"I accept, too."
The room was quiet for a moment after her proclamation. In that silent, almost eternal moment, Nephis had time to think twice, thrice, and many more times about her decision.
Ki Song smiled pleasantly and sipped from her wine, mesmerizing eyes shining with triumph. "Excellent! I knew you would see reason on this matter."
Unlike her, Nephis felt no joy.
She had just betrayed every ideal she held out of nothing but trust in someone who professed to hate her.
There must have been something very wrong with her, for she did not regret her choice.
"What now?" Sunny asked casually, sipping on his own juice.
Nephis took a deep breath and banished the tumultuous thoughts. She could deal with the tangle of emotions later; she had made a decision, and now it was time to face the consequences.
"We are going to Ravenheart, of course." Ki Song shrugged faintly, as if it were the obvious course of action. "My clan doesn't earn a new prince and princess every day, much less heirs."
"Not one to wait, huh?"
"Oh, I never wait when something valuable presents itself," she said lightly, her voice carrying that same effortless warmth that felt more like mockery than kindness. "Opportunity is such a fragile thing. One must seize it before someone else does."
Her gaze lingered on Sunny for a fraction longer than necessary, the triumph behind her eyes unmistakable.
Sunny, however, did not react, at least not in any obvious way. He simply smiled, relaxed and easy, as if being examined so openly were nothing more than a mild curiosity.
"Good thing we are so agreeable, then," he said, his tone light, almost amused. "Would've been awkward if we weren't."
Ki Song laughed softly.
"Yes."
There was something beneath that single word, something faint and cold, a quiet implication that did not need to be voiced aloud.
What would have happened if they had refused?
Nephis knew, and so did Sunny, yet neither made any show of acknowledging it.
Instead, Sunny stretched slightly, as though the tension in the room had not just tightened into something sharp enough to cut steel.
"So, Ravenheart," he said, glancing at Nephis from the corner of his eye. "I assume you have a way to get me there. My current anchor in the Dream Realm is a little... out of the way, so to say."
Ki Song finished her drink and rose with unhurried grace.
"Of course," she replied easily. "Everything has already been prepared."
Already.
Not will be. Not can be.
Already.
The implication in her words infuriated Nephis.
Ki Song moved toward the door, then paused, glancing back at them with that same pleasant smile.
"Shall we?"
Sunny finished his own drink and rose, quickly followed by Nephis.
-------------------------------------------
The corridor felt different on the way out.
Each step echoed a little louder than before, the sound stretching just a fraction too long against the polished floors. The manor itself had not changed; the walls were still the same, the air still carried the same faint smell, but something about it felt colder.
Nephis could almost picture the ghost of her grandmother, her eyes full of disappointment as she stared at her.
"How could you bow your head to one of them?" she seemed to say.
She clenched her teeth so hard it hurt, but paid the thought no more mind. The die was cast; wallowing in her decision served no purpose but to flagellate herself.
It still stung.
Beside her, Sunny walked calmly, with the same relaxed air around him. Like he had agreed to a trivial thing rather than selling his life to a Supreme.
She glanced at him briefly, and while he did not look back, she detected the faintest sign of tension in his shoulders before it disappeared. He did not look it, but he wasn't any happier about the decision than she was.
Just what was going through that cute, infuriating head of his?
Nephis sighed and kept walking. She would ask later, once they were out of earshot of unwanted spectators.
A mere minute later, they reached the others.
The idle conversation they were engaged in died the moment they came into sight, replaced by a quiet tension and followed by an even quieter question that rang in everyone's mind:
Will there be a fight?
Among them, Effie saw their group first. Her gaze shifted from Nephis to Sunny, then to Ki Song, and something in her expression changed, amusement giving way to a far more serious look.
"Well…" she said slowly. "…that didn't take long."
Kai said nothing, but his posture straightened, and nervous tension was painted all over his body language.
Cassie turned toward them, her blind gaze unnervingly precise. It was so faint that she would have missed it if she didn't know her friend as well as she did, but Nephis noticed the shock in her expression.
Seishan and Beastmaster, on the other hand, watched with open interest, one's expression calm while the other carried the same amused air, although both were tinged with expectation.
Nephis did not hesitate. "We accepted. The Immortal Flame Clan is officially joining Song."
Silence fell after her proclamation, so oppressive that Nephis could almost hear the beat of her own heart.
Effie blinked repeatedly, as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.
Kai went completely still, shock rippling through his face.
Cassie inhaled softly, the motion so slight it would have gone unnoticed by most.
"…You what?" Effie asked flatly.
Sunny shrugged faintly. "You are before the new heirs of Song."
"That's not funny," Kai retorted immediately, then, after a moment, grimaced. "That wasn't a joke."
"It wasn't," he agreed cheerily.
