Shadow Slave: Gleaming Stars

[Kai's POV]

'Woah!'

'What the hell?!'

My eyes widened as they homed in on the astonishingly gorgeous sleeper in my peripheral.

They looked to be a head or two shorter than me (A/N: Kai is stated to be 6'2 or 188cm according to the wiki, whereas Audun stands at a more modest 174cm/5'9ish ft), and their purple jewel-like pupils were gazing at me in honest curiosity.

Their face was almost transcendently beautiful, silky wheat blonde hair framing a set of androgynously sublime features. 

Two lilac orbs were held within their gently curved eyes, their confused yet curious gaze trained solely on my face, seemingly in thought.

To top it all off, they seemed to be radiating a faint platinum glow, adding to their already otherworldly looks.

Frankly, I wasn't sure if I should be more shocked that I'd met someone who could challenge me aesthetically, or surprised that no one was reacting to their supernaturally good looks besides me.

Needless to say, they had thoroughly caught my attention. 

With the friendliest smile I could muster, I began walking towards them, carefully monitoring their expression.

The blonde brought their hand up to their chin, their eyebrows furrowing and their gaze sharpening as the lavender shade of their eyes melted into a starlit platinum hue, an orb of incandescent light twinkling as it began orbiting their body.

As I pushed past a few people to make it to their position, I couldn't help but wonder why no one else was reacting to the light show going on in front of them. 

Ignoring the slight oddity, I strode forward and stood right in front of them as they looked up at me with a blank expression. 

Giving them a polite wave, I maintained my friendly smile.

"Hi, did you need something?"

Instantly, a healthy red flush colored their face, the platinum glow around them fading as their pupils trembled violently.

Slightly confused yet amused by their reaction, I let out an unconscious chuckle.

Unfortunately, my laugh set them off even more, the deep blush coloring their alabaster skin spreading to their ears. 

'Aw, that's adorable!'

A beat later, though, my smile stiffened as their uncomfortable body language registered in my mind. 

My smile morphed into one of embarrassment. 

"Uhm, do you maybe want to talk somewhere more private...?"

The blonde sleeper before me nodded their head violently, their shoulder-length hair splaying out aggressively.

A friendly smile returned to my face as I turned on my heel, gesturing for them to follow me. 

They froze for a second before letting out a deep breath, quickly hiding their blush and flustered expression behind a regal mask of indifference, much to my surprise. 

Though my surprise quickly morphed into amusement as the two of us walked towards an isolated corner of the castle. 

------------------------------------------

[Audun's POV]

There was a deluge of thoughts flooding through my mind as I walked beside the green-eyed man, but out of all of them, a question echoed clearly:

HOW DID HE NOTICE ME???

I thought my disguise had been perfect, but considering I was weaker in public areas, maybe my starlight camouflage wasn't as infallible as I thought.

'Well, whatever,' I grumbled inwardly.

What's done is done...

Letting out a resigned sigh, I shot a tentative glance at the tall man walking next to me. 

'Green eyes, Dark Auburn hair, that face... There's no way I would've missed this guy at the academy.'

A small contemplative frown crossed my features

'So why does he feel so familiar??'

Noticing my gaze, the man flashed me a confused but friendly smile, his dimples accentuating his innocent and harmless look.

The man let out a melodic hum, his emerald-hued eyes shining brightly as he turned to face me.

"I don't think I've introduced myself, I'm Kai!"

Nodding, I brought my hand to my chest, summoning the [Thought Quill] and bowing slightly in a mock noble greeting. 

I'm Audun.

His eyes widened a bit.

"That's quite a unique way of speaking."

I shrugged.

My flaw makes it hard to speak normally, so this was the next best option.

Kai let out a chuckle.

We were now in a much more private area of the castle, practically alone if you ignored the few sleepers loitering around.

"By the way, I'm curious, why were you staring at me so intently earlier?"

A flash of embarrassment crossed my face before my attribute surged forth, masking my turmoil.

I felt like I recognized you from somewhere, but I couldn't quite figure out where...

My brows furrowed unconsciously as I scrutinized his face once more.

In response to my inspecting glare and statement, Kai blinked before letting out a harmonious laugh, much to my confusion.

Eventually, he stopped, and despite his clear amusement, there was a hint of bitterness in his deep green eyes. 

"Before being infected with the spell, I was the lead vocalist of an Idol group called Nightingale. Maybe you recognized me from that?"

And just like that, the last piece of the puzzle fell into place.

My eyes lit up in realization as the Star of Memory pulled a memory from its archive.

A scene replayed vividly in my mind.

A group of four teenage girls was chatting amicably near me as I was studying in the library after just arriving. 

"Huuu~, the instructor was extra hard on me today... I can barely feel my legs..."

"I know, right? Hah~ I swear that baldy has anger issues."

