"It's simple, really. I can't lie."
Rain laughed.
She even slapped her knee a few times.
But under his calm gaze, her laughter slowly died out.
"No, wait… really? That is impossible. I mean, all the stuff you told me… no, wait. Really?!"
Sunny smiled.
"It's true. I can't speak a single lie aloud."
He pointed to her.
"However, I managed to fool you into thinking that I was spouting lies, didn't I? And keep the truth from you for many years."
Rain stared at him with wide eyes, then nodded.
Sunny nodded, too.
"That is how Flaws work. They are an insurmountable challenge… however, climbing over a mountain is not the only way to get to where you want to go. You can also go around the mountain — and you can work around the Flaw, too."
Cassie lowered her hand to the hilt of the Quiet Dancer and added in soft, but confident tone:
"It just takes time and effort. You will learn how to go where you want to go despite the Flaw, as well — there are many ways, as long as you have the will. For example, although you can't kill a Nightmare Creature, you can wound it. You can immobilize and debilitate it. With enough foresight, you can win a fight before it even starts, or even avoid it entirely."
She lingered for a moment, and then added:
"In that regard, your talent for the Sorcery of Names will be a boon. Shapers wield quite a versatile array of powers, including many that can restrain and restrict — that are not only meant for destruction, but also creation."
Cassie sighed.
"Remember that you are not alone. We will help you as much as we can. But you must also remember that, at the end of the day, only you can learn how to live with your Flaw."
Rain looked at her with gratitude, seemingly reassured.
Then, her gaze shifted to the corpses of the Nightmare Creatures sprawled across the clearing — Sunny had killed them after she failed to do so, thus ensuring her safety.
Her gaze became bleak again.
Feeling her dejection, he shook his head.
"Don't look just at the negative side. Look at the bright side, as well."
Rain raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.
"...There's a bright side?"
Sunny nodded.
"Of course. The Flaw is an important part of you… of your strength, even. So important that without it, no one can become a Transcendent. There is a reason why the Nightmare Spell helps every Awakened attain their Flaw."
He paused for a moment, then added:
"It is not only because diamonds are made under pressure, or some such nonsense. It is also because one's Aspect and one's Flaw are innately tied. In fact, I am not entirely sure that it is even possible to unseal one's Aspect without first finding one's Flaw… so, you are now much closer to unsealing yours. Knowing your True Name is another step in the right direction."
Sunny smiled.
"In short, it might seem like you were cast down into a bottomless abyss, and all your struggles to attain strength have been for naught. But in truth, it's the opposite… you have climbed to a much greater height compared to where you were yesterday. So, give yourself some credit."
Rain remained silent for a while, looking at him with a hint of tentative hope.
However, it did not look as if she was entirely convinced.
In the end, she seemed to retreat into herself and looked down.
"...Tamar must have finished talking to her dad a long time ago. The army will be marching north soon. So... bring me back, please."
Sunny glanced at Cassie, then sighed.
"As you wish. Just remember… our Shadow Clan has a very magnificent Citadel here in Godgrave. Say a word, and I'll bring you there instead."
He almost hoped that she would, but Rain remained silent.
Taking her hand, Sunny pulled her into the shadows.
Cassie remained alone on the clearing.
A few moments later, the Lord of Shadows emerged from the darkness and looked at her somberly.
"Well?"
The blind seer sighed.
"Let's return, as well. There is a lot to do."