The months went by as the girl and the shadow purified the feral shadows one by one, returning them to their original states before the darkness had taken them.

The meadows and fields beyond were now home to the purified men and women, rejoicing and living in relative harmony thanks to the efforts of the girl and the shadow. The world was now heading towards a new age. An age which, to the shadow, seemed filled with complicated things.

“Hail, Lord Shadow,” a voice called out to him one day as he sat beneath his favorite tree.

“How many times have I told you not to call me that?” the shadow grumbled. He turned to see the first revived man walk up to him and bow, an act the shadow had come to find most irksome.

“What else should I call my savior?”

“It was the girl’s idea to save you, not mine.”

“Yes, of course,” the man laughed. “Milady has always been the more sensible of you two.”

Lord Shadow and milady… The shadow cringed. Titles the revived men and woman had taken to calling them. Meaningless to him of course. He looked across the field to where the girl laughed alongside a group of women. They were picking fruit from trees and enjoying the day.

“Things have become… complicated,” the shadow sighed. “It was so much simpler when it was just the two of us.”

“You cannot expect to keep her to yourself anymore, Lord Shadow, she is a treasure to us all. Her light guides us in this dark world.”

The shadow did not respond. He merely stared at the girl. She turned and caught his glance, sending a smile his way along with a wave.

“I suppose I can’t blame you,” the man continued. “A fair vision as her, with a heart so gentle and pure. Powerful as well.”

“Powerful?” the shadow asked, turning his head slightly to look at the man from the corner of his eye.

“Indeed. Our lady has the power of light at her fingertips. When combined with your darkness, she brings life to this once dying world.”

“Not life, just balance,” the shadow corrected. This made the man smile for some odd reason, as if expecting the response.

“Perhaps they are one in the same, my friend. For what is life but a resonance of harmony, treading the thin line between hope and discord as well as-”

“The way you speak is complicated,” the shadow interrupted, turning away.

“My apologies. Her ladyship has referred to it as “profound thinking.” My point is I simply hold our savior’s abilities in high regard. A world filled with life is not a simple feat.”

This man is really annoying.

“A world filled with life, huh?” the shadow thought aloud. “I wonder if this is what she wanted all along. A world of life no longer consumed in darkness.”

“Who can say? I assumed you as her closest friend would be privy to that knowledge.”

A slight harshness in his tone when saying closest friend. It was subtle, but not lost on the shadow.

“What will you do now, Lord Shadow?”

“What do you mean?”

“A new age is upon us. Soon, any shadow still lingering in the wasteland will be restored, and then you’ll be the only shadow left.”

“What’s your point?”

“Well, would you give up what you are now in order to be like us?”

“Like you?”

“Lord Shadow, if I may, you are not human like the rest of us. Not yet anyway. You are still a spawn of the darkness.”

“I am not like the others. I have never been.”

The man chuckled. He then looked at him with eyes hard as flint.

“I’ve no doubt of that. But nonetheless, what you are is a remnant of the past. A dying breed. It would be in your best interests to have yourself restored if you wish to remain amongst us. I mean no disrespect of course.”

“Could have fooled me,” the shadow spat.

For a brief moment the air was tense between them. The shadow’s red eyes became slits. “You know, I don’t remember much about the world that once was, much less who I was. But for some reason, I remember having complicated discussions like this with you.”

“Oh, do you now?” The man’s grin was unsettling.

“Yes. I don’t know why, but when I look at you, I get a sickening feeling. I don’t like you,” the shadow stated bluntly. “I don’t think I ever have.”

Silence fell between them. Both stared each other down in the uncomfortable stillness. The man sneered and ran his fingers through his short dark hair.

“Well, since we’re being blunt, I suppose I’ve never really cared much for you either, Frederick.”

The shadow’s eyes widened at the nostalgic sounding name. “What did you just call me?”

“Simply your name, shadow of the hapless man who cast the world into hell.”

“Well met, you two!” the girl greeted, skipping over while biting into a bright red apple. “What are you both up to?”

“I was simply discussing the state of our world with Lord Shadow, milady,” the man replied, bowing before her.

“We’ve already told you, you don’t need to bow and call us those silly names,” the girl said.

“Of course, milady.” He turned to leave, but not before giving the shadow one last jeering smile.

