Sunny woke up feeling sore from last night and no longer feeling regret for getting in bed after a long day. As he tried to turn around, he noticed and felt the warm arms around his waist and trapping his arms along with it. Using his Shadow— Gloomy— he saw that the cause for the warmth was from none other than the scion of the immortal flame, Nephis, who had her arms wrapping him in a hug. Sunny took his time appreciating the scene in front of him, or front of his Shadow, as they looked like something out of an artwork. Nephis's silver hair was sprawled and sparkling on both of them, with the blanket covering her body which felt hot since Sunny was pressed against it.
'I guess I'm the little spoon, this time at least.'
He didn't mind being the little spoon.
After a few minutes, which felt like hours to Sunny, Nephis started stirring from her slumber and blinked a couple of times to avoid falling asleep again.
"Sunny?"
"Yeah?"
"Did... did I pass out?"
"No, we passed out together, I just woke up a few minutes before you did"
Nephis pulled her arms back before looking under her covers. Golden sparkles started to appear in her skin before the undergarments of her armor formed. Sunny sighed wistfully that their peace was over before summoning his undergarments.
"I'll cook us something to eat," Sunny said as he got out of bed with Nephis still in it.
"Then we'll plan in bed, also make me some coffee, you got me addicted to it."
"Sure, anything for you."
Sunny walked out and went to the front door before realizing there was a stove where the kitchen was. Sunny had used one, although it was a very old and faulty one, and knew how to use one more or less than the average person from the outskirts. As he reached the stove he realized that it must have mystical components since there couldn't be electricity in the dream realm and there wasn't a cable connected to it. Luckily there were familiar nobs and after twisting it and making a spark, a blue flame appeared to Sunny's satisfaction.
Sunny summoned his trusty chest and brought out coffee beans and monster meat. After the pan heated enough, he placed a slice of monster meat and used salt on it but also put some water in a kettle and coffee beans after it boiled. Eventually, Sunny brought out two plates and mugs before manifesting poorly made shadow hands. Sunny entered into room to see Nephis lost in her thoughts. Smiling, he coughed which snapped her out of her thoughts and she gave him a crooked smile.
"Thanks," Nephis said as she took her meal and started eating as Sunny took a seat on an ordinary chair in front of the bed.
Sunny started to eat just as Nephis said casually,
"I think we should split up."
Sunny, who had now gotten used to Nephis outrageous non-contextual statements from her, was able to stop himself from doing a spit take.
"In what way?"
"I meant to find the exit and break in the guarded area. I'll look for the exit while you try to find a way for us to be able to get in without getting caught. I'll alert you when I find it so we can meet back up after for the break in."
"That... sounds like a plan I guess, a terrible one though. What happened to sticking together here?" Sunny asked through gritted teeth.
"We'll always be in contact, and if anything happens, we'll alert the other. You have a higher chance of staying hidden while looking for a way in, and it won't look suspicious if I just happen to stumble upon the exit."
Sunny nodded, but he was still worried that something would go wrong.
"Let's finish breakfast and then we can get started, I hate doing things on an empty stomach you know."
***
That conversation had happened an hour ago and now Nephis was out in the streets scouting for potential exits. She had nearly started her little scouting trip before being bombarded by questions, gifts from strangers, and being pulled over by vendors on the streets. The first incident happened only a few minutes after she walked around a bit with a vendor who outstretched his hand to block her path as she passed.
"Hey, you're the newcomer right?"
"Yes, what do you want?" Nephis responded coldly, annoyed that someone would dare bother her with her cold facade that would work on any strangers.
"Well, normally I would charge you, but I have some groceries, on the house. We have a variety of food, ranging from vegetables to meats to treats." He responded, with a warm smile plastered on his face.
But Nephis could see through his smile, after all, she herself was a master at hiding any remnants of emotions so naturally she was able to see through masks of emotions. She could see how the edges of his smile were creased, a sign that it was forced as regular ones wouldn't have creases. She was reminded of how some of the people that she had trusted and acted nicely were just waiting for a chance, a chance to kill her. From a headlock from the butler that normally served her breakfast or to one of the maids who was hiding a poisoned dagger inside her skirt, waiting for the perfect time to literally stab her in the back.
The only thing Nephis hated more than lairs were people who were wolves in sheep's clothing. Though it was ironic and hypocritical of her to say this since she herself was a wolf disguised.