Effie stared at them for a long moment, the usual levity in her expression gone without a trace.
"You're serious."
"We are," Nephis replied.
Kai ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly, like someone trying very hard to keep his thoughts in check.
Effie did not bother. "Princess," she said, her tone firm in a way Nephis rarely heard, "what the hell?"
Nephis met her gaze evenly and, through her eyes, transmitted a simple message:
Later.
Effie clicked her tongue, clearly dissatisfied, but she relented nonetheless.
Kai looked between them, unease written plainly across his face, but he relented, too.
Cassie, however, said nothing. She stood very still, her head tilted slightly, as though listening to something distant, something only she could perceive. Then, slowly, almost mechanically, she turned toward Sunny.
"…I see," she murmured.
The Seer gave a stiff nod and grew silent once more.
Nephis felt a small flicker of unease settle in her chest at the sight. Cassie was hiding something, something that affected them all.
She would have to speak with her soon. Alone.
Nephis wouldn't allow her to delay any longer. Her friend had played the mysterious Seer for too long already, and she wasn't going to acquiesce to it anymore.
Beastmaster's voice broke her out of her thoughts, just in time to see her pleased grin widen, eyes gleaming with open delight.
"Oh, this is going to be fun."
Seishan nodded faintly. "A wise decision."
Ki Song gestured farther into the hall, where the exit of the manor awaited them.
"All of you can get acquainted later; there is much to be done if we are to meet the planned schedule."
Nephis's teeth clenched harder.
-------------------------------------------
The ride passed in silence. It was an uneasy one, filled with words none of them felt safe enough to share. Not here. Not now.
Nephis sat by the window of the PTV, her posture straight, gaze fixed on the passing scenery beyond the reinforced glass. The world outside blurred into muted streaks of color and light, but she did not truly see it. Her thoughts had turned inward, tracing the path that had led her here with an almost clinical detachment, examining each decision, each moment of hesitation, each step that had brought her to sit where she did now.
Across from her sat Cassie, hands resting loosely on her lap, her head slightly tilted, as though she were listening to something far away.
Effie sat beside Kai, unusually quiet, her usual restless energy tempered into something more restrained, while Kai himself looked as though he was trying to map every possible outcome and failing to find one he liked.
Sunny leaned back in his seat with deceptive ease, one arm resting lazily against the door, his head supported by his closed fist. His expression was calm to the point of indifference as he watched the world go by. To an untrained eye, he might have looked half-asleep, as though this entire situation were little more than a minor inconvenience.
Nephis knew him well enough to be certain that he was watching every single detail, ready to react at a moment's notice. It comforted her more than she was proud to admit.
The ride continued in the same silence, neither her cohort nor the silent driver of the PTV uttering a single word.
Eventually, the hum of the engine softened as it came to a smooth stop, and a moment later, the doors unlocked with a quiet click.
Nephis stepped out first, her gaze landing immediately on the other parked PTV. It held Ki Song and her daughters.
She felt a flicker of irritation stir in her chest, sharp but controlled. It did not reach her face, did not alter her expression, but it was there nonetheless. The Ghoul had brought two PTVs with her.
All along, she had been completely certain of the outcome of their conversation.
Sunny stepped out beside her, eyes darker than usual as he gazed at the same vehicle she did.
"Confident, wasn't she?" he muttered faintly.
"Infuriatingly so," Nephis replied flatly.
"I might know someone like that," Sunny said in an even tone.
Nephis snorted, amused despite herself, and a moment later, so did he.
She turned to the building they had stopped in front of, taking in the sight.
It was magnificent, formed of pale stone shaped into clean lines and balanced structures that conveyed both elegance and purpose. It was comprised of a central, palace-like structure interconnected with smaller buildings through covered walkways and arched corridors, each of them heavily fortified.
Her gaze shifted, moving past the buildings to the people.
Awakened stood guard at regular intervals, their presence disciplined and orderly, their movements precise. They did not stand idly, nor did they patrol without pattern. Each position had been chosen with care, each route calculated. Among them, she saw dozens of Ascended, powerful ones at that. She didn't think they could defeat any of her elite Fire Keepers, but the fact that they could compare was already high praise.
Nephis observed them and the building quietly, and for a brief moment, an image formed inside her mind.
Flames.
White and merciless, spreading outward in an unstoppable tide, devouring structures, consuming stone, glass, and steel alike, turning the orderly beauty before her into ruin. It would be the least she could do after what Ki Song had done to her family.
She exhaled slowly and banished the morbid thought. The stress of the day was getting to her.
The other PTV's doors opened at that moment.
Ki Song stepped out first, with the same air of satisfaction as before, followed by Seishan and Beastmaster, both carrying themselves with the same quiet confidence they had shown earlier.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Ki Song asked as she approached.
"It is," Nephis agreed after a moment of silence.
