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

Chapter 2

The chill drilling deep into Shida's bones forced him awake. 

Shida's eyes snapped open, jarred by the igloo shaking violently. Blinking away the last threads of sleep, Shida realized the igloo wasn't shaking, it was him.

Shida slowly pushed himself up, his breath coming out in white puffs.

Heart racing, dread slowly filled him as he swallowed before shakily calling out, "Ina?"

The silence of the night plucked at Shida's nerves. Cautiously, Shida crawled near the lip of the igloo, peering out into the dark-covered world. The shadows seemed to ripple as if sensing his unease but never blocked his view. His eyes peered into the forest as easily as they would if it was daylight. Still, he saw no one.

"Ina- "

Shida abruptly cut himself off. Voices. He could hear them, further west.

Shida got to his feet, neck prickling as he took shuffling steps closer to the voices. Carefully, he tried to avoid making noises, hoping the snow would muffle any sticks he accidentally broke. His arms hugged himself tight, heart growing louder along with the voices. A small patch of light grew in the distance where he was heading.

I'm scared. Ina, where are you? Whom are you talking to?

As Shida continued forward, the shadows grew darker, blacker than the night, almost looking like tears into the fabric of reality. They clung to the needle filled branches, stretching out stringy ligaments and wrapping Shida up in a cocoon, careful to avoid obscuring his vision and movements.

Shida felt a wave of security wash over him, loosening his tense shoulders and calm his racing heart.

"Warm food?" Ina's voice pierced through the night, light and curious.

Shida's heart kicked up, relief washing through him. He picked up the pace, feeling lighter.

"That's right, food much richer than berries and nuts. It'll put a little meat on your bony arms." A gravelly voice replied.

Shida skidded to a stop.

Someone is really here? Isn't it only us?

Spotting wisps of white hair, Shida' practically vibrates with anxiousness, desperately wanting to be by Ina's side.

However...

He glanced at the source of the voice, blocked by pine trees, and hesitated.

"Can Shida come?" Ina asked excitedly.

The man went silent and shifted just enough for Shida to see a stick with only the top aflame. 

The fire wavered in the slight breeze, it's light turning Ina's hair to an orange hue.

"Is he like you? Your brother?" The man stretched his meaty hand towards Ina.

Shida's mind went blank and without thought, he ran a few steps forward shouting, "Ina?"

The man laid his hand on Ina's shoulder as they both glanced over.

 Ina squinted, searching eyes passing over Shida's trembling form again and again. His brows scrunched together for a moment before his face suddenly relaxed.

"Shida!" He raced over, slowing down when he came near. His hands blindly missed a few times before Shida grabbed them.

The shadows around him eased and slunk back.

Ina's face lit up and threw himself in Shida's arms. "I couldn't see you, it was like you were invisible!! Wah- you're so cold!!"

Immediately Ina started to glow a silvery light, warmth radiating and enveloping Shida in an affectionate and secure embrace.

Shida sank into the warmth, squeezing Ina hard as the shivers slowed down. His eyes locked onto the man standing there watching them. A strange look was in the man's eyes. It was similar to the way Ina looked when he spots a hidden berry bush after only eating nuts.

But it was darker.

"So, this is the other?" The man asked, lifting the torch higher. The stranger's rugged square face had a red bulbous nose and a scruffy beard. His body was wrapped in furs of all kinds, a walking stick in his gloved hand.

Ina nodded. "Yeah. So mister, if you take me in, you have to take Shida as well."

His eyes stared at Shida, sending shivers down his spine. The man squinted, head stretching out. His eyebrows furrowed as he lifted the torch higher. The man stared at Shida for a moment then gruffly asked, "Come closer into the light, boy. I can hardly see ya."

Shida glanced nervously at Ina, who simply smiled back. Grabbing Shida's hand, he tugged him closer to the halo of light.

Shida tugged weakly at Ina's hand, feet heavy with every step.

The shadows immediately slithered forward, once again clinging stubbornly to Shida's body. 

Their cool, soft presence let Shida breathe a sigh of relief.

Walking into the light, the shadow's curled tighter, refusing to be pierced. Only Shida's silver eyes were visible under the mass.

To outsiders, it looked simply as if the light couldn't reach, curving strangely around Shida and going off to the sides.

The man stared in confusion. He glanced at the torch and towards Shida again.

Suddenly the man froze, eyes locking with Shida's. A strange glow grew brighter and brighter in the man's eyes, a muscle in his jaw ticking.

"Can't be...there was no mention of-" The man choked off his mutterings, an oppressing and dark air radiating from the man.

Alarms went off in Shida's head as he shrunk back, his heart trembling under that gaze.

The look disappeared as the man turned back to Ina.

"You poor thing. Come on. I can't leave you to freeze here. I'll get you some hot food and you can stay with us. Milly always wanted a kid." He waved them over as he stared trekking through the forest, towards places Shida and Ina never breached. "I don't know how you survived for so long in this light forsaken forest."

"Ina," Seeing Ina started to follow, Shida panicked and grabbed his hand. "I don't like this. Isn't it fine with just us two?"

"Don't worry, Shida. Everything's fine. He said that there are other people where he is from. And warm food and houses and stores and all kinds of things!" Ina rambled excitedly.

"What's a store?" Shida asked.

"I don't know! But it sounds fun! Let's go." Ina squeezed Shida's hand. "Trust me. I will protect you."

Shida stared at Ina's confident and resolute gaze. A small smile hisetatingly grew on Shida's face. He held out his numb, red pinky, "Promise?"

Ina grinned, puffing out his chest. "Promise."

Their pinkies clasped, Ina's warmth thawing Shida's icy one and driving straight into Shida's heart. 

That's right. As long as Ina is here, nothing bad will happen. He will protect me.

Ina is my light.

**************************

That day was my greatest mistake.....the day everything spiraled out of control.

I wish I never left that snowy forest.