Ariel's Game

During a field report meeting with Cassie, Nephis, and Effie, Sunny shared his next goal: traveling to Ravenheart to reclaim a mysterious "piece of his inheritance".^[10] Sunny visited the outskirts of NQSC to meet Kai^[11], introducing himself as the Lord of Shadows and asking to be called Sunny.^[12]

The mission Sunny and Kai are about to undertake involves searching for an object in the Jade Palace. While Sunny doesn't know exactly what the object is, he anticipates danger in retrieving it. This mission serves as both a practical task and an opportunity for Sunny and Kai to spend time together. Additionally, it ties into a larger goal: preparing new Supremes to defend humanity in the face of an impending crisis, as the current Supremes, including Nephis and Sunny, will likely be preoccupied with the challenge of the Fifth Nightmare.^[13]

Sunny and Kai went to the volcano first due to seismic anomalies coming from below. Kai was concerned about a creature that might have resided deep within the volcano, and they were trying to ensure the safety of the nearby city before dealing with it. Sunny dealt with the Corrupted Tyrant moments later.^[14]

Sunny became a guest in the Jade Palace.^[15] In the Jade Palace, he is searching for a missing piece of Weaver's lineage. Although the exact location of the artifact is unclear, Sunny is investigating places of significance within the palace, hoping to uncover clues. He suspects the item may have been lost to Dread and possibly linked to the daemon Ariel, who spent time in the palace. While exploring covertly as a shadow, Sunny remains hidden from the residents, including Kai, the current ruler, though the two share dinners and conversations. Despite the lack of progress, Sunny continues his search, determined to find the elusive piece and learn more from Seishan, who is expected to arrive soon.^[16]

Sunny meets with the Song sisters and asks for their help in searching for something hidden in Ravenheart. He specifically inquired about the Jade Palace, a place the sisters know well since they grew up there. After some discussion about secret areas and places their mother, Ki Song, had paid special attention to, the sisters reveal there was one room they were strictly forbidden from entering: the Toy Room. The Toy Room was a storage space filled with ancient toys, some enchanted and dangerous, which led their mother to prohibit them from exploring it after a child once vanished for a week. Sunny, intrigued, requests they show him the way to the Toy Room.^[17]

The last room is a small, quiet space filled with shelves lined with ancient toys, centered around a low table surrounded by soft cushions. On the table rests a square jade board with hinges in the middle as if it could be folded into a case. Its surface is marked by a 7x7 grid, with most squares colored white, except for three vivid black ones at the bottom. Arranged across the board are intricately carved figurines, many resembling terrifying monsters, with the three black pieces surrounded by a dozen white ones.^[18]

As Sunny enters, he feels a strange, tingling sensation in his blood, suggesting a subtle but powerful connection to the board, though no direct threat or Nightmare Creature is present. The board appears to be some form of chess.^[18]

Sunny and the others discover a jade game board in the Toy Room, which resembles a complex version of chess called Death Game, also known as Death of a Tyrant. Unlike regular chess, it features grotesque figures like Beasts, Demons, and a Tyrant, and includes mechanics involving square colors, Domains, and special tiles like Shrines. As Sunny examines the unfinished game, he senses a powerful and ominous presence tied to one figure—the White Tyrant. When he peers deeper into the board, shadows recoil and his instincts warn of danger, prompting him to urgently tell everyone to step away.^[19]

Sunny, despite his heightened senses, had failed to detect the overwhelming presence of Corruption hidden within the jade board of the Death Game until he gazed deeply into it. The Corruption inside had been vast, potent, and flawlessly contained—so much so that even he, a Supreme, had initially missed it. Realizing the immense danger, he had ordered everyone to back away, noticing strange runes on the board: Snow, Ash, Fear, and finally, Truth.^[20]

As he read the fourth rune, the world had suddenly shifted, dissolving into darkness. Sunny found himself transported from the Jade Palace to a desolate volcanic landscape covered in ash. Confused and armed, he had surveyed his new surroundings and realized he was no longer in the familiar mountain range but on an isolated volcano surrounded by misty clouds and other distant peaks arranged in a symmetrical grid. As the full weight of the situation sank in, Sunny became convinced that he had been pulled into the Death Game itself.^[20]

Sunny found himself in a surreal and ominous landscape dominated by ash and snow, realizing he had been drawn into the "Death Game". Observing the board, he deduced that he represented the Ash Tyrant—the black figure on the middle black square was wearing a crown—on a badly losing side, with only three Ash pieces remaining against twelve powerful Snow figures. He suspected the Snow pieces to be ancient and terrifying Nightmare Creatures and grew frustrated at the poor state left behind by the previous Ash player, likely the Jade Queen. As he assessed his condition, he discovered he had been stripped of all his usual powers—unable to connect to his other incarnations and his source element, though the shadows still welcomed him, he cannot summon his Shadows or access his domain. Instead, he seemed partially sustained by a new source element: Ash. Trapped and disarmed, Sunny concluded that despite the overwhelming disadvantage, his lethality and cunning might still turn the tide.^[40]

