Shadow Slave Fanfic: Peaceful Dreams...well...kinda. [New]

The atmosphere in Rain's room was heavy with silence, broken only by the steady ticking of a clock in the corner. She sat quietly, her breath soft, her gaze fixed on the picture Sunny had given her. In the hours since she learned of her parents' death, Rain had navigated through various stages of grief, starting with denial. It was hard to accept that something so dear was gone, but Sunny had confirmed the tragic news, explaining how he found the picture and that retrieving their bodies was impossible after the building collapsed. He had apologized repeatedly, but Rain understood it wasn't his fault.

Once Sunny had shared the news, she stepped outside, and the second stage of her grief began. The forest near Nephis Mansion would soon feel the weight of her anger. She wasn't angry at Sunny of course; rather, most of her frustration was directed at herself for not being there. Even if she had been, she knew she wouldn't have been able to change anything. In reality, it was a blessing she hadn't faced the Skinwalker directly.

The death toll was devastating, with many civilians from Antarctica and the Hive Cities among the victims, alongside some Awakened. After a while, her tears dried up, and she felt utterly drained. The forest bore the brunt of her emotional outburst, but thankfully, a storm was raging outside, preventing any fires. Rain had unleashed her lightning abilities in her frustration.

Eventually, she returned inside, ignoring everyone around her, and stormed into her room, slamming the door behind her. What followed was a deeper stage of grief—depression, a state that could consume some people entirely. While others might lose their will to live, Rain would never consider such a thing. Adding another name to the list of the dead wouldn't honor her parents.

Instead, she spiraled into a dark place, feeling as if a heavy weight pressed down on her mind, blocking out any chance of happiness. Typically, these stages of grief could last for days, but Rain was different; her strong will and resilience meant she could accept reality in just a few hours. She resolved to view her parents' deaths not as an ending but as the start of something new.

As time passed, she began to hear familiar voices outside her room. It was Rick and Sunny, the two most important people in her life. Listening to their conversation brought her some comfort, knowing they understood and cared for each other. The discussion soon turned to the 3rd Nightmare, and Rain felt a mix of hope and worry when Rick mentioned he would one day challenge it to become a Saint.

'Will he be okay? He's strong, but… No, I shouldn't doubt him. I believe he'll succeed, especially with Mordy by his side. They can't fail together.'

Perhaps those thoughts stemmed from the flicker of hope she still held onto. It felt good to think positively, even amid sorrow. Suddenly, a fierce determination ignited within her.

'I will kill that monster. I won't let it roam free while my parents lie dead beneath the ruins.'

Once again, Rain demonstrated her unwavering resolve. Taking down the Skinwalker was an ambitious goal, one even the Sovereigns had yet to achieve. Whether they didn't care or were simply unable to didn't matter to her; what mattered was her own weakness in the face of such a formidable foe. For now, even killing one of its vessels felt out of reach. But her goal was clear. She clenched her teeth and whispered a single word.

"Revenge."

Rising from her bed, she walked to the door and opened it without hesitation. Her eyes blazed with fury, electricity dancing in them as she scanned the room. Her gaze landed on Sunny and Rick, and she took a deep breath before stating firmly.

"I will kill it. I promise I will become strong enough to defeat the Skinwalker. I won't rest until it's dead."

Sunny and Rick were taken aback, clearly not expecting her to emerge with such determination. Suddenly, Sunny chuckled, and his laughter filled the room, surprising Rain.

'Is he laughing at me?'

She was ready to unleash her anger, but he quickly stopped, scoffing before pulling her into a hug. With pride in his voice, he said, "That's what I want to hear. It's going to be a long road to achieve that goal, but I know you can do it. Want to know why?"

Rain thought for a moment but shook her head, unable to find an answer. Sunny grinned and held her at arm's length, looking into her electric eyes.

"Because you're my sister. With an amazing brother like me by your side, nothing can stand in your way."

He turned to Rick, who was smiling at the scene. "And let's not forget your incredible boyfriend, who I'm sure would go to hell and back for you."

Both Rain and Rick beamed at each other, laughter bubbling up. Rick stood and embraced them both, their height difference making the moment comical, but they didn't care. After a moment, they released each other, and Rain wiped away her remaining tears.

"Thanks, Sunny, for always believing in me. I won't let myself down, I promise."

"Of course you won't. And even if you did, you wouldn't have to worry about embarrassment—you'd be dead."

Rick paused, taken aback by the comment.

