The black cloud of darkness hovered above, contrasting the lush green landscape below. A gentle breeze blew, lifting up petals from the various flowers. A wonderfully bright setting of brilliant colors, complimenting a new world and a restored land. Amidst these vast meadows and plains, a lone shadow shuffled along.

How long had he been walking?

How many days?

How many hours?

“What does it matter?” the shadow thought out loud. He looked around the grassy fields. What was once nothing more than a charred wasteland with roaming shadows had over the years been transformed into a veritable paradise.

In his wanderings, many new thoughts plagued the once aloof shadow. Thoughts of a life that was once his. Thoughts of a friendship that was once his, as well as thoughts of a woman who was once…

Regrets and failures came rushing back, colder than the icy embrace of darkness. These memories pieced themselves together, all linked to a hatred he felt for one man.

Shaken from his quiet reflection, the shadow looked up and found himself standing before a familiar tower. “It’s been quite some time since I’ve been here,” he whispered.

It had been years, in fact. The tower, although still as daunting as ever, was now covered in moss, vines, and other forms of vegetation. Out of nostalgic curiosity, the shadow proceeded inside, pushing through the thick vines that now ensnared the entryway.

The interior was still as bleak as ever, only made different by the wrapping shrubbery and flowers growing from the cracks along the walls and floor.

I… remember this place now. Oh, how cruel fate can be.

Looking around, the shadow could see the ascending staircase. With a heavy heart and a mind flashing images of a life long since gone, the shadow ascended—unsure of what he might find. Unsure of why he was even there.

Each step weighed heavily on him, each one taking him closer to the room where it all ended, and where it began anew. It was then that the shadow caught sight of a faint glow coming from further up the stairwell.

This light…

The shadow’s pace quickened. The higher he climbed, the brighter the glow became until finally he reached the dungeon’s wooden door. Light streamed from between its cracks.

The shadow swallowed and placed a hand on the door. He pushed it open and the stairwell was flooded with light. Shielding his eyes, the shadow waited for his vision to adjust.

There in the middle of the room, standing in the center of a lowered bird cage, was the girl of light.

They looked upon each other, neither one saying a word. The girl smiled, a relieved look in her eyes. The shadow couldn’t help but smile as well. Not knowing what else to say, he took a step closer.

“You are quite interesting,” chuckled the shadow.

“Who are you?” replied the girl playfully.

“Me? I…” He paused. He stared at the girl and took a deep breath. “I am the darkness. I am your shadow… and… your friend,” he stated calmly.

The girl’s cheeks flushed.

“What about you?”

“I… am the light. Your light, and your friend.”

The silence that followed was warm. It was not the awed silence they shared when they’d first met, nor was it the tense silence brought about by the first man. This was a silence all their own. The harmony of balance.

The shadow laughed and the girl gave her bubbly giggle, making her shine even brighter.

“I thought I might find you here, Mr. Shadow,” she said.

“You went looking for me?”

“Of course I did. Honestly, I came straight here after you left. What took you so long anyway?” She pouted, pointing a finger squarely at the shadow’s face.

“I-I well…”

“Knowing you, you were probably asleep on a rock or something. Never mind, come with me, there’s something I want to show you.” The girl reached for the shadow’s hand and both of them caught sight of the red stains still smeared against it.

The shadow pulled away and took a few steps back. “I’m sorry,” he said, averting his gaze. The girl walked forward and took his hand in hers.

“It’ alright,” she whispered. “You did what you had to. I owe you my life, Mr. Shadow.”

“I saw the look in your eyes. You think I’m a monster.”

“That’s not tr-”

“I remember everything now,” the shadow interrupted.

“Eh?”

“There is a darkness that cannot be cleansed, no matter how powerful the balance is. It is the darkness of the human heart. The world that once was, the people who lived in that age tore the world apart. For greed, for power, and for wealth.” The shadow’s eyes narrowed. “The first man was a prime example of the evils of that age. As am I.”

“That is enough!” the girl suddenly shouted. “There is no darkness in your heart, Mr. Shadow, and I know, without a doubt, you are nothing like the first man.”

“How can you-”

“Come! I will prove it to you.” With that, the girl went to the back of the room, dragging the shadow along.

Behind a set of large crates was another flight of stairs leading up to the roof of the tower. They climbed up together, and once outside the view left the shadow breathless.

From the tower’s peak, the land could be seen for miles on end. A vast patch of vibrant color extended well into the black horizon

“Beautiful isn’t it? This is what you helped build, Mr. Shadow. This is my wish you helped grant.

“A world of life,” the shadow whispered. And the girl smiled warmly.

“You see now?” the girl said, nudging him with her shoulder. “How can someone with an evil heart accomplish such wonders? This was all thanks to you, Mr. Shadow! You’ve given me so much, and in turn you have saved this world.”

“But it’s not finished yet,” the shadow said.

“What do you mean?”

“I will give you one final gift, thus completing your wish.” The shadow extended his hand to the sky and held the girl’s hand in the other. Soon, the swirling black shroud of darkness, which had ensnared the world for so long, was pulled towards him. The darkness twisted violently as it was absorbed into the shadow’s palm.

Little by little, the darkness was lifted, and in its place was a marvel that brought the girl to tears. A brilliant sky of orange and red hues shone through, and at its center was a rising light so brilliant, it made her feel tiny by comparison.

“What… what is this wondrous thing you’ve done?”

“It is called the sky,” the shadow supplied. “The same sky that once adorned the previous world. I give it to you now, and with this, your wish is now fully granted.”

The girl slowly sat down, her eyes never leaving the sky. The shadow sat down next to her, enjoying the sight as well.

“I don’t know what to say,” she said, her voice trembling. She turned to the shadow and gasped.

“Y-your face!”

“What about my face?”

The girl held her hand against his cheek. “It’s back to the way it was before. You have your grin again.

The shadow touched his face and caught sight of his clawed hands. “Absorbing all of that darkness seems to have reverted me. Oh well…”

“It’s a shame. You were rather handsome,” she said with a playful smile. The shadow scratched his cheek.

“We could always attempt to purify you again?”

“No, it’s better this way. One darkness, and one light, side by side, maintaining the balance of this new world. I’m fine with this existence,” he said, opening and closing his claws.

I will accept this as my punishment. I deserve at least this much.

The girl slid her hand into the shadow’s claw and held it tightly. A content smile upon her face as she rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you, Mr. Shadow.”

The shadow looked over the new world he helped create and at that moment, as the light’s ray’s hit his shaded body, he felt the warmth of life even through the darkness that held him.

And yet… The shadow’s eyes narrowed. No matter what she says, no matter what the world becomes from here on in… humanity will not change.

The shadow looked down at the girl, who was still lost in thought, admiring the view.

She won’t understand. Human beings… are flawed. The darkness in their hearts will consume the world if we are not careful, and I will not risk losing her again. Humans are, after all, complicated…

The shadow’s gaze returned to the rising light, his eyes calm and focused.

And I don’t like complicated things.

FINIS