The monstrous form of Seishan leaned closer to the daughter of Immortal Flame, her extended limbs gripping the tea table firmly, sharpened knife like nails ripped the soft wood, making an irritating sound pierce their ears.
Nephis stared at the daughter of Song with seemingly indifference, but crossed her arms, showing a hint of irritation.
She was tired of this matter, once again, she was being confronted with the fact one of, if not her greatest ally is the child of who was supposed to be one her greatest enemies…
"Will you betray my brother?"
The question resonated in her mind, a question she asked herself many times ever since she allied. Would she ever have to betray Ki Song's son, Sunless…?
After that day on the Soul-Devouring tree, the answer was always the same.
"No."
Seishan's red eyes twitched, together with her dark iris, it looked like a horrific monster was judging Nephis for all her present and future sins.
But Nephis couldn't deduce the woman's thoughts through her monstrous face. The sharp giant sharp teeth that hid her lips slightly opened, and a sweet, beautiful voice that betrayed her fearsome appearance left them.
"If so… What are your intentions with him? Why are you so close? What is he to you?"
Nephis hesitated, but answered evenly.
"He is someone I care about."
Seishan's monstrous eyes widened, then sharpened, her claws sunk deeper into the table.
"Care? You care about my brother?"
"Yes."
A strong scent of blood started emanating inside the room, Nephis felt an uncomfortable chill run down her spine. Two crimson red dots gazed down at her, Seishan's bloodlust was growing.
She didn't trust Immortal Flame.
"Don't. Lie."
Despite the intimidating aura that emitted from Seishan, Nephis managed to look at her straight in the eyes, white flames dancing in them.
"I will not, I care about Sunny."
The table couldn't handle the pressure anymore, it broke into pieces as Seishan rose from her seat.
Her figure deformed even more, leaning closer and closer, looming over Nephis. Her dark raven hair now hid her face, only her crimson eyes could be seen, illuminated by her killing intent.
For what seemed like an eternity, Seishan stared at those unrelenting eyes that burned like wildfire, searching for any sign of dishonesty, of acting…
And found nothing. Just the truth that Changing Star cares about her brother.
The intensity of the room dissipated, and the horrific monster that Seishan had become slowly turned back to her usual self, all the bloodlust and aura gone.
She breathed in and sat down, regaining the posture of a refined Lady and crossing her legs, her gentle smile returning to her face.
"Well Lady Nephis, thank you for your attention. You can go now."
Nephis let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding and got up to walk away.
"Just one more thing."
Nephis turned to look at her one last time.
"If my judgment is wrong, and you hurt my little brother…"
Seishan's voice returned to the cold, monstrous voice from her transformation.
"Nothing will save you."
But instead of being intimidated, Nephis smiled, it wasn't practiced or forced, but genuine, showing no hostility.
"You really are his sister."
Seishan stared at Changing Star as she left the room.
The Princess of Song sighed.
'She was telling the truth, either that or she learned how to lie from Sunny. Either way, I guess she's not a threat… For now at least.
I hope you are right little brother, maybe mother can finally find peace after so much time suffering over her regrets…'
Seishan chuckled humorlessly, remembering that she herself had her own demons.
'Is this how you felt when you betrayed Broken Sword mother? This sick, unending feeling that you could have done it differently?'
She hugged herself in shame.
'I hate it.'
— —
The next day, the seven Oath keys were formed thanks to the union of the seven Memory Shards. After that was done, they strategized the plan for the siege.
Which included all major players of the Forgotten Shore, Changing Star's cohort, the Shadow Watchers, Gemma and Seishan, and Gunlaug.
The plan was simple, lead all 850 Sleepers onto the Crimson Spire, with Gunlaug, Kira and Effie as the main vanguards of the army. While they dealt with the main forces, Sunless himself together with some people would open the Spire using the Oath keys.
Of the Shadow Watchers, only Kira and Nix were present, the armored Sleeper was standing up far from the table, while Nix was drinking something akin to coffee.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"
Sunny sighed, it was the third time his sister asked him that, it was starting to make others suspicious of their relationship, he had no desire to let Effie know he was Seishan's brother. It didn't help that they were talking in the corner.
"For the last time Shan, no, you are way more valuable in the front lines."
"But–"
He grabbed her shoulder gently.
"Sis, I'm not going to die…"
She looked at his eyes with a guilty look, her persona of control and mystery slowly dropping. She was thinking of the Fallen Demon she let into the Bright Castle, the ones they killed…
"Moreover, I think there's other people you need to protect…"
Seishan froze, remembering the other handmaidens that were under her command, that were her responsibility. She sighed.
"Alright, be safe."
"I will."
They seemed to have forgotten where they were, because all eyes were on the siblings right now.
Although people like Nephis, Cassie and the Shadow Watchers didn't find it weird, they knew the truth after all, for the others, it seemed like two people that only knew each other for a short amount of time were having an intimate time together.
So they got the wrong idea, especially a certain giant huntress. Effie looked at the siblings with a knowing smile.
"Doofus, I can't believe it! You are betraying Princess?!"
Nix spat out all the liquid in her mouth and started to cough while trying to compose herself. Kira just rolled his eyes, knowing what would happen.
Nephis showed no reaction, but the flames in her eyes grew hotter.
Sunless let out an annoyed growl, which was followed by a sigh from Seishan.
"I am not betraying anyone Effie."
"Really?"
"Yes! Really!"
"He's telling the truth."
Kai butted in to protect Sunny, but unfortunately, it didn't look like Effie cared about whatever truth she thought Sunny was twisting. And even more unfortunately, Gemma and Gunlaug were even more curious, they knew Seishan for seven years, and it was the first time Seishan ever interacted like this with a boy.
So it was Gemma's turn to ask questions.
"Excuse me, are you two… You know… Dating—"
Sunless and Seishan glared at the Pathfinder, letting out cold and disgusted voices.
"No."
"Disgusting."
Gemma took a step back, putting his hands up, being scared for his life.
"Okay! Okay… Then what is your relationship?"
Effie interrupted Sunny's answer.
"I bet they are–"
"We are siblings, Athena, nothing more."
Seishan stated the fact out loud for all to hear.
Sunny looked surprised at his sister, because now everyone froze at the revelation.
Which meant more questions for him to answer…
Sunny and Seishan were bombarded with questions coming from Effie, Gemma, Kai, even Gunlaug.
Who would have known that the last thing the leaders of the Dreamer Army were talking about would be childhood troubles.
— —
In the next few days, all the Sleepers in the Bright Castle departed from the Dark City, and advanced to the Crimson Spire.
They would finally escape from the hell that the Nightmare Spell forced upon them, they would get their life back…
No matter what price they would need to pay.
--------------------------
Next chapter may take a while, I want to get the siege of the Crimson Spire right, but here are the Shadow Watchers's designs on the paragraph comments:
Motza.
Kira.
Nix.
Mei.
Kin.
Lan.
Lycon.
Lauma.
Merlin.
Of course, most of them refuse to wear armor because they are from Song, and like the Song sisters, they go to war on clothes [Not because the AI refuses to make good armor... Yes, Kira was a nightmare to make.]
And yes, Sunny will also get a clothing Memory that he'll use as armor like his sisters, courtesy of Undying Blade.