Following With the introduction of the soldiers many things has become much easier. Instead of extracting all those soul shards all by himself the soldiers were doing that for him enabling him to concentrate on the thing he's best at, killing.
They weren't that qualified. Actually even with their military training, and experience in dealing with Nightmare Creatures, their experience was rendered mostly useless. Most of the time he had to keep his shadow sense on them just in case something beyond their capacity tried to approach them.
Everything could be fixed over time. Sunny himself didn't become a great warrior in one day, and he never received any training as a child. With enough persistence they were bound to learn some skills, and with his broad experience or some initial lessons he knows from Nephis, he imparted some basic ideas, and the essence of combat, mastering mind, and body, and even the idea of mastering soul, which isn't that obvious at first glance. Like all living things, the soul too is a subject to control.
Marvelous Mimic was also a great help in the process. People get hurt, and Mimic could heal them to some extent. Familiarizing with control of soul essence inevitably leads to its exhaustion, and the Mimic is useful also in restoration of the essence. Due to that his soldiers can fight more, and train their control more.
Despite that he refrained from saturating their cores, and established the rules to not make it too easy for them. The only shards they were allowed to absorb were the ones they obtained from the creatures slayed by them. No one knows what the future could hold for them, especially with such eccentric master. It's also quite possible they would never figure out the way to ascend or even enter the Soul Sea. That's why he considered it necessary to increase the numbers of Awakened serving under him further.
Sunny wandered around humming a pleasant melody, but does anyone care?
"Picnic basket, checked. Abnormal number of sausage rolls, checked. Stash of Memories. Fancy plates, and drinks… checked. Flowers… treacherous schemes… checked. Do I lack something?"
"Not being a weirdo that talks to himself in the presence of other people."
"Aiko… checked."
"I'm talking to you!"
"What's your deal?"
"We're going meet a hero. And not just any. We're going to see the woman who saved my ass! Don't you dare to disrespect her with your shenanigans!"
"She's more chill than her position implies. What are shenanigans by the way?"
Aiko hid her face in her palms while Gloomy entered with another set of armor finished.
"It cannot be that bad. Even if she's going to kill that idiot for talking to himself she'll love our gifts."
Then Naughty entered the room with another tray of baked snacks.
"In her place I would never be mad at someone if that means throwing away good food."
"Oh my god, it's you who's stressed. Otherwise why would you be so obsessed with making it perfect?"
Sunny froze in place.
"Damn. It's too obvious, right?"
"Let's go already. It's going to be hard for me too. You'll see it soon."
They packed their things Aiko was wearing her usual suit she uses for business meetings. Sunny decided to take his new elegant piece of armor made of the crocodile's hide.
*Knock knock*
He went to the door of his shop to see Effie wearing brown sarong.
"Hey."
His attention took the iron locked on his neck.
"Hey, Effie, are they already inside?"
"Yeah, would you like me to show them?
"No, there's no point. Let's go. Just a moment. AIKO, LUSTER, KIM, QUENTIN, ARE YOU READY?"
There was a day when Luster, and Kim seemed exceptionally happy. When he asked them for the reason of that bright mood, they dropped ground-shaking news for him. Quentin was actually alive, he somehow found his way to the seed, and conquered the Nightmare, alone on top of that which made it quite an achievement. Sunny cringed them out when he fell on his knees.
From that to recruiting him to his little organisation, which wasn't that easy, because as doctor, healer, former soldier, and on top of that Master, he was wanted practically everywhere. Therefore he had to perform some tricks. He talked Jet into assigning him to Disruin under the pretext that his powers are a perfect match to half-ruined citadel since his powers are able to restore even structures. The Government doesn't possess many citadels so fixing one of those is a high priority.
The choice of taking them with him wasn't really that obvious. Aiko… sure, it might seem she doesn't fit well with Fire Keepers, or military, and it isn't only an impression, but she knows everything about his dealings with them. As such it's not a good idea to keep her in the dark with what's going on. Also it will be easier for him to get some different opinions if there's someone who somewhat knows his situation. As for Kim, Luster, and Quentin, their unique abilities might do some good, and even inspire ideas. Just offering their services during the nicer part of the meeting. Plus… wouldn't they want to see great heroes the media brag about?
Everyone had a nice garment presenting an aesthetic mix of modern fashion, and notions known from things provided by the Spell. Kim commissioned tailors to craft something nice, and she turned them into Memories with her new knowledge. Luster was somewhat dejected. Now as his wife is a weaver she has even more control over what he's wearing.
"Is this Raised by Wolves?"
Kim couldn't hide her excitement.