"I don't know what you guys are talking about. I'm practically buzzing with energy! All I need is a quick glance at a picture of Night to get fired up! His face is like a shot of espresso-"

"Nahhh, Night's good and all, but have you seen Dusk's fan cams? That'll supercharge you, y'know?"

The four bickered back and forth, but a wistful comment broke the friendly atmosphere in seconds. 

In any other context, it would've been harmless, but in the Academy, it was a grim reminder. 

"Ah, man, I know it's been two years, but I just wish I could see them perform one last time..."

After that day, the name Nightingale was stuck in my head, and before long, I ended up looking them up, reading through a few articles, and absentmindedly watching a few of their performances before their impromptu hiatus. 

Ah, I remember now! You're Night, the lead vocalist of Nightingale, right?

Kai gave me a bright smile.

"Yep, that's me!"

With an odd glint in his eye, Kai continued:

"Say... Audun, you came in the last Solstice, right?"

I shook my head.

I arrived here last year. 

The singer's eyebrows shot up.

"Last year??? How come I haven't seen you around?"

I only just arrived at the castle. Before, I was living in a little hut near the hollow mountains.

Kai took a second to process what I had just said, his eyes widening as he exclaimed:

"The Hollow mountains?! That's insanely far from here! How'd you even find you're way over here??"

I thought for a moment before giving him the Sparknotes version of my two-month journey with Nephis, Sunny, and Cassie, drawing out a map with the help of the Star of Memory and showing him the route we traveled along. 

After I was done, Kai let out an astonished sigh.

"That's quite the trip, huh? It must've been tough..."

I nodded in agreement, recalling the ordeal.

Letting out a dismissive breath, I changed the topic.

Why'd you ask?

Kai blinked

"Ask what?"

If I arrived during the last solstice.

Kai's emerald eyes gleamed as he got back on track.

"Ah, right! I was gonna ask if you remembered the top music video on the charts before you left!"

I tilted my head in slight confusion, answering unconsciously.

Uh, I think it was "Morning Sun" by HELLIAD?

Kai's eyes gleamed as he began testing my knowledge of this world's pop culture.

"Did Trent Bolis and Regina Lekt really have an affair?"

They stayed silent, but Trent ended up getting divorced a month later.

"What did Percy Yang wear at the last Platinum Globes?"

If I remember correctly, it was some kind of ridiculous-looking nightmare creature-inspired onesie. If you give me a second, I could probably draw it out for you...

"What's the trendiest dance on the internet right now?"

The choreo for "Last Dance" by Luna587, I think?

"Could I see it?"

Uh, I think it goes something like this...

*******

After a full hour of getting interrogated, Kai finally relented, looking incredibly satisfied with all the new information. 

I had done my best to satisfy the stranded idol's curiosity, but it had certainly been a challenge. 

If not for the Star of Memory and my naturally photophraphic memory working overtime, I probably wouldn't have been able to answer half of his questions. 

Honestly, I was just happy that I didn't neglect internet drama while I was at the Academy.

Letting out a relieved sigh, I dismissed the Star of Memory, silently hoping I wouldn't need it again. 

Kai flashed me an apologetic look.

"Sorry, I think I might've gotten a little carried away..."

I waved dismissively, a small smile gracing my features.

Don't worry, I had fun too.

A bright smile adorned the singer's face as he tilted his head back in mock relief. 

"You don't know how long it's been since I've heard anything from the outside world..."

"Thank you, Audun."

I just nodded, giving him the friendliest smile I could muster. 

My social battery was thoroughly drained after that bona fide interrogation, and unfortunately for me, it seemed like the attractive idol wouldn't be letting me go just yet.

Thinking for a moment, Kai hummed.

"Mm~ Is there anything you wanna do? I'm leaving for a bit tomorrow to nab some soul shards."

I thought for a moment, running through my mental checklist. 

'Hmm...'

'Oh.'

'Right!'

I patted my pants pocket, feeling the shards nestled within, as I looked at Kai with renewed vigor.

Do you know where I can buy memories?

____________________________________________________________________

(A/N: a lil impromptu double release for you guys!

I spent most of yesterday doing research into the IPOTE power system, so I can give you guys a bit of a better description of how things like Aura, Starlight, Mana, and intent work.

I should be able to finish it by tonight, but since I was a little behind schedule, I figured that I should probably drop two chapters today. 

Also, about the time frame. From what I read, technically, Kai should've still been in the castle, as when Sunny saved him from the well 3-4 months later, he states that he was held by his captors for a few weeks while they tried to shake him down for his memories.

I decided that introducing Kai earlier wouldn't have any adverse effects, not to mention, I want Audun to have access to some of Kai's connections in the castle before what I have planned takes place. 

I promise you that shits gonna hit the fan within the next 5-10 chapters, so keep an eye out for that!

Alright, with that over and done with, Thanks for all the support you guys have given me, and leave a comment to tell me how I'm doing, yk!

See you guys tomorrow!)