(Audun's POV)
It was now our fourth day in the Bright Castle.
Yesterday, I spent all my waking hours slaughtering every nightmare creature in the ruins that had the misfortune of encountering me, and I now have another bulging pouch of currency to compensate for my poor financial literacy.
Waking up shrouded in the euphoric haze of newfound wealth, I took a shower and accompanied the others to the Keep, devouring the mysterious meat and vegetable stew they served for breakfast whilst chatting with the rest of the group.
After breakfast and a leisurely briefing, Nephis left with Cassie to "infiltrate" the Bright Castles' inner circle and learn more about our circumstances and Sunny had retreated to the comfort of his room in the Tower of Dusk to spy around unbothered with his shadow, leaving me sitting by myself in the large breakfast hall as I awaited my angelic escort.
Thankfully, not long after the others left, I caught sight of Kai walking through the large entrance of the Keep, attracting the eyes of the many sleepers populating the hall.
I lowered the platinum veil shielding me from the eyes of others, waving my hand high in the air to catch his attention.
After a bit, I successfully captured the singer's attention, flagging him down to the table that I was sitting at.
Kai approached with a blinding smile, giving me a friendly wave as he sat down across from me.
"You ready?"
I nodded vigorously, reaching to my side and pulling out my morbidly obese wallet, flashing my benefactor a brilliant smile.
Letting out a harmonious chuckle, Kai stood up.
"Well then, let's go- Oh... uh..."
The singer shot me a sheepish look whilst turning his head towards the dozens of eyes trained in our direction.
Clasping his hands together in a pleading gesture, he gave me a deliberate wink.
Rolling my eyes, I waved my hand and cast a shimmering platinum cloak of starlight over the two of us.
Kai let out a relieved sigh.
"Thanks! Ah~ I wish I had an ability like yours..."
I got up from the wooden table with a nod.
It's definitely pretty helpful.
The two of us walked side by side as we left the Keep, weaving through the crowds of sleepers populating the castle.
We made small talk as Kai navigated through the halls with practiced ease.
"By the way, Audun, I'm curious... What exactly are your abilities?"
The singer shot me an inquisitive look, his green eyes shining with honest curiosity.
'That's a little out of the blue...'
A bewildered look crossed my face.
Kai, seemingly realizing that his question sounded invasive, widened his eyes and waved frantically.
"Wait, wait, wait, I'm not trying to pry or anything! I was just wondering if you could do anything else besides the invisibility thing with your 'starlight'?"
I gave him a shrug, the [Thought Quill] scribbling in the air behind me.
My aspect is pretty multifaceted in comparison to most others.
He gave me a confused look in response.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
I waved dismissively
It's hard to explain, but if I were to give you the cliffnotes, I can enhance my body, create constructs, and do some other fun stuff.
Kai nodded and flashed me a small smile.
"Oh~ sounds pretty strong."
I let out a silent laugh.
It might sound nice, but the spell gave me an appropriately debilitating flaw.
Kai shot me a curious look.
"Is it really that bad?"
I nodded with a sarcastic smile.
My first nightmare was an all-out slug fest, and as a reward for surviving, I was gifted crippling social anxiety.
"oh."
The singer gave me a blank look.
I sighed, shaking my head in mock irritation.
I've figured out ways around it, but it's still incredibly annoying...
Kai gave me a sheepish smile, patting my shoulder gently.
"If it makes you feel any better, my aspect is pretty lame."
I looked at him curiously.
"I can fly."
I waited for him to continue.
Kai scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"...That's it."
Flying's pretty versatile
I shrugged, plastering a bright smile on my face.
"You're not wrong! If anything, being able to fly is the only reason I'm still alive."
Kai let out a dry chuckle.
A curious expression crossed my face as I blurted out a question that had breifly crossed my mind.
What's your flaw?
Kai blinked.
"My flaw?"
I nodded.
Kai paused for a moment before responding.
"I can tell when people lie."
My expression morphed into genuine confusion.
Noticing my bewilderment, Kai let out a sigh and wore a bitter smile.
A brief bout of silence fell over us as understanding dawned on me.
And with that realization came a feeling of seething injustice.