"She doesn't look like at the movie."
"No one looks like at the movies."
Effie replied briefly with a wryly smile. Sunny then added.
"Well, I remember how Effie was pictured in 'A Song of Light and Darkness'. That was offensive."
"Offensive? It was really a good movie. You were beautiful"
Said Luster. Then Quentin continued.
"And strong, and brave, and brawny. Possessing things that many of us lack. And on top of that…"
"But devoid of her essence."
Cold remark of Aiko broke Quentin wordy stride. Aiko had a rare look of indifference.
"Hey, Aiko."
"Good morning, Saint Athena."
Despite politeness everyone noticed that the greeting was cold. Effie looked stung.
"Alright, alright. We're ready, we're going. We will have plenty of time to talk."
Sunny summoned his Marvelous Mimic. Its doors opened, and they entered inside. And inside there was Teacher Julius. He was inspecting the insides in wonder.
"Hey, prof. Jullius, what are you doing here?"
"Master Sunless invited me. He thought I would like to see the Tower of Hope, and indeed I really do."
The doors opened, and they were at the Tower of Hope. At this point the citadel left the Chained Isles, and looked a bit different. There was no dragon skeleton wrapped around the tower anyway, because it got consumed by the Fiend. There were also various modifications implemented.
Sunny as the Saint who transported them, was standing outside. The rest was walking out. Effie took her iron locket, and let out the rest. Next to her Saint Jet, and Saint Kai appeared taking Kim, Luster, and Quentin by surprise.
"These… why majority of government Saints go to Nephis' party?"
"We are close friends of sorts. It's nothing strange. Welcome to the Tower of Longing. Nephis here. She's currently recovering from her mission."
"I heard her flames allow her to recover constantly. Is that true?"
"Yes, it can recover her body, and to some extent, albeit much lower, even soul, but it won't recover her mind even a tiny bit. And she still has to drink, eat, and sleep like everyone else. Despite what you might think, she's not invincible."
Cassie continued explanation while Sunny exchanged his pleasantries with Kai, and Jet.
"Hi…"
"You targeted us from the very beginning, don't you?"
"I did. I know what are you doing here?"
"Do you? Do you think you understand the relationship we share?"
"Yes, you're just very good friends that lived through hardships together. That's why you want to see each other. The rest is just the consequence of your shared worldviews, but I would rather tell that your friendship is a fateful one. For better or worse you had to get along, and now's the consequence."
"You're right."
"Aiko, nice to see you."
"Just get off, Kai. I don't want to talk to you."
"But why?"
"Primo, you ruined our contract, leaving me like an idiot. Secundo, you never really apologized for that. Tertio, I was left without any compensation. That's why I'm mad."
"Is it really that?"
"No, not really. I would even forget of all that, somehow after a few years, but before that could happen your unruly partner in your treason made a child that put me to bed for days. How am I supposed to feel about that? Almost killed by her puppy…"
Effie meanwhile was busy showing the place to Ling, and her husband. Picturesque view of the great tower drifting through the air, and boundless regions passing below it was more than imagination could make for a bedtime story. Gradually they were about to bring whatever they prepared outside, and start preparing a great banquet for Fire Keepers. Sunny also didn't fall behind. From his Marvelous Mimic he produced many trays of different pastries, and many tables meant for them to stand on.
Soon Fire Keepers were all running around just to set everything up. Everything took place outside of the Tower. They could very well try to do that inside, but with nice weather no one was in the mood to protest. Soon everything turned into another picnic, just like the last time, only a bit larger, better prepared, with more guests, and more hungry Fire Keepers to feed, and with Effie. For her there had to be a separate course.
Jet on the other hand was asking Cassie about something.
"Did you manage to grow them? You know, I mean those fruits that can regenerate soul essence."
Cassie nodded, and walked with Jet. Those golden fruits might be necessary to let her spend some time in the Tower. Otherwise she would have to find something to kill from time to time. It wasn't that much of an issue, but it's nice to have some choice about if she has to kill. Soon they arrived near a crate of fruits.
"Shakti figured it out. It wasn't easy. She says it's a very demanding tree if you want it to grow."
Jet took some. She had a pretty decent idea how much essence one can restore so she didn't need to go overboard with that. But no one denied it was their precious thing, and therefore it can't be shared lightly. Jet didn't care too much or it was just how relaxed she looked about this.
