Leuko - Blind to the Sunlight

Chapter 2: The Sun Never Rises

Blood filled the horizon, the ground was drowned by its crimson, and the sky cried its ichor.

Yet a boy remained unmoved in this fury. The blood couldn't reach him as it could only slide off its pale skin, unable to soil his presence.

Slowly, the sea started to move, and multiple skeletons left their drowning chastisement and surrounded the only ray of white.

Their bones were red, their eye was empty, and their teeth had long fallen, yet a single knife rested in each of their hand, yet it was more drenched in blood than the whole sea.

The blades were in the form of a snake, being as crooked as their use.

The kid didn't react to their apparition, he didn't even notice them. He only looked at the sky, looking for something he didn't even know.

One skeleton raised his knife high and directed it toward the only trace of red on the boy's body, its eyes. They were of a simple pale red, yet they looked more putrid than the blood surrounding them.

The skeleton raised his knife high in the sky, but before he had the chance to cut down its eye, he became dust. The same happened to the other skeleton surrounding him.

Only their knife stayed intact, before slowly drowning in the sea.

And a shadow slowly returned under the boy

But after some instant, the skeleton reappeared, still showing off its crimson.

They didn't make any other attempt, only standing there and opening their jaw.

''We were lost Wooloo.''

''Afraid of the dark.''

''The sun never rose''

''But then he came.''

''With his light.''

''With our hope.''

'''WITH OUR SUN!'''

''He guided us.''

''He saved us!''

''He blessed us!''

''He blessed you!''

'''YET YOU CURSED US!'''

'"YOU MADE THE SUN SCREAM!"'

"'YOU MADE US FLEE!'"

''So why?''

"'WHY ARE YOU STILL ALIVE!?'''

*poof*

Before they could finish their serenade, they were reduced to powder.

Yet, a single voice still reasoned in this empty world.

But what is the point of hearing it echo if no one believes it?

***

...why do I see nothing? Did I sleep early? I don't remember falling asleep...on what am I sleeping anyway? It's... comfortable? Oh, that means that Pandora must also have slept well...

...why didn't he wake me up? Is he still asleep, weird, I don't remember any...

WHERE PANDORA!!! DID THEY TAKE HIM AWAY FROM ME!!!

I remember now! I was assaulted by the weird pokemon, and then an even more terrifying man came down and said he would take me!

Did he take Pandora with him also!?

I try to stand up, but my hand sinks into a soft matter which makes me slip down.

Where am I!? What is that under me!? Where Pandora!

Did they take him away!?

''Kyu!'' I suddenly felt a weight on my torso, I weight I instantly recognized.

''PANDORA!!!'' I immediately took him in my arms and hugged him tightly. ''I'm glad you're fine Pandora.'' I patted him slowly on the head, and then I shared our vision just to see my face.

''AH!'' I couldn't help but scream after seeing that my blindfold wasn't on my face anymore. ''Pandora! Where is my...

I didn't have the chance to say more when Pandora took a white bandana from under his costume and enrolled it on my head with the aid of a black tendril.

''Oh...thanks Pandora...sorry for panicking.''

''Kyu.''

''So...where are we?'' I took Pandora in my arms and moved him around to see the whole room.

It looked like a simple pale blue space with some metallic equipment neatly put on a white table. There was even a sink near the metal door, been a long time since I saw one. A window was also installed on the right side of the room, it let the light enter the room. Weirdly, there was a curtain that was closed just enough so that the ray couldn't touch me.

But there was one thing I didn't understand, what was I laying on? It was a soft rectangle superposed by a wood fabric. There were even some drapes covering it.

But it is comfy.

And I also never felt better, even when I was born I didn't feel this great! I had no difficulty breathing, my wound didn't hurt me as much, and my throat felt more hydrated.

I felt so good, that I just wanted to stay here forever.

*click*

I immediately stood up in fright to look at the door open.

Oh no, I forgot where I was!

An adult with pink hair slowly opened the door. She was wearing a pink dress that stopped to her knee. Over it was a white apron. A white hat covered her pink hair and was arranged as a loop.

Following her was a round pokemon that had tiny legs and hands, but the most distinct thing about it was the egg on its belly.

