From the Ether

I can feel them. Those dark shackles that hold me still. They never relent, only do their job. They hold me in their grip so that the ghosts can find me. The spirits attack me, beat me, weaken me. They came from my broken memories many years ago, erasing all that was good and pure. All I have ever known is darkness. But I know that soon I will be freed. He will come, showering my darkness in light, scorching my fears away. I know he will. I have…someone's promise that it will come.

But for now the shackles stay, torturing me. They grasp me ever tighter, never relenting. Those ghosts hover at the edge of my perception, waiting for me to crack. And I know that I will soon. I can feel the tender threads of my sanity fraying, the fibers bursting apart one by one.

The shadows show me things, terrible things. I see myself – Is that really me? – standing on a platform, whipping slave after slave. It must not be true! NO! I was a good king! I know it!

A new shadow has appeared. He has white hair and sharp brown eyes…the evil one. His slanted eyes leer at me from their cover of shadows. Now his hands appear, holding knives and whips and chains. Too many hands! They begin to move in a torturous dance, strafing my skin with their instruments of pain. I can see his smirk now. Demonic, evil, insane.

The torturer has gone. The thread now is only a single fiber; even my senses are failing. Now I hear clinks, like metal on metal. What is metal? More chains? Yes, that's it. Here come the spirits now, vengeful eyes full of longing for my pain. They all hold chains, whose links are clinking like death knolls with harness-bells, or gold coins in a beggar's cup. The chains lash, rusty tips meeting my abused body. I can't scream anymore. My voice failed very long ago.

A light. The ghosts flee. What is that? Why is there light? The chosen one…my savior. He is here. Spiky, tri-colored hair adorns his head. Who am I? I am his protector now. He is innocent. I am strong.

I can move now. My shackles are gone. My body…is unharmed. Strange.

How will I protect this boy? Wait…what is this power I feel inside? The name comes to me…Shadow Game. I will use this magic to defeat his enemies. No matter the cost. I will win. I will kill to protect my light. So let it be written, so let it be done.

I have come from the ether, from the darkness, and now…I will protect this new light. Forever.