Sunny could not extend his shadow sense to the neighboring volcanoes or the snowy peaks in the distance, meaning he was unable to use Shadow Step to reach them. Still, this limitation did not deter him—if he wished, he could have transformed into a crow or crafted wings from shadows to fly across. However, the sea of clouds below gave him an ominous feeling, and he suspected that movement between the peaks was governed by the rules of the Death Game. To test this theory, he created a javelin from shadows and hurled it at a distant white peak where a Snow Beast likely resided. As the javelin crossed the midpoint, a massive grey tentacle rose from the clouds, effortlessly swatting it aside before retreating into the mist. Shaken, Sunny realized an ancient entity was enforcing the game's laws and was relieved he had tested the route with a weapon instead of flying himself. Recalling a past encounter with a soul-judging entity in the Estuary, Sunny decided he had no interest in confronting such a being again. Convinced there must be a permitted way to travel between peaks, he turned his focus to exploring the volcano and the crumbling castle at its center. Just then, he sensed a new shadow appear, and moments later, Kai landed nearby. Sunny was stunned but relieved to find that Kai appeared uncorrupted and genuinely himself. Kai explained that after Sunny told them to back away, he suddenly found himself on a volcano, saw the ash clouds part, and flew toward Sunny—barely dodging the colossal tentacle in the process. Amused and reassured by Kai's arrival, Sunny welcomed him with sarcastic warmth, grateful for the unexpected support.^[41]

Sunny realized that Kai, being a Saint—a Transcendent Beast, had replaced one of the Ash Beasts on the Death Game board and had somehow crossed between volcanoes without being erased, hinting at hidden rules in the realm. Using his exceptional vision, Kai spotted someone at the third volcano and warned Sunny to move—just in time to avoid a black arrow shot by Slayer, who had also entered the game in her usual violent fashion. Sunny then speculated that Seishan, Hel, and Revel might be battling ancient nightmare creatures elsewhere, which worried Kai. To reassure him, Sunny reminded him of their strength and Cassie's vigilance. When Kai finally asked about the true purpose of their mission, Sunny revealed he was searching for the key to the Nightmare Spell. He explained that humanity's survival depended on reaching godhood, which required understanding the origin and intent of the Spell and its creator, Weaver. Sunny believed the answers lay hidden in the cursed Lineage Weaver had left behind.^[42]

Sunny acknowledged the dangers ahead and confirmed to Kai that he was searching for pieces of a daemon's cursed Lineage, one of which was tied to the Snow Tyrant. He asked Kai to scout the three snowy mountains, who described the threats: a swarm of gem-like insect abominations, a towering clockwork knight, and a massive worm coiled inside a hollowed mountain—two likely being Cursed Beasts.^[29]

Kai reported that while his Aspect remained intact, he lost access to his Memories and soul sea, leaving him only with his armor. Though he could still transform, he lacked the strength to face these enemies up close without a bow. Sunny reflected on the game's strange rules, noting differences from the traditional Death Game, and speculated that the enemy might attack first or try to conquer the volcanoes.^[29]

Confirming that only their current volcano had a fortress, Sunny asked Kai to fly over and bring Slayer back, believing they stood a better chance together. As Kai left, Sunny joked about Slayer possibly becoming one of Kai's admirers and settled in as darkness returned, bracing for the battles to come.^[29]

Sunny crafted a powerful bow for Kai by manifesting shadows and carefully considering the materials and structure needed for a Transcendent archer. He opted for a recurve design, blending various shadow qualities to mimic wood, horn, and sinew, ensuring the bow was both effective and reliable. Once completed, Sunny handed the bow to Kai, who strung it effortlessly, showcasing his strength and skill. As they prepared for their challenges ahead, Sunny reflected on his past feats and the critical role their weapons would play in navigating the Dream Realm.^[43]

While crafting arrows, Sunny drew a grid in the ash, recalling the game board from the Toy Room, and explained the current state of the game between the Ash and Snow Domains. He analyzed the placement of figures, noting that the Snow Tyrant was heavily defended, while the Ash Tyrant, represented by him, had few remaining squares. Sunny and Kai discussed the game, but neither knew the strategy, prompting Sunny to ask Slayer, who had lived in the Dream Realm long ago, for advice. Slayer suggested a sacrificial strategy, hinting that certain special squares, the Shrines, could be used to sacrifice adversary figures to enhance their own, potentially offering a path to victory. Sunny deduced that the middle squares of the outer rows were the Shrines and looked to Slayer for confirmation. She pointed to the Snow Castle square, indicating a bold move to defeat the Snow Tyrant, and Sunny grinned, realizing they were on the right track.^[44]

Sunny's strategy in the Death Game is not to defend the Ash Castle or destroy enemy forces outright, but to prioritize the slaying of the Snow Tyrant as the primary objective, understanding that in a supernatural conflict, an individual can possess greater power than an army. He rejects Kai's conventional approach — a sound but obsolete military paradigm — arguing that eliminating enemy troops is not inherently valuable unless it directly contributes to defeating the Tyrant. Instead of expending energy to kill the Snow Beasts through ordinary means, Sunny emphasizes sacrifice, the method hinted at by Slayer, as a way to grow stronger. He explains that defeating the Snow Abominations outside the designated Shrines would actually be detrimental because it would waste the opportunity to gain power from them. Therefore, his plan is to lure and destroy enemies in one of these Shrines, where their deaths would empower the team and serve the larger goal. Sunny demonstrates a paradigm shift — moving from conventional warfare to a supernatural strategy focused not on attrition, but on decisive, high-value actions that directly lead to victory over the Snow Tyrant.^[45]

