Chapter Text
Rain jolted out of his sleep, panting and sweating. He dropped his face into his hands. What had gone wrong all of a sudden? What was this weird dream that had taken him over? For as long as he could remember, Rain had dreamt the same dream, every single night; of a tall handsome man, with long black hair and sexy blue eyes; eyes that bore into his, marking him as his, even without laying a hand on him. He remembered the exact moment when blue became his favourite colour, replacing the magenta he had always loved. At first, the dreams were soft, gentle, where his person would just sit next to him, and they would sit for hours, in complete silence. As Rain grew older, the dreams changed. The eyes changed, their colour going from blue to amber, tiny flames fluttering in their depths. There was something more in them, something unbearable, that would make Rain squirm. He vividly remembered the first time he came, with just those eyes boring into him. He had felt reckless, but wanted; oh so wanted!
But today, it had been different. Those eyes were pitch black, like they were pits of hell, where all the horrors of the world resided. The gorgeous black hair that he loved was untied and tangled. The little bit of the hands he had been able to see were manacled, and long chains extended from it. Rain couldn’t see where the chains ended, but he could see the pain etched in that beloved face. He had held out his hand, hoping to just stroke his love once, but the feral anger had made him breathless, and he had woken up back in his bed. He realised that the pain that he had felt just upon waking had not been his, but had belonged to someone else; someone who had resided in his head and heart forever. “P’Phayu,” he breathed out, his eyes closing in pain and fear.
Sky watched as Rain studiously took down notes in class. He looked like he was completely focused on the task at hand, but Sky knew Rain. He had known him the best and the longest among all their friends. Rain was a good student, extremely creative, he was nothing less than perfect. But he hid himself behind a fake persona that most people could not see past. There was nothing about Rain that Sky didn’t know. But it had been a week and Rain had still not unburdened himself. This is why Sky knew this was serious. Instead of talking between classes, Sky decided to wait it out.
Sometimes Rain would give it up on his own, sometimes Sky had to pry it out of him, and this time, it seemed like the latter. As soon as the class was over, Por leaned forward. “Let’s go to the canteen guys? I am hungry, and thirsty,” he said. “Good plan. Why don’t you guys go ahead? Rain and I will catch up with you,” Sky said, effectively sealing Rain’s escape. Everyone nodded and left. “Are you going to tell me what it is or am I going to have to beat it out of you?” Sky asked. “I can’t talk here Sky. Let’s meet at your dorm later?” Rain asked, and Sky nodded.
“What happened? The dream again?” Sky asked. He was the only one who knew about Rain’s dreams. Even then, he hadn’t told him everything. “I have no idea if it was a dream or a nightmare,” Rain said, his head in his hands. “What do you mean?” Sky asked. Rain told him all about what had happened a week ago. “I haven’t slept since. I am literally afraid to. I can’t see him like that. It hurts my heart,” Rain said, acute despair colouring his tone. “Rain, you must find out about him. That’s the only way. You said you have his name. Search in a book or the Internet or something, anything. You might not get perfect replies, but there will definitely be some information that might help you,” Sky said. “Mother and Father are back home. I dare not search anything there,” Rain said, now fear colouring his tone as well. “Rain, you know you are always welcome to use my things. How many times do I have to tell you that?” Sky asked, exasperated.
“I am not going to put you in trouble Sky. It’s bad enough you know most of my secrets, I wouldn’t be able to handle if something happened to you. My family will not leave you alone,” Rain said, his voice shuddering in fear. Sky didn’t utter a word, but he knew that he was not without power of his own, just like Rain wasn’t. It was what kept them bonded, and the bond had been forged in blood. However, he understood Rain’s fear. “Rain, you are the only member of your family with this.. strength. In the 20 years that you have been alive, they have not been able to figure that out. What makes you think they will now?” Sky asked, wanting Rain to think with his impeccable logic, and not with the horrific memories of what he had seen, tarring those senses.
