Shadow Slave: Shadow of Blood

Snow slowly fell on Ravenheart, a dark sky overran the Great City, a somber atmosphere in the air as a cloud of mist creeped into the city coming from the Frozen Wastelands.

Nephis, the Changing Star of the Immortal Flame stared out of the window of the dark room of the Jade Palace where the deepest shadows dominated the space in the very core. The big window being half-covered by a black curtain.

Despite being large and grand, with it being a few meters in length and height, it was extremely dark, with barely any source of light being present, with them currently being shut off. It was like she was the only thing with a different colour with her silver hair and white nightgown.

It didn't bother her, after all, the owner of the room didn't need light to see, and it was not like there weren't things that added colour, mostly trinkets on the nightstand, flowers on pots, some books on a suspended bookstand and weapons on intricate supports. All gifts from his family and friends, even some from his subordinates.

She looked down at her wrist, where an ornate bracelet made from beautiful black and red metal that seemed like blood flowing rested, the black part switching with the red one to create a small crescent moon inside a flower. His gift to her.

Her eyes inevitably looked at the very owner of the room that was resting on her lap, his dark hair only being distinguished by the contrast by her ivory skin.

She lowered her hand and caressed it, gently passing her soft fingers on it. They shouldn't be this soft after so many battles and training she went through, merely wielding her sword should make them swollen, but her ascension in Ranks and power to heal herself made it possible.

Her skin was a perfect ivory, soft and silky.

Her boyfriend always says she was the most beautiful Transcendent he knew. If she didn't know his flaw, she'd say he was lying…

Speaking of the Shadow.

"Neph…?"

Nephis hummed, allowing him to continue.

"You should be in Bastion…"

She hummed again, still caressing his long hair, even gently pulling back to touch his neck.

"I know, but Cassie can handle the meeting, it has been some time since we were together…"

She paused for a moment before continuing.

"And you need a break."

The Hollow Death sighed, but a smile creeped onto his face as he turned his body, putting his beautiful face that made him look like a perfect statue onto her vision. Changing Star felt his longing for her become even higher.

"I rested plenty last night, if you know what I mean…"

She smiled as well, it was small and subtle, but it was still there, the fire in her eyes always shined a bit more once she was with him… With Sunny.

He continued after seeing her reaction and chuckling.

"Moreover, you know I'm doing seven other things at the same time, right?"

Changing Star furrowed her brows a little.

"Isn't Ki Song driving you a little too much?"

"You mean your mother-in-law?"

She slapped his shoulder lightly, making him laugh.

"Not yet Mr. Impatient."

"'Yet' implies somethings!"

She softened her gaze, caressing his forehead and chasing the hair away and letting her see his whole face.

"Tell me what you are doing…"

He froze for a second, but sighed, mentaly preparing for the embarisment.

"Sure… But only if we switch positions."

Nephis sighed as Sunless got up and leaned on the wall that was right beside his bed, opening his arms. She shifted closer and laid her back on him, resting her head on his shoulder.

He wrapped his hands right below her chest, letting her weight in on his body.

"So, what are you doing?"

"Hm… The first incarnation is in Godgrave, clearing the way for the war… Mordret is there too, still annoying me."

Nephis nodded as she began playing with his hair.

"The second is with my mother, Shan and teacher Jin, discussing the placement of the army."

"You won't tell me any details, right?"

"If you ask nicely and join Song…"

"I can't do that yet."

"I know… The third is infiltrating the House of Night, figuring out if they are choosing a side in this war…"

Nephis leaned on him even more, turning her body to sit on his lap and hug his neck, a small whisper coming out of her lips.

"If they are… There's going to be much more blood spilled."

Sunny welcomed the change, hugging her back.

"I know… I would rather not fight Knave but after what happened…"

He shook his head and smiled again, leaving the matter behind for now in favor of a lighter subject.

"Either way, the rest are with my sisters."

