Standing by his side, Nephis sighed and said quietly:
"You seem to know so much about , but I... I barely know anything about you. I always hesitate to ask you about your past. Because I am afraid you won't answer."
She was still thinking about his knowledge of how deep her grudge against the Sovereigns went, it seed.
And other things, as well. Nephis had never pried into his past and never ntioned the oddities of his existence, but she must have been aware of how strange their relationship was.
It was a relationship built on mutual attraction, passion, and affection... but it was also light and epheral, as if it would be dispelled by rely ntioning sothing they were both aware of, and therefore chose to never speak aloud.
Sunny hesitated for a few monts, then smiled.
"What's so good about the past? Ask about the future, instead."
Nephis smiled slightly.
"Alright. What will you do once the war is over? Provided that we've won, of course... which we will, no doubt."
Sunny pondered for a few monts.
"Well, let's see..."
He considered his plans. Honestly, the war had preoccupied him fully, so he did not know what he would do and in what order, exactly.
But he had so thoughts, of course.
"First of all, I have to resolve the issue of my newest Shadow... one way or the other. Then, I want to forge a shadowbound mory for myself. I hoped to do that before the final battle, actually — who knew that bastard, Jest, would throw a wrench in my plans."
Sunny scratched the back of his head.
"Then, I have to take care of a few people. Aiko needs stable employnt... gods know she suffered in that regard enough already. Then there's my disciple, whom I need to introduce to a good sorcery teacher — actually, that disciple of mine is so much work! Not only do I have to invent a way for her to Ascend naturally, I also have to make sure that nobody kills her to prevent that knowledge from spreading. Its going to be a real ss, no doubt. There are a few other acquaintances I want to look after, too."
He looked into the distance, remained silent for a few monts, and said:
"But those are just minor issues. There are a few places I must visit and a few things I must find, as well. Each expedition will be a serious undertaking. I need to explore the ruins of true Bastion. I also need to delve into the Jade Palace and the ice caves below Ravenheart. Then, there is the Night Garden — I've never seen it with my own two eyes, but I am sure that exploring it would beco a dreadful adventure, sohow."
Sunny winced.
"Finally... there is the Underworld. There is sothing I must find there, as well. This one will be the most troubleso — not only because it's one of the most frightening Death Zones in existence, but also because that place is more or less made to render powerless."
He sighed.
"Oh, right... and I have to explore the Shadow Realm. But that is just a side project."
Saying that, he looked at Nephis and hesitated for a few monts.
"There is one more place, as well. I haven't decided if I really want to return there, though."
He was talking about the Tomb of Ariel, of course.
It seed like he was destined to co back there, considering that he had t the future version of himself in the Estuary. But then again, Sunny was currently free of the chains of fate. So, his future could very well change...
Probably.
Nephis studied him for a while, a hint of amusent shining in her beautiful eyes.
"That is all? I see... you are an ambitious man, Master Sunless."
...But there was a hint of sothing else there, as well.
Dissatisfaction? Displeasure?
Sunny fumbled for a few monts, trying to understand what exactly he had said to make her displeased.
Then, it was as if a lightbulb turned on in his head.
'Oh!'
No, really... was he an idiot?
It was not what he had said... it was what he had not said.
Sunny put on his most handso, charming smile.
"Oh, t—that... you must rember that I have eight bodies now! I can do many things at the sa ti. Obviously, I am also planning to stay with you... my lady. I will be right there by your side, helping you consolidate your power, govern the vast expanse of the Dream Realm, battle Nightmare Creatures, and prepare for the eventual assimilation of the waking world."
Nephis stared at him for a few monts and nodded with satisfaction.
Then, she looked away and asked:
"And prepare delicious food?"
Sunny blinked.
"Why, of course."
She smiled.
"How about giving massages?"
He coughed.
"I'm glad that you ntioned that. I was thinking of giving you one right now."
Nephis laughed quietly.
"What about romantic dates? Visiting theaters or going on boat rides. And sparring."
Sunny was a bit confused about how sparring had ended up between visiting theaters and rowing boats, but he wisely chose not to voice his doubt.
"Of course. We... will do all these things, and more, together. I wouldn't have it any other way."
Nephis nodded with a smile.
"Good."
As he looked into the distance, though, her smile slowly dimd, turning faint and brittle.
After a while, she said:
"Make sure not to die then, Master Sunless. You promised."
Sunny wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her closer.
Her body felt hot against his own.
"I am quite hard to kill, you know. Unless my soul is completely destroyed, I have plenty of spare bodies to retreat into."
She turned her head and looked into his eyes. Her alluring lips were entirely too close.
"Let us survive, then. Both of us. Shall we?"
Instead of answering, Sunny leaned forward and kissed her.
Their kiss was deep, intimate, and desperate...
That was the best answer he could give, anyway.
Who would want to die and never taste her sweet lips again?
Sunny wanted to survive. He had to survive, no matter what.
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