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

Chapter 17

By the afternoon, the carriage rolled to a stop. The slave traders let the slaves out to defecate and get their rations. As Shida exited the cart, Clay came over, roughly grabbing Shida's chin. His eyes traveled over Shida's body, lip curling in disgust.

"Do you know why you ended up like this?" Clay asked.

Shida just stared, panting out hot breaths. Everything hurt.

"It's because you are weak and stupid."

Shida didn't respond, staring at Clay with blurry eyes. It's so hard to keep standing.

"You are weak for not fighting back against your abusers. You are stupid for not running away after all these years. You were scared that Gray and Milly might hit your friend? Let them, then run away together once he sees how evil that couple is."

Shida shook his head. Or maybe his whole body shook.

"You brought your pain upon yourself." Clay leaned in closer, voice lowering. "The weak cannot own their own lives so the strong take it. Become strong. Own your life. Own the weak."

Clay offhandedly pushed Shida away, making him stumble, back hitting the carriage. " He's still running a fever. Let him soak in the river for a bit. You-" He pointed at Claire. "-take care of him." Shida stared at Clay who smiled back at him.

The slaves watched, envious as Shida and Claire were led to the river. "Go." The slave trader gruffed out. Shida recognized him as the tall one from before that examined him at Milly's house.

As Shida walked with Claire's help, he noticed the trees were different here. Instead of needles that prickles, they had leaves, some as broad as his face and others thin like feathers. Shida was in awe as he stared at them, rustling as the wind picked up.

When they got to the river, the slave trader tossed his bag by the trees and stood watch. Claire set down the bandages and small vial of medicine given and turned to Shida. Her face was apologetic.

"You should take off your clothes before you wade in the river. Your wounds are probably stuck 

to your clothes. I'll help-"

"Go drink. I'll undress." Shida said, pointing to the river. He knew Claire would give her water to the children and him once they got their rations. He would make sure she at least drank something, in return for her kindness.

Claire glanced at the water, swallowing. She glanced at Shida, hesitated then said, "If you need my help, call for me."

Shida nodded, watching her desperate figure run towards the water, eagerly lapping it up.

Shida stared at his right hand, red with pulsating white dots, and felt revulsion. Would his body stay like this forever?

Would he die?

Shida swallowed, pushing those thoughts away, and carefully grabbed the edges of his ripped-up shirt. His clothes couldn't be even called clothes, more like rags as they were burned away in the fire.

He carefully peeled up and not too much later, felt pain rip through his skin. Shida bit down on his lips in a scream, blood, and puss running down his side. Deep, panting breathes were taken through his nose and he glanced at Claire. She was still drinking, a satisfied look in her eyes.

Warmth flickered in him again. Shida turned away, determination setting in his face. Blood seeped from his lips and he quickly wiped it away before grabbing a nearby stick. Biting into it, he braced himself. Then once again-