She furrowed her brows, not ignoring how fast and simple he was with his answer. Moving a little away from him to see his innocent smile, she asked a simple question:

"Doing what?"

"Nothing important."

"It is for me."

"It's really not…"

"Which dress are you wearing?"

Sunless stared at her while cursing his flaw.

"I'm not wearing any dress."

"The incarnation that is with me is not, what about the other ones?"

His annoyance was overwhelming and apparent. Inevitably, he answered.

"Haughty and Naughty."

The silver haired girl stared at him for a few seconds, and something akin to a small laugh was threatening to escape from her lips. Something considered impossible beforehand.

She was really trying to keep her composure, but she couldn't help but ask more about it.

"Elaborate, please."

The boyfriend sighed, accepting his fate…

"Moon wanted to buy some new clothes, so she took advantage of me and basically stole one of my incarnations. Then Bin knew about it and saw the opportunity to use the incarnation that was with her and led me away to the same store while putting a dozen cosmetics on me…"

He rolled his eyes, lowering his head in the motion.

"And I ended up as the mannequin since I can change my form through the shadows… All the while wasting a stupid amount of essence."

"And?"

Sunless Song, The Hollow Death, the Heir of Shadow God, Prince of Song, Leader of the Shadow Clan, Shadow of the Raven Queen and General of the Dead, sighed, defeated.

"And also wanted to see my normal form in a dress… Again."

His 'girlfriend' stared at him, smiling sweetly like it was the first time in her life.

"I'll call Bin and ask her to send me the photos."

His face was dead-panned, tired…

"Alright, tell me about the last two."

"Fine, fine… One is with Rev, she insisted that I read one of her… Controversial books to prove she wasn't just a pervert…"

Nephis raised an eyebrow.

"Which one?"

Sunny hesitated, cursing the fact that his flaw existed.

It was a blessing that Nephis never lied to him, always telling him the truth, otherwise their relationship would be a nightmare…

He accepted his fate.

"I Didn't Mean to Seduce the Northern Duke…"

Nephis sharpened her eyes, a fire of anger igniting in them, her lips moved, not happy…

"I love that book."

"Why? It's too cheesy, why is there smut?!"

"The male lead reminds me of you."

"I'm not an emotionless asshole! If anything, that is Azriel, not me!"

"You two are a lot more similar than you'd think, have you seen yourself in battle?"

"I actually have! I'm not an edgelord that calls everyone pathetic and that has no issue in any of the battles."

"But your face doesn't change, and your eyes don't help your argument, even less when you use that mask Cassie gave you."

"Whatever, the last one is…"

Sunny sighed.

"The last incarnation is playing miniwar with Rain and Night…"

Nephis blinked once, then twice, and a few more times, her face a tacturn gaze.

"Didn't Rainy just became an Awakened?"

Sunny nodded.

"And the first she does is… Is to pamper Nighty?"

He nodded again.

Nephis breathed in and processed the information for a few seconds.

"Are you having fun?"

"... Kind of."

She leaned on his chest once again.

"So there's no issue."

Sunny rested his hand on her head, carressing the beautiful silver threads pass through his gloved hands that hid a arm not made from flesh.

He wished he could remember how it was… How it was to touch things with his hand.

'This must be how mother feels… Only in her case it is much worse…'

Besides that, he couldn't complain, after everything that happened, the last couple of years were peaceful and happy. Becoming a Saint had been a dream of his, he was now on the same level of his sisters, on a higher level even. Now he was always in the room when making decisions, powerful enough to protect his sisters and masters instead of the other way around, and he even was able to get a girlfriend somehow…

But after the war… All of that may disappear… He needed to be ready… For another possible death…

Sunless raised his eyes, trailing them accross the room until they landed on a small, minuture blossom tree that somehow still bloomed despite him never watering it…

His sister always said that they would all embrace the eternal domain of Death somaday…

He still wonders if perhaps she was talking about him.

Volume 3 – The Brief Calm of Death.