Rain’s family was filled with monsters. They had done things that would be horrendous by any standards. Rain had seen his own grandmother being butchered right in front of his eyes for being a mage, a bearer of magic. What his family had never known was; not only had Rain seen everything, but he had also absorbed his grandmother’s magic, adding to his own burgeoning powers, making him more powerful than anyone else in his family. That is when his dreams had started coming, or at least that’s what he had told Sky. The mark of mages sat high on his chest, which is why he was never without clothes in front of his family, no matter what they thought of him. Sky and he had discovered their kindred spirits right away, which they had sealed in blood, making them blood brothers. They had vowed to keep each other safe, and Sky would never break that promise.
They had seen the worst one human could do to another and felt that they were better off as mages. In fact, they believed staunchly that even demons were better than the humans they had faced. But now, Rain needed him, and just like Rain had been his shield in the worst times of his life, Sky was ready to do the same. “Let me find a way,” Rain said, breaking into Sky reminiscences. “Use the Uni resources. They will never be able to find who used it. You can always delete the history. Names have power Rain. Find that name before someone who doesn’t deserve it, finds it,” Sky said, and Rain nodded at his sound logic.
“Phayu, or the Storm Demon, once the most powerful of demons, yet a much kind hearted and benign one, disappeared centuries ago. With his disappearance, the beautiful storms that lit up our city’s skyline, disappeared as well, leaving us bereft. Not a single pure storm has been visible since many several years. While we do see rain, and severe winds, thunder and lightning has been very much missing from existence.” Rain drew in a deep breath. There was no photograph, like in the modern times, but more of an artist’s rendering. And whoever had drawn that, had drawn the man in his dreams, right from the beautiful blue eyes, to the true black hair, framing the most gorgeous face. Rain’s eyes filled with tears. This man, demon, if you will, had not disappeared. He was in captivity, and he was not in a good shape. Rain quickly printed out as much as he could of the article, and deleted all search history. He had learnt his lessons over the years, and he was not going to take any chances.
“This is him Sky,” Rain whispered, his voice filled with rage. “He is being tortured somewhere, and I am pretty sure my family is behind it,” he said. Sky stared at him. “So, now what? What are you going to do?” he asked. “Rescue him,” Rain said in the most confident tone he could garner, not feeling one iota of it. But he would do it, no matter what sacrifice it took him. He would give up his life for that man, the man of his dreams, the lover in his dreams. “I will help,” Sky said determinedly. “No Sky, that is not a good idea. If they find out anything, I will be the first to go down. I need you to be safe so that I can wait for you to find me,” Rain said. At first, Sky nodded. Then something about Rain’s tone snagged his attention. “Why does it sound like you don’t plan to return Rain?” he asked sharply. Rain looked at him and his face said it all.
Rain behaved as normally as he could in front of his family. This time, his elder brothers had returned with his parents. It was not like he would get any support from them, but at least they kept the attention away from him. He was the unloved, unwanted child, who had been handed over to his grandmother as soon as he was born. Then it was discovered that she was a mage, which had made her an immediate target. It had not bothered his father that this was his own mother he was sending to her doom. At first though, they had beaten Rain, so badly, almost to the point of death, to check whether he was a mage as well, or knew any spells, since he had lived with her. But when he had done nothing, shown no reaction, just lay as one dead, they had finally called a doctor for him. It had been slow recovery, but he had managed to hang on, hoping to be able to rescue his grandmother. But he had been just a little late.
When he had finally found her, his grandmother’s terrifying screams had locked into his heart, resounding in his ears. He had reeled with shock at the cruelty of his family members, and had never forgiven them. He had passed out soon after. When he woke up, he had the mark of the mage, making it clear to him that his grandmother had passed. And he had vowed that no one else would go through what his grandmother had. He had honed his skills quietly over the years, and then he had met Sky. With Sky, a bond was created, a bond that came from beyond love, beyond blood. Sky became, in the complete sense of the word, Rain’s family. And there was no way he was going to allow any harm to befall Sky. He was ready. He watched as his parents and brothers eat their fill. He knew they would sleep soon, and then he would try to find his demon.
