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

Chapter 10

The trees stood like dark guardians in the night, the black water like silk. Shida stood in the middle of the river, suds clinging to his body, bar of soap in hand.

It's not cold. Shida cupped the black water in his hand, lifting it to his face. Didn't I already take a bath today? Why is the water warm? Why am I taking a bath at night?

He let the water trickle back down into the pool. Shida's heart jolted. His silver eyes stared back at him in the water. It's been so long since he saw them that they were strangers to him

Ah, I must be dreaming. This isn't real.

A strange calm firmly held Shida in place as he continued with his cleaning.

Shida dunked his head in, the water drowning out the world. A smile curves around his lips as he stretches his body under the water.

It's been such a long time that my body hasn't hurt. It's so peaceful under here. If I could stay like this...

Returning to the surface, Shida gasped for breath, hair clinging to his waist like a cloak of night. A blurry figure stood in front of Shida. He squeezed the water out of his eyes, trying to clear his vision.

"...what?"

A doppelganger stared back, Shida's smile on his face, Shida's silver eyes, and black hair. Between them, Ina's body floated face down, strands of hair like streams of light reaching out and tickling Shida's stomach and hands.

"Ina!"

Shida lunged for Ina, trying to drag him out of the water. The doppelganger dug his nails into Shida's wrist, stopping his hand inches away from Ina.

Shida tried to jerk away but was unable to, an unfamiliar smile painted on the doppelganger's face.

"Let go of me!"

"I hate him."

Shida froze, staring at the doppelganger. Black tears trickle down his face, smile unwavering.

"I hate him."

"You're lying." Shida pulled to no avail. "Ina is our friend, our family. We love him! He is-""Luminos's light, His Heir, I know." Those words boiled with darkness, malice leaking off him in a visible red haze. "He is a fool, he is weak, he is-"

"I don't know what you are talking about." His nails sliced into Shida, blood dripping into the water.

"It's his fault."

"He did nothing wrong." Shida's wrist was burning.

"He let them treat me like I am nothing. A monster. A freak."

"He doesn't know. I never told him!" I don't want to hear this again.

"Naivete can only go so far as an excuse."

"He is just pure." Those words repeated themselves on Shida's lips.

"He didn't protect me."

Shida froze, heart pounding. Pain tore through his heart. Shida's eyes are saucers as he stared at himself. Blackness seeped from the doppelganger's mouth and ears, tainting the water below them.

"He promised."

The skin sloshed off his hand, plopping into the water, leaving muscle and bone. His eyes melt from his head, running down his cheeks, hair falling in clumps.