Sunny quietly tapped away on his communicator, sighing in mild boredom.
'Nothing's on…'
Switching the device off and tossing it aside, he rolled off the sofa, laying on the cold floor. He was still suffering from the effects of essence exhaustion, so he wasn't in the mood to do much of anything right now. In the kitchen, the timer on the oven ticked away, Sunny having purposely chosen to make a meal that would require as little input from him as possible.
Rubbing his temples, he groaned, circulating his essence in an attempt to make it replenish faster.
'Hm… if it's essence…'
Pausing, he sat up. Releasing the Veil, he allowed his soul to properly interact with the world. Immediately, the shadows of his house deepened vastly, the temperature within dropping slightly. The presence he normally gave off was completely subdued while he had the Veil up, but now with it down it came out at full force.
Breathing deeply, Sunny calmed his mind.
'Focus.'
He felt for his soul. He felt for the world around him. He felt for the shadows. Upstairs, Solvane stopped what she was doing, looking straight through the floor at him with a curious gaze. Seeing that he was focusing though, she shrugged and went back to what she was doing.
Sunny retracted his shadow sense fully, only feeling the space around himself. Three shadows lay beneath him, opening themselves up and bearing his soul unto the world. He wasn't sure if it was helping or not, but it couldn't hurt to try, seeing as Transcendence was more closely linked to the soul rather than the body. He wanted to use all of his shadows, but he only kept three on him at all times. The gloomy shadow stayed with Nephis at all times, he had one shadow stationed at the Ivory Tower, another one was sitting around bored as the woman he normally spied on in the Valor base was slumped over at her desk fast asleep, and the final one circled the roads around his neighbourhood, just to soothe his paranoia.
He sat there for a long while, clear of thought. Dancing shadows swirled beneath him as if he were in the center of a whirlpool, making the rest of the room seem almost bright in comparison.
And despite all that…
'...Nothing's happening.'
He'd even summoned the Soul Serpent in its tattoo form to activate the Spirit Guide attribute, and yet nothing worked. Still, he was not discouraged. Aidre had said that this was the hardest part of Transcending, so once he passed this hurdle, the rest would only be a matter of time. Once he figured out how to absorb even a wisp of spirit essence, it would be like the floodgates opened. At least, that was how the immortal Saint had described her experience with it. One could theoretically Transcend by just transforming their body and soul without ever experiencing spirit essence, but that would take much, much longer than just using the tried and true method.
'Still annoying…'
Unlike the previous ranks, Sunny had never been a Transcendent before, so he didn't have any previous experience with it like how he did with the others. But then again, perhaps he had been a Saint for some time, only it didn't last as his jump through time reversed all effects the Path of Ascension had on him. That was the only reasonable explanation he had for his [Lord of Shadows] attribute anyways.
Hearing a ding, his eyes slowly opened, shoulders slumping. With a dejected sigh, he stood up and made his way to the kitchen, seeing as the oven's timer had finished.
As he prepared breakfast, he silently pondered what he could do to speed up his ascension.
'I could always go out with Solvane again…'
Despite the fact he still couldn't absorb any spirit essence, he still felt like his experience as Solvane helped him quite a lot. It would certainly be worthwhile to do it again.
Remembering what he had to endure as his Shadow though, he shuddered.
'Maybe not.'
As much as he'd like to, there would certainly have to be limits to how many times he did it. Without his true name, it simply put too much strain on his mind.
'Maybe… a couple times a month?'
Or maybe just whenever he found a good opportunity to do so.
'There's always Sky Tide as well.'
Solvane wasn't the only Transcendent around. Shadowing Tyris could certainly help him as well, though it would definitely be less efficient.
'Hm…'
But maybe it wouldn't be? Surely diversifying where he got his inspiration from would be good? He really wasn't much of an expert in this kind of thing… not yet.
'Maybe I can request a mission with Saint Mara…'
He hadn't had much interaction with the Song Clan as of late though, so that would have to wait.
