Asher couldn't believe his eyes.

They had climbed all the way to the broad shoulders of the statue and found a suitable place to make camp yesterday. Now, morning light crept across the stone, and Asher lay curled on his bedroll, hugging the rough fabric like a child clutching a blanket. A shame the stone beneath was so unforgiving.

Regardless, Asher was worried how Sunny would get shadow dance, since he made them skip the 2 day break before. But it seemed like fate didn't change much for Sunny. This morning, he woke up with a grin on his face, for curiousity's sake, Asher had asked him why Sunny was cheerful, making sure Kai wasn't nearby, and Sunny answer confirmed it.

"I simply imagined a beautiful dancer." He said, all sarcastic sounding.

Asher felt a sense of relief hearing this but that wasn't the unbelievable sight before him now.

Effie casually holding the rope with one hand while the four of them — Sunny, Cassie, Kai and Caster — were trying to move her from the spot with no visible results whatsoever. After a while, the huntress simply pulled on the rope and sent their entire team to the ground.

"That's... that's cheating!"

With a satisfied grin, Effie walked over and towered above him, her arms akimbo. Looking down directly at Sunny, she smirked.

"Weak. When did you lose your spirit, shorty?"

Then, she winked and said in a mischievous tone:

"Back at the cathedral, you were able to perform better. Not to mention last longer…"

Sunny grew bright red and gritted his teeth:

"Shut up! People will misunderstand!"

The huntress looked at him with a shocked expression.

"Mis—misunderstand? What are you… oh!"

Then, she pretended to be horrified and covered her mouth with one hand.

"You… what kind of a degenerate are you?! Training! I meant while you were training!"

While Sunny was staring at her in utter disbelief, his mouth wide open, Effie snorted, then turned away and exploded with laughter. Shaking her head, the boisterous huntress giggled one last time and walked away.

Sunny then turned to Asher with full of anger, "Could you stop sleeping for once and help!"

Asher rubbed his eyes, chuckling as he waved him off."Oh please. You're asking me to waste precious energy for no reward? And against that?" He gestured lazily at Effie. "Our competition's basically a towering bear. I'll pass, thanks."

Sunny froze—then his scowl split into a mischievous grin."Wait… did you just call Effie a bear?" His voice rose deliberately, carrying across the ledge.

Asher's eyes went wide. He scrambled up, clapping both hands over Sunny's mouth. "Shut up! Shut up shut up shut up—!" But Sunny's laughter still leaked through, muffled but loud enough.

And then Asher felt it. A shadow loomed over him.

Slowly, he turned.

Effie was standing there, arms crossed, a smile that was anything but kind playing on her lips.

"Uh… H-Hi…" Asher's voice cracked as she cracked her knuckles.

"Did you just call me a bear, Asher?"

He forced a trembling smile. "It's not as bad as it sounds, I swea—"

—BONK!

"OWWWWW!" Asher crumpled to the ground, clutching his head, rolling dramatically across the stone as Effie blew across her fist.

"You're lucky that pretty face of yours buys you mercy, Poster Boy."

Sunny's jaw dropped, "Isn't this discrimination?! If I said that my face would be swollen 10 times over!" Effie casually nodded, pointing at Asher, "Come on Sunny, It would be a shame to lose that eye candy to a tiny insult..."

Sunny stared, slack-jawed, as she walked off without a care. His teeth ground together as he glanced down at the still-groaning Asher.

"No physical games, huh?"

***

"Alright, let's have another competition. This time, it will be a challenge for your minds."

Sunny paused for a few moments and then smiled.

"And to spice things up, this time, there will be a prize. The winner will get this!"

With that, he produced the ascended soul shard that he had gotten from the Corpse Eater from behind his back and showed it to everyone. The beautiful crystal shined with an alluring, ethereal light.

Except for Nephis, who was resting with her eyes closed, everyone stared at the shard with a lot of interest. Sunny grinned.

Asher walked up to Sunny, asking straight to the face. "What's the game?"

Sunny put the crystal away before answering:

"It's really simple. I'll give you a riddle, and the first person to answer correctly wins. How does that sound?"

The huntress looked at him with doubt and shrugged.

"Sounds boring. But alright, let's play."

Smiling, Sunny commanded the shadow to separate from him and put the Ordinary Rock on it. Then, he turned to Effie and said:

"Listen carefully. Imagine if you will that the two of us, my shadow and I, are in possession of a rare treasure. One of us is an honorable, extremely attractive Awakened that can tell no lie, while the other one is a vile, ugly, stupid devil that would never tell a word of truth. But you don't know which one is which."

Effie grinned.

"I mean… isn't it obvious?"

Sunny blinked.

"Shut up! Also, it's an imaginary situation. Okay? Anyway, you have to find out which one of us is hiding the treasure. If you do, you'll get the treasure. If you don't, the devil will kill you. You can only ask one question, either to me or the shadow. Understand?"

The huntress giggled and flexed her muscles.

"Can I just beat the answer out of you?"

Sunny observed her vigorous figure for a moment too long, and then smiled.

"You can. Also, you're dead."

Effie stared at him in bewilderment.

"What? Why?!"

He shrugged and glanced in her direction with disdain.

"Did I not tell you that you can only ask one question? Well who told you to ask whether you can beat me up or not? What a stupid way to waste a question!"

Asher sat off to the side, watching the huntress rage. A grin crept onto his face—his chance had come.

He walked up to Sunny, pointing his hand outwards, "Give the treasure." Sunny tilted his head. Asher smirked, "I'm not asking a question I'm stating an imperative sentence."

Sunny's lips twitched into a grin. "Doesn't mean I have to obey it."

Asher smiled, "I think you have the treasure then."

Sunny flinched while Asher smiled. "You didn't state that I have to ask the question to guess. I think you have the shard. give it."

Sunny reluctantly put the ascended soul shard in Asher palm as he asked, "How? Did you just take a 50/50 chance?"

Asher tapped the corner of his eye, a lazy smile playing on his lips. "I can see it. Soul essence burns like a lantern on your back."

Effie burst out clapping, delighted at Sunny being humbled. Sunny's fists clenched at his sides.

'These guys…'

Together, Effie and Asher were unbearable. Her aspect gave her all the brawn, while Asher's attributes let him think circles around everyone else. Playing games against the two of them was less like fun… and more like torture.

He sighed turning to the side.

At the far end of the marble arch, Nephis and Caster were standing facing each other, with sharp swords in their hands.

They were about to clash...