Nephis let out a deep sigh, feeling her hands tremble ever so slightly. Her mind was a storm, a whirlwind of thoughts colliding into one another, leaving her unable to focus. But one thing was crystal clear: she was nervous.
And who could blame her? She was about to step into the heart of the very clan that had hunted her since she was a child—the same clan that had turned her life into a relentless nightmare. No matter how calm she tried to appear, the memories clung to her like heavy chains, haunting her silently.
It was tragic, wasn't it? That a child could grow up accustomed to the feeling of being hunted like prey. The paranoia, so deeply embedded in her psyche, had become second nature. If it were to happen again today, she probably wouldn't even flinch. Just another day in her life. But if anyone else saw her reality, they would undoubtedly call it heartbreaking.
What kind of child had to check for hidden bombs in a PTV? What kind of child learned how to survive and lie before even knowing how to make friends? The list was short, but there were others like her. Sunny was one of them.
Oddly enough, that thought gave her some comfort. Knowing she wasn't the only one with a shattered childhood was a small relief. But deep down, she knew that solace was a lie. It was like telling herself that someone else having it worse would make her pain any easier to bear.
No matter how bad someone else has it, my scars are still mine, she thought bitterly. And hers were many. A psychological puzzle with too many broken pieces.
Her memories of her father were faint, like faded photographs. She could recall brief flashes—training sessions when she was only four years old. After that, nothing. Of her mother, there was nothing at all. She doubted she had even heard her voice. Being a Hollow meant she could never be there for her daughter.
Then came the real torment. One by one, the servants, stewards, and protectors of her clan were hunted down, killed, or fled to avoid the same fate. What was once the greatest and most powerful clan was reduced to a single survivor: her.
And where were the people who were supposed to protect her? Aster, Song, and Vale—the allies of her father. None of them had been there for her. Well, not entirely true. Vale—better known as Anvil of Valor—had led the charge to send assassins after her. Song, while less direct, was no less guilty.
And Aster... the most mysterious of them all. No one even knew if he was still alive. But one thing was certain: both Anvil and Song had their hands stained with her father's blood.
And now, here she was, preparing to join the very clan that had tried to destroy her. Am I insane? she wondered bitterly. Maybe. But there was no turning back now. She had been called crazy her whole life—why should it matter now?
She had always been alone. Since her grandmother's death, there had been no one. No one. So why should she care what anyone thought? She had carried the weight of it all this far.
Her mind teetered on the edge, the chaos threatening to pull her under. But then, she felt it.
Sunny's warm hand.
It wasn't cold like she had expected, given the icy air around them. It was steady, comforting, and filled with a quiet care that brought a sliver of peace to her chaotic mind.
In that moment, a single thought emerged clearly from the storm:
I'm not alone anymore. I have him.
Bastion rose before them, an awe-inspiring monument of stone and strength. Its walls towered against the horizon, exuding an air of authority and dominance. Even from a distance, the castle seemed to pulse with an aura of honor, or at least the hollow semblance of it that the great clans loved to project.
As they entered, Nephis could feel dozens of eyes on her. Awakened, Masters, and even Saints watched her and Sunny with curiosity, their gazes heavy with judgment. Yet Nephis didn't falter. Her steps were confident, her head held high.
Sunny matched her stride, his expression calm but resolute. His dark eyes scanned the crowd, giving nothing away. If Nephis exuded quiet defiance, Sunny radiated calculated composure.
At the base of a grand staircase stood Morgan, the princess of Valor. Her black hair flowed like a cascade of midnight, framing alabaster skin that seemed almost luminous. Her crimson lips matched the piercing red of her eyes, which sparkled with sharp intelligence and an unspoken challenge.
Few had earned Nephis's respect, but Morgan was one of them. Alongside Sunny, her cohort, and the enigmatic Soul Reaper Jet, Morgan stood as one of the rare individuals Nephis could acknowledge as an equal—or even a rival.
Morgan smiled, her expression a mix of courtesy and confidence. Her voice rang out, clear and commanding:
"Changing Star and Master Sunless, welcome. I hope you enjoy the sights."
Nephis glanced at Sunny, who remained stoic, mirroring her composed demeanor. Together, they responded with polite nods, keeping their words to a minimum.
Morgan led them through the castle, giving them a brief tour before escorting them to a grand meeting room. The space was opulent, dominated by a massive table of polished wood and chairs that resembled royal thrones.
The meeting was grueling. Nephis maintained her focus, answering questions with sharp precision. Sunny, on the other hand, spoke sparingly, careful not to reveal too much. She occasionally noticed him playing with his shadows during the duller moments, but his silence was strategic.