'Or maybe I just need to relax…'
Lady Aidre had also said the state of one's mind was crucial for Transcendence. His thoughts had been in turmoil lately, wrought with anxiety and paranoia, most likely making it harder for him to make any progress.
Absentmindedly picking up some utensils, he sighed.
'How am I supposed to relax though?'
The threat hadn't been neutralised yet, and the enemy's blade was still unsheathed. He'd certainly made some progress in staying hidden, but the incident with Aria had reopened the wound again, possibly drawing attention to himself.
Remembering what he'd promised the woman, he groaned.
'Seriously… is she mad?'
She was seriously overestimating how fun his life was! There were some exciting battles from time to time, sure, but other than that? Nothing! He just did his thing in the Chained Isles and left, nothing more, nothing less.
'Is my perspective just warped?'
He didn't even know anymore at this point…
As he was setting the plates however, something caught his attention.
'Hm?'
There was quite a bit of movement coming from below him.
'Ah, they're awake.'
Jet and Seishan had awakened, though they seemed to be… shouting at each other? The basement was soundproofed, so even though he was pretty close to it, his Ascended senses only picked up some muffled words.
Curious, he sent a shadow through the door. Not enough to see what was going on, but to at least hear what they were screaming about.
"...Huuuuh? Who says I wanted that?"
"Well what am I supposed to think with that kind of timing?!"
They were each hiding behind their own individual sleeping pods, only poking their heads out to argue.
'...Ah, I see.'
Sunny quietly turned his head away and retracted his shadow sense.
'None of my business.'
Though… it wouldn't really be his fault if he happened to overhear, right? They were the ones shouting and yelling in his house, after all…
Jet swung an arm around wildly as she tried to explain herself.
"Be serious! Why would I just lay around waiting for you to wake up?!"
Flushed, Seishan pointed at her in an accusatory manner.
"Obviously because you wanted to see me naked!"
'...'
Coughing slightly, Sunny covered his face.
Somehow, Jet and Seishan had awoken from the Dream Realm at the exact same time. And so, they also exited their sleeping pods at the exact same time as well, giving them quite the eyeful of each other.
"I'm telling you you're full of it!"
"Liar!"
"Am not!"
"You totally are!"
Pouring himself a mug of steaming hot tea, Sunny recalled his shadow. He really shouldn't be listening to that…
'Definitely not my business.'
He'd heard enough. Anymore and it'd be… he didn't even know, honestly.
Sitting comfortably on the sofa, he heaved a long sigh, silently sipping his tea as he waited for the two to stop arguing.
'Strange…'
Maybe his assessment of them was just wrong, but neither Jet nor Seishan seemed like the types to care too much about such a thing, especially considering the fact they were both girls. In fact, both of them acted quite differently whenever they were around each other, to the point where he found it a little suspicious…
'Are they plotting something?'
Or maybe it was just because one was a Legacy? It would make sense for Jet to be nervous or something when interacting with a lofty princess like Seishan, while the princess in question might not have as much experience interacting with an outskirts rat.
'Still weird…'
Before he could think about it anymore, the door to the basement swung open, revealing Seishan.
Cracking an eye open, he glanced at her and saw her wearing the familiar velvet dress of the Song Clan, a Memory she had hastily summoned to escape the awkward situation no doubt.
"Good morning?"
"Uh-? Oh, hello Sunny. Don't mind me."
He glanced behind her, but didn't spot Jet. Acting as if nothing happened, Seishan did nothing else, swiftly entering the bathroom with hurried steps.
Sunny just quietly sipped his tea, not questioning a thing.
A couple minutes later, Jet emerged from the basement as well, wearing a large hoodie and some shorts. He'd half expected her to be wearing the Heartweave Cloak, but her outfit was completely mundane.
"Sunny?"
Glancing over, he gave her a small wave.
"'Sup."
"Did you make breakfast?"
Sniffing the air, she turned to the table and immediately saw the row of pastries he'd made.