'What was that? How could he joke about something like that?'

To his surprise, Rain started tearing up again, but then she burst into laughter.

"You're right, brother. So there's nothing to worry about, right?"

Sunny chuckled. "Exactly. You just have to look on the bright side."

Rick sighed heavily, burying his face in his hands. "They're both crazy. What did I get myself into by asking her out?"

Rain laughed and hugged him again, looking up with a grin. "Too late to back out now. You're stuck with me."

Rick leaned down to kiss her, his voice soft. "I never said I regretted that decision. I would never leave you. Guess we're stuck with each other."

Rain chuckled and kissed him again. "Sounds great. I really need a distraction right now. Will you help me with that?"

Rick nodded, and Rain pulled him into her bedroom, closing the door behind them. Sunny facepalmed and quickly shadow-stepped to the living area, where Nephis was still sitting. She smiled upon his arrival, and he sat down with a relieved sigh. Nephis studied his expression and asked curiously, "How is she? The storm has stopped, so I assume she's calmed down a bit?"

Sunny's expression was troubled as he replied, "She's as okay as someone who just lost their parents can be. But another storm is about to start because she decided to distract herself with Rick, if you catch my drift."

Nephis laughed. "Oh, I know what you mean. I'm doing the same thing with you, after all."

Sunny crossed his arms, pouting. "So, I'm just your outlet for stress, huh? And here I thought you loved me."

Nephis chuckled again, then knelt in front of him, pulling down his shorts with a sultry voice. "I'd be more than happy to show you just how much I love you. Lean back and enjoy the show, Mongrel."

Sunny didn't respond but complied, driven by his own desires.

'Being fateless isn't so bad after all.'

The next morning, the storm had raged throughout the day and most of the night. Normally, Sunny would have been in a foul mood, but Nephis had kept him distracted, leaving him little time to think about the chaos outside. In the end, it turned out well. Rain would need time to process her parents' deaths, but fortunately, she had people around her ready to support her through every stage of grief she encountered. Rick had become a guiding light for her, always pulling her back from the depths of sorrow and reminding her that life continued on.

After everyone woke up, they decided to return to Bastion. Mordy had to stay behind, but Cassie had established her Anchor in the Mansion, allowing her to return whenever she wasn't needed in Bastion. It was a new day, and with Rain now having an ambitious goal, she ventured into the Wild to resume her training.

She spoke with Sunny about the rules they had set earlier and concluded that she wouldn't need to return every night. Before she left, Sunny gifted her some additional Memories. The Puppeteer Shroud provided solid armor, so she was set in that regard. What she still needed were weapons and a few tools.

Sunny decided to equip Rain with a bow, a special arrow, and a quiver. The bow itself was quite ordinary; it was difficult to draw, which would help improve her strength and stamina. The arrow was crafted from the metal of the Corrupted Devil, whose remains were still in the basement, ready to be repurposed into silverware if needed. This metal would act as a lightning rod, allowing Rain to strike a target with the arrow and then unleash her powers, letting physics take care of the rest. The quiver summoned 15 standard arrows, though they were of high quality. For close combat, she had a small snake from the Mark of Shadows, which could transform into any weapon she imagined, but it lacked enchantments.

For tools, Sunny chose something he found invaluable over the years: a copy of the Endless Spring. He also created a rope similar to Nephis's Golden Rope. While it wasn't golden, it had the same properties as the original and was more durable. He made two ropes since he had promised Neph to replace the original he had destroyed, giving one to Neph and one to Rain. This earned him a few odd looks from Rain, who understood the rope's use well, given her own preferences, but still found it a bit strange when Sunny was involved.

With these memories, Rain was well-equipped. Sunny wished he could give her an Echo, but he didn't have one. He considered sending Serpent or even a shadow with her, but that would violate their agreement. Ultimately, she had more than he did as a sleeper, especially before his arsenal of memories expanded dramatically after the Forgotten Shore.

Watching Rain leave on her own made him a bit anxious, but he knew it was safe enough around Bastion. She could handle herself as long as she avoided certain areas she wasn't ready for. Rick thought about following her discreetly but quickly dismissed the idea when Rain shot him a serious look. She could see right through him, which wasn't surprising since they often thought alike and understood each other well, even without words.

Sunny didn't want her to leave without a gift, so he gave her a rose. The beautiful red flower was linked to a matching white one. Whenever they summoned their roses, the state of the other's body would be reflected in how vibrant the flower looked. For instance, if Rain got hurt and lost blood, Rick's rose would weaken and shed petals. The flower would even crumble to dust if she died, but Rick refused to entertain that thought. Instead, he kissed her and reminded her to be careful.

