Shadow Slave

Sunny was enjoying a hot shower. After their short conversation, Master Jet had sent him to clean himself, saying that he "reeked of Nightmare". The unnatural slumber of the Spell would slow down the body's metabolism, and the medical apparatus he had been strapped into was supposed to take care of the rest, but he was still asleep for three whole days.

Even if only psychological, the scent of bloodshed and despair lingered around him.

'Ah, I'm in heaven,' Sunny thought, willing himself to temporarily forget about the looming disaster of the Flaw.

He was alone in the police station's showers, relaxing under the streams of hot water. After a bit of time had passed, Sunny reluctantly turned the tap off and walked over to the towel rack. Coincidentally, he saw himself reflecting in the mirror.

The changes in his physique were subtle, but noticeable. His pale skin seemed a little healthier, his muscles a bit more pronounced. He looked slender and lean instead of emaciated and frail, as he did before. There was a slight luster to his dark hair and a shine to his eyes.

However, he was still rather diminutive. Not exactly a picture of masculine handsomeness, to say the least.

'Flower boy, huh?' Sunny thought, full of bitterness.

Then he suddenly froze, noticing something strange. As he was looking at himself in the mirror, the reflection of his shadow seemed to move. It was as though the shadow lowered its head and quietly facepalmed.

Sunny quickly turned around, piercing his shadow with a nervous look. However, everything seemed normal. The shadow was doing exactly what it was supposed to do, repeating his every motion.

"I clearly saw you move," he said, feeling a bit strange. "You have just moved on your own, right?!"

Sunny glared at the shadow, which obediently glared back.

"Did you move or not?"

The shadow enthusiastically shook its head.

'What the?!'

"What do you mean, "no"?! You've just moved your head! Do you think I'm a fool?"

The shadow seemed to think for a bit and then shrugged.

Sunny was left with his mouth agape.

"Your shadow is more independent than most. It is an invaluable helper," he muttered finally.

Right. This was how the Spell had described his Aspect Ability.

But what exactly could his shadow do?

He decided to experiment a little.

"Hey, you. Tell me what you can do."

The shadow was silent and motionless.

'Right. It doesn't have vocal cords.'

As though that made any sense! Shadows were not supposed to have muscles either, and yet it knew how to move.

"Uh… show me?"

No reaction. It seems the shadow was content pretending to be an ordinary, lifeless blob of darkness.

Sunny sighed.

'I'm doing this wrong.'

the shadow was still a part of him. It was a manifestation of his Aspect Ability. So instead of asking the shadow, he really

going to talk, are

world. He felt the beating of his heart, the steady rising of his chest, the slight chill of the shower

on the verge of

A completely new sense.

whole other world opened to him. It was hard to describe with words, just like one would have

an understanding of both their own shape and the surrounding space, guided by the different degrees

naturally and instantaneously,

them, one — not the largest one, but the deepest —

like he sensed his limbs. The only thing was that his limbs were made out of flesh, and the shadow was made from

opened his eyes and looked at the shadow. Then, with a thought, he willed it to

shadow raised

shape, turning into a circle, then a line, then a monster. And finally, back to his own silhouette. The shadow was mercurial and fluid, like water.

"Ha! How about that?"

shadow pouted, then reluctantly raised its

how are

the shadow to strike the towel rack. It obediently moved and delivered a powerful kick. Of course, since it was just a shadow, its leg passed over the towels harmlessly, not

that… all

tyrant into little pieces cracked and shattered mercilessly. It seemed he would not

How regretful.

Then it shrugged and

took a

I will explore it

***

minutes after that, he was wearing a clean police-issued tracksuit and heading for the cafeteria. Master Jet was waiting for him at one of the tables, with two trays full of steaming synthetic

"Help yourself."

in

Still, it was food.

to wolf down the gruel

and the next

to appear in his

'Knowing your luck, this would be a perfect moment for her

you

felt his mouth beginning to open, and put all of his will into staying silent. A second passed without him saying anything. Then a weird pressure appeared

you to ask me about what I

him

almost finished with your

Sunny nodded.

protocol, I am obligated to inform you of a few things. It is mostly a

at him

you have encountered, there is no shame in asking for help. Your mind is as important as

shook his head. Jet

You can also talk to me. Was it

How could he answer?

much worse than I expected and exactly as bad

nodded, satisfied

attitude. I won't pry any further. Us outskirt rats are way