Luster, Kim, and Quentin were in the process of introducing themselves to Fire Keepers, and taking into account the number of Fire Keepers, the process could be only lengthy. Julius… that aged man was behaving like a kid in a candy shop. He was on the run to see where the ancient writings are, and he found them quickly on the flying ship. It was an ancient, and alien language. He didn't know what it means. Which means just reporting it to the academy would make him famous. Fortunately he had enough tact to not rush into there. Knowing he's a guest he also knew how to ask for permission.
Everything was ready, and there was one more person, that was lacking before they could start. Nephis was still somewhere in the higher storeys of the tower. Well, not for long, because immediately after Sunless appeared someone decided to go for her. Actually that much wasn't even necessary, not only because of Cassie.
Sunny looked at the balcony, and spotted Nephis standing there. According to his shadow sense she did that before anyone got to her. There had to be something new about her senses, some development, which is unusual, because Awakened rarely grow in supernatural ways without Spell's assistance. But what does he know about growth? He never truly experienced it.
It took some minutes before she left the Tower. She could fly down, of course, but that would trigger her flaw. Unless necessary, she won't use her aspect powers. How is she going to rest, and regenerate while suffering pain at the basis of her existence? She couldn't feel any emotion, but at least hard logic stood firmly.
When she finally left the Tower Sunny could see her, all in grace He knew that state all too well. Nephis used her flames to the point when it burned away some of her humanity. Now she was going to be that way, being somewhat inhumane self, till she regenerates it back.
For now she was impassionate, and devoid, thing both divine, and really sad to look at. What if one day she burns herself enough so there's no return?
"Lady Nephis."
No formal greeting, just acknowledging her undeniable presence.
"You're again starting a picnic without me, isn't that right? I feel at disadvantage."
"Yes, I would prefer to call you with everything ready. You feel different."
He gave her a warm look.
"Sunless, you should know about me, I don't like being treated like someone that has to be served. I'm not a delicate flower."
"Even if I want to? Simply by desire?"
Nephis shook her head.
"That's a different story. Part of the original story is that you're a lonely shadow that wasn't supposed to have friends. It seems some things can be solved pretty easily."
"Rather quickly. I didn't slack. Finally I can enter my Soul Sea again. Thanks to you, and Lady Cassia it took me only a few months. It might not be much, but I'm closer to having it my way without the Spell."
Nephis smiled in approval. She despised Nightmare Spell more than many, even if she had to admit its wickedness is not so simple.
"I'm sure we could talk a lot about those, deals to keep, our plans, your involvement, some new faces, but before anything we're going to eat in peace."
She sat on the seat next to Sunny, which made his blood boil. At many times he wanted to be close to Nephis. That poses a question: Why not now? Why shouldn't he use this meeting to show to her his affection?
So that's where he started. He used the meat he obtained from Great Beasts to make the tastiest filling to his savoury pastries that could exist. Their superiority came mostly from high quality ingredients, but that high-quality meat is also incredibly tough. Normally Masters' teeth could have a hard time chewing through that. But it's still nothing, patient mincing with tools made of shadows, and the long process of cooking wouldn't solve. You can't have problems with chewing, if there's nothing to chew.
Effect was worth the effort. Fire Keepers were eating with utmost delight, and Nephis wasn't different. From time to time he could see in her a flicker of liviness. The greatest part of his efforts was being devoured by Effie, but that hardly could be prevented. At least the husband contributed greatly to the feast.
"Damn, the stuff is good. It reminds me of that crocodile stew…"
Effie commented.
"On the other hand it doesn't contain that much love. I'm pretty sure that whoever did this wouldn't be that good guy."
She said that audaciously. Fire keepers ignored it, while the addressee… twisted in embarrassment. Cassie smiled mysteriously.
Sunny on the other hand was annoyed. His plans were undercut just by a glutton being unsettled about her own marriage, who by the way still consumed many rolls. From afar he could spot Aiko giving him a subtle wink. Before long he realized Nephis was looking at him briefly.
What was she thinking? Sunny had long known Nephis, but her ideas about Effie's comments were no less a riddle for him. Nephis surely considered Effie a good friend. She stated it, and when Nephis states something to him, she means exactly that. Does she consider it a nonsense like he, and Cassie do? Sure, he's not the best of men, actually he's lacking in many regards, but not those that would concern Neph.
"What's on your mind, princess?"
"I like it. It tastes good, but what's more important it tastes suspicious."
"I didn't poison it. I don't think it's easy to poison someone like you. You would burn the poison anyway."
"Not like this. It feels like reminding me of something, something nice. Mind you, that my life wasn't really nice."
Somehow despite troublesome point the conversation evolved into something more relaxing. Sunny was ready to take it patiently, while Nephis knew to not ask if she used to know him. They both were restrained in many regards. Not that he could tell nothing about himself. Both him, and her were set on appreciating the present.
