Chapter 15: The Return ~ The Spark of Hope
At the farthest part of the galaxy, the ship is floating within the darkest part of the planet. Silently, drifting into the course around the darkest part of the system as pods fly in and out of the ship.
Within the ship, where the cells are. Keith was reading a book to entertain himself as he sits on the bed. Calmly and patiently, he turned to the wall that seemed to be decorated. To the "children" has said, to keep him occupied. On the wall, there are scratches of tally marks. Counted by fives that are up to forty onto towards forty-one. Since Keith has been there, he has been scratching the walls with his sharp claws to count the days that he has been. After a week, the teenage guards have finally removed his wrists and away from his ceil. They have also given him his blade back since he has been behaving without messing around. Remembering the orb that held his life source and support, Keith began to play along to stay alive. Including Keith tries to tolerate the muzzle once or twice whenever he has been dragged to test, to his ceil, to test. Even if it must remind himself to stay on that "Shadow Mistress" good side and be her "kitty-pet". Which he doesn't like. He growls as he snarls at one corner to get that thought out of his mind. Come on guys, Keith prayed in his head. Where are you? He put his hand on the wall as he sighs sadly.
"Still counting the days that I see," the voice hissed has disturbed his thoughts. Keith looked up. He saw that shadow that has been hovering over within the shadows, watching his every move for the past month.
"What do you want?" Keith growled as he put the book away.
"Oh nothing," the shadow hummed. "Just to make sure that you're not doing anything suspicious here in your cell."
"Stay out of my business," Keith flattened his ears as he scooted himself to the wall.
"Right," the shadow narrowed its yellow eyes. "Still don't like how my children and I have treated you."
"Not including the one that aggravates me the most," Keith growled.
"Who is it?" Shadow Mistress becomes concerned.
"Nephrite," Keith answered.
"Oh him," the shadow giggled. "Ignore him, darling, Nephrite has always been complicated to others for his whole life. Well, not me though."
"Not even to mention that he threatens me whenever I tried to use my blade," Keith deeply growled.
"He got that attitude from me, darling, so you better get used to it." The Shadow Mistress giggled.
Keith growled as he clutched his dagger. Within the moment, the shadow yellow eyes flashed.
"Now remember, fellow blade." The shadow hissed, "One move on my children, you know the consequences that are yet to come towards you."
"Oh, trust me, I haven't forgotten." Keith hissed, "And it is not for them."
"Oh, I see." The shadow understood, "Well then, the next test will begin at the hour of 1400. So, be prepared for that time before then." Then the shadow left the ceil and exited through the hall.
When Keith is alone again, he sighed in relief as he put his dagger near him. How much longer could I take and do these tests of hers? Keith wondered. No matter how hard I tried, it keeps on coming. And that… Suddenly, Keith felt a strong wave towards his chest. His eyes widened and his ears straighten up as he recognized that wave. This…this pull. He put his hand on his chest. I…I recognized this pull, it is… "Black," Keith whispered as he smiled. While he realized that Voltron has finally returned, and it won't be long for his friends to come. Keith began to clean his mess before anything could happen next.
Within another room, the orb that held Keith's life. It is displayed on a nightstand, suddenly the glow flicker as it too senses the similar pull that is yet to come.