Nephis turned her head, staring at Night with all the seriousness she could muster, her eyes screaming at him, asking— begging for all of this to be just a dream.
He… he held no answer in his eyes, those bright, green orbs… they were blank for once, as if he too didn't know the reason for such… ignorance.
Her complexion turned even paler, as she answered Sunny with a voice barely audible:
"It's… only the best and most famous idol group of the last decade. Triple Orpheus winners, one hundred consecutive weeks at the top of all charts, six diamond albums. That… that Nightingale. That Night. The lead vocalist…"
How could he not know?
Sunny simply stared at her strangely, before his expression shifted through confusion to understanding, then amusement.
He soon exploded into laughter, "Sorry, sorry. I just… didn't expect it. From you,"
What was so strange about her having her own idol! If anything, he was the strange one, not her!
Besides, why wouldn't he expect that of her? Nephis wasn't an anomaly like him— who else could learn swordsmanship so quickly? Who else wouldn't know of Nightingale?
"Ha! Oh, gods…" He continued, amusement dancing in his eyes, "As for your question, Night has been here for about two and a half years. He lives in the castle…"
"Two and a half years?"—was that even possible? Why didn't anyone notice? Why wasn't the fact known?—"But… but I thought that Nightingale was just on hiatus because of Gale's solo project…"
It could be a lie— "I'm afraid not," Night smiled apologetically, "I have indeed spent all this time here, in the Dark City. My agency had to come up with some cover story, I guess. With how things are, they can't even spin things and release a posthumous album, poor guys. You know, since I'm not technically dead, or even Hollow. Just… asleep."
He really was stuck in this Forgotten Shore for this long?
Now that she thought about it— for how long had the Sleepers been stuck here, stuck and unable to do anything? How long have they last seen the blue sky, instead of the grey one that lay above them?
They— for them to stay here for so long… Why didn't they yearn to return? To go back to the real world, to truly live instead of this weary life of survival.
What a despicable man Gunlang was. Hiding away in his castle, playing the tyrant when he held no true power; driving away people who weren't useful, banishing them into the outskirts where the Fallen roamed; destroying anyone who dared question his rule, despite him being unworthy.
But more importantly… he had destroyed their hope, crushed any wish of going back, any attempt to do so when he was the one who held power in his hands.
If he would just cooperate with her! Lend the entire Sleeper army that laid dormant within the Bright Castle, with the cohort by her side, nothing would be impossible.
He could have gathered his forces! Slowly strengthening them—learn the mysteries in this forsaken place, and start a siege on the Crimson Spire!
Alas, as he played tyrant in this death zone, as he dampened all those dreams of escape, as the seed of impossibility instilled itself in the minds of everyone who lay here… decades have passed, time wasted which could have contributed to the discovery of this Forgotten Shore!
And among all else, she would never forgive him. Never forgive the sin of giving up, of never trying, of never venturing into the unknown!
And so, it made the burden on her shoulders all the more heavy, made the voice deep inside of her louder, made her reaffirm her decision, as the entirety of Changing Star screamed inside— there were tons of Sleepers like him, tons of them who were sleeping in the real world, where everyone next to them, precious to them, desperately praying for their return.
But… if she proceeded onwards, all for that fragile hope, how many of them would lose their lives? How many of them would lay it down—drown in the river of blood—all for the sake of that blue, blue sky?
And, as they laid their, souls leaving their bodies… They would never know that this was all for her own reasons.
Life in the Bright Castle— would it have been better? Like Sunny had said?
"Is it so terrible to live here?"
…No. She had resolved herself; her comrades trusted her, believed in her.
After all, a life without meaning was worse than no life at all. Far, far away from this nightmare, thousands still prayed, hoped for the return of all these people. All of them held a desire to escape this hell, no matter the cause—Gunlang had been holding them back, whispering sweet temptations into their ears.
Someday, this castle would fall, and they would die anyways.
Wouldn't it be better to lay down one's life for a cause?
She'll do that, she'll destroy this cruel, merciless world for them. But… they'll have to give their lives to her, their present—all for the hope of a better future.
The Crimson Spire… she would reach it, she must!
Nephis nodded, determined to let Night, or at least some of the Sleepers survive all of this, "Oh. I see." She said, as she pondered onwards.
There was no use thinking about all of this now— what was more important… was getting Sunny in her cohort. She needed him, trusted him. He was necessary for all her future plans.
"By the way, it's so nice to meet another friend of Sunny's." Night once again smiled. "What a surprise! I thought that he was a complete… uh… solitary person. I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name. Was it Neph?"
At this moment, Sunny grinned, and a shiver ran down her spine as she looked at it. Even if Nephis wasn't blessed with foresight, somehow, someway she knew—something was desperately wrong with that smile.
Clearing his throat—"Oh right, I forgot to introduce you. Sorry, my bad."—No, it's quite alright Sunny, he didn't have to—"Night, this is Nephis. Although these days she goes by another name."
'…'
"You might have heard it… meet Changing Star of the Immortal Flame clan."
Night stared at her with horror, and it felt like… the worst thing in the world. Those rumors that were spread about her, those lies of her being an angel descended from heaven, to save them all— they were already instilled in each and every one of the Sleepers. And… The corner of Night's eyes twitched—he must have heard of them before!
…She knew it! She should have persuaded them to stop spouting lies, and— "It's good for your public image".
Right, Cassie had persuaded her that this was the right option, the best option for her plans. And… when was the seer ever wrong?
Night blinked for a few times, lingering for a moment, then said in a smooth, enchanting voice, "Oh. It's… a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I have… have heard so much about you. It's an honor!"
Nephis turned away, trying to hide the hint of a blush on her cheeks. How was it an honor to meet her? Contrary, it should be an honour to meet Night.
Staring at the wall of the alley, she hesitated, then said, "So… uh… your friend is already here, Sunny. Can we go have a talk now?" Trying her best to ignore the existence of Night, she glanced at him, "I have something important to discuss with you. It's… a matter of life and death."
Sunny blinked a couple of times. He… he wouldn't decline, right?
He sighed, then closed his eyes, "We can have a talk, but not right now. I'll… come find you when I'm done with my business."
What…?
Did he… was he… really— no, in truth, she was the one who was obstructing his business with Night, so it was fair to talk after they were done.
And yet, she didn't want to. She wanted to talk now— what if he ventured back into the ruins, then… when would the next time they meet be?
But, this was alright, he would come to find her. Yes, he must!
"This is fine. You know where to go."
Sunny smiled, "Oh, and if you don't mind, I'll bring Night with me."
Huh?
"You will?"
Night… She'll get to talk with him later? But… should she trust him? Even if she knew, loved him as the idol— would he still be the same person entrapped in the camera?
…He still seemed like the man she adored back then. Besides, Sunny trusted him—it wouldn't hurt to get to know him better.
Turning to Night, Sunny seemed surprised, "Don't you want to meet my other friends? They'll be able to answer all your stupid questions, for sure!"
Night hesitated, "...I guess?"
"Wonderful!"
Sunny gave him a nod, and glanced at Nephis, "It's decided then. Now, if you'll excuse us…"