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

The next few days were calm, but on Friday morning, Rick was summoned to the Principal's office. Upon entering, he wasn't surprised to find Jacob and the Principal seated at a large round table. Jet's presence didn't catch him off guard either, as she was a neutral witness. However, Rick was taken aback to see Jacob's father, Dar from the Maharana Clan, sitting next to him. Dar was a vassal of the Song Domain and had previously been accused of being the assassin who attacked Changing Star, but no evidence had ever linked him to the crime.

'What is he doing here? He's definitely a Saint.'

Dar had been in the 3rd Nightmare when the attack occurred, but he had no way to prove it. That wasn't the focus of today's meeting, though. The Principal regarded Rick evenly and gestured for him to take a seat.

"Please sit down, Sleeper Kirk. I believe you know what this is about."

Rick nodded and complied. Dar looked at him seriously and spoke sternly.

"So, you're the one who harmed my son? What made you think that was acceptable?"

Rick sighed and replied calmly.

"He used his Aspect on me, so I defended myself."

Jacob wanted to argue, but Jet interrupted.

"That's true; we have the recordings right here. They clearly show Jacob using his Aspect on Kirk, who was only defending himself."

Dar clenched his teeth while watching the footage. He understood his son was in the wrong, but his pride and honor were paramount. He scoffed angrily.

"My son was humiliated. This not only tarnishes his honor but our family's as well. I demand that Sleeper Kirk be expelled."

The Principal looked at both Rick and Dar before making a decision.

"No, he won't be expelled. Sleeper Kirk acted in self-defense, and there was no violation of school policy on his part. Jacob, however, used his Aspect on another student without consent, which is a serious breach of our rules. I might consider expelling your son instead, Saint Dar."

Dar slammed his fist on the table, shattering the hardwood. The Principal felt a pang of nervousness but maintained his composure.

Jet tensed and shouted.

"SAINT DAR, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE A SAINT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!"

Dar turned to Jet, spitting back.

"I CAN DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO DEFEND MY FAMILY'S HONOR. OF COURSE, A LOWLY OUTSIDER LIKE YOU HAS NO IDEA WHAT HONOR EVEN IS."

The atmosphere in the room became charged, and tension rose. A single wrong move could spark a fight between the two Saints. Thankfully, the Principal, being a Master, remained calm and collected, a skill inherent to his Aspect. He had other reasons for being in charge of the academy, one being his friendship with Government Saint Wake of Ruin. He clapped his hands, breaking the tension and drawing Jet and Dar's attention.

"Let's not lose sight of the main issue here. I have a suggestion for you, Saint Dar."

Dar, annoyed, asked, "What is it, old man?"

The Principal chuckled, smiling.

"You're right, I am indeed old, but that's beside the point. I suggest that if Jacob apologizes to Kirk, your son won't be expelled, and we can resolve this matter. How does that sound?"

Dar was reluctant but recognized the wisdom in avoiding expulsion. He sighed and turned to Rick.

"Would that be acceptable to you? I know my son was in the wrong, but I can't have him expelled."

Jacob, angered, interjected through gritted teeth.

"I won't apologize to this lowlife. He interrupted me and wouldn't accept the duel. He should apologize to me."

Dar leaned in and whispered something to Jacob that only Rick could hear, though Rick maintained a neutral expression. Jacob, realizing Rick could hear, quickly pulled away from his father and said hurriedly.

"Okay, fine, I'll apologize. No problem."

Dar nodded, and Jacob stood up, approaching Rick and extending his hand. He made an effort not to sound sarcastic as he spoke.

"I'm sorry that I hurt you. It was wrong of me to use my Aspect on you. I hope you accept my apology, Kirk."

Rick chuckled and shook his hand.

"Apology accepted. I've been through worse."

Jacob forced a smile and released Rick's hand.

"Glad we cleared that up."

It was evident to Rick that Jacob's apology was insincere, but he accepted it for the sake of peace. They both sat back down, and the Principal nodded in approval. Dar gave Jacob a stern look before sitting down.

"Now that this issue is resolved, I hope you two can get along better in the future. We can't have our students distracted by pointless disputes so close to the Winter Solstice," the Principal stated. After Dar and Jacob left, Rick wished he could know what Dar would say to his son but had no chance to find out. Jet was speaking with the Principal, and once they finished, they turned to Rick.

"We hope Jacob can control himself moving forward, but we suspect this isn't over. It's best if you keep your distance from Jacob. If his father decides to intervene, we can't guarantee your safety. The Saint of Maharana is an assassin, after all. Avoiding further conflict with Jacob and his clan is advisable."

Rick couldn't help but chuckle.