Ki Song's smile deepened slightly as she gestured for them to follow.
They walked in silence, their footsteps echoing softly against the smooth surfaces as they moved deeper into the compound. The further they went, the more apparent the underlying structure of the place became. Every path, every building, every open space had been designed with purpose, forming a cohesive whole that functioned as both residence and stronghold.
Effie let out a quiet whistle behind her. "I have to admit that they have style."
Kai remained silent, his attention fixed on their surroundings, his gaze moving constantly.
Sunny walked beside Nephis, his posture unchanged, but there was a subtle shift in his gaze. He was cataloguing every detail, looking for weaknesses, noting the patrol routes, as well as every other detail that would make destroying this place easier if needed.
Nephis knew, because she was doing the same.
They entered the main structure swiftly and kept advancing without stopping. Inside, wide halls stretched ahead, their high ceilings lending a sense of openness without excess. Decoration was minimal, but what little there was had been chosen carefully, each piece placed with intent rather than solely for display.
Ki Song led them onward, deeper into the structure, her pace steady and unhurried. Gradually, the atmosphere began to change. The air grew cooler, heavier, and the light dimmed in subtle increments as they descended.
The architecture shifted as well. The refined elegance of the upper levels gave way to something more austere. Stone replaced polished surfaces, the walls losing their decorative touch in favor of a more understated style, as though there was no place for such frivolities here.
Eventually, the corridor opened, and they arrived at their destination. The room was vast, large enough to swallow an entire house without problem, and resting at its center, she saw it.
For a moment, she considered the idea that there was a Nightmare Gate in front of them. However, the more she looked, the starker the difference became. She felt no sense of revulsion at the sight, nor was it dark. In fact, she could see into the other side, where a hall made of what looked like white jade awaited them.
"Nice room," Sunny said in a playful tone. "The Dream Gate goes well with the decor."
"Thank you for noticing," Beastmaster replied in the same tone.
"What is it?"
"A Dream Gate," he replied easily.
Nephis rolled her eyes.
"A perk of reaching Supremacy," Ki Song said lightly, then smiled teasingly. "Maybe you will be able to create one of your own in the future."
"Knowing Princess? I give her a year or two."
Ki Song tilted her head, peering at Nephis intently. "Oh, I'm sure of it."
-------------------------------------------
The group moved forward, guided by Seishan and Beastmaster through a series of corridors that gradually opened into more opulent chambers, the air growing warmer and more inviting with every step. Ki Song had already departed to deal with the preparations for the ceremony, leaving them under the care of her daughters.
The room they finally entered was vast, airy, and bathed in a soft, indirect light that seemed to flow from hidden sources rather than obvious fixtures. Plush seating had been arranged in a careful semicircle around low tables, and on those tables lay an assortment of delicately prepared snacks and fruits, still glistening as if freshly placed.
They all settled into the plush chairs, the soft cushions swallowing them in contrast to the tension still clinging to their shoulders. Effie immediately reached for the nearest plate, plucking a pastry and taking a bite.
Seishan and Beastmaster left soon after, mentioning that they had preparations of their own to make, leaving behind a bell to ring that would summon servants in case of need.
Nephis did not doubt for a moment that they were being watched.
"This place is nice," Effie said, chewing on a pulpy piece of fruit. "Sure beats our tower."
Kai took a sip of a strange green beverage that must have been quite tasty, judging by his pleased expression.
"You only say that because of the catering."
The huntress laughed and took another bite. "You know me well."
"Far too much for my liking."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
Nephis watched as they bickered, with the occasional commentary from Cassie. A faint smile touched her lips, finding the situation amusing despite herself.
Here she was, at the very center of the power of one of her greatest enemies. Not to strike at her, but to join her clan.
Oh, she had considered it before, joining one of the Ghouls. It was a decent enough plan. Protection, resources, and the ability to spy on them unnoticed, ready to grasp at every detail that would one day make it easier to plunge her blade into the heart of one of them.
As an Awakened, they had offered, and she had refused. She justified it to herself then, she was still too weak, too expendable. If she joined, she would be in too much danger. It would be all too easy to make her disappear if she proved too dangerous.
Then she became a Master, and she refused once more, justifying it by claiming that their offer wasn't good enough.
Only now did she realize that it was her pride that had made the decision for her. At some point, the hype of "Changing Star" had gotten to her, emboldened her, made her think that she might be able to reach every objective without making a single concession, without allowing the Ghouls to take anything else from her.
That same pride had almost killed her today.
If not for Sunny's decision, she might very well be dead right now. He had saved her, again.
But that wasn't all, was it? She had been a mess the whole day, allowing her emotions to control her instead of the other way around. The number of times she had almost lashed out was far too high. Just one would already have been too many.
Nephis needed to do better, to be better.
