"That battle went way better than I expected" Kai said.
Looking at the corpse of the Cursed Tyrant and then to side to see Sunny on one knee panting. The battle had just finished.
"Yeah, I managed not to destroy multiple bodies this time." Sunny said.
Kai was staring at him with an intrigued look.
"It's odd seeing you look perfectly fine after I just saw you lose a leg." Kai said.
Sunny smiled. It was true, he was now just in a new incarnation. Still nursing the wound and having it slowly regenerate. It truly was a wonder to have many bodies.
"Sometimes it's a blessing, other times, you get to feel what it's like missing three legs and four arms." Sunny said with a grimace.
Continuing, Sunny asked a question.
"Kai, I was wondering. Would you like to join me? Now that you remember, you know I'm not lying. I'm going around trying to increase my strength." Sunny finished.
Kai looked him in the eyes. Seeing Sunny's unwavering resolve, he only said one thing.
"Of course I'll help. I won't stand idly by." Kai said.
Letting out a sigh of relief, an unseen burden seemed to leave Sunny as they were thrown out of Ariel's mystical game.
Finding themselves back in the Forgotten Shore, Kai looked around, shocked.
"Are we at the Forgotten Shore? Wait, I don't remember this being here!" Kai said as he noticed a large citadel next to the city he had lived in for years.
"Yeah, it is. That right there is my teleporting citadel. Really convenient, I suggest getting one yourself!" Sunny said proud at his find.
"Come here, let me show you around. I'll let you pick out a room even." Sunny said.
Kai was amazed by the citadel. Looking around at the lightless Nameless Temple with a divine shadow covering the entire place, it seemed like it would be out of place wherever you put it.
A land that was mystical and unreal. Even when compared to the rest of the Dream Realm it still looked like it was a place of legend. It was more magnificent than any place he had ever ventured too.
While walking around Kai asked a question. It was a short one, but it was anything but simple.
"Where are we going next?" Kai asked.
Slowing his walk, Sunny glanced towards Kai while he answered.
"We're going to the Underworld." Sunny said.
Nodding along, Kai knew what they were supposedly searching for but was unsure exactly how he would play a role, and Sunny seemed to sense that as well.
"It's no secret between us that I'm powerful but The Deamons seem like they weren't fond of Gods and as such they bend the laws of the world supress any type of power in their homes." Sunny said.
Continuing his explaintion.
"The Underworld is full of pure elemental darkness. It's a direct counter to shadows. It limits me in my senses, pure combat ability, and it's boundery between the Shadow Realm is incredibly thin, meaning they have experience in fighting shadows. You can help me by at least covering the sight." Sunny finished.
It was true. A little bit of darkness wasn't going to stop Kai from seeing. It was one of his aspects abilities he got when he ascended. He's able to see through anything, including elemental darkness. In plain terms, he'll know if he's looking at something since he would be able to look through it.
Although, just like in the future, that might not always be a good thing. As for pure combat ability. It was unfortunate but shadow-step would be nearly useless in the Underworld as well. Using the [Shadow Lantern] would play a key part, but it would be still be dangerous.
"So when are we leaving?" Kai asked.
"Soon,I'll have to grab one more person. It's actually crucial this person comes with as they will serve as our guide." Sunny replied.
"One question though, are you still marked by Cassie beca-"
Kai interrupted.
"No, I'm not. Whatever that realm was it severed that connection thoroughly. Even when we left the Death Game, the mark never returned." Kai said.
"Good, Cassie has a lot on her plate anyway, helping Nephis, and we can't really expose ourselves for multiple reasons." Sunny said.
Nodding along Kai asked the question that was bothering him
"Who's the person that'll be coming along to the Underworld?" Kai asked.
"Simple, really, one of the only people who has ventured to the Underworld, battled in the Underworld, and left the Underworld. The King of Swords." Sunny said.
"Wait wait wait, how are we going to get the King of Swords to join us?" Kai asked with bewilderment all over his face.
"Well I'm very persuavive you see, either he submits and comes with us, or I'll kill him. I am much more powerful than that man anyway." Sunny replied.
It was true. Anvil is strong but, to have a Supreme Titan plotting on you with a sizable domain that you don't know about....
"I'll hold back but, since I don't plan on killing him, he is going to receive the beating of his life. That parts unavoidable." Sunny said with a straight face.
"Although I'm not as angry as last time, that bastard still needs to atone somewhat for all the crimes he committed. Then he'll help humanity the right way." Sunny thought.
"I'll send you back to the Waking World. I'm guessing leaving for weeks on end has sent everyone into a search by now." Sunny said.
Grimacing at that, Kai spoke.
"That's true. I'll also have to tell the government that I'll be gone for a few months after that as well, maybe even a year. That won't be to good for the Waking World. Then there's the cohort as well." Kai said.
"The government will be fine. I'm sure that when me and Anvil have a heart-to-heart he'll donate one or two saints to the Waking World. The bigger problem will be Effie, Cassie, Jet, and Nephis. They'll be worried already, and then they'll probably be even more worried that you're leaving again." Sunny said.
"Yeah, that's right, but Anvil should be able to fix that right?" Kai said.
Thinking it over the Archer did have a point. Especially if he was going to give some Saints to the government, he could just say that he is borrowing the Archer to look at some of the Death Zones and that he'd return the Saint after he was finished.
While the government was a neutral party after Antarctica and them siding with the War domain there was a subtle shift. The old man Cor has a few decades of experience and he'd know better than anyone that staying neutral is never an option.
The future of the House of Night is an example. Something just as easily could have happened to the government if Mordret decided to attack them.
"Good point. I'll send you back the Waking World now. Drop a tether here and meet back here in a few days. After I finish healing, I'll go to Anvil." Sunny said.
Nodding the weary Dragonslayer, who was probably thinking about a shower, dropped his tether and went back to deal with all the people looking for him. However, he'd probably take a shower first.
After Kai fully disappeared through the gate, Sunny finally let the exhaustion fully consume him. Looking at his runes he could see that the shadow cohort had also stayed busy in this time. Fiend had turned into a Supreme Devil. They were probably trying to help Nightmare now.
The steeds insidious powers were extremely potent. Showing potential in lulling Great Titans and Cursed abominations into a slumber.
Opening the door in the Nameless Temple, Sunny threw himself into his bed.
"My body and mind heal really well, but soul damage lingers way longer. Before Neph helped with that during the Death Game, but now..." Sunny thought.
Yawning, he let a deep sleep take him. Giving his invaluable helpers a simple command, Sunny felt his consciousness dim as he poured his mind onto mending his soul. He wasn't in a true state of slumber.