The pokemon was bringing a tray filled with things that smelled very good from where I stood.

The pink-haired girl looked with surprise at me before regaining a calming smile. The pokemon also pushed a cry of joy at seeing me, before it tried to approach me, leaving the tray behind her.

What do they want from me? Is this the kind who enjoys seeing me suffering?

...but contrary to that man, they don't seem that strong, I could probably escape.

I took Pandora in my arms and immediately started to look for another way to leave this piece.

The main entrance was blocked by the lady, and the pokemon was approaching from my left. And I can't use the window because it is too high.

But it is also my only option.

I looked back to see that the pokemon almost reached it, but the lady still stayed in the same spot.

The window is my last option then

That is why I left the sheet and fell on the ground...only to immediately feel an immense pain in my leg.

''Argh!'' a pained scream left my mouth as my face met the ground with a large impact. I tried to ignore it to stand up, but I just couldn't move my leg no matter what

''Are you alright?'' The woman ran toward me in fright before lowering herself to my level.

I tried to run away by ramping backward, but I felt something hitting my head.

Did I hit the wall? Oh no!

I turned back and at least allowed me to rest my back on the wall.

I looked back at the woman in horror, but to my confusion, she didn't move but still looked at me with worry.

What is she worried about? Can't she see I can't escape?

''Are you hungry?'' The girl asked me calmly.

I didn't know how to respond, so I only stayed there hugging Pandora the best I could.

The woman didn't seem to mind my lack of response, as she stood up and took something from the tray. She then returned to her previous position and posed on the ground right in front of me.

It was a pink sandwich, but a frosting was in the middle. The crust seemed a little damaged, but it still looked delicious. ''This is a poké puff, a sweet treat made in Kalos.'' The girl said still as calm as ever.

A poké puff? It looks tasty...but it must not be for me.

''It's just for you.''

''Eh?!'' What does she mean it just for me? This looked delicious, isn't she supposed to show it off before eating it right in front of me?

''If you don't like this one, I can give you another type.''

''Ah! No...don't trouble yourself.''

''You could never trouble me. Don't worry, if you want another, just ask me.''

I looked back at the poké puff once more, then at the girl just to be sure she didn't want it.

Maybe they taste horrible?

I reached toward the sweet before coming back to my spot, I looked once more at the woman, and she still looked at me with a smile, except this one seemed more bright than before.

I then broke the poké puff in half and gave the biggest one to Pandora. But breaking it allowed me to notice the fragrance. I looked once more at the lady to be sure she really didn't want to eat it before gulping the whole treat in my mouth.

IT'S SO GOOD! It tasted like a mago berries, but sweeter, the buns weren't even bread! It's sugar in the form of bread bum! It's so good.

Even Pandora enjoyed it, I knew this because he took his time with this one, he usually eats in one bite the food he doesn't like.

''Did you like it?'' The lady asked gently

''AH!'' I was so focused on the food that I completely forgot about her,!

I scrutinized her expression, but no matter where I looked, she didn't change her expression. ''I really hope you liked it, I was the one who made it.''

Ah, I understand, she wanted me to confirm the test, I'm simply lucky that she made a good batch...but they were really delicious.

''Yes, it was very good, probably the best food I ever tasted!'' I tried to say with the most excitement I could muster, I even tried to smile at her. It should please her, right?

But instead, she only looked at me silently...at least she was still smiling...even if it seemed to almost have slipped out of her face.

Before the silence could get even more awkward, nurse Joy started to speak again. ''I'm glad you loved it that much.'' She said with a smile before suddenly being surprised. ''Oh right, I forgot to present myself. My name is Kanjo Joy, but you can call me Nurse Joy."

I waited a little, but she didn't speak more after this, only patiently looking a me with a soft smile. Her pokemon did the same as it stood behind her while humming a little song.

I bring all of my courage to ask a question. ''...what will you do to me.''

''I will take care of you.''

''Why?''

''Because you are hurt, there is no need for any other reason.''

That's... stupid.

''If you have more questions, don't you think it would be better to make ourselves more comfortable.'' She pointed at the white rectangle just beside me. ''I can help you climb the bed if you want.''

Wait, a what?

