A second later, he vanished, melting into the darkness.
Sunny glanced around with an inquisitive expression.
"Huh. The fields lie this near, already?"
Kai, meanwhile, stared at him with a faraway look.
"Lord of Shadows... Sunless... Sunny. What just occurred?"
Sunny paused for several moments, distracted by examining their environment.
"Oh, that? It was merely another version of myself. Actually, I maintain seven connections spread throughout the Dream Realm. This guy still holds a link in Ravenheart, even though he mostly resides in Bastion these days. So, he delivered us here and departed... poor fellow! Now, he'll either need to ask Cassie to return him or journey all the way to the Mirror Lake by foot."
Then, he added in a grumbling voice:
"But that's the minimum that rascal deserves! Among all of us, he enjoys the finest position."
Living with Nephis and unwinding on the Ivory Island. Even though that representation was merely a segment of Sunny, Sunny still coveted his... own situation.
Kai blinked several times, gradually processing what he heard. Then, he frowned suddenly.
"Hold on... but if you had a connection in Ravenheart, then why did you request me to collect you in NQSC?"
Sunny gave him a skeptical glance.
"Because I was able to? Listen, Nightingale... the complexities of handling seven forms simultaneously are no small task. The least you can do is simplify my existence slightly."
Kai seemed contemplative for several moments, then nodded.
"That must be difficult. I apologize... I should mention I'm amazed to learn that one of your incarnations has been linked to Ravenheart all this time."
Sunny shrugged.
"Why not? I dwelled here for four years."
Kai appeared surprised.
"You did?"
Sunny smiled, then nodded.
"Certainly. I even observed a grand dragon soar across the heavens occasionally."
Kai coughed.
"Oh... I understand. It's somewhat unusual, though — as you're aware, I possess exceptional vision. I believe I would have noticed someone like you watching me."
Sunny chuckled.
"Well, I was existing in the shadow of a regular girl back then. I only ever surfaced when nobody was looking."
Noticing that Kai was examining him with an unusual expression, he frowned.
"What? Why are you eyeing me that way?"
Kai released a lengthy sigh, then shook his head.
"It's... nothing. Are we going to inspect the volcano first?"
Sunny nodded.
"Yes. You can soar there... I'll trail behind."
With that, he dismissed his human form and concealed himself in Kai's shadow.
Kai trembled, for some reason, and then forced a weak smile.
"Oh... alright. Make yourself comfortable... I suppose."
With that, he ascended into the sky and flew toward the smoking volcano.