Chapter Text
Sword finally managed to break himself out of Illumina's control for now. A sense of relief washes over him, but it's short lived. He's still trapped after all.
He stares at the wall of his new room. It's white all around. The walls are white. His bed he's sitting on is white. Light streams through the window constantly, as the sun never sets in Illumina's domain. He can't even understand how Illumina doesn't go insane in his castle, with how every room reminds him of a white room used for torture.
It practically is a cell for him. No matter how extravagant this castle is, it will only ever be seen as a torture chamber to Sword.
He remembers the first time he was let out of here since becoming a follower, although he'd rather forget it.
Illumina had said he was a distraction to his duties.
Rocket… he didn't mean to hurt him… he truly had no idea that Illumina would make him do that to him. He had to watch himself as his body did things that his brain was desperately trying to stop him from doing.
But he just wasn't strong enough to stop himself…
Rocket may not be dead, but Sword doesn't know if he will ever trust him again. Nor can Sword really trust himself around people he cares about anymore…
He isn't going to let this happen again. He told himself that he would just stay and do whatever Illumina told him to do. He doesn't want to, but he will bear it if it means he won't harm any of his friends again.
Sword was told he'd be stronger if he followed Illumina. He had targeted Sword while he was at his lowest, he now realizes.
He had many doubts about his abilities. His father always said he was growing to be a great phighter, along with praise from Rocket too, but he never could bring himself to believe them. No matter how much he tries to believe in himself, one small slip up would just bring it all down in his head.
He always thought nobody as pathetic as him could possibly be as good at phighting as everyone else he knows.
He thought this could be an escape, he'd finally be strong enough to match up to everyone else with Illumina's help.
However now… he's just gotten worse.
He needs to get the hell out of here. He can't take it anymore. The brightness, the constant grueling training, the eerie quiet beside the sound of Illumina's talons clicking against the castle floor, the lack of any other soul present besides himself and Illumina…
…but most of all it's homesickness. He longs to go for a phighting match with Rocket again. He wants to see his dad and apologize to him for being so stupid to let himself be manipulated like this.
…He needs to make sure Rocket's wound is okay…
He suddenly snaps out of his thoughts as he realizes… It's awfully quiet. Illumina must be distracted.
He doesn't sleep or eat much, and he's almost always on alert. Him being distracted for longer periods of time is rare.
Sword doesn't think too hard about what he's about to do as he opens the door to his room. He's supposed to be sleeping, but he's busy making a split second decision. This might be one of his only chances to get out.
Looking around, the main hall is visible from the hall his room is in. He can't see where Illumina is, nor does he remember where his footsteps were heard last.
He begins to carefully step out of his room, before realizing that his armor and talons will alert Illumina to his presence. There's nothing he can do but hope he isn't heard.
Sword slowly walks out of his room, trying his best to keep it down low. Each click of his talons on the floor causes him to wince and listen for Illumina. Nothing.
He manages to make it to the main hall, a hopeful smile spreading across his seeing that the main doors are open like always. Nobody really came into Illumina's domain often, and no one would dare steal from a God's palace anyway. There was no real reason to close them.
Then he hears something that makes his blood run cold.
“Sword. Thou art supposed to be resting for thy training.”
Sword turns around. His expression fades from hope to horror as his heart pounds so hard it feels like it's going to explode.
Illumina is right at the top of the staircase overlooking the main hall. His pure white eyes cut into Sword’s very being.
“Now cometh hither. Anon.”
Illumina's runes start to glow. Sword immediately knows what's coming and he isn't going to let it happen again. He isn't falling under Illumina's control again, because with what he's trying to do right now he may not ever break out again.
Sword whipped back around and began to run. Adrenaline granting him the ability to run faster than he's ever ran before.
“I HATH SAID COMETH HITHER ANON!”
The now furious Illumina gives chase. He may not be able to fly anymore, but he can still run quite fast. He's gaining on Sword as he frantically scrambles down the castle's stairs.
Sword doesn't look back. He opens his wings and manages to get off the ground before Illumina does any damage besides slashing his armor.
Illumina stands on the staircase, watching him fly away.
“A PLAGUE ON THOU AND EVERYONE THEE LOVETH! I SHALL SEEK THEE AND TEAR THY WINGS FROM YOUR BACKETH! UNWORTHY RAT, THOU AND ALL THEE LOVETH SHALL PAYETH!”
Sword sort of hears what is screamed at him as he flies off in the distance, landing on the ground.
He’s sweating, his chest hurts, there's tears in his eyes, and he has no idea where he is…
However he does remember how to get back to the world he's used to.
He focuses, using his newfound power to create a portal back to… somewhere. He isn't quite sure how to go to a specific place yet…
He doesn't care, he just needs to get the fuck out of this insane place.
Sword steps through the portal with hopes and dreams of his life going back to normal.
…The universe has other plans.