Sunny left Kai in the forest as a posted archer in the trees. After that, he put weaver's mask and walked into the clearing. His black coat covered most of his body in darkness well except for his dreadful mask and white hair.
Front guards of 7 men immediately readied their weapons, but Nephis said it's fine, and with that, they set them aside, still looking at Sunny with distaste.
?1: Are you the cathedral lord?
S: no. He is still inside the catedral.
As he said that, people started to gather closer to see what is going on.
Nephis Cassia Caster and Effie stepped closer.
S: I don't know what sounds better now. This one also has a nice ring to it.
S: Yes.
Caster started to ask first.
C: Can we trust you?
S: Yes…
C: What was that pause for, ha.
Sunny did not respond.
C: coward.
S: says a guy who never left for the Dark City when they hunt.
C: How do you know about where we hunt?
S: I rule over the dark city. I know everything that happens there.
E: Pretty cool.
Stated Effie, who tried to break the gloomy atmosphere.
N: Leave us.
C: But, Lady Nephis.
He grabbed her hand to stop her.
C: Can we trust him?
Nephis looked at her hand and back at Caster and said in a cold tone.
N: Let go.
He did as he was asked with a slight blush.
Ca: How about we discuss it in our camp?
S: I pass. I will help you with what you need, but I am not planning on becoming your friend.
N: That's fine.
N: I will lead an expedition, and I need to pass Dark City. What do you want for your services?
S: You.
As he said that, every guard aimed their blade at him, rage written all over their face.
?,?,?: What did you just say?! Whatch your damn mouth.
Nephis only tilted her head and asked neutrally.
N: Could you be more specific?
S: deal for a deal. I will help you now, but you will help me in the future.
N: Will you tell me what?
S: Yes.
N: Maybe our goals are the same.
S: Maybe.
N: So what is it you want?
S: Kill Gunlaug.
N: Alright.
Stunned silence enveloped the area in front of the forest and right by the.
?2: Is he crazy?
?3: he lives in the dark city, how could he not be crazy?
S: When do you leave?
N: tomorrow.
S: Follow me. I will show you where you will go.
Nephis nodded and walked toward Sunny, followed by Caster, but Sunny stopped him by raising his palm.
S: just her.
C: Will you stop me?
S: Do you really want to die?
C: Are you thretning me?
S: No. Just telling you your future.
C: Lady Nephis, please let me test this person so we know if his strength is worth our trouble and your time.
N: As you wish.
Caster stepped forward and faced Sunny. He calmly summoned his blade and looked at Sunny.
C: Are you not summoning your weapon?
S: I don't have a reason to even need it.
C: Are you looking down on me?… Oh, wait, you are too short, of course you are not.
Effie tried to raise her hands, but sight because she was unable to stop him because she still remembered how insulting Sunny's height is not a good idea.
Sunny did not portray any emotion and just stared at him with his hands behind his back. As he slowly gestured to him to start by slightly opening his palm as if to invite him.
S: Start anytime you want. Of course, if you are not scared. Silver spoon bastard.
Some guards narrowed their eyes at Caster after Sunny's comment to see his reaction.
C: You think I will let you insult my family just like that?
S: Your family is not here. So why should I care? The only thing that matters is your skill. I don't really care about anything else. Background and all that crap? No thanks.
C: This is why you could never understand.
With that, Caster pulled out his blade and pointed its tip at Sunny.
Guards took a few steps back to give them some distance and waited for the match to start.
In Caster's eyes, time as to freeze. The raindrops slow down.
C: I will finish him off in a single strike and get Lady Nephi's approval.
As he thought that rain raindrop fell on the tip of his blade, and at the same time, Sunny disappeared.
C: I am moving exponentially faster than a human eye can see. Does he also have speed? No visibility?
As he thought that he felt hairs on his back stand on end but before he could do anything Sunny swung his palm at his neck which Cater blocked by abusing his power even more to boost him even more but as his blade connected with Sunny's palm he felt as if he struck a mountain and just ricochated from Sunny and crashed into the tree making him spit blood.
From the other perspective, they just saw Sunny disappear and appear where Caster was standing, and right after that, Caster crashed into the tree.
Sunny did not look at Caster and faced Nephis. Nephis didn't turn to face Caster and just said.
N: I will get back to you tomorrow early in the morning. Go get some rest.
With that, Nephis walked into the woods, closely followed by Sunny who followed her as she walked past him
When they were far in the woods, Caster slowly stood up.
C: Let's follow them.
E: Did you not hear the princess? Besides, you lost your duel and duels here are not taken lightly, you know. Moreover, judging by how quickly you lost, do you think you would be able to stop him if he were to use a weapon this time?
Caster gritted his teeth and faced the forest with anger in his eyes.
C: How is this even possible? How is he so strong and so damn fast?
