In that shadowed corner of his mind, Kurayami sat on the same chair where he used to be tortured. He wept inconsolably, his gaze fixed on the ground covered in blue flowers—so pure they seemed to borrow their hue from a clear sky. About twenty meters ahead, a vast crystalline lake stretched out, reflecting the blue of the heavens with almost unreal perfection.
As his soul drifted in silence, lost in dark thoughts, a voice called out to him.
—Kurayami… why do you keep trying?
It was impossible to tell where the voice came from—or who it belonged to. It wasn't clear if it was a man's or a woman's voice. It sounded distant, blurred… almost nonexistent.
Kurayami lifted his gaze slightly and whispered in a trembling tone:
—Mom? Is that you? Did you finally come?
The voice spoke again, clearer this time, sweeter… almost motherly.
—Kurayami… lift your eyes from the ground.
He obeyed slowly. As he did, he felt a hand gently caressing his hair—with the tenderness of a forgotten embrace.
—Mom… I missed you so mu—
But before he could finish his sentence, his face twisted in horror. The person before him wasn't his mother.
—No, Kurayami… I'm not your mother.
A cruel pause fell between them.
—I am your father.
That silhouette before him… that gaze, that smile, those dark eyes… unmistakable. All of it belonged to him. To that man.
Just as he was trying to comprehend what he was seeing, a loud slam of a door tore him abruptly from his trance.
It had only been a dream… a confusing, disturbing dream.
—Time to pick up where we left off yesterday, Kurayami —said the woman with a macabre smile.
She seemed to be in a good mood to begin another torture session.
This time, she grabbed a pair of pliers, forced his mouth open, and began to pull out his teeth one by one, until none were left. Then came his nails, his fingers, his ears… and finally, his eyes.
And when Kurayami finished regenerating, she began again. Over and over.
But this time, they weren't alone.
His father was there too.
—Having fun with your friend, Kurayami?
—No! I'm not having fun! This is too cruel… too painful!
Kurayami couldn't bear it anymore. He just wanted everything to end.
—Why don't you just free yourself and escape this place… like you did once, long ago? —his father whispered, his tone dripping with venom.
Kurayami remained silent.
—Well? Aren't you going to?
The woman, after tearing off his last finger, wiped the blood away carelessly and headed for the door.
—Today's torture was short… maybe tomorrow will be more interesting. What do you think, Kurayami?
—I don't know… I just… want to go home.
His father leaned toward him, his lips almost brushing his ear, while Kurayami's wounds slowly began to close.
—You'd rather be the one who's hurt than hurt others… isn't that right?
—I… I…
—But that time… you didn't save her. Because you were weak. Because you never had the courage to kill anyone.
—That's not true! I tried to save her!
Again, a loud bang interrupted the conversation.
—Kurayami… who are you talking to? Are you going crazy from all the hunger and thirst? Yesterday when I left, I didn't give you anything to eat, did I?
—No! That's not true! I'm fine! I'm fine!
—Why do you lie to me? I told you, if you're hungry… tell me. I can feed you…
The woman, tearing off another finger, grabbed it and forced it into his mouth. Kurayami tried to resist, but she only laughed harder.
Then she gave him another piece… and another… and another.
But this time, the laughter filling the room didn't come from her—it came from Kurayami.
—How does the flesh taste, Kurayami? —his father asked, his cold eyes fixed on him.
Kurayami looked at him, blood dripping down his chin… and replied with a faint smile.
—It tastes… like Mom's cooking.