Shadow Slave : Light Devouring Shadow

After departing, Sunny shadow-stepped back to the academy. Though he was now an Ascended and no longer needed to fear being pulled into the Dream Realm when he slept, he still lacked an anchor there. Mastering his abilities and gathering information remained crucial, and the academy was the best place for both.

Upon arriving at the academy, Sunny made his way to the hospital wing. There, he encountered the same doctor who had greeted him upon his return. But this time, when the doctor saw him, a shiver ran down her spine. The young man standing before her looked like a walking corpse—his eyes hollow, devoid of life, and his presence unsettling.

"Uhm... Awakened Sunless... wh-where did you—" she stammered, her voice trembling.

"It's Ascended Sunless," he corrected her, his tone flat and emotionless. "And I went to finish some matters."

The doctor's eyes widened in disbelief. "Ascen—Ascended? What... what do you mean? You were a Sleeper!"

Sunny met her gaze with empty eyes. "I challenged the Second Nightmare as a Sleeper. That's all."

Her jaw dropped, and she stared at him in utter shock. "Hang... hang on. I need to contact my superiors," she said with an awkward smile before hastily retreating.

Soon after, a swarm of government agents descended upon Sunny, each more astonished than the last as they interviewed him. The revelations he shared left them reeling.

"Master Sunless," one agent said, his voice trembling with awe, "do you realize the magnitude of what you've done? A Sleeper challenging and conquering the Second Nightmare, returning as a Master—this is unprecedented! You'll be as famous as Changing Star, if not more!"

At the mention of Changing Star, the room grew icy. A deadly chill seemed to emanate from Sunny, causing the agents to shiver uncontrollably. It took a moment for Sunny to suppress his anger, but when he did, he spoke with a calm that was more terrifying than any outburst.

"So, she's the most popular now, huh? No surprise there," he muttered under his breath. Then, louder, he said, "I don't care about fame. All I want is an anchor in the Dream Realm."

The agents exchanged nervous glances before one of them assured him, "Don't worry, Master Sunless. We'll contact our superiors immediately. They'll provide everything you need. In fact, Saint Wake of Ruin will probably help you himself!"

Sunny raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. This outcome wasn't surprising. After all, he had achieved the impossible by conquering the Second Nightmare as a Sleeper. He was now a valuable asset, and everyone would want a piece of him.

.....

The interviews dragged on for what felt like an eternity, but eventually, Sunny was given a tier 7 citizenship, and was also given a communicator device. Yet, despite all these privileges, he felt no joy. The world had long since abandoned him, and he felt hollow, unwanted. But he would keep living—if only to spite everyone who had wronged him.

As he made his way to the temporary accommodation provided by the government, Sunny couldn't help but feel a bitter irony. He hadn't had to pay a single coin or make any promises to secure these luxuries. The world was bending over backward for him now, but it was too little, too late.

Just as he was walking through the academy's corridors, a familiar voice called out from behind him.

"Sunny!"

The sound echoed through the hallway, freezing him in his tracks. It was a voice he had longed to hear, a voice that had haunted his thoughts day and night. But now, it only stirred a deep, burning hatred within him. It was the voice of someone he wanted to see—someone he wanted to kill!

---

Nephis had rushed to the academy as soon as she heard the news from Cassie. Kai and Effie had joined her, equally eager to see Sunny. Despite knowing how much he despised her, Nephis couldn't stay away. She needed to see him, to ensure he was okay.

When they arrived at the academy, Nephis met up with the rest of the cohort. Together, they navigated the labyrinthine corridors until they finally spotted the person they had been searching for: Sunny.

"Sunny!" Nephis called out softly, her voice tinged with relief.

But as Sunny turned to face them, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. A dark, menacing aura emanated from him, thick with bloodlust. The cohort instinctively fell into battle stances, their bodies reacting to the palpable threat before their minds could fully process it.

Sunny's eyes were cold and unfeeling, like shards of obsidian glinting in the dim light. His presence was overwhelming, a storm of suppressed rage and despair that seemed to radiate from his very being. The corridor fell silent, save for the faint hum of the academy's systems. The air was thick with tension, a weight pressing down on everyone present.

Kai was the first to break the silence, his voice trembling slightly as he took a cautious step forward. "Sunny... it's... it's good to see that you're back."