Sunny and Kai assess their situation as they prepare for battle against the Snow Abominations. Sunny explains that their response will depend on whether the creatures act like mindless Beasts or strategic minions of a Tyrant. He equips Kai with a quiver and suggests exploring the Ash Castle while there's still time. As they descend, their conversation shifts to Great Nightmare Creatures, with Kai describing the experience as like fighting gods, and Sunny agreeing, explaining that such beings force the world to submit to their will. Sunny reminds Kai that while he and Nephis attained Supremacy naturally, most — including Kai — will have to reach that level by surviving the Fourth Nightmare. He frames the coming battle as a practice run, assigning Kai the role of confronting Great abominations and urging him to learn from Slayer, a master archer. Wanting to strengthen Kai's resolve, Sunny asks how he survived his past Nightmares. Kai responds that he survived because of those who stood by him, and Sunny reinforces the idea that no one survives alone — and now, others will rely on Kai the same way he once relied on them.^[46]

Sunny and Kai have a deep conversation about the nature of freedom. Kai views freedom as a neutral, fragile concept—like an empty vessel that loses its purity once filled with meaning or responsibility. He doesn't regret giving up his freedom for the things that matter to him. Sunny, on the other hand, once sought total freedom and briefly achieved it, but found it hollow and lonely. He chose to return and take on heavy responsibilities but now worries that his path may rob him of future choices. Kai reassures him that making a conscious choice, even if it leads to limitations, is still a form of freedom. Ultimately, Sunny is left reflecting on whether he can live with the choices he's made.^[47]

Sunny's grand design was an ambitious and unconventional strategy: instead of creating a powerful weapon, charm, or tool with the Sacred soul shard in his possession, he chose to enchant the entire volcano surrounding the Shrine of Truth. Letting go of his human form, Sunny expanded his shadow to a colossal scale, covering the vast caldera, the ash-covered slopes, and the luminous depths of the volcanic vents. His shadow surged through every crevice, becoming the medium through which he would weave an immense spell. With the help of his shade, Abundance—a giant worm—he tunneled through the volcano, carving channels that the Obsidian Wasps cleared of debris. These tunnels served as conduits for streams of shadow essence, which Sunny meticulously wove into black strings to form the complex structure of the enchantment.^[32]

This enchanted mountain would serve as a massive magical fortress, designed to give Sunny and his companions a fighting chance in the impending siege against the powerful warriors of the Snow Domain. Unlike previous battles, the enemy would not be weakened by terrain advantages, making the odds grim. Sunny understood that there wasn't enough time to craft a sophisticated Memory, so he opted for a relatively simple enchantment scaled to an overwhelming level of power. Despite the crude nature of the tunnels compared to the delicate precision of Memory weaving, the enchantment was a perfect solution to many of his strategic challenges. By sunrise, he had completed the spellweave with just hours to spare, having even managed to redirect the lava to protect his work. Exhausted but resolute, Sunny resumed his human form and turned to the jade figurines—the second of his two precious resources—ready to take the next step in his plan.^[32]

Sunny had also planned for how to strengthen his allies through the mysterious power of the Shrine of Truth. After finishing his spellweave using shadow essence and the Sacred soul shard, he prepared to activate the shrine's power using two jade figurines. According to Seishan, killing an enemy figure on this square would grant the killer some form of strength, and the jade figurines seemed to substitute for those kills. Curious and cautious, Sunny gave the figurines to Kai and Slayer rather than using them himself, believing that they needed the power boost more urgently. Despite not knowing exactly what effect the shrine would produce—whether granting magical weapons, evolving figures, or something else—he was eager to find out. With a mix of humor and confidence, Sunny watched as his companions approached the altars, ready to uncover what Ariel's Game truly offered in return for the figurines.^[48]

When Kai placed the jade Snow Beast figurine on the altar. Instead of needing to toss it into the volcano, the figurine exploded into glowing ash, which then swirled into Kai and infused him with power. This mystical ash, drawn directly from the Ash Domain that Sunny ruled, formed a ring around Kai's soul core, enhancing his strength, essence, and even his will. Although Kai was unsettled by the ash within him, Sunny explained its effects were beneficial—boosting his combat ability beyond what a typical Transcendent should possess. Notably, Kai's will now carried a cold, ruthless edge—eerily similar to Sunny's own. Recognizing that the shrine's power was linked not to Ariel's Game alone, but to his own dominion over the Ash Domain, Sunny tested and confirmed his ability to influence the ash. Encouraged by the results, he had Slayer do the same, watching joyfully as she too absorbed the power, completing his plan to strengthen his companions using the shrine's peculiar magic.^[49]