Punish Me!!

OMNISCIENT POV

Castyr lets out a sigh as he leans against the bars of the cage. Erin's eyes flash red for a split second, catching the star's attention.

"Erin...your eyes."

"Hmm?"

"They flashed red. Did something happen?"

"The sun must have risen," Erin responds quietly.

"Right. How do you feel? Any better?"

"Mm. I feel stronger. My ribs don't hurt anymore."

Castyr sighs with relief. "That's good." His sky eyes widen as he thinks of a plan. "Both of us get stronger with the blood sun..."

Erin nods. This is common knowledge; he is waiting for the star to continue.

"Maybe we can break out of here and save Orion!"

"Castyr... there are only two of us. It would be two against the whole of Hades," Erin tries to talk some sense into the overachieving star.

"I know, but it's worth a shot."

"...It is, but...I don't even know where Ben is being kept."

"Oh...you're right," the star lets out a sigh. "It's a fool's plan. Besides, Kilo said he was coming," Castyr's wild thought leaves his head as he comes back to reality.

"It is good to think optimistically, though," Erin gives the star a small smile.

"Mm." The star nods his head before closing his eyes and letting out a long breath. "I just miss him. I guess I just want to get out of here and see him."

"Me, too. I miss Ben."

The boys' thoughts of their lovers are cut short by the dreaded sound of the door opening. Erin's eyes widen as he stares at the body being dragged down the stairs. His face pales, and tears enter his big eyes as the group of demons stop in front of the boys' cell.

"B-Benni," Erin lets out in the tiniest whimper.

Castyr stares at the bloodied demon as the body is thrown to the ground. Unlike other demons that Castyr has seen, Ben has beautiful white hair. He looks up weakly, revealing deep eyes the color of red wine. A trail of blood leaks from his lips, and his body is covered with blood and gashes.

"Erin," Ben says his love's name shakily before a boot is placed on his outstretched hand.

"Let him go!" Erin cries as Ben lets out a painful groan.

"Oh, we will. Don't worry, little one. We will let him go down the abyss," a demon sneers.

Erin's eyes widen with fear. "...No..."

"You see, Erin, Benni here failed his mission," the demon informs as he rotates his foot on Ben's hand, extracting a pained moan from the white-haired demon.

"Then punish me!" Erin cries desperately as he clings to the bars of his cell. "Punish me!!"

"Tsk tsk tsk. It doesn't work that way anymore, Erin. Because, you see, Ben didn't just fail his mission, he betrayed Hades. He let the child of his target live, and that does not end with just his usual punishment. The sentence is death."

That word echoes in Erin's ears down to his soul. "No, no, no, please!"

"That won't save him, Erin. There's nothing you can do," another demon says evilly.

"So we thought we would let him say goodbye. After all, you two have been very entertaining these past years. You deserve it," the third demon sneers.

By this time, tears are streaming down Erin's face. He reaches his hand through the bars of his cell and barely touches the tips of Ben's fingers. The demon lifts his foot from Ben's hand so his prisoner can reach for Erin.

Castyr watches in horror as the first demon draws his sword. A small smile appears on Ben's lips as he finally feels the touch of his love after five long years. Even though Erin's face is stained with tears, he looks as beautiful as ever in the eyes of his lover. There is so much that Ben wants to tell Erin. There are so many places he wants to bring Erin, to show him the wonders of the universe. He wants to hold him in his arms one last time, but he knows he is fortunate to be able to just see him again. Thinking back, it was worth it. It was worth it to let them do whatever to him to see Erin again. He will never forget those big eyes nor his moon smile.