''BED?! That's a bed!'' My progenitor sometimes talked about it, but I never expected that they looked this fancy!

''Yes, it a bed, it probably not the most comfortable, as it better to have a hard mattress, as it better to treat our patient.''

Oh, my s...incredible! There exists an even comfier bed! And I was even able to sleep on one!

''Am I dead?'' It could explain why I received so many good things since I woke up.

But shouldn't horrible things happen to me instead?

I wanted to ask her why, but I stopped when I saw the horror in her face.

''What? Of course not, you're not dead.'' It was the first time I saw her lose her calm. But she immediately calmed herself with a deep breath before looking at me again. ''So, are you interested in going back to your bed?''

"Can I really?''

''Yes you can, this bed was made so that people can rest on it.''

''...even if it me?''

''Especially if it is you, this bed was specially made to accept those that need medical help, and that includes you.''

Before I had the chance to ask more, Pandora manifested more tendrils and slowly enveloped me with them. Then he raised me in the air and then released me into the bed. After, it was his turn, and he simply jumped on the bed before going back into my arms.

Before I could ask why did that, Pandora answered my obvious question. ''Mi kyu.''

''Well, it's right it's more comfortable in there.''

I concentrated on Nurse Joy again, only to see her stand up, but before I could see what she was doing, I heard some wheels moving. It was her pokemon taking the carriage to my side.

The carriage contained multiple little plats each containing a different meal, like a bowl of oran berry, an orange liquid, and even more of these poké puffs. But the most eye-catching thing was an immense scrabble egg decorated with some red herb.

Is it for me?

I looked at the pokemon as if I questioned it, but it simply answered by giving me two oran berries.

...I guess refusing it will make her angrier.

I gave one of the berries to Pandora before immediately eating the berries.

'Hmm!' This one is delicious! It tastes even better than the one I took this morning...wait.

"What happen to *cough cough*''

''Don't talk while eating.'' Nurse Joy says in a calm tone before handing me the cup of orange liquid that I took and drank immediately, letting the berries travel more easily in my throat.

''What happened after I met this weird man?''

''Weird man...did this weird man have golden air and a blue outfit?''

''Ah, yes. This one!''

''His name is Volo Goldwin, also known as the Traitor."

I put an air of confusion. "The Traitor?"

"You don't need to know too much about him now, what you need is rest!"

"Oh, but why did he send me here?"

"He said that you were one of the refugees who didn't leave on time, so we should take care of you. That's all he said to me, well, he also told me he was the one who broke your leg." She added in a slightly angry tone.

"That's all he told me, however, so that is why I would hope to learn more about you." She looked at my blindfold before slowly diverting her gaze. ''So what if I started by asking your name.''

''Eh? My name is Luciel.''

''Oh, that's a wonderful name.''

''...yes, it is the name I deserve.''

She flinched at my response, before coughing in her fist. ''Well Luciel, if you don't mind, I would have more questions for you.''

I didn't respond, but it seemed that she took it as an agreement. "May I know how you are feeling?"

"I feel...good, breathing isn't as painful now."

"That's wonderful news, now second question, do you know braille?"

"Braille?"

"I suppose it means no."

"What is braille?"

"It's a way for blind people, like you, to read."

"Oh, but I'm not blind."

"You...you are not?"

"No, I share my vision with Pandora instead," I responded by raising Pandora in the air to show how awesome he was.

"...I...I see, thank you for answering. But I have another question, did you have any plan before Volo...found you?''

''...surviving.''

I could see her expression immediately morphing from calm to afraid in one instant.

"I know someone like me doesn't have the right to live, but I just want to be a little more selfish in my life...please.''

I lowered my head, I know what I asked was shameless, but it was really the only thing I wanted.

''That...great.'' She said in a confused tone, then she looked at me with slight hesitation. "I'm going to make sure that you get something better than this."

"Eh?" But I don't deserve better, what does she mean?

''Sorry, this is not the moment to ask you these questions. You just woke up, and you should be tired after everything that happened to you. So take this chance to rest, and feel free to eat what we prepared for you.''

She took the sheet and covered me in it.

Before I had the time to ask why, her pokemon put a tray filled with food on my lap. ''Chansey!''

