The next morning, the courtyard of the Immortal Flame Clan estate was drenched in soft golden light. The white stone tiles gleamed beneath the sun, and the shadows of the garden trees danced lightly along the edges. The same dueling circle from yesterday had been freshly swept, the air sharp with morning dew.
Sunny stood in the center, practice sword in hand. His black tunic was simple but fitted, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The morning breeze stirred his hair, but his stance was still—solid, grounded.
Across from him, Nephis stepped into the circle.
She wore light dueling gear, her long dark hair tied in a loose braid behind her. Her sword—a beautifully forged training blade of polished wood—rested at her side, fingers curled calmly around the hilt.
Their eyes met.
No words. Just a quiet understanding.
Nearby, Rain sat on a cushioned seat in the shade, kicking her tiny feet and mumbling nonsense to a stuffed animal. One of the estate's caretakers sat nearby, keeping her safe.
Olivia watched from the garden's edge, arms crossed, a faint smile touching her lips.
"Ready?" Sunny asked.
Nephis nodded once. "Always."
They both moved at the same time.
Wood struck wood.
Sunny advanced with smooth, precise motions—reading Nephis's footwork, the shift in her stance, the way her breath subtly changed before each strike. Nephis was fast, her blade dancing like silver thread. Her form was refined—elegant but dangerous, like someone who had studied the sword not to kill, but to prove she was alive.
Their swords clashed again. Then again. The circle of movement narrowed.
Nephis swept low—Sunny pivoted and countered. He lunged—she slid sideways and redirected. Their footwork was nearly silent, their rhythm almost too perfect for their age.
But there was a difference.
Sunny wasn't just reacting.
He was reading her.
With every movement, he let his shadow stretch—subtle, faint, nearly imperceptible in the morning light. But enough. Enough to feel the echo of her next move, to glimpse the tension in her shoulders before she shifted, to feel where the pressure in the air leaned.
He read her battle art like script in sand.
And slowly, gently, he began to push her back.
Nephis's brow furrowed—not in frustration, but in fierce focus. Her strikes grew sharper, cleaner. She wasn't giving up—she was adapting.
They weren't fighting to win.
They were fighting to understand.
Finally, after a final exchange of blows, Sunny stopped just short of landing a clean strike to her ribs. Nephis froze, her blade an inch from his neck.
They both breathed.
A beat of silence.
Then Nephis stepped back and lowered her sword.
"You held back," she said, eyes narrowed—not accusing, just… curious.
"So did you," Sunny replied calmly.
A long pause.
Then—very faintly—Nephis smiled.
"That was the best duel I've had," she said.
"You were incredible," Sunny said, offering his hand.
She looked at it for a moment.
Then shook it.
From the shade nearby, Rain babbled loudly, clapping her small hands and giggling as if she'd just watched the most amazing thing in the world.
Sunny looked over and grinned, waving at her. "Told you I'd win."
Rain responded with an excited squeal and threw her plush toy on the ground.
Nephis turned to Rain, watching the baby laugh with eyes wide and full of sunshine.
"…She's lucky," Nephis said quietly.
Sunny glanced at her. "You're not alone, Neph."
She didn't answer.
But she didn't turn away, either.
The sun hung a little higher now, its warmth soaking into the white tiles of the courtyard. The echoes of their duel had faded into silence, leaving only the quiet rustle of leaves and Rain's soft, sleepy coos as she was carried away for a nap by one of the caretakers.
Sunny and Nephis walked side by side along the shaded garden path, wooden swords now strapped to their backs. Their steps were unhurried.
"You're fast," Sunny said finally, breaking the quiet.
Nephis glanced sideways. "And you're quiet. Too quiet."
He smiled. "I've been told."
A pause.
Then Nephis asked, "Did I make any mistakes?"
Sunny looked thoughtful. "Not mistakes. But…"
She raised a brow. "But?"
He tapped the air with two fingers, thinking. "Your style leans forward a lot. All offense. Elegant—but you don't leave much room for fallback or redirection. If someone gets past your first three strikes, you're wide open."
Nephis frowned slightly—not insulted, just focused.
