Shadow Slave: Rainy Days

Three young women were patiently waiting on a headless statue, the dark empty sky of the Forgotten Shore looming over them. Beneath the statue, a seemingly infinite view of a crimson labyrinth stretched out before them. The sight would've made them shiver right now, if not for the fact that it wasn't visible due to the darkness.

They were simply left alone with their thoughts.

Among them, there was a figure with pale skin and long black hair. Rain's gaze was locked onto the sleek black dagger that lay in her palm, wearing a bitter expression. Her hand was tightened around the rugged and worn out brown leather handle. The blade's perfectly optimized weight would've made anyone feel comfortable—but not Rain.

As she stared at the fully black blade, which curved slightly at the tip, her emotions went into complete chaos. She felt anger, sadness, nostalgia, but mostly, self-loathing. Thankfully, the pitch black darkness didn't allow it for Cassie and Nephis to read Rain's expression.

Rain clenched her jaw, as her grip around the brown hilt tightened.

'Sunny...'

***

There was a sun.

It shone brightly, just like it did every single day.

This time though, there was something abnormal about it.

Slowly, the moon moved in front of it, covering the sun and swallowing its light completely, seemingly making it disappear.

An eclipse had just begun.

Inside a dimly lit hospital, a woman lay on a bed, holding her newborn baby gently in her arms. She seemed exhausted and weak, which was very natural for someone who had just given birth. And yet, her expression was one of warmth and love.

Beside her stood a short man with black hair and pale skin, his eyes wet, as his gaze was locked onto the newborn infant. A very young girl, around the age of four, clung to his side, shakily tugging on his shirt. Just like her father and mother, the young girl had pale skin and black hair.

The infant's cries filled the dark room, quickly making the mother wiggle him in her arms and calm her baby.

'Shoo... It's okay, mommy is with you.' The woman said with a soft tone that was filled with unconditional love. The gentle rise of her chest, the warm smile on her beautiful face, and the tight hug made the infant quickly calm down.

The man beside her exhaled deeply, as though he had been holding his breath for the past minute. His protective look shifted between his family, his expression one of determination. After a moment of having stayed silent, he leaned forward and kissed the forehead of his wife. "What do we call him?"

Before she could answer, the small girl who was still tugging on the shirt of his father, interrupted her.

"Sunny, like the sun!" The young girl, whose name was Rain, suggested proudly.

The man let his daughter's suggestion wash over him. "Sunny." He repeated, letting the name settle down onto his mind. His lips slowly curled upwards. "I like it."

Thanks to her father's approval, the young girl did a short victory dance, a goofy smile on her face.

However, the mother remained silent, her expression distant and thoughtful at the same time. Her eyes were locked onto the sight past the windows— The black sun of the eclipse.

Shadows stretched unnaturally into every direction, making the world grow fully dark. It felt like their small family was the only one left in this world, making them love each other even more.

In a weird way, even if only temporary, the world had no sun.

"Sunless." She murmured, her words slipping from her lips, barely being above a whisper.

Her husband blinked, confused. "What?"

The woman turned her head away from the windows, now gently looking at her husband and daughter. "His name... it will be Sunless." She said firmly.

"But I liked Sunny." Rain frowned. Even though the small girl was dissatisfied with the fact that her suggestion hadn't been accepted, her mood quickly brightened into excitement.

"Sunless is my brawda! I'll protect him!"

***

A few months passed in a blur. It was the same steady rhythm every day, but the loving family still enjoyed them.

They were residing in the outskirts, their home being small but lovely. Rain quickly adapted to the role of a big sister, taking care of Sunless while her parents were at work. Rain of course didn't know how to cook or change his, but she still did her best with keeping him entertained and not putting him into any danger.

Their mother had just gotten back from work, and quickly prepared some food for the hungry children. Synthetic baby food for Sunny, and a tube for synthpaste for Rain. It wasn't the best food, but it was government-provided, so for people like them, it was the only thing they could eat.

The combined pay of their parents could afford some higher quality food here and there, but they only bought quality food for special occasions, like birthdays.. They were saving money to maybe someday afford an education for Sunny and Rain after all.

Later, Rain was holding her small baby brother in her weak arms, carrying him towards a makeshift shift crin. Unfortunately, Rain made Sunny's head slightly bump into a hard surface. Sunless started to cry, which made Rain alarmed. She quickly lifted Sunny back into the air and kissed the part of his forehead that bumped against the surface. "Shhh, Sunny. Big sis Rain is with you." Soothing the baby boy.

And just like that, he calmed down, his tiny fists grasping her arm.

***

It was a particularly rainy day today, the sound of raindrops falling onto the roof created a comfortable noise. The air was fresh and cool, so staying inside the warm house was pure bliss.

Their mother had already arrived from work, humming a song softly.

Rain lay on the floor, playing with Sunless as he babbled some random sounds he heard from her. It was a simple day, like any other. At that time, Rain didn't know or expect that this day would be the one to turn her whole life around.

The doorbell rang through the small house, the noise cutting through the comfortable sounds of the dropping water. Rain's mother quickly walked towards the door, a big warm smile on her beautiful face. Rain cradled Sunny in her arms, looking towards the door and simply waiting for her father to arrive.

But when Rain's mother opened the door, it wasn't her husband who stood in front of her. Instead, it was a man Rain had only seen a few times before—who wore a bitter expression at the moment.

Without the man having even spoken one word, the expression of Rain's mother instantly fell cold, as her eyes quickly wettend.

"Miss... I don't know how to tell you, but.." The man said with a shaky voice. Rain noticed how her mother's expression shifted, making a bad feeling rise inside of Rain too.

She barely perceived what the man said next, but she didn't need to. Rain's mother already fell onto the ground and began to sob. Her husband, and the father of her children, had just passed away. Work accidents weren't something unusual in the outskirts, and Rain's mother was always scared that her husband might die one day. But she never expected that it would've happened at a time like this.

The world around her blurred, as tears rolled down her pale cheeks, grieving the death of her husband.

Rain peeked from afar, her face contorting into one of confusion. She quickly ran towards her mother and leaned down, trying to pull her crying mother back up. "Mommy, what's wrong?"

She didn't answer. However, the man stepped inside and put his strong hand onto Rain's shoulder, gaining her attention. He stayed silent for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "I-I'm sorry..." he started. "Please help your mother, she'll need it." And with that, he left, leaving Rain confused and her mother broken.

A few meters away from them, Sunny sat awkwardly on the ground, blissfully unaware of what cruel reality had just settled onto their little family.