. "It can't be... it can't be..." Although... was it possible?
For many, this scene was a much-needed breath of fresh air. The group had been tense lately—too much information, too much darkness. And Sunnles's endless, reckless antics only exacerbated this exhaustion.
It took Sunny nearly two weeks to reach the southern border of the Chained Isles. The farther he traveled from the Red Coliseum, the fewer traces there were of the Followers of War.
Since Solvein's militant order occupied the western reaches of the Kingdom of Hope, and the Sun God's followers ruled the central lands—locked in their eternal, age-old conflict—the south had been left desolate and abandoned. That made Sunny's journey somewhat easier… but also dangerously lured him into lowering his guard.
Even so, he still had to remain alert. The farther he went from human settlements, the more unspeakable horrors lurked within the deep shadows of the Dark Side.
After some time, exhausted and on the verge of cardiac arrest, Sunny found himself on an unfamiliar island. Watching the slowly retreating abomination of black tar, he let out a weary sigh. He didn't know what had frightened the monster off, but the fact that it had retreated only made him more uneasy.
He could go back and try his luck fighting it—but Sunny was fairly certain that would be a terrible idea.
With a long, heavy breath, he trudged toward the island's center.
Yes, unknown dangers were almost always worse than the familiar ones... but who knew—maybe, this time, he'd get lucky.
Maybe whatever unseen horror awaited him would turn out to be friendly.
"Yeah… sure. Why not? Statistically speaking, it has to happen… someday…"
By the time Sunny reached the island's center, night had already fallen, and a full moon was climbing across the velvet expanse of the star-strewn sky. The hills were wrapped in darkness, concealing and protecting him, while only a fraction of his shadow essence filled his three cores.
The pain in his chest had dulled somewhat, but he still felt weak and feverish.
He was heading toward the southern edge of the island to get a better view of the border fortress and was carefully scanning the landscape for any signs of danger. If some terrible threat truly did inhabit this place, it was better to find it before it found him.
Climbing to the top of a tall hill, Sunny suddenly froze, then crouched low. Hidden safely within the shadows, he stared at a flickering white glow that danced in the distance, deep in the small valley between his hill and several others.
"What… what is that?"
He hesitated for a moment, then ordered his Shadow to detach and move toward the source of the light.
However… even the Shadow hesitated.
Sunny blinked.
"What the hell are you waiting for?! Go! You can always run if something goes wrong!"
The Shadow gave him a long, reproachful look, then shook its head in protest and reluctantly slithered forward.
Soon, Sunny saw a strange sight.
In the middle of the valley burned a small campfire—its flame completely white. In front of it sat a lone human figure. The man's head was bowed, his face hidden by loose strands of hair. He was bare-chested, his pale skin stained with dried blood. And yet, his body bore no wounds… not even a single scar.
On the stone before him rested a diamond sickle, its blade gleaming with a dark crimson hue.
The image of a blood-streaked man, one half of his body bathed in the fire's warm glow and the other in the cold, silver light of the moon, was both eerie and strangely beautiful. Sunny found himself momentarily entranced by the solemn, mysterious atmosphere of the scene—almost enough to forget the danger it implied.
After a long silence, the man let out a deep sigh.
…And then, suddenly, he spoke in a bright, melodic voice:
"Who's that hiding in the shadows? Don't be so timid, friend… come out. Share the warmth of this fire with me, if you wish. The night is cold and dark."
A light, musical laugh echoed through the valley.
"…Oh, don't be afraid. I won't eat you."
Sunny shivered.
"Well, it looks like he finally got lucky and met a friendly person!" Rain said with a bright smile. Yet, for some reason, it was far too quiet—no one else seemed to share her joy. Even on the faces of the saints, a tense silence lingered.
In the back rows of the theater, a certain Warlock stretched into a pleasant smile. "It seems the wicked shadow was not unfamiliar to me!"
"Speak more quietly, fool! There's something terrible hiding on this island!"
But then he paused for a moment and shivered.
What if… what if the person himself was that unknown horror?
Meanwhile, the horror lifted its head, finally revealing its face.
It was young and beautiful, with smooth, silky skin, high cheekbones, and delicate features. The man's smile was carefree and pleasant, his eyes bright and cheerful. On his forehead was painted the symbol of a crescent moon.
Sunny, of course, recognized him immediately.
It was the very face he had seen a thousand times, depicted on every one of the wondrous coins.
