…
"So, are we done here? Or do you have more questions? The sun is almost gone, so you'd better hurry up and ask them."
Sunny shook his head and said, his voice hoarse:
"…Yeah. Yeah, Neph. I'm done."
With that, he slowly turned around and took a step forward.
Left behind, Nephis frowned.
"Where are you going? Come back here."
He waved a hand and said in a suppressed tone, refusing to turn his head:
"Sorry. I have an errand to run. We'll… talk some other time."
Her frown deepened. Looking at his back, Changing Star gritted her teeth and called:
"I said come back, Sunny! This conversation isn't over! Come back here right now!"
But there was no answer.
Sunny had already disappeared into the shadows, leaving her standing alone in the alley that was brightly lit by the last light of the dying sunset.
***
Some time later, Sunny was walking through the ruins
It was the early hour of the night.
Surrounded by nothing but darkness, Sunny was left alone with his thoughts and emotions. But, strangely, both his heart and mind were empty. He couldn't be bothered to think or feel anything right now.
It was all just too much and too sudden.
Plus, he would much rather concentrate on not stumbling on some horrific monster. Ending up eaten by a Nightmare Creature right now would be very ironic, but still unpleasant.
He felt guilty about murdering Harper, but not enough to die while trying to dispose of the body. He would much prefer not to die for his sins.
Luckily, the area he was traversing was familiar to Sunny.
Sunny continued walking through the ruins, his steps slow and deliberate. The night had fully settled in by now, wrapping the world in its cold embrace. Shadows stretched endlessly, twisting and shifting with each flicker of distant firelight of the distant outer settlement.
He kept his shadow senses on high alert, carefully navigating the streets. While this area was relatively safe compared to others, it was still far from peaceful. There was no place for leisure here, no place for—
Sunny suddenly stopped.
Just ahead, in the middle of the street, someone was sitting on a simple wooden chair.
The figure was a young man with golden hair and eyes that gleamed like molten metal. He was dressed in the humble robes of a clergyman, his posture relaxed yet eerily composed. He wasn't doing anything—just sitting there, gazing at the darkened sky as though waiting for someone.
A creeping sense of unease washed over Sunny.
What the hell was he doing here? This wasn't a place where people simply sat around.
As though sensing his presence, the blonde boy turned his head and looked at him. A sudden wave of tension gripped Sunny's chest, but the boy only smiled and lifted a hand in a casual greeting. Then, with an easy gesture, he motioned toward the empty chair beside him.
An invitation.
For a moment, Sunny remained still, his instincts screaming at him to turn around and leave. But then—another wave crashed over him. This time, it wasn't unease.
It was familiarity.
Memories surfaced—flashes of a battle beneath the Soul Devouring Tree. The moment he had pulled out a literal gun in the middle of a swordfight. The figure who had always remained close to Cassie.
Adam.
Sunny frowned. He had… forgotten about him. Completely. That was strange. Adam's appearance was impossible to ignore—his golden hair, his striking golden eyes. And yet, his presence had somehow slipped from Sunny's mind, just like Cassie's often did.
Though, in Cassie's case, her weakness made it understandable.
With a quiet exhale, Sunny pushed aside his troubled thoughts and took a step forward. Then another.
And then, he approached Adam.
Ivan POV
"Hey, Sunny…" Ivan greeted with a smile that didn't reach his eyes as Sunny approached. His hesitation was palpable; after all, who in their right mind would sit casually in these treacherous streets? Moreover, the man inviting him was the same one who had, without a second thought, subjected him to slavery, though he would never know.
Sunny's eyes narrowed, suspicion evident. "Hey…"
Gesturing to the empty chair beside him, Ivan continued, "Why don't you have a seat? It seemed like you and Lady Changing Star had quite the heated discussion back there."
Sunny's breath caught. "You heard our conversation?"
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but it's hard not to overhear in these ruins. To be honest, it was quite eye-opening…"
Sunny's frown deepened, his gaze piercing.
"I wanted us to be friends," Ivan said, "but it seems Fate didn't share that sentiment."
"I had my reasons to keep things to myself," Sunny replied guardedly.
"Of course, everyone has their secrets," Ivan acknowledged. "But I have a few questions I want to ask. I promise they won't delve into your private life."
The phrasing struck a chord in Sunny, reminiscent of Harper's intrusive inquiry about his true name. He tensed but masked it quickly, but he felt like he had no choice so he decided to accept Ivan's invitation. He sat down on the wooden chair, cautiously allowing himself a moment's respite. The ever-present threat of Nightmare Creatures loomed,
the only reason he allowed himself this short moment of respite which he wouldnt normally allow himself to have in these ruins is because of Adam's abilities—his power to conjure items, weapons, and sustenance in the Dream Realm—offered a semblance of security. Sunny had witnessed Ivan's prowess firsthand; while his combat skills might not surpass Sunny's, his utility was invaluable and far above his own aspects utility.
Settling into the seat, Sunny regarded Adam with a complex expression. "What is it you wanted to ask?"
Ivan met his gaze, his own expression unreadable. "Would you forgive someone who betrayed you to save you?"