Finally everyone managed to eat to their fill. Usual laziness from eating much didn't apply here to the same extent as to the rest. Looking at Effie, one could consider the idea that her stomach was some kind of spatial storage of its own. That shouldn't apply just to her. Stomachs seem to possess some significant spatial qualities. Food eaten by a Master doesn't seem to increase the essence consumption during traveling to Dream Realm.
Perhaps that's how the Daemon of Fate came to invent his storage Memories. Regardless of how comical it seemed it was at least an observable principle governing space, something that could be created merely by the presence of the Awakened body could surely be taken to extreme by some mad genius.
When the first part of the meeting came to an end, he approached Kai, revealing him a wooden ornate stick.
"Infuse it with essence."
"Is it what I think it is?"
"Yes, I made a microphone, or to be more accurate a stick that amplifies the capacity of your voice to be heard. It can be heard by people being further at the same volume as if they were close."
[Passing Stick]
[A lost man returned to the land of people suffering their madness, But what he saw broke him deeply. He wanted to reason with them, show them the truth, speak to their hearts, but then he realized he can't reason with madness. Even unable to change their fate, he decided to show the only support he could. Perhaps, one day, they will be able to listen. – he thought.
Enchantments: [Silver Song], [Sonorous], [Not Really], [Don't Ignore Me], [Song of Hope], [Song of Despair]]
Normally Kai wouldn't be able to see the names of enchantments, it worked that way for Sunny only because of his forbidden lineage. However since nothing stops him from weaving the description into whatever he wanted, he could just as well list the enchantments in the description.
"Looks beautiful. I've never seen such a microphone in my life."
Sunny couldn't believe his ears. What does he mean it's beautiful? Does he still chose his arsenal based on looks?
"It's a heavily enchanted stick. Medieval tastes of the Spell unfortunately won't fit into the form of a microphone. You should read the runes."
"I mean them too. I've never seen such descriptive runes! But Sunny, you have to explain what [Not Really] means… It's catchy, but very unclear. The word is mightier than a sword. A rock is mighti…"
"Wait! I didn't put it there. It must be… Can I take a look?"
He switched to Weaver's vision, and reexamined his creation.
'I'll be damned. What is it thinking?'
In places where there was supposed to be weaved the description of the enchantment, there was a new set of strings made of soul essence. Which was important because he doesn't really possess the soul essence. He has some, yes, he has to possess some, just like every being possessing a soul, but his access to it is non-existent. Therefore he could only think of one answer.
The Spell decided to put a number on him, and replaced his description of the enchantment with original runes it used to describe Ordinary Rock.
He looked at Kai with a helpless expression.
"It's not mine. I don't know why it was written there. Probably the Spell changed the description. But the enchantment is intact. Let me put it shortly. That enchantment can record voice, and replay it. According to design it doesn't record sound. It records the voice itself, and use words spoken to it."
"And my voice isn't ordinary."
"Exactly. Your voice can impose your will on someone else's mind. What if that effect could be applied without you speaking?"
Kai nodded. His imagination was already working. Probably he considered scenic effects. With proper use he could sing melodies that require multiple voices. But that's okay. If someone it's going to turn his voice into a weapon, it's Kai.
"Let me describe the rest of the effects. [Sonorous] can regulate volume. You might want not only to be heard from far away, but also to be sometimes loud, or quiet."
Very simple yet convenient effects. Sunny continued his explanation.
"Up to this point however it's all very cheap tricks. I was able to apply them even as a beginner sorcerer. Next three should, while less crucial, should pick your attention. [Don't ignore] will give your voice a specific effect. Your enemies will feel the urge to destroy you, while your allies will be more inspired by you to fight. That one can be turned on, and off,."
That enchantment was inspired by [Dying Wish]. He still can't recreate the gradual increase in effect with kill count, and could bring him from the death's door back to life, which was a really powerful enchantment, but that required something he didn't quite understand.
"Last two enchantments are very similar. They add to your voice an additional intent. They can make your voice consume fear of your allies, or the fear of your enemies, or amplify their fear and intimidate them. I'm telling you about this, because I'm pretty sure you don't want to test those effects here."
He based them on [Blessing of Dusk], its capacity to plant ideas on the other mind, and the concept of fear consumption from a certain bone armor he took for an upgrade at the Brilliant Emporium. While not obvious it required him to translate enchantments into specific, different medium, which in, and of itself was a significant achievement."What do you want for that?"
"First of all, sing a few songs. I heard that Princess Nephis loves your repertoire.