…However, Sunny didn't have time to dwell on this revelation, because something else caught his attention. The man slightly shifted, turned his head, and looked directly at him.
Not at the dark shadow hiding a short distance from the fire, but at the distant hilltop, where Sunny himself lay concealed in the shadows.
"D-damn…"
The man beckoned him with a finger, still smiling.
"Come closer, come closer. It's rude to refuse a sincere invitation… especially from such a pleasant person as I. Oh… where are my manners? I haven't even introduced myself! Rejoice, stranger… you are in the splendid presence of Noctis, the great Warlock of the East…"
At last, the invisible tension dissipated. No sooner had all eyes fallen upon the warlock than, as if expecting his cue, he began to speak with excited enthusiasm.
"The magnificent ruler of the East finally takes the stage!!!" he proclaimed, spreading his arms theatrically. "You are honored to gaze upon—"
He didn't finish his grand introduction before a sudden blow struck his stomach, forcing him to double over in pain.
Everyone exchanged confused glances, uncertain of what was happening. The Professor was the first to speak up.
"Pardon me, M–Master Noctis, but why do you speak as though you remember this encounter?"
The once-animated Noctis cast a glance at the professor, rubbing his side where the cruel strike had landed.
"Oh, dear Julius," he said with an exaggerated sigh, "I never said I remember meeting that wicked shadow. I recall spending some time on that island, yes—but as for our gloomy friend, I don't recall him at all."
The professor exhaled in disappointment. Just when he had hoped to learn something new, frustration overtook him once more.
Daeron could only pat him on the shoulder."Don't worry, my friend. In time, we'll find out everything."
He hesitated for a moment, then sighed, rose to his feet, and began walking toward the crackling fire. Noticing this, Noctis let out a satisfied hum and made a small motion with his hand.
Immediately, droplets of dew lifted from the grass, forming a clear stream that spiraled around his body, washing away the dried blood. An elegant silk cloak rose from the ground and wrapped itself around him, while the diamond sickle whistled through the air, shaking off the dust before hanging neatly at the warlock's waist.
Sunny kept walking, still clutching his aching chest, watching the strange spectacle with a blank expression.
"Damn... why can't I do tricks like that? That would make life so much easier…"
Finally, under the mocking glare of his vengeful shadow, he stepped into the circle of light and couldn't help but flinch when the Saint cast a curious glance his way. It was hard to stay calm before a being who could probably destroy him with a flick of a finger.
...The whole situation was utterly absurd. Noctis looked like a pampered young man dressed in bright silks, his face refined and his body that of someone who had never known physical strain. His hands were smooth and uncalloused, his build slender and soft—almost delicate.
Sunny, on the other hand, was a towering demon clad in intricate, terrifying onyx armor. His lean form radiated feral strength; he had curling horns, four powerful arms, a maw full of sharp fangs, and eyes that were utterly black and inhuman.
And yet, it was the demon who feared the dainty young man—not the other way around.
"...Ridiculous."
Noctis studied the demon standing before him, his smile widening.
"Ah, what a fortunate encounter. A shadow! I wonder... could it be fate that brought you to me?"
Sunny fell silent.
"Fate? What does he mean by that?"
Meanwhile, the warlock gestured for him to sit.
"Come, shadow. You look unwell. Rest a while and warm yourself."
Sunny hesitated, then lowered himself to the ground and sat opposite the Transcendent, across from the dancing flames. Peering into Noctis's soul to confirm what he already suspected, he saw a single radiant core burning in the man's chest. It truly was the soul of a Saint.
For a time, Noctis said nothing. Then, he asked:
"Tell me, shadow... what is your name?"
Sunny paused, then extended one of his hands and scratched two runes into one of the stones surrounding the fire.
The warlock's eyebrows rose high.
"Oh... these runes, huh? Merciful heavens... I regret not paying better attention to my tutors back then. Dreary old frauds, the lot of them. Let's see... star? No, that's not right. Sun? Missing sun... absence of the sun... Sunless?"
Sunny nodded, and Noctis's face split into a smug grin.
"Ha! Truly, there is no one smarter than me in the entire Kingdom of Hope! The rumors are true... well, of course they are true—I paid the storytellers to spread them. Anyway, Sunless, what a fitting name you have. A name worthy of a shadow… perhaps a bit too fitting, if you ask me, but still, very charming. Well done!"
Sunny tilted his head, staring at the Saint in quiet bewilderment.
"My goodness, so many compliments in my direction!" Noctis cooed pleasantly. Effie gave him a strange look.