"Oh! Nevermind…"
Stifling a yawn, she immediately sat down to eat, not saying anything else. It seemed like both women were content with not saying a word about their altercation. Even when Seishan emerged from the bathroom not too long later, neither of them mentioned anything, showing no signs of awkwardness at all.
Unfortunately for them, Sunny could feel the embarrassment from their shadows just fine…
'Weirdos…'
***
"...And so I knocked that fucker out and broke his nose. And his jaw. And the rest of his face actually, come to think of it."
"He had it coming."
"Aria, you must learn to control yourself better…"
The four of them sat around a dimly lit table inside the Covetous Coffer, each of them sitting on some folding chairs that Sunny had definitely not stolen from the Academy.
Slamming her glass of orange juice onto the table, Aria clenched her fist in rage at the memory.
"Me? Control myself? Those bastards should be the ones controlling their tongues, damn it! Every word they say is just laced in condescension. Really doesn't help that a lot of them have super punchable faces as well."
Jet snickered, nodding in agreement.
"Real and true."
Seishan opened her mouth to admonish her words, but found herself nodding in agreement as well.
"I do suppose many of them have… annoying tendencies."
Sunny nodded as well, seeing no need to add on anymore. Aria seemed just about ready to continue anyways.
"So anyway, after that I just kind of left. They probably want me back, but if I can help it, that's not happening. And so here I am with this guy."
She pointed at him, causing the rest of them to look at him as well.
Feeling the spotlight on him, he coughed slightly.
"...Yes. I happen to know a thing or two about keeping people hidden, so I was the man for the job."
He was a little surprised Aria ended her telling of her side of the events there, but he'd go along with it nonetheless.
Lowering her glass, Seishan glanced at Aria in confusion.
"But I heard you were injured? What was that about then?"
The woman flinched slightly and laughed awkwardly.
"That… There was an incident when I left. Everything's fine now though."
Aria shifted slightly in her seat, adjusting the jacket that Sunny had made her put one on to cover up the dark tattoos of her Mark of Shadows. He'd also warned her very sternly to not reveal anything vital to Seishan, though he suspected the Legacy knew something was up nonetheless. Everyone in the room besides her wore long sleeves, despite the fact the Coffer wasn't very cold, something she had commented on quite earlier in their conversation.
"Come to think of it… Sunny, what's the plan now? You still haven't told me what we're doing today."
Hearing Aria's question, he inwardly groaned.
'I told her to be discreet…'
"I'll be taking out of the city in about…"
With a shadow he'd left in the house, he checked the time.
"...six hours. I'll tell you where we're going once we get there."
He could've told her right now, but he was subtly signaling to her to cease her line of questioning.
Aria nodded in understanding.
"Oh I see. Good! As much as I appreciate this, Sunny… this place isn't all that great. You should really put more stuff here. I get that it's supposed to be just for storage, but come on… I for sure need you to tell me where you got that bathroom from though. If I ever get a Memory as big as this, that's the first time I'm buying!"
He shook his head with an exaggerated sigh.
"Where I got it from is a secret. Also, since you are a jobless, homeless, broke-"
"Hey!"
"Just try to deny it. As I was saying, since you are a jobless, homeless, broke bum right now, I don't think you could afford it."
Aria clutched her chest in mock offense.
"How could you say that! You know, I am still a famous and widely renowned Awakened! I could easily just post online asking for money and gain millions overnight, so don't you dare call me broke!"
The two glared at each other for a moment before bursting out into laughter.
The mood within the Coffer was light, not at all indicative of the somewhat grave situation Aria had found herself in. Outside, the sun had just begun rising as the city left the early hours of the morning. Had they been in a different age, perhaps they would've heard birds singing outside, announcing the arrival of day, but too bad for them they lived in a time where most avians had long died out.
Eventually, the conversation died down, the four of them just sitting together quietly as they thought about the future.
Swirling the remaining bit of liquid in her glass, Aria glanced at Jet.
"Jet… I dunno what day it is, but don't you have work or something?"