Rain had become an exceptional talent among the sleepers. Most others of her rank wouldn't stand a chance against her in battle. However, strength alone wasn't the most important factor in the Dream Realm. It was crucial to survive long enough to use that strength effectively. Sunny also gave her a map, which wasn't a memory yet but was still vital to her equipment. Despite being on vacation for the past few weeks, she had continued training and experimenting with her powers.

Her ability, [Jolt], had a vague description that left room for creativity. Sunny had explained that divine aspects weren't direct weapons but tools for creating powerful attacks. Mastering a divine aspect required a creative and flexible mindset, along with a strong will. Some believed only certain people could wield divine aspects effectively. However, if someone could fully harness its capabilities, it became a formidable weapon that could help achieve the impossible.

Rain had been studying physics, particularly electromagnetism. So far, she could conjure lightning from her body or the sky, the latter being more destructive. Although she couldn't control the lightning yet, she could direct it generally, meaning the farther the target, the less accurate her attack would be. She also theorized she could magnetize objects, but she hadn't achieved that yet. Thankfully, Rain was a good student, making it easier for her to learn. Now, she just needed to apply her theoretical knowledge in real training.

Hours after leaving, she reached the wilderness outside Bastion. The Sword Army had cleared everything within a 30-kilometer radius around the citadel, making it hard to find nightmare creatures in that area. She had to travel far while conserving her energy. The areas Sunny warned her to avoid were all on the opposite side of where she was headed, according to the map. Rick had told her about a mountain chain he knew well, assuring her that nothing above the Awakened rank would be there as long as she steered clear of the peaks, home to fallen and corrupted creatures. After a while, she arrived at the mountains and began searching for a suitable camping spot.

"This cave looks good. I should sleep here tonight."

She entered the cave and set down her backpack, which contained a tent, sleeping bag, pot, and other essentials like salt and pepper. She set up her camp, leaving the tent aside for now, and began to explore her surroundings.

"This place is enormous. What are these markings on the wall?"

She stepped closer to inspect the markings, her heartbeat quickening.

"This is so sweet. I love you too."

On the wall was a heart with their names inside: Rain + Rick. It was the same cave Rick always visited at night. He had left this message long ago, unsure if Rain would ever find it, which made it even more special.

She smiled and stepped outside the cave. It was still daytime, giving her plenty of time to find a suitable target.

"The Winter Solstice is in five weeks, and we go to the Academy in five days. I want to kill at least one Awakened creature by then. It should be doable."

She ventured deeper into the mountain chain. Others might have looked for a target on the peaks, perhaps feeling overconfident after receiving a divine aspect and good equipment from their teacher. But Rain was cautious; Sunny had drilled survival rules into her head. She sighed and recited them mentally.

"Your strength doesn't matter if you die of starvation or dehydration."

"Don't look directly at your target. Most can sense your gaze."

"Don't bite off more than you can chew; there's always a bigger shark."

"Treat every target like it's stronger than you, even if it's a lower rank."

"Always have an escape route and a backup plan."

"Trust no one; humans are more dangerous than nightmare creatures."

This last rule was why Sunny always referred to them as "targets" instead of "nightmare creatures." It was difficult for her to grasp the idea of killing another human, but Sunny had told her that was something she would have to learn on her own. He hoped she never would.

"And lastly, no one survives alone in the Dream Realm. Pffff… says the man who lived as a recluse for years and wandered through the Hollow Mountains alone."

Sunny had explained his reasons for that decision, but it didn't make him sound any less hypocritical. She wouldn't make the same mistakes, though. Unlike Sunny, she hadn't lost her will to live, so there was no reason for her to engage in suicidal behavior. As she walked, she finally spotted something of interest: a dead creature, gruesomely wounded and missing its soul shards.

"Ugh, that's brutal. The head is gone, and most of its organs too."

The cadaver was relatively fresh, having been killed only a few hours earlier. Without a head, Rain couldn't identify the creature, but it was slightly larger than a car and covered in thick fur, with humanoid hands at the ends of each limb. It had four legs and a long, hairless tail.

"It must have been at least a devil, given its size and appearance. But what killed it? Definitely not a human."

She sighed and took a deep breath.

"This is going to be unpleasant, but I have no choice."

She plunged into the cadaver, covering herself in its blood to mask her scent. It was the best strategy to remain undetected.