"You're not exactly the modest type, are you?" Jet added, prompting a few chuckles from the others.
Noctis, however, replied in a wounded tone, "Ah, what have I done to deserve such insults? I happen to be one of the most modest people alive! I merely speak the truth. Am I not magnificent?"
"Yes, yes…" Solvein muttered dryly, making Noctis flinch. "And if you'd kindly close your mouth, oh great King of the East, we might actually focus on the viewing!"
A few seconds later, the sorcerer could be seen sitting with remarkably perfect posture, silent as ever.
"What the hell… is this guy just eccentric, or completely insane?"
Noctis didn't seem to mind being stared at — in fact, he almost looked like he enjoyed it. He met the onyx demon's gaze, the smile on his face unmoving.
The humor in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by a strange, dangerous glimmer.
"Sunles… since fate itself has brought us together," he said softly, "could you answer me one simple question?"
Feeling the tension spread through his battered body, Sunny's expression darkened, and he slowly nodded.
"This isn't good… not good at all! Damn it! Why is everyone in this place insane?!"
Noctis leaned forward, his voice deceptively calm and friendly.
"Tell me… do you, by any chance, possess a knife carved from a solid piece of black obsidian?"
Sunny froze.
"How… how the hell does he know?!"
But there was nothing he could do. The question had been asked, and now he had to answer.
He resisted his Deficiency as long as he could, then clenched his teeth and gave a slow nod.
The immortal sorcerer watched Sunny for a few moments, his gleaming eyes reflecting the moonlight like two shining pools of pale blue light.
Then, suddenly, he threw back his head and burst into joyous laughter, as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world. Noctis laughed so hard that tears welled up in his eyes, glittering in the moonlight like crystals.
At last, he calmed down and looked back at Sunny, the carefree smile returning to his face.
"Ah, Sunles… fate is the funniest thing in the world, don't you think? You and I… I have a feeling we're going to be wonderful friends, Sanles. Take my word for it!"
Many were puzzled. What knife were they talking about? And why was Noctis so thrilled?The sorcerer himself, however, was utterly overjoyed.
"Indeed! Indeed! I couldn't have said it better myself! Wait… didn't I just say that?"Even the Priestess of War gave up trying to calm him down. She simply pretended she didn't know him at all.
Cassie, on the other hand, was furious—though she didn't show it."Fate is the funniest thing in the world? Ha! What a joke…" she thought bitterly. "Fate is cruel. Absolutely cruel."Her fingers clenched in quiet rage.
"Mister Noctis," the ever-curious professor finally spoke up, "may I ask why you're so delighted by your meeting? Moreover, why claim that fate itself brought you together?"
"Questions, questions—so many questions! Why are you all looking at me as if I were some wise monk who knows everything?" the wizard exclaimed irritably.Everyone continued staring at him, silently demanding an answer.
A sigh escaped his lips. "I can't know the exact reason, but I do have some theories. First—he possesses an obsidian knife. Why is that important? Because that blade is capable of killing one of us… one of the Seven Lords who guard the Kingdom of Hope."
The audience fell silent, bewildered.A knife capable of killing a Saint? What kind of weapon was that?And yet, if the sorcerer was telling the truth, everything suddenly started to make sense.
"And the second reason?" Kai asked.
"The second," Noctis said enthusiastically, "is that he's a fascinating being!"
He received a room full of confused stares.
"Explain," Morgan demanded in her commanding tone.Noctis turned his gaze toward her—a gaze so sharp that a chill ran down the Saint of Valor's spine. Forcing down her pride and hostility, she corrected herself stiffly:"Please… explain."
A pleasant smile spread across the wizard's face. "That's better."
"A fascinating being, yes! How could he not be? As I said, he inhabits the body of a Follower of Shadow. I may not be friends with that particular one, but I know of him. And what's even more remarkable—he understands the language of runes!"
Satisfied with his explanation, everyone turned their attention back to the screen.
— "Ah, Sunles! How fortunate that I've met you."
His smile dimmed slightly, and for a brief moment, his eyes turned dark and terrifying.
"...Before our meeting, you see, I was about to do something rather... radical. But now, there's no need. The divination truly worked."
He fell silent for a few seconds, then smoothly returned to his usual carefree demeanor.
"This wonderful occasion calls for a celebration! Yes, we simply must celebrate… while you're still alive… which, unfortunately, won't be for long… so let's not make things complicated…"
Sunny flinched.
