Shadow Slave - After the Third Nightmare - A different Story

Deal

"Let me tell the rest. Being fateless has very serious implications for me. One in particular can interest you. Princess, do you know what the Nightmare Spell is made of?

"I don't."

"Really? That's bad for someone who wants to conquer all Nightmares. Let me tell you: The Nightmare Spell is made of strings of fate. If you want to destroy it, you have to be able to go against fate."

By irony the three of them shared similar desires. Sunny didn't want to be controlled by fate, and so he has become fateless. Nephis wants to destroy the Nightmare Spell, but it's made of fate, and therefore she can only go against fate. Cassie, the one that still didn't say anything, probably learned something, something so bad, that she can only hope to change the future for the better. Then all of them shared the intention to alter fate.

"I seem to understand now. You don't have access to the Spell. It has to be uncomfortable."

"Yes, and it goes with all kinds of problems. I lost almost all my Memories, those belong to the Spell. I also can't dive into my Soul Sea. All that time the Spell was doing that for me. I have to regain these things. I don't know how to travel between worlds as Saint. I'm not desperate, but I still seek your help."

"Why do you think we should help you? You're a shopkeeper. Sell me a good reason."

"Because... Princess, that's what you want. You want to find the heart of the Nightmare Spell, and then rip it to shreds, crush it, obliterate, ruin, destroy it. In addition to that awfully ambitious goal, you still want it to turn out well. How are you going to do that if you can't help one Awakened to live without the Spell? You need someone like me."

"And I won't ask you to do things for free.The time of a Saint has to be precious, and I prefer making profitable deals. So... you'll help me by aiding me in the process, share also some Memories, and I'll help you to empower your Fire Keepers. I can craft, and modify Memories to some extent. For example, I can turn an ascended armor into transcendent. All without the Anvil knowing."

Nephis sighed heavily.

"Fine. I gladly accept. You have your deal. After what you said, and revealed I don't even think it's okay to reject you. Somehow you know me too well, and revealed knowledge that has some value. Not only that. You disclosed your flaw. You have to really want my trust, and you're ready to pay the price."

"If we have an initial agreement, I would like to ask a question that has bothered me since my arrival. Why didn't Saint Cassia say anything this entire time? I'm very sure she has her own thoughts on whatever we're talking about."

This time it's Cassie who spook out. She stood out from being just a Nephis' assistant.

"I'll answer that. I just wanted you to ask that question. I was testing something. And I can talk with Nephis through telepathy. With this ability there was no need to say anything."

...

By the deal Sunny was allowed to anchor in the Tower of Longing. Nephis quickly introduced him into the secret of establishing an anchor as Saint. Without Spell's assistance it was a bit harder than it was before. Fortunately he was still able to use conventional Gateways, which spared him effort.

The same unfortunately couldn't be said about regaining the ability to see his Soul Sea. Paradoxically no one knows how to do that. The Spell somehow can do that so Sunny suspected that Weaver had such profound knowledge. It didn't lead him anywhere, but Cassie could offer some advice on how to sense the soul.

Being deprived from the sense of sight Cassie was already used to self-perception. As seer she had an incredible mastery over her own mind. She had also the clearest memories of looking at her Soul Sea, because it wasn't contaminated with the splitted perception that occurs normally when an Awakened enters his Soul Sea. All thanks to the fact she's blind... Cassie could impart that unusual insight to him.