Shadow Slave : Shadow Clan

The moon hung low over NSQC, veiled in thin clouds, casting soft shadows across the courtyard stones. Crickets hummed in the still air. The sparring match was over, but the memory of it clung to their skin like the sweat still drying there.

Cassie stood with her back to the garden fountain, the stone cold beneath her fingertips. Her golden hair clung in loose curls, her red dress slightly wrinkled from the clash. She was breathing calmly now, though her heart hadn't settled.

Footsteps approached—light, deliberate.

Nephis.

She moved like a ghost in the moonlight. Her white dress shimmered faintly, dusted in silver dew, her pale skin almost ethereal under the stars. Yet her presence was anything but fragile.

Their eyes met.

For a moment, neither said a word.

The silence stretched—not with hostility, but with the weight of something new. Something uncertain.

Cassie broke it first, her voice quiet but sure.

"You fight like someone who has nothing left to lose."

Nephis's lips barely moved. "I used to."

Cassie nodded, stepping closer, still keeping a respectful distance. "You care about him."

It wasn't a question. Just truth, softly laid down.

Nephis looked away, her jaw tightening. "He was the only one who didn't flinch when he saw what I was becoming." Her voice thinned, cracking like a dry leaf. "He didn't run. He smiled. Like I wasn't… broken."

Cassie's breath caught, but she didn't look away. "He does that. Makes you feel like you're someone worth loving."

The word loving hung in the air like a whispered storm.

"I don't understand this," Nephis murmured. "These feelings. When I saw you beside him… it hurt." She blinked once, slowly. "But I don't know why."

Cassie took a breath, then smiled, soft and a little sad. "It's jealousy. It's scary. Especially the first time."

Nephis furrowed her brow, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've fought my father's silence being alone But this—" she touched her chest lightly, "—this frightens me more."

Cassie's eyes glistened. She took out her phone and unlocked it. "Here. My number."

Nephis stared, unsure.

"If we're both part of his life, we should understand each other," Cassie said. "Not fight like enemies in secret. He deserves better."

A long pause.

Then Nephis nodded and took the phone with trembling fingers. As she entered her number, Cassie watched her—not with suspicion, but with something almost like empathy.

When Nephis handed it back, Cassie smiled. "Thanks."

There was a long silence. Then Nephis asked, almost like a child asking for a secret, "Are we rivals?"

Cassie glanced up at the stars, then back at her. "Maybe… but I'd rather be something else. Something better."

Nephis looked down. Her lips barely curved. "So would I."

From the house, Olivia's warm voice called, "Cassie, sweetheart! Your parents are ready!"

Cassie turned toward the sound, but paused. "Tell Sunny… thank you. And… I'm glad he has you too."

She walked away, her red dress catching moonlight as she disappeared through the garden arch.

Nephis stood still, listening to the fading footsteps. Her hand curled at her side, nails pressing into her palm—not from pain, but to hold something in.

She didn't understand this world of emotions. But she knew one thing:

She didn't want to lose him.

And for the first time in her life…

She wasn't sure that she wouldn't.

The garden had fallen into a breathless hush.

Moonlight pooled in silver puddles across the stone path, shimmering on dew-laced leaves. Everything was still, like the world itself was holding its breath.

Sunny stood alone beneath the twisted branches of a willow tree, his dark suit brushing gently in the night wind. His hands were tucked in his pockets, his gaze unfocused, staring at the koi pond where moonlight wavered on the water's skin.

He heard her footsteps before he saw her.

Soft. Deliberate. Like each step carried a question.

Sunny turned.

Nephis stood at the edge of the path, her white dress dappled with black sparkles that shimmered like starlight caught in snowfall. Her silver-white hair moved with the wind, and in the moonlight, she looked almost ethereal. But it wasn't her beauty that made Sunny's breath catch.

It was her expression.

Vulnerable. Uncertain. The slightest tremble in the set of her lips.

"You left," she said quietly, as if afraid her voice might break the fragile peace between them.

"I needed air," he replied. "Too much noise… too many thoughts."

Her eyes lowered. "I understand."

She stepped closer, but still kept a careful distance, like she wasn't sure if she had the right to come any nearer.