"...What?"
A strange Sailor Doll placed a tray before them, then stepped back into the darkness and froze, becoming indistinguishable from a dead piece of wood.
Noctis smiled and reached for one of the amphorae.
Sunny's thoughts, meanwhile, were in chaos.
"...What the hell does he mean I won't live long?!"
He opened his mouth, then shut it again in frustration and quickly traced several runes in the ashes:
— What? Why?
The sorcerer frowned, trying to decipher them, then gave him an unmistakably amused smile.
"Why? Oh, it's quite simple! Yes… of course, you must be confused. You see, I usually hold a grand feast to honor such an occasion. After all, I'm the most gracious man in the Kingdom of Hope! But alas, we'll have to settle for this disgraceful…"
Sunny shook his head violently, then carved a few more runes:
— Sunles. Death. Why?
Noctis stared at him in surprise.
"Well… aren't you dying? Your shattered heart has finally caught up with you. I thought that's why you came here—to spend your final days near his resting place."
Sunny blinked several times, trying to process what he'd just heard.
Was his last remaining heart really failing? He… he had felt it straining to the point of tearing apart while fleeing from the Black Tar monster. It had been aching ever since...
And whose resting place was Noctis talking about? No, that didn't matter right now.
He wiped away the previous runes and wrote two more:
— Heart. Broken?
Noctis frowned.
"Wait... you... you might not want to die? I— I didn't say anything earlier out of respect for your wishes, but if a peaceful death isn't your goal, then why are you wasting time drinking wine with me? Sunles… have you lost your mind?"
Sunny stared at him for a few moments, utterly unimpressed, his eyes full of silent reproach. Then he bared his fangs and wrote:
— No. Don't know. Maybe. Heart. Heal?
The sorcerer scratched his head.
"...You're a very strange shadow, Sunles. Well... restoring a shattered heart isn't exactly simple. And yours isn't just broken—it's lost. Unless you replace the missing heart, there's no point in healing the one that remains. It'll just tear apart again. But where could a shadowy creature like you possibly find a suitable heart in this godforsaken land?"
Everyone, remembering his condition, slowly returned to reality. And if Noctis's words were true, there was no one left alive who could heal him. Sanles's situation was far from promising.
"Esteemed Noctis," Kai began, drawing the sorcerer's attention.
"Yes, my splendid young man," Noctis replied brightly—though for some reason, that simple phrase sent an unpleasant shiver down Kai's spine.
"I just wanted to ask… do you perhaps possess the power to heal him?"
Noctis's lips curved into a sly smile.
"Of course I do! Who do you think I am?"
Everyone stared at him in shock.
"T-then why haven't you offered to help him?" Kai asked, visibly confused.
"Why should I?" Noctis answered calmly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I've only just met him. There's no such thing as free service!"
At that moment, everyone shared the same unspoken thought:
"A stingy miser."
He sighed.
— "All the servants of the Shadow have vanished, just like the servants of the Heart. Without them, only the greatest of healers could craft a heart from nothing—one worthy of a shadow demon."
Noctis looked down with a sorrowful expression… but then a mischievous smile curved his lips.
— "...Fortunately, I happen to be the most talented and renowned healer in the entire Kingdom of Hope! For me, creating a new heart for you would hardly be a challenge. But, Sanles… as close friends as we are, such a service cannot be offered lightly. I wouldn't want to ruin our friendship, you see? So… you'll have to do something for me in return. That would be polite of you, wouldn't it?"
Sunny had the distinct feeling that he was being deceived — after all, he was no stranger to deception himself. Yet that didn't really matter. At least part of what Noctis had said about his remaining heart inevitably failing rang true.
Perhaps, if Sunny managed not to strain it too much in the future, he might survive a bit longer. But what were the chances of a peaceful life inside the Nightmare?
...Zero. He desperately needed a functioning heart — or better yet, two. Only then would he regain his full strength and be ready for the trials ahead.
Sunny sighed and traced a few runes, already suspecting what he was about to hear.
"He wants that damned knife, doesn't he? That bastard…"
— "Sanles. Do. What?"
Noctis watched him for a moment, then smiled.
But what he said next was not what Sunny had expected.
The sorcerer suddenly turned and gestured toward the south.
— "Oh, nothing too dramatic, really. You see, at the edge of this island there's an abandoned fortress. All I ask is that you go inside… and stay there until dawn. Actually, it would be even better if you managed to fall asleep. So… a little nap in exchange for a brand-new heart. Doesn't sound so bad, does it? I mean, it's just a few hours of sleep… what could possibly go wrong?"