Her eyes widened immediately as she abruptly stood up.
"Shit! I forgot!"
Slamming down the remainder of her drink, she made her way towards the exit of the Coffer, waving to them.
"I'm off! I'll see you guys later!"
Seeing Jet leave, Seishan set down her own drink and stood to leave as well.
"I do suppose I've put off my work for far too long as well. It was good to see you, Aria."
"Uh-huh. Thanks for visiting, Seishan. My heart goes out to you…"
Aria winked and blew her a kiss, causing the princess to sigh and flick her hair in annoyance as she turned to leave.
"Keep such things to yourself."
Seishan walked off into the darkness, stopping to speak with Jet for a bit as they stood below the opening on the roof that allowed them to leave.
"Anyways! Sunny…"
Aria grinned and leaned in, speaking with a low voice.
"I swear, every time I see you, you are just surrounded by beauties! Jet, Seishan, that creepy lady… are you really not gonna do anything?"
Sunny sighed loudly, shaking his head.
"No."
He wasn't really interested in such things. Not now anyways. Ever since his return, the last thing on his mind was romance, really.
"Then… What's your type, man? I refuse to believe you're not even a little intere-"
Sunny quickly stood up, cutting her off.
"I'm not answering tha-"
A heavy hand fell on his shoulder, pushing him back into his seat.
Sunny blinked.
'...Oh no.'
Jet and Seishan had returned at startling speeds, their sharp gazes causing him to inwardly flinch.
"Answer the question, Sunny."
"W-What…"
Aria smiled sinisterly at their reactions.
"Yes Sunny, answer it."
'R-Right. Women do love this gossip thing, don't they?'
Even Jet, who had grown up far away from that type of social life, still seemed interested in knowing. Maybe if he had kept to himself more often, they'd have been less curious about him… His obsession with secrecy had once more come back to bite him.
"I… I don't really have one?"
His teenage years had been a nonstop fight for survival, so he never bothered with such thoughts. And even once he did have time for such thoughts, he'd only loved a single woman for several years, so he didn't exactly have time to develop a type…
"No no… don't try to run from this. Every man has one, you just need to think about it a little…"
Jet nodded, her hand still keeping him firmly seated.
"Yes… just think about it for a bit. I'm sure you know."
"Oh… Okay…"
The conversation had been so normal until now! How had… how had it come to this all of a sudden!
Seeing Aria's smile, he just knew she'd gotten exactly what she wanted. This was her revenge.
'Damnation…'
Despite really not wanting to, he decided to think of an answer. His Flaw wasn't going to let him escape anyways.
…
…
"I still don't know."
Try as he might, nothing really came to mind.
Seishan hummed in thought for a moment and nodded.
"That's fine. Just answer some questions then."
Jet and Aria nodded as well.
"Yes, some questions…"
Sunny swallowed hard.
'Questions… goddamn questions!'
No… but they were supposed to be his friends, right? Surely they wouldn't ask him anything outrageous?
"First of all… long or short hair?"
Sunny's expression dimmed.
"You can't be serious."
It seemed like he had been worried for nothing…
"Lo-"
"Aria, that was a terrible question."
Seishan sighed, shaking her head in disappointment.
"What? Well you try asking him something then! Guarantee you he'll just say he doesn't know if you ask a hard question."
Seishan blinked, realising she was right.
"Oh, that is true… then, taller or shorter?"
Sunny didn't hesitate for even a moment.
"Taller."
The three girls nodded.
"Makes sense…"
Now, it was Jet's turn to ask.
"Younger or older? Or the same age as you?"
This time, he thought about it for a moment.
"...Older. Definitely older."
That one was still easy to answer. He was older in mind than in body, so of course he'd prefer someone older than him, though the slight disgust of the girls did make him feel a little bad, even if they didn't voice their feelings…
Clasping her hands, Aria looked at him inquisitively.
"What about a lively or relaxed person?"
"Relaxed."
That one was easy as well. He really didn't like loud people.
