Fleeting Moment

Part 1

A low sigh left the chapped lips of Ban. He gazed listlessly into the darkness of his cell. For some reason Holy Knight Jude had not tortured him today. Now all he could do was wait for the young Page Alfred to bring him his single meal.

Time changed once the threat of death no longer held sway over a person. Moments now seemed to stretch out into infinity without an end in sight. Ban felt the weight of every second of his now immortal existence at the cost of Elaine's life. He should have met his end instead of a soul as pure and beautiful as hers. He had been a simple bandit who did not truly have a place in this world until his chance meeting with her. Now she was gone.

Her passing left an ache in his heart that grew each passing day. Self-loathing and regret became his constant companions; his sin in not saving her ever tormenting his soul. It had seemed almost fate when he accidentally stumbled across a group of Holy Knights from the stronghold of Baste. As he eyed the group surrounding him, a moment of clarity pierced the fog of his anguish. He could never fully atone for his transgressions, but he could allow these Knights his capture and suffer at their hands.

They dragged him away, sealing him in the lowest and darkest of dungeons. Holy Knight Jude personally presided over the spiking of his limbs and the gagging of his mouth. The Knight seemed to relish the muffled cries of pain from Ban's mangled body as he drove the spikes through layers of skin, muscles, and sinew. However, Jude's enjoyment of torturing the Fox Sin did not nearly encompass the ecstasy Ban felt as pain coursed through the fiber of his being. Every cell and nerve flared alive with indescribable pain, momentarily easing his afflicted soul. Ban's days became a blur as the Knights implemented various tortures daily. From the flogging of his back with a Cat-O-Nine whips to the stabbing of needles under his finger and toenails, he welcomed the suffering.

Regrettably, like a drug addict acclimating to his dose over time, the pain no longer kept his inner demons at bay. Now it seemed only sleep gave him some respite unless he dreamed. Ban's head perked up lightly at the sounds of the heavy, metal door unlocking. Page Alfred timidly walked into his cell, balancing a tray of water and stale bread in his hands. He came to the right side of Ban's impaled form and carefully removed the gag.

Ban licked his dry lips as he waited for Alfred to bring him the glass of water. Carefully Alfred tilted the cup and Ban greedily drank.

"Thanks man. Some days I swear this gag isn't leather, but actually cotton in my mouth," Ban said while giving the young boy an easy smile. Alfred didn't say anything, instead reaching for the old bread. Ban knew the kid was shy and probably scared half to death to be taking care of one of the Sins thus he never spoke.

Ban chewed thoughtfully on the somewhat moldy loaf, his blood red eyes giving the young Page a through look over. The sleeves of his green tunic were rolled up higher than usual causing Ban to notice dark and blue bruising on the thin forearms.

"You should probably brush up on your fighting skills kid." Ban nodded towards the blemished limbs. Alfred gasped, momentarily dropping the loaf of bread he was feeding Ban to tug his sleeves down his arms.

"Sorry," Alfred whispered, blue eyes flashing with embarrassment as he tried to clean off the bread. Ban almost choked on his current mouthful at hearing the young boy's voice for the first time.

"Don't sweat it. I doubt dropping it will make it any worse. Probably a little dirt will give it some flavor," Ban laughed. Alfred cracked the smallest of smiles.

"Everyone says what a horrible, evil man you are and you deserve to suffer in the seven pits of hell, but you seem nice," Alfred said, his soft voice holding a hint of curiosity. Ban shrugged or as much as his restraints allowed him.

"People can say what they want, I don't really care."

Alfred regarded him thoughtfully as he fed him the rest of the bread. He then reached for the discarded gag, hesitancy flittering across his young face.

"I'm sorry to do this to you."

"It doesn't bother me; I'm already missing the flavor of stale leather," Ban teased before his voice took on a slightly serious tone. "Take care of yourself kid and don't let others push you around," he added before opening his mouth. Alfred inserted the gag, carefully adjusting the straps.

"It was nice talking with you Mr. Ban," Alfred said as he hurriedly gathered his things. Then he was gone and Ban was alone with his thoughts and tortured memories. He dozed on the edge of sleep, the pain in his bloody limbs causing just enough discomfort to keep him awake. The voices of the two guards outside his door he sarcastically named Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum caught his attention. The pair mostly talked of inane topics like which Holy Knight was stronger and had better armor. Yet, today there conversation took on an interesting turn.

"So it's called a pain tithe and it can bring back the dead?" Tweedle Dee asked skeptically.

"Well yes and no. See you offer your pain tithe to the Goddess and she supposedly brings back whichever dead person you are dying to see for one night. Haha get it dying," Tweedle Dum replied. Ban rolled his eyes at the poorly construed pun.

"So you have to suffer to get to see your long lost person and only for a night. Sounds like a rotten deal if you ask me," Tweedle Dee retorted.

"You wouldn't see me doing it that's for sure; plenty of other fish in the sea. Now how about that jousting tournament last Friday? Holy Knight Ruin was in top form!" Tweedle Dum rabbled on. Ban tuned them out, his mind racing at the possibility of what he overheard. A spark of hope began to burn in his heart and his eyes flared with renewed purpose. He needed more answers.

Alfred set down the tray of bread and water, removing Ban's gag. Ban moved his jaw before quickly gulping the water. He noticed Alfred was sporting a black eye. He nodded to the youth's face.

"What happened this time?"

"I spoke out of turn to Squire Francis," Alfred replied quietly though his blue eyes flashed a small measure of defiance. Ban grinned widely.

"I'm glad to see your getting some fighting spirit kid. If you ever want me to, I can show you a thing or two about combat."

Alfred smiled slightly.

"Thanks Mr. Ban. Maybe one day I will." It quiet for several moments as Ban ate his meager meal, wondering when he should ask his request.

"I do have a small favor to ask. Could you find out any information on a pain tithe to the goddess?" Ban asked. Alfred gave him a curious look.

"I can try, but I make no promises," Alfred replied as he fed the Fox Sin.

"No worries. I appreciate you at least trying."

Ban took the last bite of the bread, excitement building in him. If there was even the slightest possibility to see Elaine again, he would take it. A week passed before Alfred had any news.

"You have to submit yourself to some kind of physical suffering for a year," Alfred began, his tone conspiratorially.

"Got that covered." Ban grinned.

"After your suffering, you need to utter the words, 'Goddess, I offer my suffering and anguish to you. Take my sacrifice of pain and transform it. Take my blood and give me that which I desire most to see once more.' After a year from the day you began your suffering and plea, you must write in blood the Latin phrase 'Dea dolor decimas obtulerunt integrum' while feeling the strongest emotion and memory you possess to conjure your loved one's form," Alfred finished. Ban let out a rush of air, his red eyes gleaming in the darkened cell.

"Thanks Alfred. You did great. I owe you more than you know," Ban said sincerely, almost toying with the idea of ripping out the spikes impaling him to give the Page a hug. Probably would scare him half out of his mind if I did.

"You're welcome. You've always been nice to me so I wanted to do something nice for you," Alfred blushed, toying with a corner of his faded tunic. "If I may be so bold, who did you lose sir?"

"Her name was Elaine," Ban said softly, "and she was the most beautiful, pure creature I ever met. She gave her life to save mine."

"I hope you can see her once more." Alfred put a small hand on Ban's broad shoulder and gave him a slight squeeze.

"I will," Ban vowed.