Ashryn's eyes slowly opened.
Cold iron chains bit into his wrists and ankles. He found himself inside a ship, the wooden floor damp beneath him, the air thick with salt and rust. Every movement sent pain crawling through his body.
A Celestial Being stepped forward.
"You're awake…"
Ashryn tried to sit up. The chains rattled loudly.
The Celestial Being pointed lazily.
"We have those boxes right there… take them to the lower floor of the ship."
Ashryn stood, unsteady. His gaze lifted to the sky through the open deck — endless blue, so cruelly peaceful.
"Oi," the Celestial Being snapped. "I'm talking to you."
Ashryn's chest tightened.
Was this all a dream…?
Where am I…?
His eyes blurred with tears.
The Celestial Being pulled out his whip.
THUD!
The lash tore across Ashryn's back. Pain exploded through his body as memories of that night flooded his mind — flames, screams, blood.
"AHHH!!" Ashryn screamed.
THUD!
The whip struck again, slamming him into the ground. The air was ripped from his lungs.
Ashryn growled through clenched teeth, fingers clawing the floor.
"Stand up," the Celestial Being barked. "And do the job."
Ashryn forced himself up, legs shaking. He grabbed one of the boxes.
The weight crushed him instantly, dropping him to his knees.
"You're useless," the Celestial Being spat.
THUD!
The whip tore into Ashryn's back again.
Tears spilled freely now, pain ripping through flesh and bone. His back burned, his body trembled — but he didn't scream this time.
The world had shown him its cruelty.
And it wasn't finished yet.