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

'Lady, help me…'

did their son have to inherit his

into the distance, where the beautiful silhouette of the Ivory Tower could already be seen in the

I going

for a few

You are turning seven, are you not? Today is a divine day. So, you will meet our goddess... to introduce yourself, and pledge yourself

His son frowned.

a… a goddess, is she? Won't other gods be

Sunny laughed.

would they mind? Lady Hope gives us shelter and safety, protects us from the Corruption, from war, famine, plague... and even ourselves. If that is

saddle, and then

"Let's go!"

left the 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

and its tranquility. A long time ago… before coming to the Kingdom of Hope… he had known neither. His life had been nothing but

with those you

was all he had ever known. For

a few minutes, then stared at the

own! It will be way bigger and sharper than yours, old

Sunny laughed.

do you need

son glanced at

To become an Awakened! A warrior, like

and didn't respond for a while.

Why did

once, true. But I never chose to 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

on his face. He turned away and didn't say anything else

son really understood what he meant. And he

eyes, he said

Demon of Hope. Please, hear my yearning. Protect my son from all the horrors of the

man, the boy, and the horse — left the forest and climbed the tall hill. From its top, a breathtaking sight opened

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

couldn't help

saw it, he could help but feel a

to your mother? I'm sure she's looking in

him with a pitying

won't see

Sunny laughed.

"Says who?"

back, at a similar landscape that lay behind them. Gazing past the forest, he saw the small town and a humble

his hand and

"Hey, dad…"

Sunny scoffed.

Are you going to mock me some

boy shook

what is wrong with the sky?

'...Huh?'