The movie had finally finished after 2 long harrowing hours.
Sunny sat there, arms crossed, a deep scowl carved into his face.
If he could describe how he felt about the movie, it could be explained in 3 words.
He hated it.
Hate is a strong word. But Sunny hated that movie.
The movie was so far from the truth,so much that it was barely recognizable. Nephis was still herself, but too talkative, too open. Caster had been made into some tragic hero, someone who "sacrificed" himself for Nephis.
And worst of all-
He felt his jaw tightening at this ongoing thought.
Kai and Cassie had ended up together.
The last scene burned in his mind.
The two of them stepping through the Gateway together, leaving Nephis behind.
...
and sharing a kiss before the screen faded to black.
Sunny exhaled sharply through his nose.
"That was awful." he muttered, pushing himself up from his seat.
Effie chuckled. "Awful? Come on, Sunny, you have to admit it was entertaining."
Kai stretched, looking amused. "I think they made me look pretty good, actually."
Sunny shot him a glare before quickly turning away.
'Bastard.'
His emotions were too much of a mess to deal with right now.
He told himself that he hated the fact he willingly held hands with Cassie.
That couldn't be farther from the truth, and he hated himself for it.
'Why did it feel nice to hold her hand? For spell's sake Sunny, get a grip on yourself.'
He scolded himself over and over again.
It was stupid. He was stupid for letting it happen.
And yet, if he were being completely honest with himself…
He wouldn't mind doing it again.
Effie stretched, leaning back with a satisfied sigh. "Well, that was a movie, I guess. Now what?"
Kai checked his communicator and hummed. "I've got something to do, so I'll have to pass on whatever plans you guys come up with."
Effie shrugged. "Might as well head home, then. Our home, that is." She grinned at Sunny, nudging his shoulder. "Bet you love having me crash at your place, huh?"
Sunny rolled his eyes. "I regret ever offering."
Effie cackled. "Too late for regrets now, Sunny Boy. Anyway, see you later." She waved as she turned and rolled off, leaving him alone with Cassie.
A silence settled between them.
Sunny shoved his hands into his pockets, unsure of what to say.
He wasn't even sure why he felt awkward.
Cassie tilted her head slightly, as if listening to something only she could hear. Then, she turned in his direction with a small, knowing smile.
"Come with me."
Sunny blinked. "What?"
"I want to show you something," she said softly. "There's a hidden spot with a good view. You'll like it."
Sunny hesitated. He should say no.
And yet, before he even realized it, he was following her.
--------
Cassie led him through alleyways and quiet streets, her steps light and precise despite her blindness.
Sunny followed, saying nothing, but the further they went, the more he started to wonder where exactly she was taking him.
Finally, they reached the edge of a tall structure, an old building that overlooked the city. Cassie raised her staff, the delicate memory humming with power. A soft breeze picked up, wrapping around them as the wind carried them upward.
Sunny tensed as they lifted off the ground, the air whistling past his ears.
'Kinda like my Dark Wing.' He thought.
When they landed, they stood atop a secluded platform, hidden from most people's view.
Below them, the entire city stretched out, glittering in the night. The stars above blended seamlessly with the neon lights below, a vast sea of luminescence.
Cassie stepped toward the edge, placing a hand on the railing. "I come here often," she said quietly. "It helps clear my mind."
Sunny exhaled, crossing his arms. "And this was worth dragging me up here for?"
Cassie smiled faintly. "My parents used to bring me here when I was little. Before I lost my sight."
Sunny stilled, the weight of her words pressing against him.
She turned to face the direction of his voice, her expression unreadable behind the blindfold.
"Do you want to know why I made that decision?"
His stomach twisted.
For a moment, he considered telling her no.
That he didn't care.
That the past was the past, and there was nothing left to say.
But he did care.
His fists clenched, his voice quiet but firm.
"Yes."
Cassie stood before him, her hands gently resting against the railing.
Her golden hair flowed by the wind.
"I never wanted to betray you," she said softly. "But I couldn't let you die."
Sunny's jaw tightened. "So you took away my choice instead."
Cassie exhaled. "Yes."
Silence settled between them. The city lights stretched endlessly below, a sea of glowing constellations mirroring the ones above.
Then, she continued.
"I saw it, Sunny. The hungry shadow devouring the Light. But at the cost of something massive. "
She raised her finger and pointed at him.
"Your freedom."
His breath hitched, but he said nothing.
Cassie turned her face slightly toward him, as if she could see the turmoil raging in his onyx eyes.
"So I made a decision for you. I told Nephis your True Name because I knew she wouldn't let you stay. Because I knew that, deep down, she..."
She stopped herself, choosing her words carefully.
"...she couldn't bear to lose you either."
Sunny scoffed, looking away.
"And you didn't think I had the right to make that choice for myself?"
Cassie sighed.
"No, I didn't."
She stepped closer, close enough that he could feel her warmth despite the cold wind.
"If I could go back," she murmured, "if I had a thousand chances to choose differently... I wouldn't. I'd make the same choice every single time."
Sunny clenched his fists.
His heart was pounding. His anger hadn't disappeared, but something in him was shifting. Changing.
Cassie continued, her voice quieter now.
"I'm sorry, Sunny."
Before he could react, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
Sunny froze.
His entire body tensed, his mind scrambling for something, anything to do.
To say.
Then he felt it. The slight tremble in her shoulders. The warmth of her breath against his collar.
The quiet, stifled sobs.
She was crying.
His fingers twitched at his sides. He should push her away. He should say something sharp, remind her of what she had done.
But he didn't.
Instead, slowly, without thinking, his arms lifted.
And he held her.
Tightly.
He didn't realize it at first, but a small, quiet smile found its way onto his lips.