SHADOW SLAVE: HEIR OF ABYSS

It was the day when Wren had arrived to the Academy. Wren had received a call on his communicator on the day of his arrival, from none other than his best friend. Morgan, the princess of Valor.

Wren stared at his communicator with a frown which changed in to a happy smile, when he read the name of his caller, picking it up. He said:

"What a surprise! I have just entered my room and you have started to miss me already."

His tone laced with sweet humour, only to be killed by Morgan's own cold words and voice.

"I didn't called you because I missed or any bullshit you believe, the Valor Elders have issued an order."

Wren's smiling face died down, replaced with a cold and expressionless face. His voice also became cold as he replied:

"Ah! that's a pity, Lady Morgan, however I understand your situation. Please relay the order from the Elders."

Morgan replied, with the same cold voice.

"You have been tasked to assassinate the last heir of the Immortal Flame clan, Nephis. Caster from Han Li clan will help you in this."

Wren had a surprised expression, he was tasked to kill the girl he just met. A True Name bearer, like him. But what he can do now, the orders were absolute. If he doesn't kill her, he might get into a wrong situation instead. Before he could say anything, Morgan cold voice came through the communicator.

"You don't have to act surprise or shocked, not after doing many assassinations for the Valor Clan or for your own reasons."

A smirked appear on Wren's face, of course Morgan was right. He had killed many people, mundane though for the Valor clan and sometimes because he had a bad past with them. With a long sigh, he said:

"Okay then, consider it done or maybe not. She is formidable considering she has earned a True Name. I have to analyze her first."

Morgan however didn't replied, and ended the call. If Wren could see her, all he would see was a small smile on her face while surrounded by piercing gazes of Saints. He sighed once again, and checked the time. A horrified expression appeared on his face. He was....

Late.

'Ah shit, the combat classes started ten minutes ago.'

***

Wren mentally sighed, his gaze lingered at Nephis for a second then at Caster. However, his gaze at Caster was not normal but filled with malice, though nobody had sensed it. He thought silently:

'Ah! Have I grown to immersed in this persona of mine? Or have I simply grown soft after spending time with those three? I wonder if I should kill her or not? What will be the reaction of Cassie and especially.... Sunny? Gosh why is this so hard to decide? Hmm... okay this is settled then... Yeah this would work but before that I will ask her a few things, then only I will decide should I really kill her or not.'

After organizing his thoughts, Wren stared at the cohort. He then stared at the blind oracle, if a person had met Cassie for the first time, they would have underestimated her as a blind, delicate and beautiful girl. Though Wren had not, even when he had met Cassie for the first time. He was suspicious of her, a flaw that had made a person blind also mean that the person had gained a Aspect countering it. The dire the flaw, the stronger the Aspect and in Cassie case. She was blind, and possess a affinity to Fate, so in conclusion she should be able to see it... the fate of people although this ability of her should be weak currently. Wren had deduced it that Cassie is planning something big that would affect two people the most, Sunny and Nephis.

'Although I am not really sure if you are really planning something Cassie, I hope that it doesn't get me into it. Your desire to bring your favoured outcome might affect the people in wrong way.'

"Uh… I would like to talk to Nephis alone. Please."

Wren stared at Sunny for a moment, then a little smirk appeared on his face.

'Hmm? Should I leave or not, maybe I should stay and listen to these lovebirds talk.'

Wren had decided to stay in the meeting room, however the Changing Star didn't have the same plans and ordered him to go out with the others. He had a visible angered frown on his face for a split second.

'Does this idiot think she can order me around? Oh yeah! How could I forgot I am reduced to a mere butler.'

If Wren had his other hand with him, he would have used it to cover his face and sigh. Though it was amputated by none other than his fake master. He followed the trail of others, maintaining his fake butler persona. 

All of them were currently sitting on chairs around a table that was arranged for them except for Wren of course, he had to serve them food and tea. Wren was irritated as he had to repeatedly move from one point to pick the food and to another point to serve the cohort, well not the cohort entirely but to a single person Effie. The gluttonous woman was continuously eating one meal after another, Wren had already lost the count of how much time he had served the food to Effie.

Effie on other hand was smirking, a vulgar thought appearing in her mind for Wren. The thought was uncontrollable, and finally emerged from her mouth.

"Hey butler, how about you leave the princess and serve me. I am sure you would like it, I will even give you rewards, you will like it. After all you are a man."

