As she returned to the alley where Sunny awaited, she found him accompanied by Nephis. Despite her outward appearance remaining almost unchanged—tall, composed, yet somehow distant, as if existing in a world of her own—there were subtle differences. Clad in the Starlight Legion Armor, which accentuated her slender figure, she now sported a white cloak draped over her shoulders, mirroring the elegance of her armor's pristine metal.

Notably, Changing Star's silver locks had grown considerably longer, cascading down to almost shoulder length. Without her previous tomboyish haircut, she exuded a newfound sense of maturity and femininity, yet her calm grey eyes remained as captivating as ever.

However, the true transformations ran deeper. Only those intimately familiar with her, like Sunny and Rin, could discern the subtle shifts beneath the surface. It was as if the veil of detached indifference shielding her true essence had cracked, revealing the raw emotions lying beneath.

Nephis appeared revitalized, her presence more vibrant and animated. Her eyes gleamed with determination, exuding an aura of quiet confidence that seemed to resonate with those around her. It was evident—this was the manifestation of her unwavering conviction, her inner strength laid bare for all to see.

She changed everything

*****

Four months back, when they dared to sail the accursed sea aboard a vessel forged from the bones of demons, the trio found themselves quivering in the chill wind.

...After what felt like an eternity enveloped in the icy depths of darkness, the interminable night of their flight was at last nearing its end. Turning towards the eastern sky, where a faint hue of pale lilac began to grace the horizon, she couldn't help but offer a faint smile.

With a tremble coursing through her, she moistened her lips and spoke in a hoarse whisper:

"Sunny…Cas. Cassie. It's morning."

After she spoke those words, Rin felt the last bit of strength drain away, causing her to slump onto the cold stones. Sunny mirrored her, their chests heaving with exhaustion. Yet, a new dawn promised to envelop the desolation of the Forgotten Shore in the soothing embrace of sunlight. Against all odds, they had endured.

Perched atop a colossal stone hand that emerged from the dark waves, the four Sleepers clung to each other for warmth. It was as though the hand itself, an ethereal extension, cradled them above the abyss. Sunny, Cassie, and Rin huddled together, finding solace in shared warmth, while Nephis lay unconscious in the center. Through the shattered remnants of her armor, Nephis' ivory skin appeared pale and lifeless, a stark contrast to the harsh surroundings.

As she spoke, a single tear trickled down her face, betraying the emotions swirling within her.

*Sunny we survived*

*Of course we did. You worry too much, you know that? You have got to get your stress levels under control.*

He enveloped her in a tighter embrace, sensing her fatigue, and the flood of memories from her past only intensified the emotions coursing through her.

Rin gently shut her eyes, relishing the warmth and security of his arms wrapped around her. A soft smile played on her lips as she noticed he was lost in slumber too. Before she knew it, she surrendered to the soothing embrace of sleep.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

As morning light flooded the room, Rin stirred from her peaceful rest, greeted by the sight of the sun casting its brilliance upon the world outside.

Sunny's gaze lingered on her, causing an inexplicable sensation as if he had been watching her sleep for ages. When she glanced in his direction, he quickly averted his eyes.

She grinned playfully as she spoke, her tone quite but carrying a hint of teasing

"You like what you see?"

He glanced at her, his eyes widening as if he were struggling to contain his response, as though it pained him to keep it bottled up.

"I've seen better…"

She looks dejected and looked away from him

He spoke again

"...I've also seen worse."

"You're digging a deeper hole"

"...I have a good shovel…"

she chucked

"that was a good one, but is there anything you see in me since we met?"

"You're a pain. But I wouldn't have it any other way."

She smiled

"Hey, let's get honest here. Nephis is great and all, but do you notice anything unique about me?"

He struggled to contain his response, as though it pained him to keep it in.

"You're more comfortable to be around, you're more human with your feelings, and... you smell better."

She looked at him and titled her head

"Are you delusional or just exhausted"

"Absolutely both."

They were both snickering

"I think you look good too doofus"

His expression shifted to one of surprise as he gazed at her, taken aback by her words.

"Really?"

She chuckled as she spoke, her tone lighthearted and playful.

"absolutely not"

"...I should have seen that coming….. also screw you"

As she gazed upon him, her lips curved into a radiant smile, stretching across her face in sheer delight.

"You would like that wouldn't you?"

"Only if it shuts you up for five seconds"

"Yeah yeah that's the reason?"

He paused and looked over at her

"...Do you have any idea of how annoying you are?"

"As annoying as you are"

He nodded in agreement

"...Touché"

Rin looked over and saw Cassie laying besides them, exhausted from the events of the previous night, maybe even more so than they were. Her gentle features appeared fragile and ashen, contorted in a worried expression.

"Cassies still asleep huh?"

"Yep. That little ball of sunshine is still dreaming about her perfect future."

.

.

.

"Have you ever thought about dyeing your hair? I bet you'd rock a blonde look"

"...Maybe one day. But, I'd look like a twink though"

She couldn't contain her laughter and stifled it to avoid waking Cassie. He couldn't resist and soon joined in, their silent chuckles filling the air with shared amusement.

***

Nephis lay still, her senses yet to return to her. During their rest, she had draped her cloak over Changing Star, a gesture of warmth amidst the cold. As Rin observed her, Neph remained motionless, her pallor betraying the ordeal she had endured. The only reassurance came from the gentle rhythm of her breathing, affirming her continued existence.

Rin shuddered, recalling the unsettling sight of Nephis' flesh reforming amidst the cleansing flames. Such power always exacted a toll, inflicting unbearable agony upon Nephis. What sacrifices had she made to pull herself back from the brink of oblivion? The realization that she could harness this flame to heal herself was a revelation, yet it begged the question: why had she never utilized it before?

Only time would tell

To their east lay only the vast emptiness of the colossal crater, stretching as far as the eye could see. And as Rin scanned the horizon, her heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of a dark line in the distance – the western edge of the crater. They were on the brink of crossing it!

A surge of excitement coursed through Rin as she swiftly turned to face west, her eyes widening in awe. Sunny cast her a curious glance before following her gaze, his own eyes widening in realization.

For a fleeting moment, silence enveloped Rin's mind, leaving it eerily still. Then, a singular thought flickered into existence, shared by both of them.

*We are so close…*

They sat in silence for what felt like an eternity, completely lost in the moment and oblivious to the passage of time. After a few hours had slipped by, Cassie stirred from her slumber. Sensing the absence of their presence beside her, she called out in a voice tinged with fear:

"Sunny? Rin?"

They spoke at the same time

"We're here."

Cassie slowly rose to a sitting position, reaching out to gently touch Sunny's shoulder as she stretched her arm.

"Why… why do you two sound so strange?"

Sunny blinked, his gaze shifting to Cassie with a sense of curiosity. A hesitant smile formed on his lips, mirroring the warmth reflected in Rin's smile beside him.

"Cassie… we found it. We have found that city you saw."