Sunny searched her face. "Nephis… I didn't mean for you to feel that way."

"What way?"

"Alone."

She blinked. The word struck something.

"I wasn't supposed to care," she said, almost to herself. "That's what my father taught me. To stay distant. Controlled. Unshaken."

"But?"

She looked at him then, truly looked. "Then you happened."

A silence stretched between them, heavy with all the words they'd never said.

"I don't understand this," she whispered. "When I saw you with her… when you smiled at her… something inside me twisted. It hurt. And I didn't know why."

Sunny's throat tightened. "It's okay not to understand."

"Then why does it feel like it matters so much?"

He stepped forward—slowly, gently. "Maybe because it does."

Nephis took one more step, just enough to close the distance between them. Her hands were trembling.

"I'm scared," she said softly. "Because you're the only person in this world who makes me feel like I'm not broken. Like I'm… enough."

Sunny felt something crack in his chest. Without thinking, he reached out—his hand finding hers, fingers brushing against knuckles gone cold.

"You are," he said, voice hushed and sure. "You've always been enough."

She didn't speak.

Instead, she leaned forward—uncertain, hesitant—until her forehead came to rest against his chest. His heart beat faster under her touch. Her fingers clutched at the fabric of his coat, just slightly.

And Sunny…

Sunny wrapped his arms around her, slowly, reverently.

The garden melted away.

No parents. No politics. No pressure.

Just him. And her. And this quiet ache they both carried and never named.

Nephis closed her eyes.

"I think…" she whispered, "you're the only person I trust."

Sunny rested his chin gently atop her head.

"I won't break that," he promised.

From the upper balcony, Olivia stood behind the half-drawn curtain, watching the scene unfold. Her eyes softened. Behind her, Jet stepped beside her and said nothing—only folded her arms and nodded faintly, approving.

Rain, curled up on a window seat, peeked through the glass and whispered, "They're weird."

Olivia smiled, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear. "They're young."

Jet muttered, "And doomed."

But her smile said otherwise.

And in the garden below, beneath the stars, two hearts stayed still together. Not yet in love.

But dangerously close.

"He hugged her," Rain whispered, blinking.

Jet scoffed under her breath. "Yeah. Bold move, little prince."

Olivia glanced sideways at her. "Not so little anymore."

"He still gets nervous when Cassie smiles at him," Jet murmured. "But with Nephis… it's different. Like he forgets to be afraid."

Rain sighed. "She's always visiting him. Even on the sad days. She makes him laugh."

Jet raised a brow. "Didn't know he could laugh."

Olivia smiled faintly. "He doesn't laugh often. But with the right people… he blooms."

The silence returned for a moment, filled with the sound of night insects and the soft rustle of tree leaves. Down in the garden, Sunny was still holding Nephis. Olivia's expression turned thoughtful.

Rain hugged her pillow tighter. "So does this mean Nephis is his girlfriend?"

Jet coughed. "Way too early for that."

"Maybe," Olivia said gently. "Maybe not. But feelings don't always wait for the right time."

Jet's eyes narrowed. "He's… still a kid. Sort of. Should he even be thinking about all this?"

"Jet," Olivia said quietly, "we don't choose when the heart wakes up. It just… does."

There was a beat.

Then Jet crossed her arms and muttered, "He better not get himself heartbroken. Or I'm going to have a very long talk with one of those girls. Or both."

Olivia gave her a fond look. "You're very protective of your little brother."

Jet looked away, her ears slightly pink. "I didn't say that."

Rain grinned. "You totally did."

Jet ruffled Rain's hair, but her expression softened as she watched the scene below. "I'm just saying. Sunny's different. He carries things he doesn't even talk about. If anyone hurts him…"

"I know," Olivia said. Her voice was light, but her eyes were dark and knowing. "Believe me—I know."

Rain let out a tired yawn and mumbled, "I like Nephis though. And Cassie. I think they both love him."

Jet raised a brow. "You think?"

"I feel it," Rain said sleepily. "Girls get weird when they love someone. And they were so weird tonight."

That earned a laugh from Jet. Olivia chuckled too, then reached down and scooped Rain into her arms.

