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.

you forgotten

Yes, he used to, once. His brother was noble, valiant,

so was

was just remembering shattered fragments of old nightmares. Who

shook

then... why? Why

torturer remained silent for a while,

You haven't asked it

and looked at Sunny

the one who asked me to do this,

Sunny's pupils widened.

'No… no…'

"I… asked you?"

The torturer nodded.

penitence, for the terrible sin you committed. For betraying the trust of the Lord

and picked up a long blade, thrusting it into the flames that burned furiously in a

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

glow inside the flames. Knowing that

I… asked you… then stop. I don't…

torturer looked down, then smiled

can't stop. Not

to

"Question? What question?"

brother was silent for a bit, and then

which was entrusted to us by the Lord?

'Knives? What knives?'

recall any knife, and could only think about the one

"...I don't know."

His torturer sighed.

your penitence can't

blade out of the fire and brought it to Sunny's chest, where

desperate for the torture to end. No,

tip of the blade cut his skin,

stole it! The ember knife… Shadow took it

blade froze without reaching

away, a somber expression on his

that mystery had been revealed some time

glanced at Sunny,

Where is the ivory knife that I have given you?

slowly shook his

hid it. I hid it far

brother closed his

did you hide

down Sunny face. He strained in

I don't remember… I

the searing

useless. A century of this,

his head and groaned, then suddenly laughed, his voice echoing

Why have you deserted me? I can't save you, no matter what I do. I can't clear away your guilt, I can't redeem you in the eyes of the

slowly, his

and said, mad