"I was trained that way," she said. "Strike before the enemy can think. Never let them breathe."
"Works until someone doesn't need to think to counter," Sunny said gently.
She glanced at him. "You mean you."
He shrugged. "Just saying. A shield doesn't mean weakness. Sometimes it means the fight lasts longer than one blow."
Nephis nodded slowly. "I'll work on it."
Sunny smiled. "We'll train again. I'll help."
She looked at him for a long moment. "You're… different."
He tilted his head. "That's not the first time I've heard that."
"You fight like someone older," she said. "Like someone who's already lost something."
His expression dimmed a little.
Nephis immediately looked away, guilty. "Sorry."
"No," Sunny said after a beat. "You're right."
He paused, voice dropping just slightly.
"…I don't see my father much."
Nephis looked at him again, softer now.
"He's always at the Shadow Clan headquarters," Sunny continued. "Organizing, planning, keeping everything running. I know it's important… but still." His fingers brushed the hilt of his training sword. "Sometimes I feel like I'm training for someone I barely know."
Nephis was quiet.
Then she said, "He's not gone. Just distant. That's different."
Sunny didn't respond at first.
Nephis added, "You're not going to grow up without him. He's coming back. And when he does… you'll be stronger. He'll see it."
Sunny finally nodded, the ache behind his expression softening.
"Thanks."
They stopped at the edge of the garden path, where a tall man in a black coat and white gloves waited beneath the shade of an iron archway.
Julius, the ever-composed butler of the Nightshade household, bowed lightly.
"Young Master. Lady Nephis. I've prepared the car. Your mother said you may enjoy an outing—lunch in the city, if it pleases you."
Sunny's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Julius offered the faintest hint of a smile. "Her exact words were: 'Let them be kids for a few hours.'"
Nephis blinked. "We're going out?"
"Shopping mall," Sunny said, excited. "You ever been?"
She shook her head. "No. I've never… done that kind of thing."
"Well, you're going to now."
He grinned and tugged her by the wrist—gently.
Nephis followed, slightly startled but not resisting. She glanced back at Julius, who was already pulling open the long black car's door.
"Will he be watching us?"
"Always," Sunny said. "But he won't stop us from getting ice cream."
As they climbed into the sleek car and the doors shut behind them, the world outside shifted from sacred stone halls and training grounds—to something more ordinary, more alive.
And for the first time in a long time, Nephis didn't feel like a warrior or a legacy.
She just felt like a girl with a friend.
The doors to the NSQC Grand Plaza whooshed open with a soft sigh of pressurized air, and Sunny stepped in first, eyes already darting around with barely-contained excitement.
The mall was massive—a monument of light and glass and motion. Glittering banners floated in midair, advertising everything from dream gear boutiques to flavor simulators. The ceiling arched like a sky of colored glass, with drifting projections of clouds casting slow-moving shadows below.
Behind him, Nephis stepped in more cautiously. She was used to sacred halls, sparring arenas, quiet libraries—not this pulsing, ever-moving world. Her pale eyes took in the blinking lights, rushing crowds, the sweet scents from bakeries mingling with the sharp tang of perfume.
"…This is loud," she said.
Sunny grinned. "That's how you know it's alive."
A short distance behind them, Julius, Sunny's tall and perfectly composed butler, followed without a word—his presence quiet, but unmistakable. He kept a careful eye on the two as they disappeared into the crowd.
"Where first?" Nephis asked, trying not to look overwhelmed.
Sunny smirked. "Rule one: no first-time visit is complete without waffles."
She blinked. "Waffles?"
"Trust me."
He led her through a bustling hallway of shops, past digital walls displaying dream beast holograms, and rows of capsule machines spitting out glowing trinkets. Eventually, they arrived at a brightly lit corner stall called The Waffle Forge. Steam rose from its golden iron presses, and a heavenly scent filled the air—sweet batter, caramelized sugar, and buttered glaze.
Sunny stepped forward with the confidence of a seasoned veteran.
"One darkfruit-glazed special," he said, then looked over his shoulder. "And one with vanilla cream and pears for my friend."