Rain was ready, the runes and crystals that he would need, already under his bed. The moment everyone retired, Rain was, for the first time, was sincerely glad that he had been given the farthest room, completely away from family, got to work. Rain closed and locked the doors and windows, then drawing the thick curtains across them. He quickly put a spell on the door, making it impossible for anyone to walk in at any time. He got into bed, hoping sleep will come. He just needed one clue, one indication to find his man, then he would tear the world apart. He stared at the ceiling, feeling too keyed up to actually sleep, but before he knew it, he was walking down a long corridor. The smell was so rank that even his sleep laden body twitched in misery. He covered his nose and breathed through his mouth, trying to control his gagging, looking around to see if he knew where this place was.
“Rain.” He heard a soft voice call out. He whirled around, trying to gauge where the sound came from. He would know that voice anywhere. “Halmeoni?” he called out. “Impossible,” he whispered, now knowing that his mind was probably playing tricks on him. “Rain, here sweet boy,” her voice came again from a room on his right. He was drawn to it like nothing else. The sight made him gag. His grandmother lay, old and haggard, covered in her own soils, thin to the point of being emaciated. “You are alive?” he cried out, stuffing his fist in his mouth. “How?” he asked. He had received the mark, then how..? “Barely,” she said, her voice thready. “Waiting for you,” she added. “Halmeoni,” Rain’s voice broke. “Be care..ful.. sacri..fice..love you Rai..,” she said, and he could feel her breath rattling out. He wanted to sit and scream and rage, he was that disgusted by his family. But he wouldn’t let her death be in vain. He had clearly understood what she had meant. He was to be the sacrifice, and he was ready. He sent a prayer winging out into the ether, asking for complete safety for Sky, and then burying his sorrow deep within him, he moved further ahead.
Once his grandmother had completely passed, he had felt the mage mark burn, and he knew that he was more powerful now, and he also knew exactly where he was. His senses were clear, and he hurried forward, knowing time was of the essence. He could sense the presence of his demon, and he just wanted to be there, right next to him. He didn’t want to use his magic here at all, not knowing what lurked in the shadows, so he didn’t stop anywhere. He would need to be in full strength if he needed to rescue his dream prince. He kept the trail in his head, knowing he had to come here awake too. Seeing his Halmeoni die in his dream state had not been the easiest of things, but he would not let her death go to waste.
He stopped abruptly at the sudden sound. Where had he heard that before? He inched forward, keeping to the shadows, trying not to make any noise. He stopped again as the noise got closer. It was a growl, a low growl, and the sound of heavy breathing interspersed with that. Someone was trying to do something, but was unable to. Rain leaned forward, looking for guards or anyone who could hinder his progress. But there was no one there. Just like no one had been around his Halmeoni. He knew why. Because both of them had been kept so weak, they would not even try to make a run for it. He slowly rounded the corner, keeping an eye out nonetheless. The growls were from just in front of him, but there was nothing visible. He reached his hand forward and touched something. It felt solid. He moved his hand around and hit something on either side. The growls stopped and Rain immediately withdrew his hand.
It was a cloaking spell, and he knew who had done it. His Halmeoni’s power ran through the bars. And they were bars. Of a cage. Those monsters had locked up someone in, like a wild animal. How could they call themselves human? Humans were supposed to be intelligent, right? They could use their brains? What had these people done? He lifted his hands and muttered a spell, and immediately the spell his Halmeoni had used fell away. There it was. The face he had been looking at. All his life, ever since he could remember. For 16 years, this was the only face to show him some semblance of kindness. His beloved’s face. “P’Phayu,” he whispered, all his pain and longing leaping forward in his voice.