''When you're finished, you just have to put the plate on this table, we will take them back the moment we return. And at the same time, we will continue the treatment."

''...alright.''

''Thanks you...'' She seemed to hesitate before continuing to talk. ''I only want to help you Luciel.''

''Euh...can I ask you a question?'' She stopped before looking back at me with a smile.

''Feel free to ask Luciel.''

''When I asked if I was dead, you showed a weird expression...what was that?''

She froze, before putting on the same expression that I wondered about.

''Yes, this one.''

''...it called concern Luciel. I felt worried about your situation, and I pitied you. That what concern is.''

"Oh...I like concern.''

''I will make sure that you receive a lot of it then.''

She said before turning back toward the door and opening it, she looked at me one last time before leaving.

...I liked that.

***

Nurse Joy carefully closed the door behind her, making sure it didn't make too much noise when closing. When she made sure that it was completely closed, she allowed herself to let out the breath she restrained since she entered the room. ''Aaaah.'

She almost fell to the ground by was barely able to support herself.

''Chansey.'' Her pokemon held her hand while looking worried.

''It alright Tournesol, I'm fine.'' She sighed before preparing to leave to prepare the tool she would need to heal Luciel.

But before she had the chance to leave, a voice interpreted her from behind.

''Ah Miss Joy, I've been meaning to talk to you. Are you currently free?''

Easily recognizing the voice, she turned back to immediately bow in front of her.

She was a woman with caramel skin and black hair, some of it golden or blue. Her sharp eyes mirrored the same striking pattern. She was wearing a full black pantsuit that reached her black leather shoes.

"Greetings Miss Geeta."

"No need for formality. I am simply here to know the condition of the child Volo found."

"It might take a long time to explain."

"Good thing I made some time for myself then."

"It would be better to take a seat then." Nurse Joy proposed before resuming marching with her pokemon following closely behind her while bringing the cart.

Geeta understood the motion and walked behind, not even flinching her knee when taking a step.

They rapidly faced some white stairs, that they simply walked down, leading them to an immense room with a yellow floor with a pokeball design in its center. A counter was installed in the back, it was filled with multiple medical equipment, but the centerpiece was a white cube with six holes in it.

However, Geeta made no comment on the remarkable technology surrounding her, technology that exceeded even what some national headquarters could claim. Yet, here they were, in a modest hospital on the remote island of Danu.

In front of the counter stood a few tables, and it was there that the duo moved. Nurse Joy remained standing behind a chair, while Geeta gracefully took her seat, placing both hands neatly on her knee. Once Geeta was settled, Joy finally took her seat as well.

"Now, may I have a rundown on the infant's condition?" She said while taking out a notebook.

"His name is Luciel, I'm not sure if he has any family name."

She rapidly scribbled inside her book the new information. "Understood, you can go one."

"I will first start with his base."

"Can you clarify please?"

"By that, I mean what symptom he was simply born with."

"Very well, if you consider it necessary, then I trust you."

"First, it is highly probable that Luciel is an albino. His skin is extremely pale, and his hair is completely white. Now the problem is that if his skin gets in any contact with the sun, it will burn."

"Is it treatable?"

"No, our current technology is sadly not developed enough."

"A pity."

"Indeed, I would've loved to already treat him to his best condition. But at least our current technology allowed me to heal his most serious wound, I couldn't even treat a single one of his sickness if I was still stuck with the technology previous to the war."

Geeta's eye flickered at the answer. "Let not find any good trait about this worthless bloodbath, shall we."

''Ah, my apologies. I didn't mean it that way."

"Apologies accepted, you can go on."

"Second point, he's an esper."

She raised an eyebrow out of surprise. "What grade?"

"I do not know, if I had to guess it would be a grade 8."

"Grade 8!" Geeta almost screamed, but she was able to hold it back. She looked deeply at Joy. "What made you arrive at this result?"

"He only showed two powers as of now, the first one is possession. He said he was able to share his sense with his pokemon, this allowed him to regain his sight."

"He's blind?"

"Yes."

"I see, my apologies for the interruption."

"Evidently this power wouldn't be enough to put him on a scale of 8, the real danger is his presence."

