Shadow Slave

Sunny woke up just before dawn. He lay still for a while, reluctant to leave the warm embrace of the blankets. Then, with a sigh, he sat up in shivered in the morning cold. It was time to face a new day, and there was a lot to do. He had no excuses to laze about…

A dull pain suddenly radiated through his chest. He looked down with a confused expression, studying the old scars covering his tan, bronze skin.

'...I guess it's going to rain?'

Then, an ivory arm suddenly appeared from beneath the blankets, caressing his firm muscles.

"Is it morning already?"

Sunny smiled, grasped the hand of his wife, and nodded.

"Yes, my sunshine."

She sighed.

"Alright… go, get ready. I'll wake up the little devil."

He remained motionless, leisurely enjoying the sight of the beauty he had somehow managed to coax into marrying a ruffian like him dressing herself, careful not to disturb the round belly where their second child slept peacefully, with not a care in the world. His smile grew a little wider.

"I said go! Today is not the day for your mischief, hoodlum… have you forgotten?"

Sunny made a dejected face, then rose and dressed, as well.

When he left their quarters, the servants were already hard at work, preparing for the day. When they saw him, each bowed respectfully and greeted him with warm voices. Being subjected to all this adoration and decorum, Sunny had to put on a face worthy of a lord, as well.

'How bothersome...'

The servants were going to prepare everything for the upcoming journey, but one thing he had to do himself. That was something that Sunny would not allow anyone else to perform, not for the lack of trust, but simply because it was his duty.

Entering the stables, he greeted his steed and went about feeding and watering the noble beast before putting the saddle on his wide back. Sunny might have become a lord of some renown and left his turbulent past behind, but the bond between a warrior and his horse was sacred.

Just because the two of them didn't have to risk their lives on a battlefield anymore didn't mean that he would forget it.

When all was done, he led the horse to the courtyard and attached the weathered wooden scabbard to the saddle, the cold steel of a beautiful sword hidden safely within.

Then, he stared at the scabbard for some time, massaging his aching chest with a distant expression. A subtle, dark expression appeared on his face.

After a while, the sound of quick steps headed his way.

"Dad!"

Sunny turned around and grinned as he caught his son in an iron embrace.

"Trying to sneak up on your poor old father, huh? Not so fast… I was sneaking up on monsters long before you were born, brat!"

The boy giggled, and then took a step back.

He was turning seven today, and on that occasion, his mother had dressed him in the best clothes they had. The little devil almost looked like a proper child, and not a Corrupted abomination sent to the mortal realm to torture his helpless parents.

"Why did you have to sneak up? Too weak to kill them outright, huh?"

sighed in exasperation and stared at the

'Lady, help me…'

their son have to inherit his poisonous tongue, as

silhouette of the Ivory Tower could already be seen in the morning

I going

for a

a divine day. So, you will meet our goddess... to introduce yourself,

His son frowned.

a goddess, is she? Won't other gods

Sunny laughed.

Hope gives us shelter and safety, protects us from the Corruption, from war, famine, plague...

then lifted the boy to sit

"Let's go!"

manor and followed the road of white stones through a peaceful forest and up the hill. The horse walked forward at a steady pace, easily bearing the weight of two riders. Sunshine fell through the canopy of leaves in wide beams,

A long time ago… before coming to the Kingdom of Hope… he had known neither. His life had been nothing but bloodshed and pain, battle after battle, war after war… only after coming to this realm and deciding to remain

with those you

anything about strife and darkness. This peace was all he had ever known.

few minutes, then stared at the hilt of

It will be way bigger

Sunny laughed.

do you need

glanced at him with

To become an Awakened! A

and didn't respond for a while. His eyes

ached. Why did

be a warrior. I just became one to survive. In the Kingdom of Hope, you don't need to fight, suffer, and kill others to live a long and happy life. Why would you still want to

a comically thoughtful frown appearing on his face. He turned away and didn't

son really understood what he meant. And he

he said a silent

of Hope. Please, hear my yearning. Protect my son from all the horrors of the world and save him, as you

three of them — the man, the boy, and the horse — left the

vast plain was bathed in sunlight, emerald grass shining with the morning due. Here and there, farmsteads and fields stood, golden wheat swaying in the wind. Sparkling ribbons of rivers cut the plain, and in the distance, a beautiful city built of white stone rose

help but

he

mother? I'm sure she's looking

glanced at him with a pitying

won't see

Sunny laughed.

"Says who?"

past the forest, he saw the small town and a humble stone manor standing

raised his

"Hey, dad…"

Sunny scoffed.

you going to mock me

boy shook

It's just... what is wrong with the sky?

'...Huh?'