Now, it was finally time to start the day, and what better way to do so than cooking delicious pancakes and waffles? Hopefully, there wouldn't be anyone asking for honey on them, it always ruins his mood, running his dishes with that disgusting flavor.
He headed downstairs, slowly trying to focus on the days that would follow before his departure to godgrave. He greeted the guests, before taking the orders that Aiko missed.
Retreating into the kitchen, he slowly started with cooking, manifesting his second avatar to help with the workload. There was a surprising amount of unfamiliar people that came to examine him.
Most even seemed to enjoy just the look of his well constructed face. He could even hear some gossiping about his relationship with Nephis, and the like. There was a slight wish to even spit in their food, but he stopped himself, after all, they were customers.
The rest of the days seemed to pass in a blur. Just the same day on repeat, serving customers, making delicious food, making plans for the war and so forth.
The plans were usually discussed with Cassie through her ability, they were thorough and precise. Most of the talks were about preparations, discussions about things even after the war. However, there was another topic of their conversations, that was Nephis.
Cassie strongly advised for Sunny to tell Nephis the truth before the war starts, and Sunny agreed. But he was getting more and more unsecure by the day, he knew it was the right thing to do, but was that what he wanted.
Was there a need for Nephis to know why couldn't Sunny just be selfish for once in his life. Except, Nephis needed to know, and Sunny knew that, but, his fears kept him from acting.
He couldn't be selfish, at least not when it came to Nephis, if he was being honest with himself, he would likely just kidnap her and would live in hiding. That was just how much he wanted her. He didn't want anyone else to have her. She was his whole world, one of the few reasons he is alive right now.
And while they discussed Nephis, Cassie mentioned that she had locked herself in her room for 3 days now. She had nothing to eat or drink, and she also strictly advised Cassie to not try to use her ability on her.
She kept her word and had no idea what could possibly have caused such a reaction, and especially now, right before the war. And she had entrusted the situation to him, in hopes of helping her through it.
Now, though, all Sunny had to do was finish the few orders left for the day and escort them outside. Then, it would finally be time for the plan to take action.
It didn't really take that long for the last batch of customers to leave, so Sunny gave Aiko the look. Understanding the sign, she took a seat in one of the booths and relaxed for the first time today.
When Sunny checked for any activity in the area with his shadow sense, he didn't find anything out of the ordinary. There were no people on the streets, which meant it was safe to assume the plan would finally take place.
[We are starting with the plan. She is waiting for you.]
Hearing the voice resound in his head, Sunny ordered Mimic to get ready to move at any time.
***
The beautiful island housing the pristine white pagonda started floating away from its place near the fortress. In its place was left a carefully constructed illusion, made by the power of a saint.
It slowly floated away, making its way towards the mirror like lake, slowly descending until it was leveled with the city streets. Nearby, a cozy brick cottage suddenly sprouted crab like legs and rose from the ground.
It headed towards the beautiful island, jumping high into the air when it reached the water, seemingly not wanting to get wet. When it landed on the island, it looked around for a while, seemingly searching for a place to rest, but decided to just plop down where it stood.
The legs retreated, and within a single moment, it looked just as it did when it stood on the city streets. The door opened in an unhurried fashion, through it came out a man dressed in a fashioned black mantle.
It hid most of the bodily features of the masterful enchanter, but it only enhanced the contours of his face. It made his face stand out, his eyes were deeply contrasted with the mantle, sharing the darkness and mystery. His pristine white skin was like that of an onyx statue, and he looked more like a model than a powerful enchanter.
As the doors closed behind him, he started waking. His steps were deliberate and masterfully executed. With every step, he was getting closer and closer to the woman in front of him. Her silver hair flower over her shoulders like a river, her eyes of the same color carried a piercing gaze.
The dress she wore showed off her features just enough to draw attention to it. With every step the man made, her face seemed to become more and more red, as if it was on fire.
Soon, they were face to face, looking each other in the eyes. Their faces were so close, Sunny could even feel her breath on him. Her lips were so close, all he had to do was just close the distance. Just thinking about the taste they would have, was making him want to do it.
To his dismay, there was something else he had to do, he sighed and took a step back, his eyes showed a clear look of disappointment. His thoughts turned to the plan he discussed with Cassie, and how to tell Nephis the truth.
But the moment Sunny saw Nephis, he knew it wouldn't work. He couldn't do it, he was unable to keep lying either, not to Nephis.
So, he said it, clear as day, planing to at least.
"I have to tell you something, Lady Nephis."
A moment later, he continued in the same tone.
"I said that there were secrets that I might never reveal. But… before anything else happens, there is one of them in particular I must share. So…"
Before he could say anything else, she stopped him, putting a finger on his lips.
"You don't have to say anything, I already know."
