"What are you?" Auro called into the darkness, his voice shaking.
A chilling, ominous sound resonated through the cave—a laugh, echoing against the walls.
"Nobody" a distorted voice rang out.
"You though." Sunny paused before continuing.
" You are Auro of the Nine."
Auro tensed. He steadied himself and spoke, his voice laced with barely restrained anger.
"How do you know that name?"
Sunny chuckled.
"A slave told me. You must know him. He did slit a god's throat once, after all."
Sunny stopped to think.
"Actually, I don't know if he's done that yet—but I trust Eurys to do something that stupid."
Auro stared, mouth agape.
Sunny ignored it and carried on.
"But that doesn't matter. You see, Eurys is quite secretive—and I'm very curious. So, tell me… how does the Nine hope to kill the God of War?"
Sunny awoke on a strange altar.
He didn't even have time to take in his surroundings before he heard it—a low growl.
He turned and stared into the darkness.
What stared back were the white, empty eyes of the Mountain King.
Sunny grimaced.
"Just my luck. A monster was living inside my shadow—and instead of saving me, it saves Hero."
He began to laugh.
"Fate was always against me—but even this feels too unfair."
A sudden, sharp cough racked his body, blood spilling onto the altar.
Then—the Spell spoke.
The Spell's Whisper
[You have offered yourself as a sacrifice to the gods.]
[The gods are dead and cannot hear you.]
[Your soul bears the mark of divinity.]
[You are a temple slave.]
[Shadow God stirs in his eternal slumber.]
[He sends a blessing from beyond the grave.]
[Child of Shadows, receive your blessing!]
Under Sunny's astonished eyes, the shadows crowding the great hall moved—as though coming alive.
Tentacles of darkness surged forward, entangling the Mountain King's arms and legs.
The mighty tyrant struggled, trying to break free.
But how could it resist the power of a god?
The shadows dragged the Mountain King back, pulling in opposite directions.
The tyrant opened its maw, releasing a furious howl.
Then—
Its body ruptured, torn apart into pieces.
Blood, viscera, and severed limbs fell to the floor in a crimson torrent.
Just like that—the horrible creature was dead.
Sunny blinked.
Once again, he was alone in the ruined temple.
The great hall was dark and silent.
And then—the Spell whispered:
[You have slain an awakened tyrant, Mountain King.]
[Wake up, Sunless! Your nightmare is over.]
[Prepare for appraisal…]
The Nightmare began to collapse.
Sunny sighed.
It seemed he didn't have time to get all the answers—but something was better than nothing.
"He told you… What? Why did he betray us?"
Auro stammered, but Sunny cut him off.
"Be quiet and listen. I don't have time for this—so just answer the question."
His voice sharpened.
"How do you plan to kill a god?"
Auro inhaled, steadying himself.
"The Nine were each tasked with a mission given by the Oracles. They had seen a way to kill the gods and avenge our people, and it could only be achieved by us. We were to—"
Auro was cut off as the nightmare began to crumble. Sunny was running out of time.
Sunny hurriedly asked:
"And what made you so special?"
Auro hesitated—then he whispered a barely audible noise.
"We are— "
The world shook.
It seemed Sunny only had a few seconds left.
Auro began to dissolve—his form unravelling into the void.
And before everything turned to black, only one word escaped him.
"Fated."