They continued to ask questions one by one and in order, as if this were some sort of… he didn't even know what this was. It kind of felt like an intervention or something.
"Would you want them to be kind?"
Thinking for a moment, he nodded.
"Sure, though I don't really care about it that much."
Seishan nodded thoughtfully at his answer then glanced at Jet. It was her turn now.
"Hot or cute?"
Sunny tilted his head, slightly confused.
"What's the difference?"
The three of them sighed at the same time, causing him even more confusion.
"What? What did I say?"
Aria shook her head, unclasping her hands.
"Hot or cute as in… someone sexy or someone charming and sweet, I suppose?"
This one, he had to think about it for a bit.
"Hm… I guess sexy?"
He still didn't know why they needed to know all this, but seeing how interested they were, he'd go along with it. Besides, it was indeed a little fun to discuss such things. He was just starting to see the appeal of it now.
"Mhm, I see…"
Clasping her hands again, Aria looked at him.
"What about Awakened or mundane?"
'Another easy question.'
"Awakened."
Aria's eyes widened.
"Really? Didn't think you cared about that…"
He shook his head.
"I don't. I'd be fine with either, really, but mundanes are much too fragile, and I don't think I'd enjoy the power imbalance."
He'd heard of the horror stories of how some of the early Awakened had treated people back at the Dawn of the Nightmare Spell. Awakened who'd take countless mundanes as concubines and treated them like pets, Awakened who'd use their Aspects to enthrall people to keep them as slaves… all sorts of terrible things really. As much as he disliked Valor, he was glad they were the ones who reigned in the end. If those types of people were the ones who ruled the world now, there'd be a lot more human blood on his hands.
"Hm, makes sense. If you said you preferred Awakened because they were better looking or something, I think I might've punched you."
"...Okay."
Now, it was once more Seishan's turn.
'How many more questions am I gonna have to answer…'
"If you prefer Awakened, what about ranks? Like, would you care if they were a Master or a Saint?"
"That…"
Sunny suddenly inwardly shuddered.
"No, I don't think so? But probably someone stronger."
Seishan nodded and signaled for Jet to continue.
"Okay okay, what about personality wise?"
He shuddered a little more, not liking the thoughts that were running through his head.
"Someone pushy."
The table went silent.
"Someone… someone pushy?"
He nodded.
"Yeah like, someone forceful and assertive, you know? Maybe even a little mean…"
"Oh…"
An awkward silence fell over the table as the three of them stared at him worriedly.
"Sunny… are you a masochist by any chance?"
"What? No!"
He vehemently shook his head.
"You think I'd want a pretty lady to beat me up? Of course… of course not! Heheh, although…"
"That's not what I said…"
It was Aria's turn to ask now, but she didn't seem to be in the mood anymore.
"I uh… What… What hair colour do you prefer?"
"Doesn't matter to me."
If one could be swayed by things as little as hair colour, were they truly even attracted to someone?
Seishan didn't seem to want to ask him anything anymore either.
"Uh… what about their fashion sense?"
"Also doesn't matter."
She nodded and turned to Jet, who was looking at him weirdly now.
"How about… oh! Would you look at the time, I'm running late! Gotta go! Bye guys!"
Seishan stood up as well.
"Right, yes. I do remember needing to leave around this time."
Aria couldn't help but laugh at their reactions, nearly falling from her chair as her shoulders shook.
"Oh, oh man… you got problems, Sunny."
Sunny flinched.
"What? I have no such-"
A shiver ran down his spine, causing him to stop mid sentence.
"...problems."
The shadows of the Coffer stirred, causing Jet and Aria to perk up slightly.
"What is-"
"You two, come back."
He called out to the two girls that were just about to leave.
"Huh?"
"What now?"
"Just come here. I'm serious."
The two of them shared a glance but immediately came back, showing clear signs of worry.
"What? What happened?"
Taking a deep breath, he revealed a grave expression.
"Someone dangerous just entered the neighbourhood. Someone very dangerous."