Shadow Slave

As Sunny was struggling to keep both himself and Ananke whole in the furious grinder of the storm, he could feel her small body trembling. His own body was soaked in cold water and chilled to the bone. At the same time, he could feel the Neph's radiance breathing warmth into it.

It was more than just warmth, too.

Knowing that it was his shadows that were keeping them safe, Nephis sent her flames to engulf Sunny, strengthening both his body and soul. Most of her light was transferred to him, while the last wisp gently caressed the child priestess.

As the white flame surrounded Ananke, the numerous scrapes and bruises covering her small figure instantly healed. She seemed to relax a little.

...Nephis herself, though, was left devoid of any protection.

The two of them were very close, their arms wrapped around each other, with only the trembling child between them. Resting his head on the wet wood of the deck, Sunny silently looked into Neph's eyes.

They were lightless and tired, numbed by torment and pain.

There was nothing to say.

There was nothing to do, either. The three of them just had to suffer, endure, and pray that Sunny's essence lasted longer than the storm did.

It was more easily said than done.

The shadow ark was being shaken and tossed around by the raging elements like a ball. Even though the harness he had created held them in place, it was still a torturous experience. Sunny had to strain all his muscles to lessen the shock of the terrible impacts, holding on to the mast fittings with all his might.

That task was not in any way easier than the draining and laborious process of scooping up water with an iron bowl. In fact, it was much harder, because he couldn't even stand. He had to protect Ananke, as well.

Being lost in the depths of a cataclysmic storm was not much different from the few moments of destructive havoc he had experienced when the explosives beneath Falcon Scott were detonated. Only, this time, the havoc was going to last much, much longer... hours, most likely, or even days.

Not that these words held any meaning anymore.

The volatile currents of broken time that surrounded them were only growing more wild and unstable. Sunny could feel their sickening influence through the protective bubble that Ananke was still maintaining around the ketch. His thoughts had become tangled, and it was hard to maintain focus.

But he had to... he had to keep the manifested shadows intact, continuously willing their shapes into existence and repairing any damage done to the improvised ark. If Sunny lost concentration, all three of them were going to die.

'Come on... we have already reached so far! Just a little bit more! Just a little!'

It was just that he struggled to remain concentrated more and more.

The ravages of broken time were growing fiercer, but the protections conjured by Ananke were growing weaker.

Soon, Sunny found himself unable to tell when was before and when was after. All that remained was the current moment, the pain in his battered body, the cold mist that stuck to his skin, the warmth of Neph's flame burning softly in the depths of his being, and the tactile sensations of her and Ananke's bodies pressed against his own.

All he could do was cling to these sensations, to his connection to the shadows, and find strength in their silent presence.

have to hold on... I

these feelings grew vague and

world. He was left in

'Have... to... hold...'

the torture dissipated,

There was no time.

There was no world.

only the

***

A moment passed.

Or maybe an eternity.

nor was

world was swaying gently. Its

world smelled of wet

The world was dark.

was lost comfortably in

then, bright sunlight shone through his eyelids, painting the darkness

'...Sunlight?'

comfort by sudden panic, Sunny

'No, no, no...'

body screamed from the sudden

let sunlight into

But then, Sunny froze.

be, in the roaring

that he finally saw the

azure sky was clear, with not a cloud in sight. The seven suns hung in its vast expanse, shining

the Great River was calm and tranquil, its current as steady as it was supposed to be. The flowing water sparkled as

barrier had indeed disappeared, but the ketch... was

a

the

"We... we did it."

was

a moment, his heart was drowned by a wave of

"We did it!"

enveloped

Sunny shivered.

'What... why...'

"Nephis? Ananke?"

and looked around,