Finally, as the meeting drew to a close, Morgan stood and addressed them with a sly smile.
"I have one last request," she began, her tone polite but edged with authority. "It is well known that Changing Star possesses incredible skill and potential. But you, Master Sunless..."
Sunny raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
"Your recent achievements are extraordinary. To defeat a Master of Valor, face the Bastard of Valor, and survive intact—these feats speak volumes. Yet I have never witnessed your abilities firsthand."
She paused, her smile widening.
"As your future princess, I would be honored to face you in a duel. Consider it... a test of your mettle."
Sunny sighed internally. He had hoped the rumors about Mordred were the only ones they knew. But of course, they had also heard about the Master he had killed.
Though reluctant, he nodded in agreement.
Moments later, Sunny stood in a wide-open training hall, gripping his odachi tightly. Across from him, Morgan waited, her blade poised with the elegance of a seasoned warrior.
He barely had time to react as she lunged, her sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Sunny dodged, disappearing into the shadows to avoid the strike.
This wasn't their first encounter. In the Dreamscape, she had humiliated him with ease. But that was when he was an Awakened. Now, as a Master, he had hoped the gap would be smaller.
Yet Morgan's skill remained undeniable. Her movements were fluid, each strike a calculated masterpiece. Sunny could see why she was so revered—every motion was deliberate, leaving no room for error.
He tried to counter with the Dance of Shadows, weaving in and out of her attacks with precision. But she adapted quickly, her blade following him like a predator on the hunt.
For several long minutes, they exchanged blows, their swords clashing with resounding echoes. Sunny's movements were fast, almost impossible to follow, but Morgan was unrelenting.
Finally, with a decisive strike, Morgan disarmed him. Her sword stopped just short of his neck, her crimson eyes glinting with satisfaction.
"Impressive," she said, lowering her blade. "You truly live up to your reputation, Master Sunless."
Sunny sighed, raising his hands in mock surrender.
"Thanks," he muttered, hiding his frustration behind a wry smile. At least I lasted longer this time.
They had returned home—although technically, it was Sunny's house. They had never really discussed it, but Nephis had no intention of going back to her clan's castle, and Sunny didn't seem to mind at all. There were two bedrooms, after all.
Not that they used both.
That was a topic for another day.
Tonight, both of them were exhausted. Sunny, especially, had endured an exceptionally grueling day. He had sparred with her in the morning and then faced Morgan in battle. If anyone had earned a little reward, it was him.
Though, perhaps, it wouldn't be so little this time.
They had already eaten dinner and were preparing to sleep. After all, it had been a long day.
But that night, neither of them slept.
It happened suddenly. One moment, Nephis was lying beside him, the next, she felt the temperature in the room rise, despite the icy cold and the rain pouring down outside. She turned toward him, drawn by an almost instinctual need, seeking the warmth only he could provide.
She leaned closer, and their lips met. The kiss started soft, a gentle touch, but quickly escalated into something deeper—something raw and filled with unspoken emotion.
Sunny froze at first, caught off guard, but it didn't take long for him to respond with equal passion. As the kiss deepened, questions began to flicker through his mind. Was this too soon? Should they stop? But his heart, pounding fiercely in his chest, silenced all doubts. To hell with it.
The closeness of Nephis, her touch, the heat radiating from her body... Everything else faded away. Only the two of them remained.
In one fluid motion, Nephis shifted, moving on top of Sunny, her silvery hair cascading around her face like a waterfall. Her stormy gray eyes met his, filled with a mixture of determination and vulnerability that stole his breath.
She didn't say a word—she didn't need to. Her quickened breath and the intensity in her gaze said everything. Sunny, his face slightly flushed and his lips parted, simply nodded, letting their emotions guide them.
The outside world ceased to exist. The rain, the cold, the lingering worries of the past days... None of it mattered now.
Nephis allowed herself to give in to her deepest desires, while Sunny—still nervous but resolved—surrendered to the moment alongside her.
That night, wrapped in the warmth of their shared bed, there was no room for sleep. Only for them.
End of the volume before antártica, I hope you enjoyed it! However, I regret to inform you that it's time for two significant time skips. Although I'd love to, I'm not capable of adapting all 400 chapters of the Antarctica arc. Honestly, the story wouldn't change much if Nephis were to go to Antarctica with Sunny, to be realistic.
That said, to avoid simply skipping ahead, I've prepared some special chapters covering key events before Nephis arrives in Antarctica, as in the original story. I hope you understand.
Trust the third nightmere is going to be nice