Shadow Slave

The torture continued without end.

Day after day, night after night.

Sunny screamed when he had the voice, and remained silent when he lost it. A long time ago… decades ago… he still had pride, and endured the torment without giving the torturer the satisfaction of hearing him howl, cry, and beg.

But there was no point. Pride had no place here… only pain.

Anyone should have died from the inhuman agony he was subjected to and the terrible wounds dealt to his body. But Sunny didn't die… was unable to die… and so, there was no end to his anguish.

Every morning, his wounds were gone, as if he was born anew. Every morning, the torturer returned, and the cycle continued.

The torturer, himself, never asked Sunny any questions. It was as though he was tormenting his prisoner just for the sake of torment. However… the master of the dungeon never seemed to enjoy his cruelty. He never reveled in the agony of his victim, and instead seemed almost sad while performing his duties.

Why was this happening?

How long had it been happening?

When would this neverending nightmare end?

'Neverending… nightmare…'

Sunny didn't know… he barely knew himself anymore. All he knew was fear, darkness, and pain.

'Lord, save me…'

On one of these days, he opened his eyes to see the torturer entering the cell. His personal executioner was tall and noble in bearing, with skin as white as ivory, lustrous golden hair, and amber eyes that were full of calmness, conviction, and melancholy.

Just like always, the torturer started preparing his tools, and just like always, Sunny strained his mangled body, pointlessly trying to break free of his shackles.

…But this time, something unexpected happened. Sunny froze and stared at the radiant man in front of him, his eyes widening.

'Can this be?'

Just like in the harrowing nightmare he had seen a few days ago, there was a beautiful sphere of light burning within the torturer's chest. Its splendor washed over Sunny, making the terrible pain recede for a moment.

A weak, pale smile found its way onto his face.

Sunny bathed in the light, and whispered:

"Sun…"

Oh, how he had longed to see the sun again...

The torture froze, then slowly turned to him. His amber eyes shone with sudden emotion.

"...You are speaking again?"

He took a tentative step forward and studied Sunny's face, then gently caressed it.

"Brother, my brother… how good it is to hear your voice once more."

Sunny shivered.

"...Brother? Are we… brothers?"

He was weak, and confused. Thoughts danced chaotically in his broken mind, fragile like snowflakes in the summer's heat. He found it hard to concentrate on anything, even if he wanted to. But… he didn't want to. Not for a long time.

The torturer smiled sadly.

forgotten

His brother was noble, valiant, and wise. His brother was

so was

maybe he was just remembering shattered fragments of old nightmares. Who

weakly shook his

then... why? Why are… you

for a while, then laughed

that old question. You haven't asked it in

forward and looked at

the one who asked

Sunny's pupils widened.

'No… no…'

"I… asked you?"

The torturer nodded.

for the terrible sin you committed. For betraying the trust of the

it into the flames that burned furiously in a golden

abandoned me. Ah… enduring our duty alone was not easy, my brother. It wasn't easy at all. But I never broke my

the blade was slowly starting to glow inside the flames. Knowing that it would be soon thrust into his flesh instead,

stop. I don't… don't want it

looked down,

we can't stop. Not until

to the

"Question? What question?"

was silent for

us by the Lord? What have

'Knives? What knives?'

the one that was already glowing

"...I don't know."

His torturer sighed.

penitence can't

brought it to Sunny's chest, where an

his memory, desperate for the torture to end. No, no… he couldn't

of the

The ember knife… Shadow took it

blade froze without reaching

a

is good that you finally spoke. However… that mystery had been revealed some

at Sunny,

the other? Where is the ivory knife that I have given you? Did Shadow

shivered, then slowly shook his

I... I hid it. I hid it far

brother closed his

you hide

He strained in his bindings,

don't remember… I don't

signed, then dropped the searing

century of this,

grabbed his head and groaned, then suddenly laughed, his voice echoing from the stone walls

me? I can't save you, no matter what I do. I can't clear away your guilt, I can't redeem you

silent, and slowly, his face turned

Sunny and said, mad resolve shining in