The head of the demon snapped up. The pitch black eyes stared at him. Rain didn’t flinch, didn’t move, nothing. He stood stock-still, allowing the demon to look at him. as he watched, he watched the black recede, to be replaced by the blue he remembered and loved. “Rain?” the voice was dry and hoarse, as if it had been ages since he had had water. “Are you thirsty Phi?” he asked. Phayu nodded, the pain caused by the movement visible on his face. Rain quickly created water in his palm and Phayu almost leaped forward to gulp it down. When he was done, Rain touched the manacles, loosening them a bit, so that Phayu could relax his muscles. “Are you a blood demon Phi? Do you need my blood?” Rain asked. He would come back awake the next day, and he needed Phayu to be at full strength so that they would be able to escape faster.
Phayu nodded, a weird expression on his face. When Rain brought his wrist forward, Phayu cringed back. “Phi please. I don’t want to cut myself. If my blood drops fall here, it will be a disaster. You need to use your teeth directly on my skin,” Rain said, still looking around, trying to be cautious. “Dangerous. Can’t stop,” Phayu said. “You are not dangerous Phi. I will tell you when to stop. I know you will do it for me,” Rain said, sounding way more confident than he actually felt. Phayu shuffled forward and took Rain’s hand, delicately biting into the skin. After a couple of minutes, he stopped, his eyes turning grey as he passed his hand over the wound, not letting a drop fall.
Phayu was about to release him when Rain himself whirled around at a sound. “I need to go Phi. But I will be back,” he whispered, tugging his hand away. He looked back once, and then ran for his life. He knew exactly where the sound was coming from. Someone was trying to open the door to his room, and he needed to be back there before they could break in. He had to remove the spell from the door, before they discovered it. He knew what they wanted now. Thanks to his Halmeoni, he was warned enough about what was coming. All he had to do was figure out a way to get Phayu out.
When his father and eldest brother entered the room, Rain was fast asleep. “Rain? Rain?” his brother whispered softly. “Huh? Whazzit?” he mumbled, before turning away and sleeping again. “We will take him tomorrow night,” his dad said. “Are you sure this will work? He seems like such an airhead, so useless. Maybe that friend of his? Sky? He might be a better choice,” his brother said. Rain’s fists clenched under the blanket at the lecherous tone. There was no way in hell he would allow P’Stop or P’Gun lay their hands on Sky. He would kill them first. He breathed a sigh of relief when they both left the room. He immediately sent a message to Sky asking him to go away somewhere, preferably until Rain messaged him back. He deleted the message, blocked Sky and deleted his number. He then messaged Por, the only other person he could trust, asking him to keep Sky safe, because some people were after him. He told him that he had some urgent work, so he will not be coming to Uni, and even if these people came and said that Rain was calling because he was in trouble, even then Sky should not go. Thankfully, Por didn’t ask any questions.
The next morning, Rain easily caught the medicine his mother poured in his drink. He slipped a counter spell before he drank it. He gave it a few minutes before pretending to feel drowsy. “I think I will sleep in today mom,” he said, standing up, and pretending to stumble. “Let me help you,” P’Stop was immediately solicitous. “It’s okay Phi. I can manage,” Rain said, weaving his way upstairs. “Let’s give it 20 minutes. Then we will go,” he heard his dad say. Rain was ready. This is exactly what he had been waiting for. This was going to be the biggest rebellion of his life, and he was ready.
Phayu’s body hurt. His heart hurt. His mind hurt. His very soul hurt. He had been locked here for so long that he had forgotten what the world looked like. Slowly and steadily, the light within him dimmed. He remembered a world where he had been revered. Village after village of people would bring him gifts and tokens, asking him to protect their crops and give them his kindness. When the fancy took him, he would transform into a human and wander among people, trying to judge the pulse of the people. Along with his friend Prapai, the wind demon, he would roam around, tasting new things, trying new type of clothes. The temples devoted to them always drew them, the scent of flowers and incense wafted into them, the power of people’s faith rejuvenating them.