"Whatever killed that creature is covered in its blood, so it won't be able to detect my approach."

After rising from the dead body, she began to follow the blood trail. Breathing through her mouth, she soon discovered another cave.

"There you are. Now be a good boy and come outside."

She positioned herself about 100 meters away from the cave entrance, ensuring she had enough distance in case the creature caught her scent and she needed to flee or prepare for a fight.

"Let's see if you hunt during the day or at night."

The cadaver could indicate whether the creature typically hunted early or late, so she patiently waited with her bow in hand and an arrow nocked. Her quiver lay beside her, filled with arrows. Hours passed, and as darkness enveloped the area, the moon rose high in the clear sky. Rain was alert for any movement, and then it happened.

"Finally, let's see what you are."

As the creature emerged from the dark cave, illuminated by the moonlight, Rain's eyes widened, and her breathing became shallow.

"That thing is massive and looks terrifying. Hmm… could it be an Awakened Tyrant?"

Indeed, it was an Awakened Tyrant, comparable in size to one she had defeated shortly after her own awakening. It resembled a lizard, with six legs and two tails, its body covered in dark green scales. If not for the spikes lining its back and its razor-sharp teeth, it might have appeared somewhat cute. Rain recognized that defeating it would require careful preparation, but she already had a plan. As she watched the creature leave its cave and wander deeper into the forest, she trembled slightly. Slowly it got closer before finally drifting off to the side.

"Don't scare me like that, you jerk. Now let's see what you're capable of."

Her strategy was to follow the creature to learn more about it. She had always done this when facing a new enemy; understanding your target was crucial for finding the best way to defeat it. Eventually, the creature encountered another being, a smaller version of the Tyrant with four legs and one tail. Despite its size, it was also an Awakened creature. After a few minutes, the larger Tyrant emerged victorious and began to devour its prey, starting with the head and then the organs. It also took the soul shards but didn't seem to consume them. Once it had satisfied its hunger, the Tyrant returned to its cave, unaware that a predator was close behind.

"Okay, so let me get this straight. This creature can control the earth?"

Indeed, it demonstrated the ability to manipulate the ground within a 15-meter radius. Being a Tyrant typically involved commanding a small army of lesser creatures, but this time it was more about controlling a smaller area. This knowledge was valuable to Rain, and she made her way back to her camp.

Before entering her camp, Rain washed herself in the river, a big smile on her face. Not having to clean her armor was incredibly important to her. Most Awakened wouldn't understand her joy, but that was just one of many things they wouldn't grasp about her. Before sleeping, she summoned a rose and placed it right in front of her face.

The next morning, Rain was full of energy. She had harvested some meat from the smaller lizard the Tyrant had killed the night before and was now preparing a fire to cook it. After eating, she returned to the cadaver she had harvested from and bathed in its blood again, grimacing as she did.

"This isn't getting any easier. But it's necessary if I want to learn more about that creature."

Soon, she made her way back to the cave and waited for the creature to emerge. Hours passed as she contemplated how to use her surroundings to her advantage. The moon was high in the sky again when the Tyrant set out on its hunt. This time, however, Rain didn't follow it; instead, she ventured inside the cave to uncover what it was hiding. The soul shards had to be somewhere.

"A stash of soul shards would definitely help me enhance my first core."

As she ventured deeper into the cave, she discovered a large chamber filled with skulls and dead plants forming a nest.

"It definitely lives here, but where are the shards?"

She found none, but upon further inspection, she noticed a strange stone formation in one corner of the cave. Upon closer look, she realized that this particular stone showed no signs of moss or decay.

"A fresh wall seems like it's hiding something, but I'll deal with that after the Tyrant is dead. I should leave before it returns."

And so she did. After washing in the river again, she returned to her cave for a good night's rest, knowing that the next day she would put her plan into action to kill the creature.

Waking up and getting ready was straightforward. Unfortunately, she skipped breakfast this time, but having gone without food for over a day as a Mundane, she knew she would be fine.

Setting the trap for the creature was simple. The plan was to lure it outside during the day, forcing it to adapt to a new environment. For a creature that typically hunted at night, having to fight during the day would be a significant adjustment, and Rain intended to exploit that.

She summoned clouds above the mountain range and began to increase the electromagnetic charges dramatically. Standing far from the cave entrance, she summoned her bow and nocked an arrow. Aiming at the entrance, she launched the arrow with incredible speed, adding a little surprise along with it.