The Sixth God (Arc 1: From The Pale Ashes) [BL]

Chapter 15

Shida had a restless dream. Millys and Greys were crowding around him, many of them, smiling and laughing as they kicked him, sending pain through his body. Shida cried and begged them to stop but they just sneered and continued, cursing him as they called, "Pathetic Umbra, bastard Umbra, die, die, die."

Pain burst from his back and Shida jolted awake, crying out. He tried to breathe through the pain, trembling hands touching his wet face and coming back wet with tears. Gritting his teeth, 

Shida turned and looked at the cloaked figure on the other side of the bars who was waving at him. He tugged on Shida's chain.

"Come outside with me."

Shida forced himself up, body protesting and threatening to give out as the cloaks unlocked the cage door. Claire watched him worriedly and he forced himself to give her a nod in reassurance. He exited the carriage and followed the cloaked figure, past the others who were surrounding the fire, roasting meat and laughing.

They went to a small log that everyone seemed to avoid as it was furthermost from the fire, letting the cold air seep into your bones quicker. The cloaked figure sat, gesturing for Shida to sit as well.

Shida hesitated but sat when the slender figures' finger twitched.

Around him were pine trees, taller and bigger than the forest Ina and Shida lived in. They fanned out widely, blocking out the sky however they were also sparser. The ground was soft with dead pine needles and the paths were clear of debris. With the trees blocking out the sun, everything was thrown into shade, making the air bite just a bit more harshly. Not far from these trees, Shida could make out more treeless land.

Plains, Claire called it.

The figure turned to him and pulled down his hood, revealing a surprisingly young face. The man looked around eighteen, black hair like Shida's but shorter and his eyes were a dark grey. His skin was pale, paler than Ina's like moonlight.

Shida sucked in a breath, wary of that familiar face. "It's you again."

The young man smiled brightly. "It's me again!"

Shida turned away, face paling and conflicted. This was the man who saved him from wolves but he was also the slave trader who bought him.

The man laughed. "Ah, ah, so cute. I'm Clay, by the way. I'll give you special leeway to call me that since we are both servants of Umbra."

Shida lifted his head in shock. "Both of us?"

Clay nodded, grinning. He pointed to his eyes. "Grey, right? Have you ever seen anyone else with grey eyes like mine or silver like yours?"

Ina flashed through Shida's mind but alarms went off in his head, warning him to keep quiet. 

"No, I haven't."

"That's because humans don't have that eye color. Only gods and their descendants called servants. The more silver it is, the more power they have. And yours..."

Clay swept Shida's hair out of the way, ignoring the flinch. "...are a beautiful silver. I can only imagine how powerful a weapon you will be once I break and cultivate you."

Chills ran down Shida's spine and he leaned back from Clay's touch. Clay grabbed Shida's wrist, tightening his grip until tears sprang to Shida's eyes.

"Do not move unless I tell you to move." His voice was cold, eyes flashing killing intent.

Shida's breath stuttered and could barely force out a yes in a whisper.