“I look forward to our next conversation, Lord Shadow. This has been a very enlightening discussion.” With that, he walked off.

“He certainly seemed to be in a good mood. Wouldn’t you agree Mr. Shad-” The girl paused. “Are you alright?” she asked, placing a hand on the shadow’s arm.

The shadow’s gaze never left the man’s back. “No, I’m not.”

***

“The young knight was facing overwhelming odds, and it would not be long before the enemy breached the city walls…”

The girl, the shadow, the first man, and the rest of the revived humans sat before a great fire as an elderly man told a tale so grand it left his audience hanging on his every word. He moved about, waving his arms and wiggling his fingers as he spoke, the fire’s glow giving him an air of mystery. Everyone sat in suspense, including the girl who was just as enthralled by the tale, if not more so.

“This isn’t very interesting,” the shadow yawned.

“Shh!” the girl hissed. “I want to know what happens next!”

“I just don’t understand what he’s doing. Is he having a conversation with all of us at once or what?” the shadow whispered back.

“It’s called a story, Lord Shadow,” the first man interjected. “Our friend here, just like the rest of us, has no recollection of his past. However, what he does seem to possess is knowledge of stories told in the world that once was.”

The girl shushed them both once more.

The shadow stared at her. Her eyes twinkled in the firelight, a whimsical look on her face, completely lost in the old man’s story.

Well, as long as she’s happy.

“And so in time,” the old man continued, “the young knight would find them a new home. A land they could call their own, and on its soil, build a brighter future. The end.” The old man finished his tale and the crowd was left speechless.

After a moment, the girl broke free of her stunned silence and stood up clapping, tears streaming down her face.

“T-that was wonderful!” she cried.

One by one, the audience joined her, clapping, cheering and whistling whilst the old man bowed.

The shadow looked at all of the smiling faces around him. All the human faces, and him, the lone shadow with his shaded body, eerie grin, and glowing red eyes.

What you are is a remnant of the past. A dying breed. It would be in your best interests to have yourself restored if you wish to remain amongst us.

The shadow lowered his head, remembering those harsh words the first man had left him with. He glanced over and, much to his annoyance; the man was staring back, grinning.

I can’t stay here.

Without a word, the shadow stood and left.

Things have become… complicated.

***

“Wasn’t that wonderful, Mr. Shadow?” the girl asked. She turned but found no trace of her friend. “Mr. shadow?” she called out. Glancing past the cheering crowd, she could see the shadow heading towards the great meadow’s border.

“Where is he going?” she asked.

“Perhaps he needs time to reflect on the story, milady.”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Something is wrong. He has been acting very strange as of late.”

“No doubt pondering his existence in this world, milady.”

“Excuse me?” she asked, looking at the man incredulously.

“The world is changing and moving forward, milady. Your light guides us through the darkness that once plagued our world. A darkness that weakens with each new day.” The man held up a hand and caressed the girl’s face. “And as your guiding light grows ever brighter, the shadows of this world will slowly disappear, for no shadow can exist in a world of light,” he said. “Lord Shadow must decide what his place in this world will be.”

The girl frowned and swatted the man’s hand away. “His place is with us,” she stated firmly before chasing after her friend.

The man was left alone, sneering menacingly.

***

“Wait!”

He heard the girl’s voice from afar. The shadow looked over his shoulder.

“Where are you go—eek!” She tripped and hit the ground, flowers flying up as she did. The shadow made no move to go to her. Instead, he turned and continued on his way.

“Wait!” she pleaded, lifting herself up off the ground and limping toward him. “Mr. Shadow, where are you going?”

“I’m leaving,” he answered without turning to look at her. “I don’t belong here.”

“What?” the girl stammered. “What are you saying? Of course you belong here. What has gotten into you all of a sudden?”

You are a remnant of the past. A dying breed.

“I am a shadow,” he began, “a spawn of the darkness. I belong out there. Not here with… people. It’s been interesting, but our journey together ends here.”

“I-I don’t understand! Did I do something to offend you?”

“You’ve done nothing.”

“But then why?”

“It’s complicated. I don’t like-”

“Do not give me that excuse!” she shouted. “We are friends. If something is bothering you then-”

“I don’t know what that is. I never have.”

