Shadow Slave alternate paths: The sun of song

Ashryn came in a few minutes later with a bucket and a towel, his movements quiet and precise. Sunny watched him crouch beside the growing red stain and begin wiping with practiced efficiency. He never said a word.

There was a tension to his shoulders, a barely perceptible stiffness in the way he scrubbed at the dark floor—like he was grinding down his frustration with each stroke of the cloth. If Sunny had to guess, he'd say Ashryn wasn't thrilled about cleaning up after his sister.

Not that he complained.

Blindfold still in place, he didn't even glance in Hel's direction. But Sunny could almost feel the unspoken glare radiating from him: quiet, hot, and focused on her back.

Hel, for the most part, looked completely fine by the fact she was covered in blood.

She didn't seem embarrassed. Or guilty. Or even aware that anyone might find the situation odd.

"Hel's a seer," said Moon Veil, "Her aspect gives her a close connection to fate, however... the method is less than pleasing."

"Animal guts..." Lonesome Howl finished, "Too many... animals' guts."

He swore he almost saw her shiver.

Ashryn finished the last of the mopping, gave a quick bow, then left without making a sound.

Hel spoke at last, her voice dreamy: "Ashryn thinks I should stop prophesizing death and doom inside the house."

"Gee, I wonder why?" Sunny muttered.

To his surprise, she giggled. It was a soft, musical sound—utterly at odds with everything else about her.

Moonveil leaned towards him slightly, "The thing about Hel... she's not crazy but she's not exactly... there, you know? Looking into fate is a weird business."

Sunny nodded.

Were all seers like this then?

He hoped he wouldn't meet many then.

The room was kind of filled with somewhat awkward tension.

"So..." Lonesome Howl cleared her throat, "How are you doing at the academy?"

"I mostly just stick to myself," he replied, "Though I still train at night with a girl named Nephis."

Lonesome Howl had a wolfish grin on her face.

"Oh? Do say more," she said with a suggestive tone.

Moonveil scowled.

Nephis?

She had heard that name before... but when?

She would just ask Bin later.

Hel perked up slightly, "By the way brother, you don't have to worry about being dropped in front of an unholy titan or a death zone during the winter solstice!"

Sunny stared.

Then stared some more.

"Then do you know where?" he asked cautiously.

She nodded eagerly, a large smile on her face, "Lots of death where you are going, I can't tell you much though, all I can say is I hope you enjoy being dry while you can."

And with that random outburst, she stood up and left.

Sunny just sat speechless.

His sisters did much the same.

Seriously, was he fated to be surrounded by weird women?

Moonveil broke the silence first, exhaling through her nose and delicately placing her teacup back on the saucer.

"She means well," she said flatly.

Lonesome Howl chuckled softly, "You'll get used to it, or not, I never did."

Sunny rubbed his temples. "Are all seers like, you know..."

He pointed through the door that Hel had just left.

One could hear a distant voice screaming something about death and doom.

"She wasn't always," Moonveil said quietly. "But her aspect… changed how she perceives things. When you peer too deeply into fate, sometimes fate peers back."

A loud clapping noise interrupted the solemn atmosphere.

"Enough of that, no more about fate, doom, death and bloody entrails. We're supposed to be evaluating you, remember? So far you get a B for not being a little bitch and screaming, also for your sense of humor."

"I'm touched," replied Sunny.

"Oh, I can tell," she said, baring her teeth in a grin. "Let's see if you can back that sarcasm up with a little sparring later. I want to see what this 'Nephis' has been teaching you."

Sunny sank deeper into the cushions. "I should've stayed in the outskirts."

Moonveil gave him a pitying look. "You'd be dead."

"Maybe," Sunny muttered. "And not having to deal with… all this."

As if on cue, another distant wail echoed faintly through the halls—something about rivers running red and the sky weeping ash. Lonesome Howl raised an eyebrow and whistled low.

"Ashryn's in for a long day, it seems."

Sunny thought about the blindfolded boy for a second, "What's his job here?" he asked curiously.

"He was part of a legion under one of our awakened sisters," she said, "But due to his peculiar flaw he can't really work with anyone, so he's assigned here at the manor until we find something he can do."

"But that's not for you to worry about," finished Moonveil.

Lonesome Howl stood up, "Alright, time to head down to the training room, it's been too long since I've moved around."

Moonveil frowned, "You just came back yesterday."

"Exactly!" Lonesome Howl exclaimed.

Sunny didn't move right away. He was still processing the idea that the blindfolded boy with assassin-like poise was considered unfit for group work. What kind of "peculiar flaw" did you have to possess to get sent home from a legion?

He shook his head. That wasn't his problem.

What was his problem, apparently, was the sparring session looming ahead of him.

"Come on," Lonesome Howl called over her shoulder, already halfway to the door. "Or are you stalling for time?"

Sunny sighed and followed; the sooner he could finish the sooner he could eat some nice food.

But another thing popped into his mind.

Wouldn't this be a perfect opportunity to observe his shadow in action?

Sure, it was risky revealing even a little of his aspect to anyone.

But he couldn't keep it hidden forever.

Especially not from these people.

He grinned and followed, his steps filled with more purpose.