Chroma and Achromos

Chapter 7: Memories

Chroma looked at the dark room with a blank look. I don't know how long he's been there. His hands and feet were chained. Chroma looked at her dirty and scarred little hand. He no longer cares about anything. The only thing he wanted was to get out of that place, but no matter how many times he tried, still he could not escape.

A middle-aged man appeared from behind the door and released the chains that were on Chroma's hands and feet.

"Oi, it's time to work." He said to Chroma.

Chroma got up then walked slowly following the man without making any sound.

•••

Chroma looked at the figure not too far away from her in surprise. The man was wearing a royal dress that looked so luxurious. He rode a beautiful white horse. But that was not what surprised Chroma. Her hair. The man had long silver-colored hair that was neatly pigtailed. From where she stood, Chroma could catch a glimpse of a golden-colored eyeball.

*He.. ready*a? Inner Chroma.

PLAQUE!!!

A loud slap landed on Chroma's cheek violently. He looked over and found the middle-aged man staring at him sharply.

"If you want to be free, you have to do it." Whisper on Chroma.

Chroma. He then returned with a cold and empty look. To him, those silver hair and golden eyes were meaningless. Much the same. He still has to do his job. Chroma kept repeating that thought in her heart. Chroma slowly approached the man and raised her hand.

"Give me a meal, sir." Her request. The man looked at Chroma with a bit of surprise. Chroma's clothes and body look so dirty and unkempt. It is also full of wounds. However, the man was much more surprised when he saw the silver hair and golden eyeballs of Chroma. He immediately got off his horse and looked at Chroma with a look like he wanted to cry.

"Your name.who?" Ask lirih.

"Moora." Answer Chroma flatly.

"Your Majesty Ash, who is that boy?" Ask a man who was riding a brown horse by Ash's side earlier. He got off his horse and was surprised to see Chroma's hair and eyeballs.

"Your Majesty, don't-don't this kid.." Said surprised.

"Leon, I think I found it." Ash looked at Leon.

"My family."

The family? Inner Chroma. Then he laughed in his heart.

Is that family? Only cheap plays are played by people who can't be alone. Thought again.

"Chroma, how old are you now?" Ash asked as he held onto Chroma's shoulder slowly.

"Ten." Answer Chroma. "Give me a meal, sir." Pinta Chroma again.

"eat? Alright. Leon, get the bread out of my bag! Hurry along!" His orders to Leon. Leon immediately complied with his master's request.

"Chroma, who do you live with right now? If you don't have a home, what if you come with me?" Ash asked with a smile.

Chroma surprised. Suddenly his heart was worried. Ash's smile looked so warm. He was sure if he stayed with Ash, he would be happy. But, he was very scared. He can't get out of that place. He has done something that cannot be forgiven. Does he still deserve to stay with Ash and be happy?

Not likely. Inner Chroma. He looked back at Ash with a cold look.

Srats!

The sound of an incision sounded in the middle of the market crowd. Chroma. He attacked Ash so quickly. However, Ash more quickly stops Chroma's attack and slashes the tree next to her with the knife Chroma uses.

"Your Majesty!" Leon approached Ash.

Ash looked at Chroma coldly while still holding her hand. He then brought his face closer to Chroma who looked panicked and surprised. This time he failed in his job. Chroma tried her hardest to let go of Ash's tight grip.

"Chroma," said Ash quietly. "Why are you doing this?"

Chroma looked at Ash in confusion. He himself did not know why he had to kill Ash. All this time he just did what he was asked to do without asking.

Suddenly, Ash's hand rubbed Chroma's head gently. Chroma surprised. He saw Ash looking at him with a face that looked hurt. Chroma could feel her heart so hurt. Tears began to drip from his eyes.

"I'm sorry.." Lirih Chroma while sobbing.

Meanwhile, the middle-aged man who had seen it all clucked. He quickly approached them and pulled Chroma's hand.

"Well! Forgive me, Your Majesty! This slave is wild! He often steals knives from the kitchen to attack people and take their property! Forgive me!" Said the man while looking down.

At that instant, Chroma's face looked pale. He knew exactly what would happen if he returned to that place. He looked at Ash expectantly, trying to send a silent message that everything the man said was a lie. Ash looked at Chroma, then smiled gently.

Quickly, a sword pierced through the middle-aged man's body and took his life. Ash draws his sword, cleans the blood, then puts it back in its sheath. The people who were around were immediately boisterous and running from there. Ash then approached Chroma and hugged her tightly—no matter which fancy dress was instantly dirty once exposed to Chroma's body.

"Let's go home." Whisper on Chroma.

Chroma was a little surprised to see everything that happened, but she immediately hugged Ash tightly. Her tears came back with a lot. I don't know how long Chroma wanted all this.

At that time, Chroma finally had something meaningful in her life.

Families.

•••

Chroma opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling of the room that looked so tall it was flat. He then rubbed the tears that were still on his cheek.

"Dreams. huh?" His whisper.

"Oh." Chroma immediately looked at the sound of a voice that was not so foreign anymore in her ears. "You're conscious." His word.

"Cain?" Chroma said a little wonder. Chroma tried to get up and felt an excruciating pain in her body. He then began to remember what had happened.

Oh yes, I was attacked during the wedding ceremony yesterday. Her thought. But why is Cain here?

Cain stared at Chroma—which still looks wonder—with flat. Then he shifted his eyes back. His hand was holding a teacup that he occasionally inhaled its contents. His legs were crossed and he seemed to be enjoying the view outside the window.

O-this guy really has his own 'life stream.. Chroma thought a little amazed.

Slurrpp

Amidst the silence of the room, Cain still sipped his tea occasionally. He really did not utter anything other than the sentence he first said when Chroma was conscious.

"La-anu.. Prince Cain?" Chroma said slowly. Cain—who was staring out the window—turned looking at Chroma.

Silent.

Cain was really just staring at Chroma, waiting for Chroma to say something. Chroma sighed. Somehow his age felt like it had decreased by ten years if he talked to Cain.

"How long have I been unconscious?" Ask Chroma at last.

Cain stared at Chroma for a while, then put his teacup on the table.

"Two weeks." Answer Cain.

Chroma's eyes immediately glared at Cain's reply.

Two weeks?? Long time! I thought I was just unconscious for a day! How strange! Chroma's mind is a little panicked.

"The word" continued Cain. "There's poison in that arrow.. So, you haven't been conscious long enough."

Just deserve.

Chroma then returned to retreat. His body was still weak enough to sit for too long. Plus the overwhelming pain still lingered on his body.

"King Achromos," timpal Cain. "worry."

"Huh?" Ask Chroma.

"King Achromos. He's worried." Answer Cain.

Chroma paused for a moment, trying to understand what Cain meant to tell that.

"Then?" Ask Chroma again.

Cain stared at Chroma flatly, then got up from his seat.

"I'll tell King Achromos." He said as he disappeared from the room, leaving Chroma still reeked in confusion.

"It's really unbelievable he's Achromos' sister." Whisper Chroma while shaking her head.

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