"Come on," she said softly. "Time for bed, little observer."

As Olivia carried Rain toward the hall, Jet lingered behind for just a moment more. Her gaze returned to the garden, to Sunny and Nephis under the stars. A strange pang touched her chest—familiar, and old.

He reminds me of me.

She exhaled and turned.

Maybe this time, someone gets to grow up loved.

——-

The soft click of the door echoed in the quiet apartment as Cassie slipped off her shoes and stepped inside. The hallway light buzzed gently overhead. Her parents were already in their room, their muffled voices barely audible through the wall. But Cassie didn't stop to listen.

She made her way to her bedroom, the red dress she wore shimmering slightly under the moonlight peeking through her window. Once inside, she let out a long breath and leaned against the door, her hand pressed to her chest.

Her heart was still beating fast.

She didn't know if it was from the sparring, or from that moment in the garden—the one that had lodged itself like a stone in her chest.

Nephis.

The white dress.

The way she leaned her head on Sunny's shoulder.

Cassie exhaled sharply and crossed the room, unzipping her dress and letting it fall. She slipped into her favorite hoodie—blue with a worn-out academy crest on the chest—and sat on the edge of her bed.

Her phone buzzed once.

A message from her mother:

"He's a good boy. Don't let yourself lose him."

Cassie stared at the screen, then turned it face-down on the bed.

Her room was quiet, but her mind wasn't. It never was, not when it came to him.

She'd known Sunny for years now. He was awkward. Terrible at compliments. Always chasing strength like it was the only thing that could keep him standing. But he had always looked at her like she mattered—like he saw her.

And then Nephis returned.

Beautiful. Distant. Familiar to him in ways Cassie could never be.

She flopped onto her back and stared at the ceiling. Shadows danced across the white paint from the breeze outside her window.

She whispered into the silence:

"Do you love her, Sunny?"

She hated that it mattered.

Because part of her already knew—if he ever looked at Nephis the way he looked at her tonight…

She wouldn't be able to win.

Cassie closed her eyes tightly, swallowing the ache that curled in her throat. And yet, through all the noise in her chest, she smiled faintly.

Because even if it hurt…

She was glad Sunny was smiling again.

——-

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the dark curtains of Sunny's room, warm and golden. The shadows they cast danced gently along the floor, like ripples across still water.

Sunny blinked awake.

The memories of last night came rushing back:

The spar.

The garden.

Nephis's head on his shoulder.

Cassie's quiet smile as she left.

He sat up slowly, ran a hand through his dark hair, and let out a soft breath.

What even was yesterday?

Pulling on a soft black shirt and loose pants, he stepped out of his room, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The scent hit him first—sweet, buttery warmth, tinged with vanilla.

Waffles.

His feet moved faster.

He descended the stairs into the heart of the house, the kitchen spilling soft laughter and the clatter of dishes into the hallway. As he stepped in, his eyes widened a little.

Nephis was still here.

She stood beside Rain at the counter, helping her pour syrup—though judging by Rain's sticky fingers and giggles, not very successfully. Jet sat on a stool, sipping tea with her usual cool expression, but even she looked more relaxed, almost… at peace.

And at the stove, flipping the last of the golden-brown waffles, was Olivia, radiant in the morning light.

When Nephis noticed him, her eyes lifted slightly—just enough to meet his.

And there it was.

A smirk.

Barely there. Just the edge of her lips turning upward. But it made something flutter in Sunny's chest.

He tried to play it cool, sliding into the seat at the table. "Morning."

"Morning," Jet replied, glancing over the rim of her cup. "Sleep well, lover boy?"

Sunny choked on air. "Jet!"

Rain burst out laughing. "Lover boy!!"

Olivia turned, arching a brow. "Jet, let him breathe."

"I'm just saying what we're all thinking," she said, shrugging, though a ghost of a smile played at her lips.

Nephis sat down beside Sunny without a word, her presence calm, steady… close.

Sunny tried to focus on the plate Olivia slid in front of him—perfectly stacked waffles, glistening with syrup and topped with a sliver of butter.

"Thanks, Mom," he said, already grabbing his fork.