The girl was left speechless. Her lip quivered and she blinked back tears. “I explained this to you already! A friend is someone you care for and enjoy spending time wi-”

“I have nothing like that,” the shadow interrupted coldly.

The girl staggered, as if receiving a crushing blow. Her light dimmed and tears slid down her cheeks.

“Goodbye,” the shadow whispered, and walked on.

“You can’t go!” she sobbed. Yet the shadow did not stop.

“W-wait!” The girl rushed forward and hugged him tightly.

Immediately, swirling energies of black and white streams appeared and enveloped them both.

“Ooh!” the shadow grunted. He could feel the cold embrace of darkness leave him, and in its place was a warmth he’d long since forgotten. Slowly, the black, ever-grinning face broke away, revealing strands of long black hair with a blue tint and a young man’s face beneath the shroud. The shadow thrust his arm forward and pushed the girl away, making her fall to the ground.

“I-I’m sorry,” the girl gasped. “I didn’t mean to…”

The shadow looked at his newly formed fingers, still black from the elbow down but now without claws. “What’s happened to me?” he gasped.

The top half of the shadow’s body was of human appearance, yet portions of his body, including his waist, legs and arms, were still corrupted by darkness. His eyes held black sclera and kept their glowing red irises.

At that moment, the sound of clapping was heard and both the shadow and girl turned to see the first man applauding them.

“Bravo! It seems despite his words, Lord Shadow really wanted to stay by your side after all, milady,” he said.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“His lingering sentiments triggered his half of the purification ritual. It seems his heart has betrayed his true feelings on the matter.”

The girl looked at the shadow. “Is this true?”

The shadow avoided her gaze.

“How wonderful! He has taken my council to heart and has chosen to join our happy flock.”

“Flock? Council? Just what did you tell him?” the girl asked, sounding rather upset.

“I merely explained to him that the age of the great darkness is coming to an end and the age of man is beginning anew.”

“Age of man?” she asked.

“A race lost to the darkness,” the man supplied. “One that is now reborn thanks to the two of you.”

“Shut up!” the shadow said, gritting his teeth.

The girl looked between them both, her face wrought with confusion. “What is he talking about?” she asked the shadow.

“I don’t know. I don’t remember anything,” he replied.

“Is that so?” the man asked, approaching the girl from behind. He quickly wrapped his arm around her throat, choking her.

“W-What are you doing?!” she gasped while wiggling to get free.

“How about now, Frederick?” He laughed. “Here we are, the three of us, just like before. What will you do?”

The shadow’s eyes narrowed.

“Will you fail to save her again? Will you doom the world just like before?”

“Let her go!” The shadow barked, his eyes glowing brightly.

“Mr. Shadow, p-please… help!” the girl cried.

“Listen to her!” the man laughed, rubbing his fingers gently against her cheek. “So helpless despite the unimaginable power at her fingertips. Power that should have been rightfully mine!”

“Mr. Shadow!” she cried again, a hand outstretched towards him.

“We were on the precipice of becoming gods, Frederick! And then you had to suddenly grow a conscience and ruin everything!” The man violently threw the girl to the ground. With a small cry, she lay motionless.

“No!” the shadow roared. He dashed forward and grabbed the man’s neck; his black fingers tightened around his throat.

“Heh,” the man gasped. “Can you do it this time, I wonder? I think not. You don’t have the stomach to do what needs to be done. That’s why I’ve always been better than you, Frederick. You’re weak. Far too weak to change anything.”

“Weak?”

“Exactly. This girl is the very proof of that weakness. You lack conviction, and it’s because of this that you will lose her all over again!”

The shadow’s eyes narrowed, their piercing gaze fixed on the sneering man.

“No… I won’t.”

***

The girl stirred… slowly opened her eyes. Her head throbbed and she felt dizzy. Through her blurring vision, she could see a crowd had formed. All of the revived humans held a look of fear in their eyes.

The girl looked up and saw the shadow standing over her. His face was tense and ominous.

“Mr. Shadow?” she rasped. Her gaze lowered and caught sight of his hands. They were stained a dark red. She gasped, finding the first man at the shadow’s feet, dyed in the same red.

She looked up, her pupils narrowing.

“What have you done?” she whispered. Their eyes locked.

“What needed to be done,” the shadow said, barely above a whisper.

With that, he turned his back to the girl, proceeded out into the wasteland, and back into the darkness.