Sunny's gaze shifted to Kai, but there was no warmth in his eyes, no recognition of the friend he had once fought alongside. His voice, when he finally spoke, was flat and devoid of emotion. "It's been a while, everyone."

Effie, usually the most outspoken of the group, hesitated. Her usual bravado was nowhere to be found as she stared at Sunny. "What's all this about, Sunny? Why are you looking at us like that?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Sunny raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting between Nephis and Cassie. "Why, you ask? It's simple. There are people here whom I despise."

"Sunny... I don't—" Kai began, but Sunny cut him off.

"You know, Nephis," Sunny said, his voice dripping with venom, "I don't understand how you and Cassie have the audacity to show your faces after what you did."

Kai and Effie exchanged confused glances, their eyes darting between Sunny and Nephis. They had always believed the three of them were close, having traveled the Labyrinth together for two months. But now, it was clear that something had shattered that bond.

"Sunny," Nephis said firmly, "I know you hate me...and Cassie. But I needed to see you. I needed to know you were okay."

"So you knew I still despise you, and yet you came anyway?" Sunny's voice was low, dangerous. "What did you expect? That I'd just forget what happened? That I'd forgive you? Listen carefully, Nephis. Do you have any idea how much I'm holding myself back from killing you right now? You and Cassie both."

Nephis and Cassie trembled, though they weren't surprised by Sunny's hatred. They had expected this, but it still cut deep. These were the consequences of their choices, and they had to face them.

"Woah, woah, hold on," Effie interjected, stepping between them. "We just came here to welcome you back and make sure you were okay. What's all this about?"

Sunny chuckled darkly, his eyes narrowing. "Oh, I see. So you didn't tell them, Nephis. You didn't tell them what you did."

"Tell us what?" Kai asked, his voice filled with concern as he looked between Sunny and Nephis.

"Why don't you explain it to them, Nephis?" Sunny said, his tone icy. "Tell them how you used my true name. How you enslaved me and left me behind to save yourself."

Effie and Kai's eyes widened in shock. "True name? Enslaved? What are you talking about?" Kai demanded.

"Since you're all here," Sunny said, his voice rising with anger, "let me spell it out for you. I received a true name during the First Trial. Shocking right? but it was a curse. You see, because of innate ability. Anyone who speaks my true name can enslave me. And guess what? Cassie somehow discovered it and ran to Nephis like a loyal dog, betraying me, her supposedly best friend. When the time came, Nephis used my true name to command me, forcing me to let her go while I was left behind. Enslaving me. Taking my freedom!"

The more Sunny spoke, the more his voice seethed with rage. Effie and Kai stared at Nephis and Cassie in disbelief.

"You... you really did that?" Kai whispered, his voice filled with shock.

Nephis and Cassie remained silent, their guilt written plainly across their faces. Before either could respond, Sunny let out a bitter laugh.

"But I don't blame them," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "After all, only one of us could return alive. Even though Nephis used a cheap trick to enslave me, I used one too. I fought her when she was exhausted from battling the Terror of the Crimson Spire. But you—" He turned to Cassie, his eyes blazing with hatred.

"You ungrateful, worthless wretch! I saved your life countless times! I cared for you like a sister! And how did you repay me? By betraying me and giving Nephis the power to enslave me!"

Cassie shrank under his gaze, her face pale and her hands trembling. Sunny's hatred wasn't reserved for her alone, though. He glared at each of them in turn, his anger encompassing the entire cohort.

"Go to hell," he spat. "All of you. Go to hell and die there, for all I care. I hope I never see any of you again."

With that, Sunny turned to leave. But before he disappeared into the shadows, he delivered one final, chilling warning.

"Just so you know, this isn't over. You two will pay for what you've done."

And with those words, he dissolved into the darkness, leaving the cohort standing in stunned silence, grappling with the weight of his words and the consequences of their actions.

-------------

[Author's note]

Okay.... i know I said that I'd post early. But I got busy. And tbh this was the most annoying part. So that's why I always felt lazy when I tried writing it. But anyway, sry for taking long guys. But I promise! I'll post a chapter tomorrow.

Also, for my fellow Muslims. Ramadan Mubarak🥳 may our Ramadan be blessed.