Caster walked to the forest, but an arrow whistled past him, almost hitting his head, leaving a small scratch on his cheek.
Everyone tensed up, looking into the dark forest, scanning the tree line.
Deep in the woods, Kai was already ready with his second arrow. Rainwater was dripping from his hair, onto his eyelids, and even his bowstring was drenched in water. From that, it was fairly obvious that Kai had not moved from his position in a very long time. His breathing was calm, way too calm. He was standing on a branch that should not have been able to withstand his weight, but it somehow did.
K: Don't move, please, I don't want to kill you. It is such a waste of such good arrows.
C: tsk
E: If you want to die, be my guest. We don't even see the archer. How do you want to fight it?
C: Fine.
With that, they all left for their cabins.
Kai stood in his position for some extra time, but after a while, he left while sinking into the shadows and appearing somewhere close in the forest, bringing more supplies on his back as if nothing had happened. Slum people waved him happily and begged him to stay, to which he agreed. He needed a good alibi to join the cohort after all.
Meanwhile, Nephis and Sunny were holding hands while walking into Sunny's cathedral. Sunny dismissed the Wever mask shortly after they disappeared into the woods.
N: So you want me. Ha?
S: Yes. I want you.
N: You know, I was quite angry at you for some time now.
S: Why?
N: Well, you have a soft bed, are training 2 pretty girls and are even making them your meals? How am I not supposed to be angry? Also, Cassia told me that your training was physical.
S: Yes, of course, it is physical. What did you was I teaching them?
N: No, I mean that you were very touchy first few days with them.
S: Well, yes. Adjusting them manually is way easier.
N: I am surprised you are so excited about it.
S: What can I say? I like to train.
N: And you are also enjoying touching other girls.
S: And Kai is a girl?
N: I don't count him.
S: Why? He is also a member. Not to mention, he is the strongest of them.
N: Really?
S: Yes. By a large margin. Being honest, it is mostly because he is an archer and they are both melee combat warriors, so it is pretty disadvantageous to them, but still.
N: So you don't deny it?
Sunny thought for a moment.
Ha: Master. I think she is under the impression that you enjoy other female company more than hers.
Said Happy in his mind.
S: Oh...
Sunny-faced Nephis said slowly and with a polite smile on his face, trying to cover his blush of embarrassment.
S: Is there something I could do to make you forgive me?
N: There is.
S: Do you mean?
N: Yes.
S: Well, I can't refuse.
N: Why?
S: Because it was far too long, I spent time without you.
He hugged her and they disappeared into the shadows, appearing inside the cathedral.
S: Also, I have something prepared for you. I promise you will like it.
Sunny started to explain what he found and what he did.
S: You know that I have endless spring, right?
N: Yeah, so?
S: Wood in this area is very resistant to fire.
N: Because it is a nightmare's wood, of course, the resistance would be great.
S: That's how I made this.
He showed her a huge make-shift bathtub with hot water.
S: It was boiling hot when I prepared it, so it should still be pretty hot now and here. Behind is a makeshift shower, only cold water tho.
He started to talk about how everything works, but was kissed by Nephis mid-explanation.
N: You are amazing. I think this is good enough of an answer to me, I am even more jealous that you can enjoy a shower here, but still. I love you so much. They both disarmed their armour and took a nice cold shower, after which they got into a still very hot hot tub.
Nephis was still hugging Sunny and kissing him.
N: I really like this. This is really great, you know.
She sighed and pushed away slightly, making Sunny blush.
N: What? Not just do you get to enjoy the view, you know. I like what I see in myself, too.
Nephis upper chest was submerged because she was sitting on the bottom while Sunny was finally getting slightly taller due to his double ascention, so now he was only slightly shorter than Nephis. His Serpent tattoo was very nicely visible, coalesced around his arm with its head as if resting on his collarbone.
N: You know I still want more, right?
S: Sure. Why not.
N: This will be for our anniversary, alright?
S: You don't need to make excuses, you know.
N: But I want to.
When they left the tub, Sunny was about to say something about them being wet, but Nephis just used her flames to try to dry them both while hugging him.
S: Nephis?
N: What is it?
S: Happy anniversary.
N: Why, thank you.
With that they fell on theie bed while kissing each other.
Night was long and very enjoyable. Both of them satisfied their long overflowed lust for each other.
After some time they driffted to sleep on top of each other.
In the middle of the night tho Sunny opened his eyes Haughty and Creepy appeared at the back of his bed.
Haughty bowed to him and said.
Hy: Leave this to me, master.
Nephis asked in a sleepy tone.
N: is something wrong?
S: we have a visitor.
Haughty didn't look at Nephis and still was bowing.
Sunny just played with her hair and said in calmly while looking at Haughty and Creepy.
S: Go and escort him out.