Meeting a Star

The black waves of the Dark sea halted their endless assault on the walls of the dark city as the first light of dawn appeared.

The wails of the dreadful creatures populating the city however, did not stop.

The hunting parties of the Sleepers of the bright castle returned from their journeys, wishing not to be caught in the middle of the chaos.

Some returned unscathed. Others weren't so lucky. The guards of the castle could only stare down from its walls, shivering with each new howl.

On one side of the city however, two young men were making their way to the castle with no haste.

One was very handsome compared to the other Sleepers, he was looking nervously from one side to the other, while sometimes staring at the young man beside him. The other one seemed deep in thought, he was walking with a carefree manner. His looks matched that of a Saint, not a sleeper.

' so that's how it is...'

Sunny had his suspension, and it proved truthful. Before reaching Kai, he had sent Haughty to the location where he first met and killed Saint.

Looking through his shadow, he did find the Stone saints, all dead against the spiders. But he did not find Saint. She was no where to be seen.

Sunny had suspected that this change to the events in the past could be because of his strange existence. He still has Saint resting in one of his cores, perhaps only one version of her can exist. Or perhaps Fate is trying to make sense of his existence by creating anomalies.

' interesting...'

Does that mean that certain events can happen in a total different way? By different people?

' what a headache '

" uh...Sunny, c-can we hurry to the c-castel?"

Kai said nervously as another howl sounded nearby.

Sunny glanced at him and smiled.

" why, of course we can. But we don't need to, the monsters don't come through this path, so don't worry. Here, have a drink. You look parched. "

Sunny summoned the Endless Spring and handed to Kai, who took it and drank greedily.

" Thank you kindly! I haven't drank anything in three days. But, Sunny, if you don't mind me asking, how do you know that no monster will come through here? "

Sunny's smile widened slightly.

" how else? I killed them of course. "

Kai couldn't help the shiver that ran through his body. Because he knew that the boy in front of him was telling the truth.

_________

The castle stood in front of them. It was grand and magnificent with tall towers raising on either side of its high walls, supported by numbers of arches and columns.

The road to the castel was as magnificent. It was heavily fortified, and made in a way that allowed the defenders of the castel to endlessly rain down arrows on any attacker.

At the end of the path was a grand staircase that led to a vast stone platform, meant to be a gathering ground for soldiers in case of an emergency.

Now however, the platform was used as a makeshift settlement. small shabby buildings made of stone and wood were found here and there, making for small alleyways.

The place reminded Sunny of the outskirts in someway. They gave off the same feeling of despair and fear.

That seemed more noticeable, especially this night.

Sunny and Kai were making their way to settlement when a few Sleepers noticed them.

Kai was immediately recognized and was met with friendly smiles and small talks.

Sunny on the other hand was met with stares of absolute wonder. Especially from the girls.

' maybe I should've stuck to the shadows '

" so, Kai, time to make good on your promise. I want you to go inside the castel and find out about who is selling Memories "

Kai blinked a couple of times, then smiled.

" of course, but it's going to take a while, if you want the best information "

Sunny shrugged

" take your time. I'll be waiting for you in that alley over there "

And with that, the two of them separated. Sunny headed for the alley and made sure to be unseen in the shadows. He knew who he was going to meet here, and yet he still felt if not fear, then doubt.

The last time he saw her caused a multitude of emotions to fill his heart. Rage, sadness, joy, and despair. He was free, but at what cost?

Those same emotions were somehow more intense now, almost on the verge of spiraling out of control.

Sunny took a deep breath, two hours had passed, and now he felt a familiar shadow approach where he was.

A familiar voice sounded behind him.

" Hi, Sunny. "

Sunny turned around, a small smile on his face.

" Hey, Neph. Long time no see. "

Nephis looked just like he remembered. Wearing the Starlight Legion armor. Her hair was significantly shorter than what it was back at Antarctica and the third nightmare. But the look of determination was still the same.

Sunny left the shadows, making his form much clearer.

" I'm glad to see you again, Sunny. It's good that you're- "

Nephis's eyes widened as her words trailed away.

Sunny frowned, he looked behind him, then back at her.

' is there something on my face? '

" hey, Neph. Are you...okay? "

Nephis blinked, she turned around slightly. Sunny could've swore that he saw a blush on her face.

" of course I'm fine, why would you think otherwise? "

It was then that it dawned on him. Sunny almost forgot about his transcendent appearance compared to the other sleepers.

' so that's why she's acting this way '

A mischievous smile appeared on his lips as he said.

" it's just that you seem quite...flustered. "

Nephis coughed.

" me? No, it's just that you look a bit different. It caught me off guard. "

Nephis tried to make her stoic expression return to her face, only to fail miserably as she turned to look at Sunny again.

" so, Sunny. Why are you back to the castel? I was wondering that maybe we can talk "

Sunny was having so much fun teasing Nephis that almost forgot why he was here. Smiling again he said.

" oh, you know. Shopping for a memory made by a deity, waiting for an old friend "

Nephis looked at him with skepticism.

" you're waiting for a friend in an alleyway, to go shopping for a memory made by a deity..."

She sighed.

" you can just say no. You don't have to make a story...."

Her words trailed as a young man with auburn hair and mesmerizing green eyes appeared in the alley.

" ah! Sunny! I've finally found you."

Sunny was waiting for this moment with anticipation, holding back his laughter at the expression of absolute terror that appeared on Nephis's face.

" S-Sunny...w-who's that behind you? " Nephis whispered.

Sunny tried his best not to explode in laughter.

" oh? This is the friend I was talking about. Meet Kai, you might know him as Night. "

Nephis's shoulders slumped in defeat as she took a step back.

Kai had a cute expression of confusion on his face, so Sunny couldn't miss this chance as well.

" oh, and Kai. This is Nephis, she goes by Changing Star of the Immortal flame clan. "

It was Kai's turn to look horrified.

Sunny couldn't hold back his laughter anymore.