"This isn't a laughing matter, young man. Your life could be at risk if Dar decides to make you disappear, I dont habe to clarify that."

The Principal's implication was clear. Jet understood Rick's capabilities and wasn't surprised by his amusement.

"I appreciate your concern, but I'm confident I can handle it. He won't dare to assassinate a student here at the academy. He's too worried about his reputation, and after the failed attempt on Changing Star, it would be too obvious if I went missing."

The Principal scoffed, offering Rick a rare smile.

"Smart boy. But you need to think further ahead. What happens in the Dream Realm is rarely controllable."

Rick struggled not to laugh. If Dar decided to pursue him, he would soon learn what it meant to be prey. Letting the beast loose to deal with a Saint was always an option. In the end, Rick just smiled and nodded. The Principal allowed him to leave, and he did.

"What's wrong with this Sleeper? He shows no fear for his life. If I were in his position, I'd be terrified," the Principal mused.

Jet chuckled and stood up.

"I guess he's just a very unique guy. Anyway, I have a class in about an hour, so I'll be heading out."

Before she left, the Principal called after her.

"Soulreaper! It seems you know more about that boy. Could you share what makes him so special?"

Jet shot him a smug glance and shrugged.

"Let's just say we've crossed paths before."

She left the Principal with more questions than answers, prompting him to mentally note, 'She wouldn't dare to sleep with a student, would she?'

"Ah, I'm getting too old for this."

The rest of the day passed without incident, but as the weekend began, it was time for the surprise Rick had promised Alya. They were driving in a black PTV with Rain to an undisclosed location, at least as far as Alyas and Rain knew. Rick didn't trust Rain to keep the secret, so he had decided to execute his plan without her knowledge.

"You're not planning to take me to some remote place and get rid of me, are you?" Alyas joked, though a hint of nervousness was evident to those who knew her well, like Rain. She placed a hand on Alyas's shoulder and reassured her.

"No, he's not going to get rid of you. He just feels a bit guilty about how he treated you a few days ago."

Alyas relaxed and sighed in relief.

"It's really no problem. I've been through worse. You didn't torture me or anything."

Rick chuckled as he pulled into a parking lot, unbuckling his seatbelt and turning to Alyas and Rain, who were seated in the back.

"I understand, but I still feel like I owe you this. Luckily, they had some free time and agreed to meet us here."

Alya was still confused about what Rick meant, and his thoughts didn't clarify anything for her. However, she found it nice to be surprised by someone, so she didn't complain.

After entering the luxurious building and settling into an apartment, there was a knock at the door. Rick quickly got up to greet the guests.

In walked Cassie, Mordy, Sunny, and the guest Alya was most excited about, Kai. The poor girl couldn't help but let her surprise show on her face. She didn't know who Sunny or Mordy were, but the other two—Song of the Fallen and the Renowned Saint of the Government, Nightingale—were a different story.

'Both are truly impressive.'

She stood as the four of them approached. Sunny and Mordy carried grocery bags and headed to the kitchen first, while Kai and Cassie walked over to the table where Rick, Rain, and Alya were sitting.

Rick and Rain hugged both Kai and Cassie. Rick then gestured to Alya and introduced her.

"This is Sleeper Alya, the girl we've become friends with at the Academy."

He pointed to Cassie and Kai and continued, "And this is Saint Cassia and Saint Kai. The two in the kitchen are Master Sunless and Master Princess."

Sunny and Mordy turned their heads from the kitchen and waved at Alya when their names were mentioned, although Mordy had to resist the urge to give Rick a rude gesture.

Alya stood there, mouth agape and eyes sparkling with awe. Kai chuckled and smiled at her, extending his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Alya. Rick has shared a bit about you. It seems you have quite an interesting flaw."

She hesitated before taking his hand, unsure if this was a dream or if she was really in the same room as Kai.

"Th… thanks… I mean, yes, I guess you could say that. Nice to meet you too, Saint Kai. You too, Saint Cassia."

Both Kai and Cassie chuckled, with Kai winking at her. "Just call me Kai. I know you might be a bit shocked to see us since Rick wanted to keep this a secret, but I assure you, we're just regular people like everyone else."

Alya raised an eyebrow, still in awe. "Well, except that you're both very famous Saints and arguably the most renowned singer ever."

"Ex-singer," he corrected with a smile. "I had to retire after becoming a Saint since my ability doesn't allow me to speak freely."

Alya turned to Rick, now calmer. "So this is your way of apologizing? By introducing me to Kai and Saint Song of the Fallen?"