"No thank you, sir." Nephis and Sunny had agreed that taking anything from the people was a bad idea.
'Plus, it's not like Sunny is going to run out of meat anytime soon.'
"Are you sure? i said its free with no strings attached I promise."
"I'm certain, have a good day."
Nephis walked away before the man could respond and eternally praised herself for her small, but glorious victory. But what she didn't know was that although she had won the battle, she might not win the war. After walking a few steps away from the stand, she suddenly felt the stares of everyone nearby on her. She looked around and indeed they were watching her like a hawk, but they did so subtly, and even then, she could feel it. She suddenly felt very, very cold, like her soul was stuck in the middle of an internal blizzard that threatened to snuff out her very soul. Suddenly, she felt warmth spread from where her soul core would be, and just like her divine flames, she felt warm once again like a hot summer day.
'This just proves this place is not what it seems...'
'Tell me about it, did you know they drink tea instead of coffee? Tea, out of all the fancy nice things they could drink like coffee, they still decided to drink leaf-flavored water.'
'I forgot you could read my thoughts, and tea isn't that bad you know.'
'I wouldn't know, after all, I never had the luxury of having it unlike those rich folks from NQSC'
Nephis didn't want to correct him on how tea isn't a luxury because the reason he thought many basic things were luxuries. He was born where even breathing sterile, but clean air was something most there had ever had. Before she could come up with a response though a random middle-aged woman was walking up to her. She tried to get away by fast walking to not make it seem she was avoiding the woman and not cause a scene. Sadly, her plan failed as after a few moments she felt a tap on her shoulder before it held her firm, almost hurting.
"Hello dear, I've heard that you're new here so I decided to give you a housewarming gift."
Nephis turned around and had to look down a little to be able to see the woman eye to eye. She wore a velvet sundress with a hat that seemed a little oversized for her and that covered her face.
"Thank you but-" before Nephis could kindly reject, the woman went up to her and clipped something to her shirt.
The woman walked back a little which gave her room to see what was on her. It was a flower clip that seemed to shine without a light source. With delicate care, she touched the handmade flower clip-on, its petals crafted from soft silk and its center adorned with a tiny glass bead that shimmered faintly in the light. Her fingers moved gently, afraid to bruise its fragile beauty. It held snugly, nestled like a bloom that had chosen that very spot to blossom. A quiet pause followed as she stepped back to admire it, the flower now resting like a quiet signature of grace against the white strands of her hair.
"Thank you, Miss," Nephis said after she was done admiring the flower, to which she received a warm smile from the lady before Nephis walked away.
She politely refused each other's advances she happened to get after the first two without faltering and kept going, alone on the paved streets of the lively city. Often though she would check in on Sunny to make sure he was alright, or at the very least alive. Often her check-ins would go like this:
'Are you still breathing?'
'Yeah?'
or
'Is your heart still beating'
'What the hell... yeah?'
and even
'Is your head still attached?'
'... what the fuck Neph.'
Yeah, she was being a good communicator to him certainly. Even though they've only been apart for a few hours, 3 at most, she missed him heavily. Ever since she said his true name she felt connected to Sunny deeper, more connected to him. She also became clingy with him at times; she would always try to stay close to him like hugging him whenever he fell asleep to feel his warmth. Eventually, after walking around with no direction in mind and getting no leads, she decided to switch up her tactics.
She couldn't just outright ask the citizens, but she could indirectly ask them without them noticing. After all, they've been here longer than she has, and they've had to at least adventure out of the town in search of supplies and monster meat. She went up to a scruffy man that was tending to their stand that sold furniture.
"Ah hello miss, what can I help you with? Can I interest you in a dining room set for you or your family?"
"Perhaps, where was the wood obtained from to make this?"
The man seemed to stutter for a second and had a blank expression on his face before responding.
"Well, I wouldn't know, I just receive the wood and other materials from shipment supplies, I don't obtain the materials myself. Now about that dining room set..."
But before the man could continue Neph was already walking away, not wanting to deal him and waste any more time she needed to. Although the man didn't give her much information, one piece did help her out.
'If he didn't get it himself then someone had to, I suppose it's too late to turn back and ask him who though.'
Nephis went around to all the stalls or vendors and asked about how they got their produce or materials, but they all responded the same by saying that they hadn't gotten it but received it by shipments from the city. She had tried to ask where she could talk to whoever worked for the city directly, but they all suddenly became busy or outright ignored her. Frustrated, she decided to go to a pond she had seen earlier while trying to find leads. Once she arrived at the entrance to the park that held the pond, she decided to take a stroll to clear her head and formulate a new plan.
