The Weight of His Chains

Chapter 17

As we emerge from the cave, The Between stretches before us like an eternal abyss. Twin cliffs loom on either side, their jagged walls plunging into the depths below, creating a path that seems to stretch on forever. The ceiling is nonexistent, leaving an endless expanse of sky that seems to swallow us whole. Pebbles float in the air, suspended by some invisible force. A small beacon of light flickers on the horizon, illuminating little of the vast world.

Yuu and I sigh in relief as our backs lean on the cold stone walls, the jagged rocks digging uncomfortably in our backs. I wipe my tears with my cursed hands, the sight of my limbs still terrifying to see.

Yuu's wise eyes, set deep into his bald head, stare with a compassionate gaze. His droopy ears and nose imply a sense of age, as he brushes his braided beard with his hand, thinking.

"My child," he says, his voice low and soothing. "I have placed a candle infused with magic inside the cave. Soon, Sky will be asleep, and if he wakes, he'll be too weak to fight. We must use this time to plan."

I nod, sniffling, as Yuu's words are a balm to my soul, a lamp in this dark hell.

"Soon, we need Sky to turn back to his human form," Yuu continued, his eyes serious. "If he heals fully in his Soul Grinder form, then there is no doubt that he will eat our hearts. We cannot let that happen." He says, staring at the floor, brushing his braided beard.

"He's terrifying," I whisper, my eyes narrowed and glued to the floor. Yuu pats my shoulder, saddened by my state. I'm stuck in love with his monster straight from the depths of hell, and I don't know how to stop it.

I look up at Yuu, my red eyes widening. "We need to find a way to save him. For his sake, and ours."

Yuu nods with a smile, appreciating my words. "We must be ready for what lies ahead."

I agree, my eyes still wide from the shock. "I know he's still in there, he just has to be."

"I know, child. And that's why we must try. The children, what they've gone through to become this, it's true savagery," He says, nodding his head in sadness and disappointment.

"Sky is just a broken young man, he needs someone to guide him to the light again."

"Yeah," I whisper, lost in my thoughts.

We sit there in silence, the hushed world of The Between ringing my ears. The pebbles float in patterns, somehow it's eerily beautiful. I feel a sense, a presence, of something watching me, watching my sadness. It's as if I feel someone stroking my very soul, my sadness slowly receding. It's a calming feeling, and I know just who's comforting my soul.

I feel a jolt of fear as Yuu's hand clamps my shoulder, my lost eyes snap to him.

"Oh, forgive me for startling you. Let us go back into the cave, child."

I was so lost in my thoughts, my body wasn't my own for that time. It felt eerily comforting, like someone whispering against my heart, brushing off my sadness for me.

I stand up, patting the dust off my cargo pants. We walk back into the entrance of the cave, Yuu's small feet shuffling on the stone ground, echoing throughout the cave. Countless candles ignite the space, their warm light making the jagged cave welcoming.

Sky's body lies on his bed, his blanket slipped down to reveal most of his torso. His hooves are twisted at an awkward angle, his arms stretched, his claws curling in.

And his face was serene, in slumber.

Despite the harsh, shallow sound of his breathing, which hinted at a struggle to draw air, his once terrifying features now seem relaxed. His long hair, messy and tangled, hides his face like a wild halo.