Everyone froze, Caster was staring at Effie blankly although his mind was filled with sympathy for that woman, she had messed up with the wrong person today. Kai food stopped in his throat while Cassie stopped moving her hands to cut the meat although a faint smirk appeared on her face.

Wren stared at Effie for a moment then smiled and said:

"I apologize Huntress Athena but I am a butler not a farmer who would control and dominate a wild boar like you."

Effie's smirk died, replaced with a stunned expression. Caster was controlling his laughter, Kai completely choked on his food and had to drink his tea. Cassie continued to cut and eat the meat served to her. Wren turned around and left to prepare his own food, he had to learn these things more perfectly after becoming Nephis's butler. 

***

Once outside, Sunny spent some time finding Effie and Kai. The two of them were in the dining area of the lodge, discussing something between themselves.

There was no sign of Cassie anywhere, but he did notice Caster observing him from the stairs leading to the second floor. Wren and him had exchanged few words, and went to their ways.

'Is she avoiding me?'

Somewhat disappointed, Sunny landed on a chair next to the two locals he had come to know and gave them a dark look.

"What, the two of you know each other?"

Kai smiled.

"Who doesn't know huntress Athena? We had, uh… a few brushes in the past."

Deciding not to inquire what type of brushes he was talking about, Sunny sighed and asked:

"Does she know about that peculiar Flaw of yours?"

The charming young man blinked a couple of times, the said with confusion:

"I guess so? I don't make a secret out of it."

Great. Of all the people in the world, he got stuck with two weirdos who had no qualms about telling every random stranger about their most hidden vulnerability.

…Well, if he had a Flaw like Kai's, he wouldn't worry about it too much either.

'Lucky bastard.'

Since there was no point in pretending anymore, Sunny simply asked:

"Well? Was anyone in that room lying?"

Effie grinned.

"Ah, so that's why you dragged Night along. Paranoid much?"

Sunny would love nothing more than to ignore that question, but unfortunately, his own Flaw was much more restrictive than Kai's.

"Not at all. In fact, I think that I'm exactly as paranoid as a person should be. By which I mean extremely, of course."

Saying that, he looked at the charming archer with expectation. Kai hesitated for a few moments.

"No, no one said a single lie. Your friends are all extremely honest people, Sunny."

'Oh, you poor lamb…'

Not knowing how to react to that display of naivete, Sunny shook his head and lowered his voice:

"Not even Caster?"

Kai gave him a nod.

"No, he was honest, too."

Was Sunny wrong? Was Caster really just an honest and honorable guy? Was his distrust irrational?

Somewhat unsure, Sunny lingered for a bit and then turned to Effie.

"Neph and I agreed to continue our conversation in a week. Until then, you'll be under my protection."

The huntress giggled.

"Wow. That makes me feel real safe. Thanks, shorty"

He grimaced.

"Don't you worry. I might not look like much, but wait till you see my roommate…"

Kai suddenly choked on his drink and paled a little. Reminded of something, Sunny patted him on the back and said:

"Anyway, thanks for your help. Our deal is done. See you around, I guess."

He was not going to miss this guy one bit. Sunny wasn't winning any prizes with his looks already, but next to Kai, he seemed downright ug… uh… barely above average.

The charming archer looked at him for a few moments, then forced out a smile:

"Yeah, it was nice to make your acquaintance, Sunny. I can honestly say that spending time with you is… uh… an unforgettable experience."

With that, he glanced at Effie with something that resembled pity, rose, and left.

The two of them were left alone.

The huntress looked around with a weary expression, and then asked in a neutral tone:

"So? When do we leave? Ah also tell me more about this roomate of yours and princess's butler."

Sunny didn't hesitate. Although he was a bit surprised about her sudden interest in Wren.

"Right now. Honestly, I can't wait to get back to the ruins. This place… it gives me the creeps. Will tell you when we get there."

Effie gave him a strange look, then shrugged.

"Sure, no problem. Let's ditch this scary place and go hide in the ancient cursed ruins. At least we can feel safe there, right?"

***

Wren entered the meeting room, and sighed. He then looked toward Nephis who was studying the map, he coughed to get her attention and then said with his normal voice:

"I hope you don't mind it, but I have a few things to ask you Nephis."

Changing Star looked at him, and then said:

"Sure."