...The gloomy shadow clutched its head in utter despair.
Everyone was... slightly puzzled? Indeed, Noctis's request sounded simple enough — almost too simple. But those already familiar with his character knew that something was definitely off.
And sure enough, only a few minutes later… something went wrong.
"Is that bastard trying to kill me?"
And yet, somehow, Sunny found it hard to believe that Noctis simply wanted him dead. A Saint like him had far easier ways to kill an Awakened — especially one as weary and weakened as Sunny was now. There was no need for such elaborate tricks.
That meant what the sorcerer had said was probably true — or at least close to it. He genuinely believed Sunny was uniquely suited for this task and had a real chance of completing it… and surviving.
But why? What was so special about him? What could he possibly do that even a Transcendent could not?
Maybe it was because he was connected to the God of Shadows… just like the previous owner of that fortress.
Lost in grim thoughts, Sunny climbed another hill — and then froze when he saw a familiar silhouette in the distance.
The border fortress.
It was in far better condition than it would be in the future. In fact, it looked almost intact. If not for the moss covering its walls, the absence of light, and the deadly silence that hung over it, Sunny could have mistaken it for a place still inhabited by people.
The high gray stone walls reached toward the night sky, their massive gates sealed shut. Bathed in pale moonlight, the ancient fortress looked grim and ominous — like a cursed tomb.
Sunny scowled.
"...Not ominous at all."
Still clutching his chest, he descended the hill and approached the foreboding structure. Its walls hadn't yet crumbled, so the breach he had used last time didn't exist.
With a low growl, he sank his claws into the ancient stone and began to climb. These walls were nothing compared to the great wall of the Dark City — reaching the top was almost easy, even for a human.
And right now, he wasn't even human. He was a demon, even if a dying one.
Soon, Sunny reached the top of the wall and crouched on the edge, peering down into the empty courtyard. Signs of abandonment were far clearer here — dust and grime covered everything, and weeds grew through cracks in the ancient cobblestones. The fortress was desolate and silent, long bereft of anyone to inhabit or care for it.
He hesitated for a while, then reluctantly sent two of his shadows to scout the area. If a powerful creature truly lurked inside, they would find it soon enough.
Minutes passed in tense silence. The shadows glided through the deserted corridors and halls, across towers and down into dungeons. But no matter where they went, they found no trace of life.
What they did find were corpses.
Here and there lay human skeletons, still clad in archaic clothes and armor. There were no signs of struggle — no torn fabric, no broken bones. It was as if the fortress garrison had simply lain down and died for no apparent reason.
The sight was deeply unsettling.
"Damn it all... damn these blasted immortals, and damn this cursed place..."
Sunny almost turned to leave, but a sharp pain pierced his chest, reminding him why he had come here in the first place.
With a weary sigh, he jumped down from the wall and started toward the fortress keep.
"Time to find myself a nice soft bed…"
He entered the donjon, recalled his shadows, and moved through the silent halls toward the upper levels of the massive tower. After wandering for a while, he found a room that seemed both comfortable and defensible.
Unceremoniously pushing a decayed corpse in a tattered nightgown off the bed, Sunny lay down in its place and closed his eyes with exhaustion.
Yes, the place was eerie... but he was utterly spent and desperately needed rest. Sleep would do him good.
"Eh, whatever... I've slept in worse places."
Before drifting into the depths of oblivion, he summoned the Saint from the shadows and silently commanded her to stand guard. After a brief pause, he did the same with the Soul Serpent.
Only when the two Shadows took their posts did he finally allow himself to relax.
In the oppressive silence of the abandoned fortress, Sunny could clearly hear the strained beating of his heart. But he was too tired to care.
Within minutes, he was fast asleep.
...And just before sinking into deep slumber, with his mind hovering on the edge of dreams, he thought he heard an unexpected sound — distant, yet close.
It was the rhythmic clatter of hooves on cold stone.
"Alright… that wasn't exactly ominous," Effie muttered. And who could blame her? An old, abandoned castle, piles of corpses with no signs of struggle, and then that strange sound at the end.
Everyone had been expecting some kind of battle with a nightmare creature lurking in the fortress. But he… really just lay down on the bed and seemed to fall asleep?
Yet, as it turned out, things were not so simple. Because on the screen, the familiar image of Sanles was no longer there.