Nephis eyes were cold and distant, something that unnerved Echo deeply. It took a second for her to answer.
"Why are you here?"
"Of course I'm here this is my house." Echo said as a matter of fact.
"Prove it."
"This box is enough to be proof." He raised the hand that carried the box. Opened it and showed some clothes and some other things like a book, papers and about 10 soul shards.
"See? I should be the one asking you, what are you doing here, though I get it this house is quite spacious compared to the other ones and its quiet here. I see why you would would pick it. but this is occupied lady, I was even courteous enough not to wake you up." Echo scratched the back of head head staring at the sword memory of Nephis. He added.
"And… I nearly died by doing so."
Nephis seemed to have realized something and her eyes showed a little more emotion than before. She said.
"I'll leave immediately."
Nephis dismissed her sword, sat up by the bed side, summoned her armor and stood up.
'You aren't even gonna say sorry? You nearly killed me.' Echo grimace inside his head.
Echo knows by the novel that Nephis can be heartless at times, not only that but distant as well, she cant seem to show some basic emotion a normal human being have, pretty much like Sunny but way worse, Nephis is a very awkward person but she's strong and charismatic a perfect example of a leader, so people tend to follow her.
Like a lightbulb shining above Echo's head, his mind started to go overdrive, and a plan started to form.
As Nephis cleans the place and put all the misplaced things where it was before she used them, she heard Echo's voice.
"Wait… Nephis, lady Changing Star, I heard you and Caster are friends right?" Echo's tone changed and the moment he said that Nephis eyes showed the most emotion it showed so far and strangely grew animated.
'She took the bait!' Echo pumped his fist in his head.
"Caster? Caster of Han li clan is here?" She asked.
"Yeah, he has been here for 2 months." He answered.
Echo stopped a second to formulate what he want to say and continued.
"Anyway, you also need information right given that you are new to this place, that's why you sent Sunny and Cassie inside the castle."
Nephis eyes became alert, nobody was supposed to know that information. When Echo saw this he continued.
Echo pointed on his ears and said:
"I have super hearing, It's part of my aspect ability. I heard you whispering it to Sunny, I don't mean any harm."
Nephis's face became a little relaxed after hearing it but her eyes showed suspicion.
"What does it have to do with you?"
"I can provide you such information, everything that you need." Echo said in certainty.
Not out of blind confidence but because he clearly remembers every part of the past Echo's memories who lived 3 years here, he can provide some basic and important information.
"Why?" Nephis asked.
Why help her you ask? Well… Nephis is like the guiding light to the people of the forgotten shore in the future, she will lead them to usurp Gunlaug's rule, furthermore, she will help them reach the gateway and sacrifice herself in the process. Now that Echo is presented with the opportunity in front of him to hasten that plan and have himself be part of it, not only will he get close to strong people who can have his back, but he can strengthen himself in the process too. Echo wanted to get out of this hell hole too which was his biggest drive.
"I just want to get out of this place, and I know its what you aim too." Echo said and stepped closer to sit down near the table.
"Think about it, not only will you find a reliable pathfinder who knows every nook and cranny in the dark city, but also provide you with rich information." Echo sounded like a devil making a deal, but he really is driven to assist Nephis even if the price was to turn on Gunlaug.
"How can I be sure you wont betray us. I've heard of you yesterday, you're one of Gunlaug's men." Even while saying that Nephis sat down at the edge of the bed contemplating. Echo answered.
"Simple, Gunlaug wants to rule this place for as long as he can, and play god. While I want to get out of here, this 3 years has been torture"
Echo's face became somber— even if the new Echo only experienced those 3 years in memory it doesn't stop him to feel the urgency to want to get back to the real world. He also added:
"See… Gunlaug and my aspirations differ, and putting my bet on a sleeper who has a True Name will probably be one of the best bet I will do in life."
Nephis has the look of understanding as the two stared at each other for a while. Nephis finally spoke.
"Tell me what you know." Echo's face lit up at that moment.
'Yes!' He thought.
"You probably doesn't know this since its your first day here but a gateway is present here."
Nephis eyes grew.
"There is… where?" She asked.
Echo continued with a somber tone.
"That's the problem, it's in the Crimson Spire, and its being guarded by a Fallen Terror."
Strangely Nephis doesn't seem deterred with what he said, more like her eyes shone even more.
'Tell me now who has a flaw of insatiable lust for battle.'
Maybe her lust wasn't about battle but she finally regained some of the hope she lost yesterday, now knowing about the gateway, her mind went into overdrive and thought of many things to solve this. Echo just stayed silent all the way before she finally spoke and looked at him with determined eyes.
"If that the case, let's form a Hunting Party."