The Blue Exorcist; Book 1
A Fairy Tail + Blue Exorcist Crossover fan-inspired story
By Gothic Rain
Disclaimer: See Chapter One
Chapter Four, Unbroken
The sound of shouting woke up from the dreamless sleep that grasped unto Rin's mind for the short time it could, but the boy knew he could only escape the real world for so long. Crying and screaming only made it worse though, because Rin knew he wasn't just an orphan anymore... he was a slave.
Heavy footsteps neared his cage and by instinct he back himself up against the wall, knees bent ready to pounce if needed. The metal door slid open allowing the light to hit him straight in the eyes, causing a wince, and blinding him of the hand that reached out and grabbed him before throwing him out of his cell and on his stomach on the cold floor.
"Get up!" A boot smashed into his side making Rin scramble to hit feet as though his feet were burning. He couldn't help but send a cold glare at the slaver though, even if it resulted in a backhand.
One of the other slavers had Rin's hands held roughly, the shackles unbroken. As they walked out of the building Rin saw that all the other children were dressed in rags and were suffering heavy labor at the hands of these men. No, not men: monsters. He wondered why he wasn't dressed the same but when a cry caught his ears he turned his head sharply to find Lily being shoved to the ground and a whip raised to strike her.
"Lily!" Rin screamed, causing the girl to jump and just barely miss the strike of the whip. Relief shot through Rin but was short lived when the slaver twisted his arm causing him to cry out in pain. "Shut up!" He roared in Rin's ear before releasing Rin's arm. "This is the last you'll be seeing these brats, brat!"
Rin looked down, wondering where his feet were unwillingly taking him. He couldn't leave, he needed to be here for them. He had to stay, he would not leave! With newfound determination Rin thought of Lily and Derek before slamming his feet down causing the slaver to grunt and turn a glare at Rin that would drop a herd of cattle.
"Move," He hissed at Rin, who glared defiantly at the slaver.
"I said move!" He shouted, punching Rin in the stomach forcing him to fall on his knees. "Rin!" A voice cried out. Rin breathed heavily before looking back up at the slaver. "So we got a tough guy don't we? Well, we're just going to have to break that spirit won't we?" Next thing Rin knew he was thrown into the sand but he fought the foot that suddenly pushed down on his back.
Something cold wrapped around his arms and his stomach. Rin struggled desperately against the slaver's hold but to his despair was overwhelmed in strength. His jaw was tight as he struggled, eyes set forward as he willed his body to move only to suddenly be thrown backwards. Fear shot through his chest for a split moment before he landed on his feet, taking in the sickening gleam in the slaver's eyes.
"Get moving brat, I don't have all day!" He barked causing Rin to frown in wonder before looking down and seeing the handcuffs gone, now replaced with shackles and a heavy steel cuff around his weight. Hesitantly he looked over his shoulder to find a two-wheeled barrel full of stones that practically glowed in power but wasn't able to ponder of it much longer when a hand shot out and roughly forced Rin to look at the Slaver.
"I said... move!" Ignoring the spit that flew at his face Rin glared at the man in further defiance. The slaver went to beat him only to freeze half way and slowly lower his hand. "Ah I see, you need some motivation." Rin only continued to glare.
The man put his arm over Rin's shoulder and forced him to turn and look at the other slaves who worked desperately on their tasks. "If you don't have this ore on the other side of the island by dawn, I'll personally kill one of these brats in front of you for your failure." Rin bit his tongue from a heated remark but his glare was answer enough for his thoughts.
"And I think I'll start with that pretty white-haired girl over there. What did you call her? Oh that's right, Lily!"
"Don't you dare-" Rin's head was suddenly snapped to the side by a mean backhand causing him to glower but said nothing more as the hatred swelled inside of him.
"Maybe I'll even have a little fun with her too for your tongue..." Eyes wide in disgust and fear Rin backed down. He wouldn't forgive himself if this monster hurt Lily. Or worse, had his way with her.
"There, that's what I like to see," the slaver told Rin, patting him once on the shoulder as he turned to leave. Rin felt nauseous at the thought of pleasing this guy but knew he couldn't afford to fight back directly.
So, with a sigh Rin took a step forward and his entire body screamed as the luggage behind him barely moved an inch.