"His presence?"

"Yes, he seems to have an aura that makes anyone standing near him, or looking at him, feel an extreme amount of fear."

"How would you describe this fear?"

"Like death is breathing down my neck."

There was silence between the two until Geeta slowly wrote in her notebook.

"I will do my utmost to find a solution for his condition." She looked back at her with a professional smile.

"Thank you, it reassures me that someone like you will do her best."

"Thank you for your trust, but I don't believe you're finished with the report?"

"Indeed, there's a lot of injury on his body, and even more illness infecting him."

Geeta readied her pen. "I'm ready."

"First, he is malnourished and would need multiple months to recover from it. He would need an intensive menu to heal from that.

His throat is also swollen, and that was only after I healed his throat from all the bleeding. There is some medication I can give him to cure this, but it will take time.

I am also currently treating him for multiple cases of food poisoning that he contracted because of his horrible alimentation, I can easily deduce that the food he ate wasn't healthy or even safe to eat. Sadly, his own immunity system will have to deal with it, there are few things I can do.

He is also suffering from a dangerous fever that needs to be immediately treated. Which I already did, this one was at least simple to treat.

And those are just his internal injuries. His body is covered in cuts and bruises... but there are traces of stitches. I can only assume he patched himself up." Nurse Joy took a deep breath before looking at Geeta, but despite all she just said, Geeta didn't change her expression, the only thing that changed was the force she used to hold her pen.

"...the worst is his eyes...there no way for me to fix it...I'm scared to admit he will remain blind for the rest of his life." She says in a sad tone.

"You can't fix everything." She responded in a cold tone while deposing her pen down. "Is there anything else?"

Kanjo furrowed her brow but pushed a sigh inside her mind. "He also has a broken leg, and it seems to be a recent injury. I have every reason to believe it was caused by Volo himself."

"I...I'm sorry, but he's the only person I have no control over." She showed a rare trace of sadness in her eye.

"This injury is at least easy to cure, it should be healed by tomorrow morning." She said with a smile until it slowly became sad. "But for the rest of his injury, more treatment is needed. It is already a miracle that he is still alive, and I have to make sure this miracle wasn't in vain."

"Thank you Miss Joy for your report, and also thanks for working tirelessly to heal him, I'm truly grateful for it." She said while standing up.

But before she could leave, Kanjo interrupted her. "Miss Geeta, I just want your confirmation on something."

"You may ask."

"Will Luciel have to worry about the cost of the treatment?"

"Negative, as he is a resident of Danu, the contract also applies to him. This will assure that he can cover all the cost of his operation unless, of course, he violates the law."

Joy bowed deeply at Geeta who simply dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "Don't worry about it, this is our mere responsibility. But I have yet to fulfill mine, so I will have to tell my farewell." Geeta said before leaving the pokecenter, her step as rigid as before.

Seeing the door closing, Kanjo couldn't help but sigh.

'She almost makes me think of Luciel, he also stayed with the same expression during our conversation.'

But she stopped this comparison when she remembered his attempt to smile.

If she could even call it a smile, for her it was more like someone had forcibly pulled the corners of a corpse's mouth into a smile.

It was already hard to keep her composure with his halo of fear but this smile almost made her scream.

"Chansey?" Her pokemon held her sleeve while looking at her with a concerned eye. "I'm fine Tournesol...you don't have to worry about me."

"Chans!" Her gaze transformed into an angry one as she pulled her sleeve with more force.

"What, what do you want?"

"Chansey!"

"I don't understand you."

"Chan!"

"Alright, I'm just concerned about Luciel."

"Chansey?"

"Espers is already rejected by society, but not only does he possess a power that naturally makes other people take distance from him, he also has difficulty showing his emotion.

I'm scarred Tournesol."

"Chans."

"I'm scared that by healing him, I'm only extending his suffering."

"Chansey!"

"I...I don't want someone to suffer because of me, I only want to help them."

"Chansey."

"I, I really hope everything will go well."

She looked out the window, hoping that the scenery would help her calm down.

But it did not.

*Sigh*

"Let's just prepare the medicine needed. And let's trust in Geeta, she will know what to do."

"Chansey."