Shadow Slave

The smile froze on Hero’s face. He lowered his head, as though in shame. After a minute or so passed, shrouded in heavy silence, he finally answered.

“Yes. I thought that if I do it when you sleep, you won’t have to suffer.”

Unseen to him, a bitter grin appeared on Sunny’s face.

A long sigh escaped from the young soldier’s lips. He rested his back against the cave’s wall, still not looking up.

“I don’t expect you to forgive me. This sin, too, will be mine to bear. But, please, if you can… find it in your heart to understand. If things were different, I would have gladly faced that monster to let you escape. But my life… does not belong to me alone. There is an unencompassable duty I am sworn to fulfill. Until it’s done, I cannot allow myself to die.”

Sunny laughed.

“You people… Look at you! Planning to kill me and still insisting on having a good excuse. How very convenient! I really hate hypocrites like you the most. Why don’t you be honest for once? Don’t give me that crap… just say it! I’m going to kill you because it’s easy. I’m going to kill you because I want to survive.”

Hero closed his eyes, his face full of sadness.

“I’m sorry. I knew you wouldn’t be able to understand.”

“What’s there to understand?”

Sunny leaned forward, anger coursing through his veins.

“Tell me. Why do I have to die?”

The young soldier finally looked up. Even though he couldn’t see in the dark, he turned his face in the direction of Sunny’s voice.

“That man was a villain… but he was also right. The scent of blood is too heavy on you. It will attract the beast.”

“You can just let me go, you know. We’ll part ways. After that whether or not the monster finds me won’t be your problem.”

Hero shook his head.

“Dying in that creature’s maw… is too cruel a fate. It’s better if I do it myself. You are my responsibility, after all.”

“How noble of you.”

Sunny leaned back, dejected. After a short while, he quietly said:

“You know… when I just came here, I was ready to die. After all, in this whole world — two worlds, actually — there’s not a single soul who cares whether I live or die. When I’m gone, no one will be sad. No one will even remember that I existed.”

There was a forlorn look on his face. A moment later, however, it was gone, replaced by mirth.

“But then I changed my mind. Somewhere along the way, I decided to survive. I must survive, no matter what.”

Hero gave him a thoughtful look.

“To live a life worth remembering?”

Sunny grinned. A dark gleam appeared in his eyes.

“No. To spite you all.”

The young soldier was silent for a few moments, then nodded, accepting this answer. He rose to his feet.

worry. I’ll make

What makes you think you’ll be able to

Hero shook his head.

“I doubt that.”

he staggered and fell on one knee. The young man’s face turned deathly pale, and with a pained groan, he

satisfied smile appeared on

“Finally.”

***

“Finally.”

his knees, the lower part of his face covered in blood. Astonished, he was staring at his hands, trying to understand what had happened

what magic is

a pale face,

thief right? Did you put the curse of the Shadow

Sunny sighed.

but no. To tell you

“Then.. how?”

The young slave shrugged.

I

flinched, trying to

“What?”

to search for water. While gathering flagons from the dead soldiers, I squeezed Bloodbane juice into each one — except my own, of course. Not

soldier gritted his teeth, struggling through pain. A sudden realization appeared on

why… the other two were in

Sunny nodded.

Scholar was also not long for this world, but you finished him off before the poison could. Yourself, however… it was

Hero’s face darkened.

“I see… I understand.”

something, then looked

back then you didn’t know…

Sunny just laughed.

obvious. Shifty was the kind of man who would kill for a pair of boots. Scholar was like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. People are selfish and cruel in the best of situations — was I supposed to believe that those two weren’t going to do

Hero spat more blood.

“Then… what about me?”

Sunny’s face. “You are

“Why?”

looked at him and leaned

do know one thing,” he said, all traces of

there was only cold, callous contempt. Sunny’s

more pathetic than a

Hero lowered

“I see.”

Then, suddenly, he laughed.

are a wicked

Sunny rolled his eyes.

no need to

wasn’t listening

good. My conscience

slave