Nephis blinked. "That's… very specific."
"You'll like it," he said.
They took their trays to a quiet table tucked under a canopy of artificial leaves. A slow, mechanical breeze ruffled the petals overhead.
As they began eating, Sunny took a huge bite, eyes briefly fluttering shut in bliss.
"Still perfect."
Nephis tasted hers, nodding slowly. "It's… good. Surprisingly good."
Sunny leaned forward, lowering his voice like he was about to reveal a scandalous truth. "Much better than pancakes."
Nephis raised an eyebrow. "You don't like pancakes?"
He made a face. "I hate pancakes. Not the actual pancake—just the honey syrup. My mom used to drown them in it. It's like eating a sponge dipped in sugar tears."
Nephis laughed softly—just a breath, but it was real.
"Waffles hold their ground," Sunny added with a grin. "They have structure. Honor."
"Honor," Nephis echoed, amused.
A few minutes passed as they ate, watching the digital koi swim lazily in the artificial stream beside their table.
Then Sunny glanced up, his tone a little quieter now.
"…Hey, Nephis?"
She looked up from her plate. "Mm?"
"Can I ask you something… kind of dumb?"
She nodded.
"I've never had a friend before," he said slowly. "I've always trained, or studied, or stayed near Mom and Rain. And you're… kind of the first person I've done something like this with."
He looked down for a second, then up at her again.
"So… will you be my friend?"
Nephis blinked.
Then leaned forward, resting her chin on one hand.
"You dummy," she said.
Sunny's eyes widened.
"I've been your friend this whole time," she said simply, picking up her cup of tea. "You just didn't notice."
Sunny stared, then broke into a small, lopsided smile.
"…Oh."
She added, "But I'll still say yes."
Sunny laughed softly, leaning back in his chair. "That's good. Because I was gonna bring you waffles every week to bribe you if you said no."
Nephis finally smiled again—this time wider, more real.
After finishing their waffles, Sunny and Nephis continued wandering through the endless maze of glass storefronts, glowing displays, and floating signs. The mall buzzed with life, but they moved at their own pace—two small figures in a sea of movement.
Nephis paused at a shop filled with miniature model beasts from the Dream Realm. She bent down to look at a tiny, clockwork reaper lizard curled in a glass case, its silver tongue flickering every few seconds.
"They made it cute," she said flatly.
Sunny peered in. "It decapitated six scouts last year."
Nephis blinked. "Oh."
They stopped at a bookstore where Sunny pointed out a hidden shelf in the back labeled Restricted Realms: Unconfirmed Layers. He looked at her with a sly smile.
"I once saw my mom take a book from here," he whispered like it was a crime.
Nephis leaned in. "Did you take one too?"
"I tried. It triggered a silent alarm. I got grounded."
Nephis chuckled. "Dummy."
They passed through a toy store, an exotic tea vendor, and a quiet dream gear display with swords taller than both of them—until they finally reached a dark corner pulsing with neon light.
The arcade.
Sunny's eyes lit up like a child stepping into a warzone made just for him. Music blasted from the walls, games chirped and whirred, lights blinked in wild colors, and the air smelled of ozone and plastic tokens.
"This," he said with satisfaction, "is where legacies are forged."
Nephis glanced around. "What are we doing?"
Sunny pointed. "There."
The car racing simulators sat in a row of six. Twin seats, motion rigs, steering wheels with blinking dashboards. The screens showed flaming roads and chrome-plated speedsters blasting through cyber-cities.
Nephis raised an eyebrow. "You want to race?"
Sunny grinned. "Afraid you'll lose?"
"Never."
Behind them, Julius the butler adjusted his gloves. "Shall I keep score, Master Sunny?"
"Obviously," Sunny said. "You know the rules, Julius. Fair, firm, and with zero bias."
"I shall be as impartial as a balance scale," the butler replied without missing a beat.
They climbed into the seats. Sunny cracked his knuckles; Nephis adjusted her posture like she was preparing for a duel.
The game roared to life.
First round: Neon City Dash.
Sunny sped off the line like a bullet, drifting around curves with practiced skill. Nephis stayed close behind, studying the controls mid-race before beginning a silent but brutal comeback.