Rick chuckled and pointed to the kitchen. "That's part of it. We're also having dinner. Rain's brother Sunny is an excellent cook and offered to prepare a meal for us all. Plus, we can just chat."

Alya wasn't sure how she ended up here, but for once, she was grateful for her flaw.

Hours later, they had finished eating, and the room was filled with laughter and chatter. They were playing Uno, with Sunny having prepared Braille-marked cards so Cassie could join in. Alya still had an edge since not everyone was as skilled at hiding their thoughts as Rick and especially Sunny were. Fortunately, they knew not to think about things that were strictly confidential, so Alya didn't have to worry about spitting out her drink every few minutes.

"So you two have been friends for about nine years? That's awesome. How did the nickname 'Rapunzel' come about?" Alya asked cheerfully, directing her question at Mordy, who had just drawn four cards because of Cassie.

"Oh, it's pretty simple. Being locked up for years without scissors or a sharp knife means you can't cut your hair. So when this madman over there freed me, I was standing with my back to him. The idiot thought I was a woman, and that's where it comes from."

Alya laughed heartily and took a sip from her juice box. "Okay, wow, but I think it's pretty clear that you're not—at least now with the much shorter hair and that beard."

Cassie chuckled but lost control of her thoughts for a moment. 'No, he definitely isn't. The evidence of him being with me and putting a baby inside me is enough… Oh no… did she hear that?'

Alya blushed deeply and coughed awkwardly. Cassie saw her reaction through Mordy's eyes and couldn't help but bury her face in her hands. A moment later, Alya cleared her throat and said evenly, "I suspected you two were a couple, but I guess I have confirmation now. Sorry for eavesdropping, Cassie, but I can't help it."

Cassie composed herself and sat up straight. "It's fine; it's not your fault. You're not to blame for your flaw. I've knocked over countless things, including vases and people, so I understand how tough it can be to adjust to such a significant aspect of your life."

Sunny chuckled and turned to Alya. "You know, I always thought Kai had a unique flaw, but yours is even more interesting. Being able to hear everyone's thoughts while they think they're safe in their own minds is quite useful. A flaw is still a flaw, so I get that you don't like it, but it's amusing to see how one's flaw can seem beneficial to others."

Alya nodded and smiled. "Right, I do enjoy my flaw in some situations. Meeting people and discovering their true selves is much easier when they don't realize I can hear everything they think."

Sunny nodded and asked, "So how did you decide to befriend my sister? I was surprised to learn she had made a friend so quickly at the Academy."

Alya had never mentioned that she could hear their thoughts from her own room, and she didn't plan to. Rick had figured it out, but Rain was still unaware. She sighed and said, "I didn't want you to find out this way, Rain. But honestly, the range of my flaw is wide enough to cover your entire room. So when the two of you… well, let's just say I tried to interrupt what was happening that evening when I knocked on your door, so I wouldn't have to hear your thoughts."

Rain turned deep red and let her face drop onto the table, knowing exactly what she had been thinking about just before Alya knocked. Rick placed a hand on Rain's back and gently caressed it, leaning down to whisper, "It's okay, babe. It's not like I was any better. My handwriting has gotten pretty bad, after all."

The others looked confused, not knowing what had happened, and that was probably for the best. Sunny especially didn't want to ask what had occurred, but he had a feeling, so he kept quiet. Unfortunately for him, Mordy asked anyway, and Alya shrugged and answered.

"I guess it's normal for straight couples to have oral sex too. I'm just glad they aren't real siblings; that would be weird. But I'm used to people's sexual thoughts, so it doesn't bother me. I could have just put on headphones that day, but I wanted to introduce myself anyway."

Both Rick and Rain let out a defeated sigh and downed their drinks in one go. Not that it would help Rick, but at least Rain could find some comfort in the depths of her vodka-coke.

Sunny, meanwhile, was in a foul mood again, as he couldn't shake the image of his little sister whenever he looked at Rain. It was hard to accept that Rain was now an adult who engaged in adult activities. He sighed and covered his face with his hands. "By the dead gods, I wish I didn't have to hear this."

Most of them laughed, and after a moment, Cassie turned to Sunny and said calmly, "Oh, don't act so innocent, Sunny. Imagine how Nephi's dad would react if he knew what you were doing with her sometimes, if he were still alive, that is."

Sunny rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Can't say you're wrong. He'd probably kill me for it. Well, at least he'd try."

Alya chuckled and asked Sunny, "It must be amazing to be Changing Star's boyfriend. How did you two become a couple, anyway?"

