Sky Tide inhaled deeply, then turned away.
"Goliath draws near. We have to eradicate other threats before he comes. If they attack together… you can imagine the devastation. The window of opportunity grows narrower with each day, so we can't passively wait for the Devouring Cloud to return anymore. So, Roan and other Awakened warriors of my clan will lure it here. Today."
She glanced at the Irregulars, studied them for a few moments, and added:
"Ascended Winter will contain the swarm. Roan will bring the Tyrant down. The three of you will make sure that the creature never takes flight again. That is the battle plan."
Sunny smiled darkly.
"What if Winter fails to hold back the swarm? What if Roan fails to isolate the Tyrant? What if the three of us fail to kill it in time?"
Saint Tyris gazed at him for a while, her amber eyes both beautiful and cold. Then, she uttered simply:
"Don't fail."
Master Jet laughed. Shaking her head, she patted Sunny on the shoulder and walked toward the projection of the Fallen Tyrant.
"Alright. I like that plan. Let's discuss the details…"
***
The discussion did not take long. Soon, the Irregulars uttered their goodbyes to Sky Tide and headed to the exit, each in a hurry to prepare for the coming battle. Sunny, however, stayed back after a bit of hesitation.
When there were only three of them left in the room — Sky Tide, Roan, and him — Sunny peeked at the battered Transcendent with a complicated expression.
After a few moments, he said:
"You must have heard that another of Valor's Saints was killed."
Saint Tyris gaped at him silently, not saying anything.
Sunny tilted his head a little.
"You and I have helped that monster escape from the Night Temple. If it weren't for you, I would have been dead, and Mordret would have still been contained. Do you regret saving me now that he is out there, slaughtering people?"
Sky Tide remained motionless for a bit, then trembled her head.
"No."
A pale smile appeared on Sunny's face.
"Why?"
She sighed.
"Years ago, when the young Prince of War came to the Chained Isles, I offered him my hospitality. Like any other Awakened, he was under my protection… roaming the Dream Realm in search of something, much like you did. When Valor plotted to ambush and eliminate him, I followed orders and did nothing to prevent it. I have carried the shame of that wrongdoing ever since."
He pondered her words for a few moments.
"They had a very good reason to get rid of him, though. That guy is like a Nightmare Creature. There's not much human left in him."
Saint Tyris gazed him in the eye, her beautiful face expressionless.
"Is it worth it, to do the wrong thing for the right reason? No. Life is unpredictable, and the future is unclear. All we can strive for is to act according to our principles, and do what we consider right. The rest doesn't matter."
Sunny gazed around, his gaze lingering on the traces of dried blood on Sky Tide's armor. His eyes turned dark.
"Doing the right thing is what got you and your clan banished to this hellhole."
She gazed at the false window, where the image of the night sky was projected. A full moon was shining on its velvet expanse, surrounded by the lights of the ghostly aurora.
A hint of some deep, hidden emotion appeared on Sky Tide's beautiful face. After a while, she said:
"The sky is suffocating here. But other than that… this is precisely where I wanted to be."
Sunny lingered for a few moments, then bowed slightly to Master Roan, and silently strode away.
He had to prepare for battle.
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