Chapter 37

Sunny's question had come completely out of left field, it was so abrupt and unexpected it tore Nephis from her thoughts of the future as all her attention was instantly shifted downwards. Despite the immense weight of what he had just asked, Sunny remained on her lap idly playing with her hair, waiting for an answer.

"What could possibly make you think I want that!?" Nephis exclaimed, her eyes widening with shock. Although she was uncertain of her future with Sunny, taking such drastic measures would be absurd. The thought of killing Sunny almost seemed like a line she couldn't cross.

"Well, supposedly I'm going to be the new evil that destroys the world and wrecks havoc on everything that lives. And to stop this evil from arising, I'm to be a sacrifice...again. So, my question is, do you want to kill me, or do you want me to do it myself?"

Nephis lips curled into a frown as she continued to stare down at Sunny. His expression remained indifferent, yet she could tell he was irritated, after all, why wouldn't he be? Should Nephis act accordingly with Cassie's plans, he would become a sacrifice for the second time.

"I don't want either Sunny, I'm just uncertain. If we plan on changing fate, how would we even start? There's just so many uncertainties that I can't think of a way forward." Sunny's frown deepened at her comment, his lips curled into a snarl as his eyes flared with fury once more.

"You're regressing Neph, what does it matter if we don't know of a way forward now? All we need to do is begin thinking of ways we can subtly manipulate our fates, whether it be through making different choices or directly manipulating it ourselves."

Before Nephis could reply, Sunny manipulated the shadows around him, forming a dagger out of shadows and handing it to Nephis. Her hands didn't tighten around the blade, so Sunny wrapped his hands around her own to tighten her grip.

"But I have a feeling that you're wavering, turning back into the person I want to kill. And if you do, I'll really be forced to kill you. Immediately. So, this is your opportunity, you can change fate right now by thrusting this dagger downwards."

Nephis arms tightened around the hilt of the blade before throwing it aside, it dissipated into shadows before it could do any real damage to Sunny's home. Grabbing Sunny, she pulled him upwards into a deep hug, burying him into her arms.

"Letting yourself die or be a sacrifice should never cross your mind. Ever. I'm not going to make you a sacrifice, we'll think of a way forward together. So, get those stupid thoughts out of your head."

Pulling backwards slightly, Nephis finally saw something she had never witnessed in a long time. A lone tear fell from Sunny's eyes as he smiled at her, no words were said, nothing was uttered. They simply stared at each other in silence.

"I don't want to be a sacrifice; it might be a little selfish of me but why won't anyone sacrifice themselves for my sake!? There are too many bastards in the world who aren't put up as lambs to the slaughter even though they deserve it."

His voice was low and reserved, his eyes never wavering from Nephis own. She didn't offer a reply, simply pulling him into a deep kiss. Sunny didn't resist, he felt himself melt into her arms as she continued to press her lips against his own. Before he knew it, she was on top of him.

Nephis returned to her daily pastime of kissing Sunny across his body and studying his reaction with a small smile on her face. His lip trembled as he stared down at her while she gently placed her lips across his stomach. She had buried her head under his shirt too so he couldn't see the grin she had laced across her lips.

Placing a hand on her head to stop her onslaught on his chest, Sunny pulled his shirt upwards, Nephis flowing white hair fell to the sides as she looked up at him innocently. "Don't give me that look when your lips are marked on my skin!" he mock whined before quickly growing serious.

"I think...I might go to Antarctica. To evacuate the people." Nephis tilted her head at his sudden admission, helping people had been something she had quite frankly never seen Sunny care about. In fact, the only times he had directly helped people had been accidentally through his love for killing people and money.

"What brought about the sudden urge, not that I'm against it or anything." Nephis asked, her eyes focused on his, yet her hands still danced across his chest. Sunny suppressed a shudder before replying "Well, I want to help people. Do something that I haven't done yet, maybe gain greater resolve by going there."

Nodding slightly, Nephis shifted her weight till their faces were merely inches apart from one another, her breathe tickling his skin. "I think that's amazing, but won't that mean you'll be acting separately from Valor?" Sunny nodded slightly.

"It's not like I'm doing anything outrageous, plus rumours of Valor's newest recruit doing immense acts of 'heroism' will only serve their benefit, I'm sure I could work a deal between Morgan and I."

A slight frown appeared on Nephis face, scenario's flying through her head. "That means we won't see each other for months." Sunny's face mirrored her own, it was hard, but it was necessary. He knew too that Valor planned to move into Antarctica soon so them reuniting was certain.

"We'll meet again, I'll stay in touch. After all, what could I possibly do without you?" A smile was all he received as a reply as Nephis kissed him suddenly. Sunny hadn't even had the chance to breathe as she basically strangled him with her kiss, but it wasn't unwelcome.

As they separated, heavy breathes escaped Sunny's lungs as he stared at Nephis with a dazed smile. "Stop making not seeing you so difficult." She only smiled in response, as the two of them drifted to sleep in each others' arms.

Time had passed, and now it was time for Sunny to go to Antarctica. He had emptied nearly every restaurant in his immediate vicinity in preparation, packing all manner of clothing to ensure the survival of everyone he was with and most importantly itself.

He had a strong enough understanding to know what was going on there, the people needed to be evacuated and the continuous release of nightmare spells in the area wouldn't let that happen. It was fine though; he was almost certain he'd survive.

Soon enough, he found himself inside a titanic ship which drifted over the ocean. Sunny could barely restrain his curiosity as he explored every nook and cranny that the ship had to offer, staring through the windows of the ship that cut through the water without difficulty.

Many gigantic nightmare creatures lurked in these depths, however, as soon as they got even slightly close to the ship a gigantic creature which Sunny could not identify arrived and obliterated them with ease. It was black and white with eyes that Sunny couldn't locate.

Frankly, he found himself very fascinated. A tap on the shoulder tore him from his child like curiosity on the depths as he turned around to see who had gotten his attention. Jet stood behind him with crossed arms and a warm smile, her military bodysuit had been adapted to endure the cold yet still served to flaunt her beauty.

"Hi Jet, long time no see!" Sunny greeted enthusiastically, turning around and enveloping Jet in a hug. She returned the gesture warmly as they exchanged pleasantries, Sunny had even ran her down on what he had been up to, including his plans with Nephis.

Time flew by without remorse, and soon enough, the two found themselves making contact with the shore of Antarctica's icy planes. Sunny's face quickly grew stone still as he analysed the thousands of people that Jet had given him command over, each one of their lives were in his hands.

Children, adults, the sick and the elderly. All of them mundane to top it off. Their lives were so fickle, and Sunny was their tether to the mortal plane. Jumping off the ship Sunny collided with the snow with a thud, his eyes scanning around to see anyone noteworthy.

None had approached him, the presence of death hanging around him was so thick that even the mundane could sense it. But a singular blonde girl, no older than six ran up to him and clung to his chest. "Are you going to save us Mr Scary?"

A warm smile settled on Sunny's face, he extended a hand downwards and ruffled her hair. 'Finally, I can do this, someone's shorter than me!' he mentally praised. "I will, if possible, I'll save you all."