Sunny thought for a moment, recalling their shared past. He could tell her the whole story, but in the end, he decided to share only part of the truth. "Oh, you know, one day she stumbled into my café, and I was so taken aback by her beauty that I fell to the floor like a fool. After that, we had a nice chat, and after a few dates, we decided to get together. Being her boyfriend is truly wonderful. That word doesn't do her justice; I can't find the words to describe what it's like to be with her."

Alya felt her heart melt a bit. "That's so sweet. I wish my girlfriend back then was such a smooth talker."

Rain, listening to their conversation, suddenly asked, "Who was she? I mean, your girlfriend. You've never mentioned her name."

Alya smiled warmly and replied, "Oh, her name is Tamar. After becoming a Sleeper, she moved to the Dream Realm to live with her dad. I don't know what she's up to now, but I hope she's still alive. Our relationship ended on good terms, after all."

Rain and Sunny were both taken aback, recognizing Tamar instantly. After Rain had spent days dealing with her while being pursued by an Awakened Tyrant, Alya noticed their surprised expressions and cautiously asked, "You... know her?"

Rain, still in disbelief, responded, "That depends. Does she have tan skin and ashen gray hair?"

Alya nodded with a smile, and Sunny sighed, muttering, "That explains a lot."

Rain laughed, saying, "Exactly, but that's not the main point."

Turning to Alya, she added, "I've met her before. She's strong and has become a great leader among the Awakened. I haven't spoken to her much, but I can see why you two are a good match. She may seem serious and tough, but it's clear she has a soft side beneath that hard exterior."

Alya's eyes lit up, grinning widely. "You're right! She's amazing. I'm so relieved she's okay. I hope to meet her one day and catch up on everything from the past years."

Alya sighed and shifted in her seat, then hesitantly asked, "Rain... do you know if she has a partner right now?"

Rain giggled, understanding Alya's implication. She decided to have a little fun with it, shrugging and saying playfully, "Maybe she does, maybe she doesn't. You'll have to wait until you see her again to find out."

Seeing Alya's reaction to her vague answer, Rain quickly clarified, "Honestly, I haven't asked her directly. We only spent a couple of weeks together and didn't talk much about such things. But from what I gathered, I'm pretty sure she's not in a relationship right now."

Alya huffed, smiling. "I don't know whether to be happy or sad about that. I still really like her, so I guess I'm glad there's a chance for us to reconnect. Maybe I'll move to Ravenheart after the Winter Solstice."

Rain was unsure how to respond. She knew that if Alya moved to the Song Domain, she would likely be drafted into the Army of Awakened on that side. But Alya didn't really have a choice in the matter. If she ended up in the Sword Domain, switching to the Song Domain would be difficult, especially with the war approaching.

Now might be the right time to discuss the future, but Rain decided to wait until after they returned from the Dream Realm. She simply nodded and smiled.

As the hours passed, the day wound down. Alya took several pictures with the group, especially with Kai. As the alcohol flowed, she found herself questioning her own sexuality while chatting with the charming archer. It was easy to feel that way in the presence of a handsome male saint.

Rick was lost in thought when Rain shifted in her sleep, her naked body pressed against him. They hadn't had many chances for such intimate moments lately, especially with Rick in his human form.

After returning from the apartment, they had chosen to move to Rick's room to avoid disturbing Alya further. Thankfully, no one had seen them, allowing them to enjoy the remaining daylight.

As he gently stroked Rain's hair and watched her sleep peacefully, he couldn't help but smile. "I'm so lucky to have the most beautiful woman in the world in my arms. I love her so much."

He kissed her temple and glanced at his communicator, noting, 'Starting Monday, we have exactly four weeks until the Winter Solstice. I need to keep Jacob away from us and keep Alya as close to Rain as possible.'

It wouldn't be easy, especially since Jacob was quite the troublemaker. Rick was determined to keep him away from Rain, knowing he could use her against him.

'What a mess. Getting rid of Jacob won't be hard if things go south, but his father... that's another story.'

Suddenly, loud noises from outside interrupted his thoughts. Rick carefully shifted Rain away from him without waking her, put on some dark blue shorts, and summoned a belt to cover himself. He opened the door to see a scene he found both surprising and infuriating.

Three young Sleepers were trying to beat up another Sleeper, who was holding his own surprisingly well. The 3 boys that tried to beat up the fellow Sleeper didn't look like much, but the fourth Sleeper was strikingly different.

With his impressive height and black fur covering his body, he resembled a werewolf. 'This kid looks like a werewolf. If it weren't for the school uniform, I'd think he was a nightmare creature.'