Her voice was full of pride, happiness, but also a barely noticeable hint of sadness. Which seemed to go unnoticed by Sunny from the look on his face. His mind already racing with countless possible conclusions, yet none of them making any sense.
How could she have known, know, how did she find out, did something give it away? He had so many questions, but how could he decide which one to ask first?
Eventually, he settled for the most important one, hoping that his biggest secret could be found so easily.
"Lady Nephis... what, exactly, do you think you know?"
He had been gathering courage to admit that he was the Lord of Shadows for so long. But… she already knew? Know? Since when?
There were too many thoughts buzzing in his head.
"Well, it wasn't that difficult to figure out, was it?"
She paused for a few moments, then sighed.
"Plus, it felt as though you were giving me subtle hints the entire time. I would consider myself a fool if I hadn't noticed."
Sunny had been agonizing about this issue for a long time, so he felt a little hurt by the fact that she could remain so calm about it.
He also didn't know how she could remain calm.
Nephis looked at him and continued:
"There are too few people with an affinity to shadows out there. But now, I am suddenly surrounded by them. Additionally… you could not have expected me to know, given how rare and arcane this knowledge is. But my experience in the Third Nightmare allowed me to draw a direct parallel between you and the Saint of Godgrave."
Sunny trembled.
"What knowledge?"
Her smile grew a little gentle.
"That mantle you wear looks just like the ritual attire of a priest of the Nightmare Spell. The mask the Lord of Shadows wears is part of that attire as well. Now, it might be a coincidence for me to stumble on two people with high affinity to shadows, and it might be a coincidence for two awakened to possess Memories inherited from the followers of Weaver. But both of these connections can't be a coincidence."
'Huh' how could he not have noticed that, probably because the Nebulous Mantle wasn't really that special looking? Unlike the eye-catching weavers mask, it looked quite mundane. Not to Nephis though, since this was Anake's mantle, and she would know it best.
Additionally, she had never been supposed to meet the humble shopkeeper, to begin with… their unexpected relationship was the result of a messy series of unanticipated events. So, Sunny had not been as meticulous in maintaining his disguise as he would normally be.
'She... she knew all along?'
The idea was startling.
"... But mainly, it was the fact that the Lord of Shadows was too well-informed about everything that is happening in both worlds for someone who is supposed to be a recluse. Knowledge like that can't be achieved without an information network. So, I figured that he has many agents scattered across the waking world and the Dream Realm."
Sunny blinked a couple of times.
'Huh?'
She continued, sounding just a bit more smug than one would like.
"The lineage of Shadow God has never been discovered… at least everyone thinks so. But all these facts hint that it has. I don't know how the Shadow Clan managed to remain hidden for so long, and why you are starting to move now, but it doesn't matter. What matters…"
He tilted his head a little.
"Wait a moment…"
She looked him in the eyes and smiled.
"Is that I know that you are an agent of the Lord of Shadows, Master Sunless. But… that doesn't really change the way I think of you. So, you don't have to worry."
Sunny stared at her silently.
'…No, but why does she sound a little smug?'
And also, she did not care if he was a spy working for the Lord of Shadows… that made him feel warm inside.
It was so adorable!
He inhaled, then said in a cautious tone:
"No, that's not it."
A hint of surprise appeared on Neph's face.
She lingered for a moment, then asked:
"It's not?"
Sunny scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"What I mean to say is that I am not an agent of the Lord of Shadows."
His voice was a bit smooth.
"... I am the Lord of Shadows."
Nephis looked at him incredulously.
Her expression was deadpan.
"What?"
He nodded.
"Yes. The Lord of Shadows… that's me. We met in Godrgrave before we met in Bastion." Her face froze.
Nephis remained silent for a while, then asked in a flat tone:
"How would that even work? Godgrave is so far from Bastion, and your tether…"
Sunny sighed, then manifested the gloomy shadow into an avatar. Standing beside him just a moment later wearing clothes made from manifested shadows.
"It's an Ability of mine. I have seven bodies. Two are here in Bastion, four are in Godgrave, and one is in the Song Domain."
Neph's eyes slowly widened.
She stared at the two of him without saying anything, her expression perfectly emotionless.
Then, he noticed something, she seemed just a bit to absentminded. It looked as if the spark in her eyes was slowly dying out. When it fully died, she collapsed into his arms. His real body's arms to be specific.
If not for the fact that both of them were saint, sunny would be worried beyond normal. He was still worried, but knew that given enough time she would wake up. At least he hoped so, if not, he may have to answer to Anvil as to why his daughter is not waking up.
Dismissing his incarnation of gloomy, he took Nephis in a princess carry, and headed towards the ivory tower. Already expecting Cassie to thoroughly interrogate him.