The sound of rustling leaves filled the air all around her as if nature itself was singing. It helped her clear her thoughts. Upon reaching the center of the small park she spotted a bench. There was nothing particularly special about the wooden bench except that it seemed to have seen better days before. Everything else around it seemed new and untouched aside from it though. Luckily, Neph isn't picky about her seating spot, so she made her way over and sat on the bench which gave her a perfect view of the lake. Its sterile waters made it seem untouched by anything less than perfect. She watched as the little children who played near the pond made what she assumed was called a "Sandcastle", and the chain that was floating up and being connected to a plug at the bottom of the lake.
'Wait what?'
Taking a better look down at the look to make sure she wasn't seeing things she indeed saw a circular metal gate that acted as a plug and that had a chain connected to it. Nephis's intuition was telling her that she had found it, the exit to this weird and possibly cursed place.
'What's wrong Neph?'
'Guess what I found.'
'The exit?'
'I was hoping you wouldn't be able to get it so fast, but yes, I found the exit. Have you figured out a way to get us inside yet?'
'Almost, I just need a bit more time to make sure it'll work. You can relax now Neph... or relax as much as you even can you overachiever.'
'How am I an overachiever? I only received my true name in my first nightmare, got a Divine aspect, led the dreamer army to victory against the crimson spire, and... I see your point.'
'Tis you should know better Neph that your boyfriend is always right -gah- okay fine maybe half the time.'
Nephis did something she hadn't done for a long time, she giggled. She giggled and laughed quietly but joyfully from Sunny's antics, although she didn't show it most of the time, she appreciated his presence and liked talking to him. They both were antisocials and loved fighting, so it was only a matter of time before they fell for each other, and she knew that long ago. She had even broken her mask trying to keep him with her before he left for the Dark City. Of course, she was more than glad that Sunny had agreed to come back eventually, even though he declared himself a mercenary.
'I think that's enough reminiscing, Sunny did want me to relax anyway.'
Nephis laid down on the wooden bench and closed her eyes to try and nap. After a few minutes of trying to get in the right position and get comfortable, she was able to fall asleep.
***
Nephis dreamt of a little girl who had black-raven hair, alabaster skin, and large silver eyes that were beautiful. On the other side of the girl stood not a partially tall pale man, he had pitch black eyes which matched his hair which was grown down his back like a black waterfall.
'Sunny...'
"Mommy?"
Nephis looked down sharply and saw the child looking at her pure and cute even.
"Can we get ice cream?"
Before Nephis could respond Sunny picked up the child and placed her on his shoulders.
"Now now, mommy had a long day today, so let's give her some time to destress but sure let's get some ice cream."
Sunny turned to her and smiled at her, a smile that she would happily fight an unholy titian twice fold to see it if just a moment longer.
"Nephis~ wake up."
'Huh?'
Nephis didn't see Sunny's mouth move but she was sure she heard his voice...
"Neph wake uppp."
Suddenly Nephis was jolted awake from someone shaking her and she was about to burn whoever dared interrupt her perfect dream before being pushed back down into something warm and comfortable. Locking eyes with the face above her, she saw it was no other than Sunny who held her tightly on what she now realized was his lap.
"Sunny..." Nephis said, still in a daze from her dream.
"That's me."
"Shut up," Nephis responded to his joke, although softly and void of real anger or annoyance.
Sunny chuckled before putting his left hand on her head, and with his right, he held her hands tightly. With his left hand, he patted her head before running his hand through her hair, slowly and with delicate care. Neph didn't try to stop him and raised her head a little so she would hold any strands of hair down. She purred a little when Sunny started scratching the top of her head before stopping after realising what she was doing. This went on for a while and by the end of it she was satisfied and had almost forgotten to ask him why he was here, key word "almost".
"Sunny, why are you here though?"
"Well after I was done with conforming the plan I tried to contact you to come over but after a minute of you not responding I decided to go to you myself and found you asleep on the bench."
Nephis nodded and thoughtfully thought about what to say next.
"Do you mind spoiling what your plan is?"
For this question Sunny gave her a smirk before leaning back a little, obviously amused with himself.
Nephis suddenly felt regret for asking as Sunny opened his mouth.
"How do you feel about mining?"