Shadow lifted his head after having been unconscious for some time. He tried to stand, but his neck was shackled, and his hands were bound behind him. He tried to untie the rope binding his wrists behind him, but the more he tried to untie it, the more it tightened. He flinched when the rope cut into his wrists. Suddenly, laughter arose in the room. Shadow looked into the darkness, and his eyes widened as he saw a man emerge from the darkness.
"So, you're awake, hm?"
"No, you died ... how're you ...?"
"Surprised? I thought you'd be."
The one speaking to Shadow finally emerged from the darkness. A pair of dark eyes behind lavender hair and pale skin made him stand out completely. It was Vaati, the Wind Mage.
Shadow stared as Vaati came close to him. The mage knelt before him, smiling evilly. He put his pointer finger under Shadow's chin, lifting it up slightly.
"I told you the Dark Mirror bound both of us together. If I died, so would you. But this doesn't seem like we're completely dead."
"You mean ... this place is ..."
"That's right, my little clone ... This is Limbo."
Vaati backed away, "And although I shall find joy out of this place, you'll most definitely rot here, alone."
Shadow smirked, "I won't rot here; Vio's coming."
"Oh, the purple boy? What makes you think he's coming for you?"
Shadow remained silent.
"Because you called out for him to get his attention? You think just because you did that, He'll come get you?" Vaati asked.
"Yes, he will."
Vaati chuckled, "I'm sorry, but you're just so funny, Shadow. Get that petty little idea out of your head. Vio won't be coming for you."
Once again, Vaati placed his finger at Shadow's chin, "And if he does, I'll make sure I kill him in front of you~"
Shadow looked up at him, "Fuck you ..."
With that comment, Shadow was met with a slap to his cheek. Vaati's cold hand left a mark on Shadow's face and his cheek felt hot and it was stinging.
"Oh, whats this? A bit of a spark? Well, don't you worry. By the end of this day, that spark will be nothing at all."
Yet again, Vaati reached out to Shadow, but having had enough with Vaati and his plans, he bit into the mage's hand, biting down hard. The mage screeched out, and began punching Shadow in the head, forehead, and nose, waiting for the boy to let go of him.
He endured the pain though. He began bleeding from the top of his head, his lip began to bleed, and his nose began to bleed also. Finally, Vaati gave Shadow one last hit, which was elbowing the top of his head. The pain was nearly unbearable now, and Shadow finally let go, coughing up blood.
Vaati backed away fast, grasping his bleeding hand in the other.
"If anyone deserves to die, it's you, you little fucker ..."
Shadow said nothing, but only gasped for air, but the shackles around his neck were too tight, and it was hard for him to grasp the air around him. The air that made it to him tasted of blood.
Vaati disappeared into the darkness, leaving Shadow broken, alone, and scared.
-
About an hour later, Shadow heard footsteps to the side of him. He sighed, knowing it had to be Vaati, but when he glanced over, his eyes widened at the sight of Vio. A smile crept across his face, "Vio!"
Vio snuck over beside Shadow, not saying a word, and began to undo the biding that held his hands together. But suddenly, a violent shot of magic hurdled at Vio, sending him flying back into the red water.
"Vio!" Shadow yelled back.
"What did I tell you, Shadow ...?" Vaati said, appearing out of the darkness.
Vio got himself out of the water, and equipped his sword.
"I told you I'd destroy Vio if he came. And I will!" Vaati shouted into the air; his voice vibrating off of the mirrors.
Suddenly, a wind whirled up in the room, and the rather small man changed form into the shape everyone knew. He turned into a giant flying bat.
He rammed into Vio, sending him flying once again into the water.
Vio emerged, and looked over at Shadow,
"Aim your sword at the mirror to reflect light onto Vaati! Then aim for his ey-" Another magic blast was shot at Shadow.
Vio got out of the water once again, and avoided all of Vaati's attacks. He reflected the shine from his sword onto the mirror, and managed to shine it onto Vaati. Vaati screeched, and turned away from Vio. He ran behind Vaati and jumped into the air. The wind mage sent up more magic blasts at him, but Vio ignored the pain and struck his sword downward, going right into Vaati's eye.
Everything remained silent for a moment, but Vaati began shaking violently. Vio jumped back, and the wind mage erupted and exploded in a blast of purple smoke. Vio's sword dropped to the ground and both Shadow and Vio stared in awe- struck.
The room was now light, and Vio picked up his sword. He glanced at Shadow, and stared, his eyes widened.
"S-Shadow ..." He whispered.
"I thought you weren't gonna come ..." He answered back.
Vio dropped his sword; making a clang noise. Vio ran at his friend with an angry expression.
Shadow smiled, and closed his eyes, "I knew it ... he's pissed at me ..."
When the impact finally came at him, he opened his eyes to see Vio hugging him tightly.
"Y-you're not mad at me!?" Shadow asked.
"Of course not ... I was completely worried about you ..." Vio responded.
Vio proceeded to taking the shackle off of Shadow's neck. With a bit of effort, it came off, and Vio put his hands to Shadow's neck, seeing red marks all around it.
"How did you even get here ...?" Shadow asked, still really confused.
"Shhh ..." Vio said, bringing his hands up to Shadow's cheeks.
"V-Vio ..."
"You're safe now, that's all that matters right now ..." Vio said in a comforting voice.
Shadow felt himself getting red in the face, and Vio being so close to him made it worse. He was trembling, and finally, after waiting for a while, Vio pressed his lips to Shadow's. Shadow, although confused and shocked, closed his eyes and let Vio do what he wanted.
For a few moments that seemed to last an eternity, finally Vio pulled away, still holding Shadow's cheeks. Shadow stared, awe struck at his friend. His face was red, and his eyes turned glossy. He was shaking, and without warning, broke down crying right in front of Vio. He fell forward into Vio; his friend catching him ...
-
The duo walked away, their fingers entwined with each other, leaving this horrible place behind. They walked through the knee-high iron tasting water, and wished to leave ASAP ...