She sat across from him, coffee in hand, her gaze soft. "So…"

Sunny paused, wary.

Olivia smiled over her mug. "Quite the storm you brought home last night, hmm?"

Sunny groaned. "Please, not you too."

"Oh, I'm not teasing," she said gently. "I'm proud. You brought together people who care about you. That's not easy." She leaned slightly forward. "But tell me, Sunny. Did you… understand something new yesterday?"

Sunny froze with his fork halfway to his mouth.

His eyes flicked to Nephis, then to Rain, who was now drawing syrup hearts on her plate.

"…Maybe," he muttered.

"Good." Olivia's voice was quiet, but firm. "Because love, pain, confusion, they all live close together. But if you face them with honesty, you'll never regret it."

Nephis glanced at him from the corner of her eye, and Sunny found himself whispering, "I'll try."

Jet leaned back with a smug grin. "You better."

Rain just hummed and held up a syrup-dripping fork. "Does this mean Nephis is staying for more waffles?"

Everyone laughed, even Nephis—softly, her voice like silver rain on stone.

Sunny felt it then.

The tension was still there, like a quiet hum under the surface—but so was warmth. So was hope.

Sunny had barely finished his first waffle when Nephis quietly reached for a slice of toast from the bread tray. He noticed the slight tension in her shoulders—like she wasn't quite used to reaching out for something so ordinary, so casual.

"You didn't go home last night," Sunny said quietly, not accusatory—just curious.

Nephis gave a small nod, her white eyes focused on the toast. "I stayed. Your mother said it was okay."

"I did," Olivia confirmed from across the table, sipping her coffee. "And I'm glad she did. The house is a little brighter with more people in it."

Jet snorted lightly. "You mean louder."

"You like it," Rain said between bites, syrup sticking to her cheek.

Jet reached over with a napkin and wiped Rain's face gently. "I tolerate it."

Sunny smiled faintly, then turned back to Nephis. "You could stay more often, if you want. You… always helped me, back then."

Nephis looked up. Her gaze lingered on his face.

"I used to worry you'd disappear," Sunny admitted, his voice dropping. "You always came and went after my dad died. Like a ghost that kept visiting."

"I didn't want to be a ghost," Nephis whispered, her tone raw for the first time. "But I didn't know how to stay. I still don't."

Silence lingered.

Then Olivia stood and came around the table. Her hand rested gently on Nephis's shoulder. "Then learn here. With us."

Nephis looked at her, surprised.

Jet gave a dramatic sigh. "Great. Now we're collecting sad orphans. Should I set up a registry?"

Sunny rolled his eyes. "You're one of them."

"I was the first," Jet said proudly, leaning back in her chair. "The prototype model."

Rain giggled, hugging Jet's arm.

Nephis, meanwhile, looked down again… then back at Sunny.

"You really want me to stay?" she asked, not quite believing it.

Sunny didn't hesitate. "Yeah. It feels right."

That quiet admission brought a subtle warmth to Nephis's cheeks. Her lips parted as if to say something more—but she didn't. Not yet.

Instead, Olivia clapped her hands gently. "Alright, before the syrup gets into your brain—plans for the day?"

"I wanna go to the park!" Rain chirped.

Jet raised a brow. "And I want to spar with Sunny. Again."

Sunny groaned. "Why does everyone want to hit me?"

"Because you dodge so prettily," Jet teased.

Nephis just looked at him for a long second, then said softly, "I'll train too."

"You're all bloodthirsty," Sunny muttered.

Olivia chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Better than being lost."

Sunny swatted her hand away—but smiled.

Then Jet said something unexpected.

"Hey, Nephis." Her voice was casual, but her tone wasn't. "You know… you really helped him back then. You probably didn't even realize."

Nephis blinked, startled. "I didn't do anything."

"You stayed," Jet said. "That's more than most."

Rain looked up. "I like her. Can she stay forever?"

Olivia smiled warmly. "That depends on Nephis."

Everyone looked at her.

Nephis hesitated… and then nodded. "I'd like that."

The family didn't cheer, or clap, or erupt in applause.

They just smiled.

Because in this home, quiet promises were loud enough.