-------------------------------------------
Kai continued to lead me through the halls, eventually coming to one of the places that Sunny had dubbed "The Forbidden Areas".
Walking down a long corridor and a couple of staircases, I was greeted with the sight of a solid oak door with a sword and shield drawn on it.
Without any fanfare, Kai opened the door casually and strolled inside, gesturing for me to follow.
Walking through the simple doorway, I stepped into a plain-looking hall with no windows, a single lantern floating in the center of the room, filling the room with light.
Adorning the walls of the hall were racks of weapons, tables of ornate and interesting objects, and wooden mannequins clad in beautifully crafted armor.
But what really caught my attention was the tubby wumpkin waddling towards me and Kai.
At first, I thought they were some kind of echo assigned to watch over the Memory Market, and to be fair, I wasn't that far off.
I watched as the guzzle-guts eyes lit up when he saw Kai, a strange voice echoing out in the air.
"Night! What a pleasant surprise!"
The Landwhale shook Kai's hand and turned a pair of beady eyes in my direction, scanning my figure.
Letting out a hearty laugh, the nutrients pillager Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum'd his way over to me.
Extending his hand to me, he turned to face Kai.
"So this is the customer you spoke of."
Kai nodded with a diplomatic smile.
"Stev, this is Audun. Audun, this is Stev."
My eyes narrowed.
'This X-Axis goliath has a name...?'
I quickly shook the 'disrespectful' thoughts out of my head before bringing my hand to my chest and bowing my head in a classic noble greeting.
My formal greeting only seemed to excite the colossal calorie mass more, as his beady eyes lit up in genuine excitement.
"With such grace and elegance, you must be the scion of a powerful clan! If I may, to which clan do you belong?"
I blinked for a moment, caught off guard by the sheer politeness of his tone.
Shooting a helpless glance at the singer, Kai came to my rescue.
"I apologize, Stev, because of his flaw, Audun has lost the ability to speak."
Nodding gracefully, I silently gave Kai a look of emphatic gratitude.
Dollar store Jabba the Hut's mouth contorted into what I assumed to be a pitying look.
"Ah, tis a pity... Well, no matter. As long as you have shards to spend, my doors will always be open, though my dear friend Audun, I must warn you that my wares are quite expensive."
I gave the heavier set gentleman a nod, though a question popped into my head.
Summoning the [Thought Quill], I put pen to air and wrote out a string of text in glorious purple.
Aside from purchasing with Soul Shards, would you accept trades?
The Belt Breaker stroked his chin, eyes gleaming with interest.
"Normally not, but for you, my dear friend, I'll make a special exception. Of course, it will still depend on the quality of the memory you are trading and the quality of the memory you are trading for."
I nodded in agreement.
Gesturing towards the tables and racks lining the walls, the whimsical jumbo merchant let out a chuckle.
"Then, honored guest, please feel free to peruse my catalogue at your leisure."
With that, I immediately made my way over to a table covered in a vast spread of beautifully crafted accessories.
Twin stars began to orbit me as a deluge of platinum light flowed into my eyes.
Stev looked on in interest as I inspected the table of memories, Kai also noticing the brilliant platinum glow illuminating the hall.
I picked up a ring, the silver band glittering softly in my palm.
"Ah, that one?"
The blubbery titan stroked his half a dozen chins.
"A hunter had brought that memory in a while ago for a couple of soul shards. The ring is meant to be used in a pair, and its enchantment allows the bearers of the rings to send messages to one another."
Stev thought for a moment.
"If you're interested in it, I'd be willing to part with it for either a memory of the same quality, which in this case would be an awakened memory of the third tier, or 12 awakened soul shards."
Shrugging, I manifested a weapon memory matching that description from my soul, a golden longsword with a glass-like shatter pattern covering the blade, appearing in a storm of white sparks.
Would this do?
A professional smile graced the Hambeast's face.
"Of course!"
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(A/N: I'll be releasing a chapter later tonight around midnight.
My wifi has been on the fritz lately, so I've been writing in bursts all morning.
I have a bit of training later today and some dinner plans, but after that I'll get started on another one, and I should have another one ready on friday morning if my internet cooperates.
I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter!
Show your support with a comment or a review, those are what matter to me the most.
Anyway, I'll see you guys later tonight! (probably) )