She took a deep breath to calm her frayed nerves and turned toward Sunny, a "thank you" on her lips, but stopped when she realized that there was something wrong with him.
At first glance, there was nothing unusual. He was playing with a grape-like fruit, plucking the little pearls and toying with them before popping them into his mouth. It was his silence that clued her in first. Throughout the entire conversation, he hadn't spoken once, despite having many chances to interject. The thin line of his lips was next, followed by the almost imperceptible furrow of his brow and the way he idly tapped his foot.
"Do you mind telling me what's wrong?" she asked in a low whisper, trying to avoid drawing the others' attention.
Sunny did not twitch, did not show any sign that he had heard her, but the tapping stopped almost immediately. A long moment of silence followed, and then he turned toward her. The usual storm in his eyes was there, but something else dominated it, something she could almost call… afraid.
"I do," he answered in a whisper of his own.
The tapping resumed, fainter than before but unmistakable.
"It has only been a week," he confessed a few seconds later.
"A week?"
He smiled bitterly. "Yes."
Nephis was confused for a moment longer, and then it hit her. "I'm sorry."
"Why would you be?" he asked lightly. The tapping grew more insistent. "I chose to be here."
Just a week ago, he had still been trapped inside a Nightmare in the Dream Realm. He had only been free for a week, and now here he was again, forced once more to face it, all because he had chosen to stay by her side against his better judgment. It was his choice to join the Song Clan, but he had only been forced to make a choice to begin with because of her.
Instead of offering another senseless apology, she decided to try something different, something every instinct in her screamed against.
"I was afraid."
Admit weakness.
Sunny tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"I was afraid to fall asleep." She took a deep breath before continuing. "It was a few days after I returned to the Waking World, and I had only stepped back into the Dream long enough to anchor myself to the Gateway inside the Chained Isles before leaving."
"You thought you might be trapped again," he said quietly, toying with one of the pearls.
"Yes." Her fingernails sank into the plush armrest. "I knew it was illogical. I had already tested the Gateway myself. I knew that even if it stopped functioning, Saint Tyris could always bring me back to the Waking World. I knew that if even that failed, I could always travel to Bastion or any of the other citadels and return from there."
"Fear doesn't care about logic," he said simply.
She nodded. "I was afraid of falling asleep, so I used any excuse I could find to delay it."
"Must have been a busy few days." Amusement flickered in his eyes for a moment.
"Yes. Fortunately, I'm a very busy woman," she said evenly, her lips twitching upward for a moment. "There were mountains of paperwork to handle, interviews, appearances on talk shows, training, and whatever else I could find."
"You on a talk show?" Sunny laughed softly. "I'll have to ask Aiko for a compilation later."
Nephis felt her cheeks redden. "Please don't do it, if you want."
He grinned but did not pursue the topic further.
"How long did you last?"
"A week." She paused for a moment. "I was afraid until the very end. What if I were trapped again? What if there was no way out? What if I had to do it all over again… but this time without you?"
"For the first two questions? You'd find another way out. You always do," he said with a faint, bitter chuckle. "As for the third… well, you'd just have to find some other poor bastard who would… sacrifice himself for you."
Nephis' throat tightened painfully, refusing to let out a response.
"I'm afraid too," he admitted after a moment. "I can leave at any moment. A single thought is all it would take to go back to the Waking World, to be free of this hell. And yet… it still feels like my blood has turned to ice. Like every sound is another Nightmare Creature, ready to pounce at the slightest sign of weakness. I feel like I'll wake up at any moment and realize that I dreamed it all up, that I'm still back there, in the Tears, waiting for the day my luck finally runs out… almost wishing it would happen already."
Sunny took a deep breath.
"You were afraid? Well, so am I." His smile cracked slightly. "Welcome to the club, I guess."
No reassurance came to her lips. No certainty, no promise that things would be fine, that he would endure, that he always did. Those words hovered at the edge of her mind, familiar and easy, but they felt wrong. Insufficient. Almost insulting.
So instead, she moved.
Slowly, carefully, her hand drifted toward his, as though he might break if she wasn't careful.
He watched her hand like someone would watch the approach of a dangerous predator. And yet, against all odds, he did not pull away.
When their fingers brushed, Nephis almost flinched at the contact, surprised by how warm and smooth his hand felt.
Sunny did flinch, but he didn't withdraw.
Nephis allowed herself a small, almost invisible smile and squeezed softly. A moment later, he squeezed back.
She was standing in the heart of an enemy stronghold, surrounded on all sides and entirely at the mercy of a woman who could end her life with a thought. She had bartered away her ideals, her pride, placing her fate in the hands of someone who claimed to hate her.
By all accounts, she should have felt afraid. Vulnerable.
She didn't.
Because Sunny was there. Afraid, tense, and far from at ease, but there, beside her.