Silent Fall
"What the fuck are you trying to pull, Sage?!?" Kento demanded angrily, his fists clenched at his side.
Ryo shot him a warning glance. He didn't know what the hell was going on, as, indeed, no one did; but the last thing he needed was Kento to goad Sage into slitting Cye's throat or something horrible like that, horrible being an understatement.
"I warned you," The voice wasn't Sage's and only Cye knew whom it truly belonged to, the umbra in his dream. It was impossible to mistake, there was no other sound like it. "And you did not heed it. Now you will pay, but first-"
Sage shifted his grip on the sword, moving it so that its lethal tip snagged the delicate golden chain binding the crystal to Cye's neck. With a sudden jerk, the chain was broken and the pendant flew into the air.
At the very same time, Cye jerked back reflexively, fearing the worst. The movement only helped in further shattering the necklace.
Sage, or whatever was controlling him, took advantage of the distraction and used the Halo no-dachi to create a blinding flare in order to filch the spheres in the back of the room and mask its escape.
The light dissipated a moment later and the sound of the crystal slipping into a crack in some unknown area of the chamber pervaded the still air.
The glare took much longer to clear from the Ronins eyes and even after it faded Cye stood stock still in surprise, oblivious to the blood trickling down his neck.
That thing had practically 'piggybacked' on Sage and Cye'd led it right to what it was searching for. He'd made a grand mess of this situation. The shadow had come from the Nether Realm and that was most likely where it had returned and there were far too many creatures there that could and would abuse the power the umbra had stolen. Worst of all, he hadn't even known the shadow had been following them and that little slip-up put all his friends in danger. He'd have to be less ignorant next time, if they survived till a next time.
"Cye, you okay?" Kento's voice brought him out of his trance.
"I'm fine," he assured quietly, lifting a hand to check the cut on his neck.
Ryo and Rowen were gathered around a thoroughly confused Sage.
Ryo sat tending the campfire near the entrance to the cave, idly fingering a small twig before tossing it into the crackling flames. The rest of the Ronins were scattered around the fire and all four were asleep except for him, having volunteered to take the first watch.
Everything that had happened lately was so unbelievable that Ryo wondered if this was all just a bad dream. Cye had been right the entire time, yet no one had believed him. Cye'd always had complete and total trust in all the other Ronins and it hurt him when they neglected to return it. Even Ryo had to admit there were times when he'd neglected the fact that Cye was even around.
How did that affect a person?
A few feet away the Warrior of Trust was curled into a fetal position on his side with his back to the dying fire. He sighed and rolled onto his back.
Now what is he dreaming about? Ryo wondered.
The field around him was swept with darkness; the moon had disappeared behind the dark clouds long ago and had yet failed to return. This place was devoid of all light, sound, and life. There was only the cold…
And that thing, the shadow that just could not-would not-leave him be. Its presence was all around him and it had changed, felt more powerful, but he would have known it anywhere.
"Kento? Ryo?" He called hopefully. "Sage? Rowen?"
"They can't help you here."
The voice came from directly behind him and Cye whirled around, every sense on edge.
He was graceful, slim, and very tall. Long, white hair, with a slight bluish tincture, tumbled about his shoulders and down his back. His eyes, those are what caught Cye; they were a strange shade of purple, deep and easy to get lost within.
Cye felt sick as the man caught his wrist in one hand with an unbreakable, vice-like grip.
"You must remember me," the man whispered, tracing the scars on Cye's cheek almost tenderly with his free hand. Cye flinched away at the cold touch. "As that wretched shadow I couldn't kill you, even if I wanted to. But now that you've helped me regain my proper body you will pay for trying to stand in my way."
His tone had reached a much darker, more imposing tone and he jerked Cye's hand up to his eye-level.
Cye winced as the man examined the scars adorning his wrist.
Cye thought of his armor instantly and used his free hand to search his pockets only to find them empty. There was no way he could don his armor without his armor orb.
"This is my world now," The man smiled as Cye tried desperately to work his hand free. With an even wider grin, he slashed Cye's wrist with an exceptionally long fingernail; the cut had gone down to the bone.
Pain lanced through Cye's arm and he stopped struggling. He tried to cry out but no sound emerged from his tight throat.
The shadow viciously slit his wrist again just below the profusely bleeding gash.
Cye felt sick as the world lurched and went out of focus and he tried unsuccessfully to force it back.
The white-haired man laughed, enjoying every bit of pain his torture was costing the boy. He reached out and wrapped his long, slender fingers around the teen's neck, effectively choking him.
Cye no longer had the strength to resist and his arm dropped limply to his side when the man finally released it, restraining him now with only the hand on his neck. It all hurt, everything hurt, everything burned, and he was trapped in the pain, in the torment, crying out and knowing no one could hear him, and lost-he couldn't feel his body anymore, couldn't hear or see; he was floundering in a sea of agony.
* * *
Okay, that took a while, I know, but I've been kinda busy around here.
Truth time, I had no idea this story would go this far, it basically took on a life of it's own around chapter two.
Disclaimer: I don't own it, are you satisfied?!?