"Oh and don't forget, if you're not on the other side of this island by daylight, that girl is mine!"
"How will I know?" Rin asked softly, eyes set with fierce determination. "Oh yes, well, there's a volcano straight ahead from there. The rest is on you, brat!"
Laughter followed the slavers leave causing Rin to sigh and look at the sky that was just beginning to darken. He threw a glance to the side where he watched Lily carry some heavy stones before turning away. "He expects me to fail, but for Lily... I'll do anything!" He grunted as he pushed himself forward, deathly aware of how slow the cart was moving.
The pain on his back and arms were intensifying but Rin knew if he stopped he wouldn't be able to start again at the same pace. If he only focused on his breathing, his steps, and the cart maybe he could forget the pain.
Either way, he wasn't going to fail Lily!
Every other step he took it seemed as though the sky got darker and darker and soon enough Rin was watching the stars as his body shook with strain. He thought of Miss Jones and how she always took care of him with every cut and bruise caused from the boys in the orphanage when he wouldn't fight back. She had told him he was doing a brave thing, taking responsibility for his actions, even if they were in the past.
He was being strong by keeping his silence. "Sometimes we have to back down in the face of a challenge because as long as we know who we are and what we fight for, we will always be the winner."
The volcano was finally in sight but the night wouldn't last for long. The other slaves have already been taken back inside, he's the only one left, yet even at the thought of escape he knew it would only make him a coward, and Lily's safety would be compromised.
"I'll keep you safe," he told himself, the sakura-colored eyed girl fresh on his mind. He grunted as he pushed the ore, wondering how much more his body could take of this. "I will not be broken!" He hissed, pushing himself another few feet.
"I will not fail!"
"I will not let them win!"
"I'll protect you!"
"I will protect them all!"
"I will not break, I won't run away!"
Every mantra he chorused through his mind, pushing himself to not back down. He wasn't going to stop moving, no matter how much it hurt. Even if he wanted to die than face the pain, he would live. Live for those that need him! He needed to be strong or no one else would be.
He watched as the first of the light began to shine through the darkness but that only hardened his determination. With more force than he thought he had left he started off in a jog, the cart behind him feeling lighter as he picked up speed.
"Its killing me when you're away
I wanna leave and I wanna stay
and I'm so confused
So hard to choose between the pleasure and the pain
And I know its wrong,
And I know its right
Even if I try to win the fight
My heart would overrule my mind
And I'm not strong enough to stay away"
Just as he reached the end the sun shone across the ocean and Rin could only stare in awe at the sunrise. The cart was settled right where it should be and Rin stood proud at the edge of the water, smiling at the beauty in front of him.
"I'm not afraid."
Time hadn't passed much when he heard the slaver's up and about once again. He had to hold back his smile when the familiar slaver from earlier approached him. He didn't say anything to Rin at first and neither did Rin try to initiate conversation. He knew the man had expected Rin to fail, and now that he's been proven wrong he can only focus on releasing Rin from his shackles.
Once free and the slaver pulled away Rin kept himself from falling over by sheer will alone.
Suddenly the slaver spoke, startling Rin from his thoughts. "No breaks, we got a whole day of work to get to. You can start by unloading the stones from the cart then carrying them over to the building where the smelter is. When you're down, find something to do." He told Rin with almost... respect?
"But don't try anything stupid, or bad things will happen."
The threat in mind Rin nodded, to which the slaver sighed and walked away seemingly lost in thought. Not wanting to waste a moment and attract another slaver's attention Rin got quick to work, dully noting the thick bruising on his arms were the shackles had been with every lift of stone.
He may have been exhausted, but he knew his body wasn't at its limits yet. And so Rin worked, and worked, and just to change it up a little - worked some more. It hadn't been until the sun made it exhaustingly too hot was he released from his work and sent back to his cell, which he walked proudly to the best he could. The moment the door of his cell slid closed however Rin immediately collapsed and lay on his side to suppress the pain on his stomach and back the best he could.
It wasn't long until he fell asleep, where a dreamless sleep awaited him, absent of the pain.
Sorry for the wait, once again. Thanks for not leaving me in the silence as I had left you guys. Also I am looking for a beta, so if anyone is interested (so I don't have to search) let me know.
No promises on updates, we all know how well that turns out.
Sincerely,
Gothic Rain