"Lap three—Nephis pulls ahead," Julius announced calmly.
Sunny scowled. "She's sandbagging!"
"I'm learning," Nephis said, not looking away.
Second round: Jungle Havoc.
They were neck and neck, crashing through vines, dodging traps. Sunny took a risk, flipping over a broken bridge—and it paid off. Nephis gritted her teeth.
Score: One win each.
They both sat straighter.
"Final round," Julius intoned. "Skyfire Run."
It was chaos—speeding across floating islands, dodging laser drones, and sliding through storm tunnels. Sparks flew. Steering wheels turned white-knuckle tight. Nephis clipped a pylon. Sunny clipped a drone. Final stretch. Their cars surged forward in a blur of speed—
Finish.
"Winner," Julius declared, "by 0.3 seconds: Master Sunny."
Sunny pumped a fist in the air. "Yes!"
Nephis raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Rematch."
Sunny laughed. "Oh, we're just getting started."
They stepped out of the rigs, flushed and beaming—not with ego, but with the kind of joy you only felt when the world briefly let you be a kid.
Julius, ever the composed guardian, held up a small notepad. "Would you like me to log the scoreboard for future reference?"
Sunny gave a dramatic nod. "Record my legacy."
Nephis rolled her eyes—but didn't stop smiling.
The arcade lights dimmed behind them as Sunny, Nephis, and Julius stepped back into the mall's main corridor. The sun outside was dipping low, casting long golden shadows across the glossy floor. Shoppers passed by, unaware of the two children whose bloodlines could shape the future.
Sunny walked with a light spring in his step, a small grin lingering on his face from their last race.
"She almost beat me," he muttered, nudging Nephis with his elbow.
"I will beat you next time," she replied, her tone calm but assured.
Julius remained a few steps behind, watchful as ever.
They passed the fountains near the central exit, stepping out into the warm evening air. The sky above NSQC was streaked with soft amber and violet hues, and the streets shimmered faintly with floating lights drifting between the buildings like fireflies.
As they approached the parked car—a sleek, black Shadow Clan transport marked only by an indistinct emblem—Sunny glanced sideways at Nephis, quieter now.
"Hey," he said, almost shyly. "Thanks for today."
Nephis looked at him. "For what?"
"For… this. It's the most fun I've had outside training. Or home. Or… sword duels."
She smiled faintly. "It was fun."
They slid into the back seats of the car, the doors closing with a quiet hiss. The interior was quiet, the glass tinted to perfection, the ride smooth as silk.
Sunny looked out the window for a moment before speaking again.
"Rain… my little sister," he said softly, "she doesn't talk yet. But she always watches. Always reaches for me when I come home. Sometimes, I think she knows when I'm sad, even when I don't say anything."
Nephis tilted her head. "She sounds special."
"She is," he replied, a quiet pride in his voice. "That's why I train. That's why I want to get stronger. So that no matter what happens… she can stay smiling. Safe."
Nephis watched him for a second longer. "She's lucky to have you."
Sunny gave a small smile. "I think I'm the lucky one."
Julius, seated in the front, touched a panel, and the car smoothly pulled away from the curb, merging into the quiet evening traffic. A peaceful hum filled the cabin.
And then—
CRACK.
A violent lurch shook the car.
Screeching metal.
A sudden shuddering halt.
The lights inside flickered.
Julius slammed a hand to the controls. "Brace yourselves!"
The windows darkened. The vehicle jerked sideways, spinning, tires skidding. Through the front windshield, Sunny saw something—a shadow, darting in front of the vehicle, unnaturally fast, unnaturally tall.
The sound of splitting steel tore through the air.
Nephis instinctively reached for her blade, strapped under her coat.
Sunny's heart pounded as the car came to a stop—partially crushed, half off the road.
A low hiss echoed from outside. Something scraped against the hull.
Julius growled under his breath. "Something's coming."
Sunny slowly turned to Nephis. Their eyes met.
And outside, a crimson glow began to pulse beyond the shattered road.
A figure moved through the smoke.