After watching the chaos for a while, Rick decided he had seen enough. The werewolf kid was doing his best to defend himself, but against three attackers, he had no chance. Taking a deep breath, Rick shouted, "HEY! WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM? LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

The trio turned to face him, visibly shaken as they locked eyes with him. Rick had chosen to use the eyes of the Beast and its murderous intent to scare them off. He was a bit amused to notice that at least one of the boys seemed to have shit themselves. His nose was picking up the stench in an instant.

The three ran off, and Rick approached the boy who looked like a dark werewolf. He was on the ground, breathing heavily. Rick knelt beside him and asked, "Hey, can you move?"

The boy took a shaky breath and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for helping me. It's nice to meet someone who doesn't hate me for how I look."

Rick felt a lump in his throat. He understood all too well what the boy was experiencing. He managed to hold back his emotions and offered his hand. "My name is Kirk. Nice to meet you."

The werewolf smiled crookedly and shook his hand. "Gean, nice to meet you too."

"Can you stand up?" Rick asked.

"Yeah, I think so. Just... ahh, damn."

As Gean tried to rise, pain shot through his body. Rick glanced at him with concern. "Wait here a second. I'll be right back."

He sprinted to his room to grab some shoes, a black hoodie, a bottle of water, and his communicator. He kissed the still-sleeping Rain on the head and sent her a message explaining what had happened, promising to return as soon as possible.

He closed the door behind him, leaving it unlocked so Rain wouldn't feel trapped. He returned to Gean, kneeling beside him again. "Here, take some water. Once you're done, I'll take you to the Medical Center. You definitely have some bruises and maybe even a broken bone or two."

Gean gratefully accepted the water and gulped it down. After finishing, he looked at Rick with curiosity. "Why are you helping me? We don't know each other."

Rick shrugged, smiling. "Trust me, I've been in your shoes. Even if I don't look like it now. Do I need a reason to help a fellow student?"

Gean chuckled, shaking his head. "I guess not, but I doubt anyone would help me looking like this hideous monster."

Rick pretended to look around and said with a grin, "Hideous monster? I haven't seen one of those since my first nightmare. You must have taken one to the head."

Gean laughed, which was a mistake as pain shot through his ribs. "Thanks, but how are you going to get me to the Medical Center?"

Rick raised an eyebrow, amused. "Have you ever heard of carrying someone?"

"What? You're going to carry me? I'm almost two meters tall and heavy as hell in this body."

Rick rolled his eyes and picked Gean up by sliding one arm under his back and the other under his knees. Gean yelped at the sudden movement and looked a bit embarrassed. With a chuckle, he said, "Just so you know, I'm not gay, alright? Just because you're carrying me like a princess doesn't mean I am."

Rick couldn't help but laugh as he walked toward the medical center. "Don't worry, I'm not gay either. I was just making sure you're okay."

They soon arrived, and Rick set Gean down in one of the hospital rooms as instructed by the doctors. "Here we are, man. I hope you feel better soon."

Gean nodded with a crooked smile and replied, "Thanks, Kirk. Is it okay if I come by your room when I get out?"

"Sure, you know my room number, right?"

"Yeah, I do. See you later, man. Enjoy your evening with that girl."

Just as Rick was about to leave, Gean's comment made him stop in his tracks. He turned around, bewildered, and asked, "What did you say?"

Gean scratched his head, looking confused. "I could have sworn you smelled like a girl. Was I mistaken?"

Rick facepalmed and muttered, "So that's how everyone else feels all the time. I should probably stop commenting on things I smell."

Taking a deep breath, he smiled and said, "No, you're right. I was just surprised you noticed. I guess you have a good sense of smell."

Gean nodded in agreement. Rick did the same, waved goodbye, and said, "Alright then, I'll head back to my room. Make sure you take care of yourself before you leave."

He closed the door behind him and exited the medical center. Assuming Rain was still asleep since she hadn't read his message, he opened the door to his room and smiled when he saw her still fast asleep. Taking off his clothes and lying down beside her felt effortless. She stirred awake from his movement, rubbing her eyes and mumbling sleepily, "What's going on? Have you been gone?"

Rick pulled her closer to him, resting her back against his chest. She chuckled softly as he resumed playing with her hair and one hand found its way to her waist. He took a deep breath and said quietly, "Yeah, I was. There was a fight right outside, and I took the injured guy to the medical center after scaring off the other three. He should be okay, I hope."

Rain buried her face in his neck, kissing it playfully since she knew he was ticklish there. "So my glorious hero has saved the day again, huh?"

He laughed and placed both hands on her waist. "You could say that. We have about an hour before it gets dark. How do you want to spend that time?"

Feeling her hands explore his body, she whispered, "You know exactly how I want to spend it with my sex monster."

Needless to say, they made the most of their time before Rick transformed once more.