《Shadow Master》 Chapter 9 - The The illusory sunrise - In the morning, there was a mild breeze. My kite''s wings filled as soon as they were unfolded, and the eagle took to the air. Some passers-by were amused and continued on their way without looking back. The eagle soared up the facade, pirouetted in front of the third-floor windows, and flew away. Kerry was in the kitchen making tea when she noticed the eagle off in the distance. Her breakfast cup smashed on the tile floor as she couldn''t believe her eyes. The building door opened a few moments later, and Kerry stepped up to me, meeting my gaze. She gave me a friendly grin and took the kite''s handle. She made a paper eagle do enormous "S''s" and beautiful "8''s" in the big metropolitan sky. Kerry had a natural talent for writing airborne poetry. "I missed you," I read when I finally figured out what she was writing. You''ll never forget a girl who manages to write "I missed you" with a kite. The sun was about to rise. Our shadows stretched side by side on the sidewalk. I noticed mine bending in and kissing Kerry''s lips. It was only a matter of following her lead. - - Where¡¯s no going back - A powerful kick to the backside. The pain twisted throughout my body, transforming into small stings, tingling, and then... nothing. I''d stopped praying for my survival a long time ago, as I knew I wouldn''t make it out of here alive. I was being attacked by four winged shadows. I''d gotten rid of two of them, and I was certain they hadn''t brought me here by accident. They had a specific strategy in mind: inflict as much anguish as possible on me before killing me. - - Neither night nor day - I have no idea what time it is. The second is the widely accepted reference unit of time within the International Earth System. Humans structure their activities using the conventional non-decimal units minute, hour, and day. The day is defined as the period of time between sunrise and dusk. Dawn begins the day in the morning and ends with nightfall in the evening. By extension, the day indicates the entirety of a single day and night, and corresponds to the Earth''s total rotation in regard to a certain geographical position. Night is when the sky darkens dramatically, the Moon, stars, planets, and occasionally even the Milky Way can be seen if the sky is clear. On my return from the winter break in sixth grade, this information had earned me the highest mark with congrats during a pop quiz. This same information was useless to me in this situation. I doubt that the time that passes here is measured in the International Earth System''s second. Nothing convinced me that I was still alive, unless the Earth had been conquered by winged creatures during my spells of coma. I was simply a shadow of the guy who had half of the shadows of the people of Paris, the most famous city on earth. My constitution had decreased to the point where, despite my high level, I was practically unsuitable for combat. I had awoken in a world where there was no light. The buildings, the street corners where I used to walk to school, and everything I had known as a youngster had vanished; Paris as I knew it had vanished. My childhood world was vanished. My strength had dwindled. For my protection, I had utilized it till it was depleted. The same power that the shadows took from me every time they were able to break through my defenses and touch me. - - Neither day nor night - I''m still not sure where I am. It is perpetually dark. My legs are immobile, and my entire body is a misery. A big, towering shadow is the final image on my retina. Perhaps their leader''s, who hovered over me, his eyes gleaming with frenzy. It had clawed wings that hid the light of an orange moon that hung in a black sky with ochre-colored clouds. I could hear noises off in the distance. Certainly a get-together. A bunch of people were singing and dancing. I was thrown on my stomach by a kick. It caught me off guard and was a pleasant surprise. Screams, as well as the slapping of steel-toed boots. My agony multiplied tenfold, and I regained consciousness. A face flashed from the depths of my memory: a set of smiling blue eyes, and all the things I wished I had done came flooding back to me. Perhaps it was the winged shadows'' blows that rained down faster. The kill was on its way. All I wanted to do now was watch Kerry make flawless S''s and 8''s. The delight of seeing her again... Are they planning to beat me to death? If I had known I had already caught my enemy''s attention with my power... I felt as light as a feather all of a sudden. Was this what it felt like to die? No, I was on the move. I was whisked away from this horrible reality, helpless and half-blind. - - Lightless day - The arid dirt of the realm inhabited by the ghosts of winged monsters was replaced by a realm where the damp sand soothed my wounds and flayed flesh like a true salve. I despise this life, the one I am currently experiencing, this agony, this dreadful agony that twists and bends me with each breath. My conscience surrendered. The memories faded away, and the picture of clawed wings descending on me reappeared. Yes, death will come soon, and I will be free of this agony. Screaming for help would be futile. I knew even less about this universe than I did about the previous one. I was on my own. The waves slammed at me with increasing power with each sweep of water across the sand. I couldn''t speak due to the sheer blood on my lips. My voice rose weaker, begging for aid, in a heroic effort fueled by my sorrow. Silence responded to my call with a deafening silence. All I could do was sink and listen to the law of stillness. Tomorrow will be another day, if tomorrow exists here as well as on Earth. If the day ever comes.... Chapter 10 - Alternate World "So you did it anyhow." I was taken aback by the singing voice. I glanced about but couldn''t find anything. Neither creature nor shadow can be found. "I had no choice Than." said a harsh voice "Then you''re perfectly aware that what you''re saying is incorrect. We''ve already talked about what we''re going to do with this object." At the very least, I knew what the sounds I was hearing meant. "She should have been there already," grumbled the gruff voice. "Than, you''re the first to know!" "You''re aware that time in the human world flows at a different pace," Than explained. "What exactly is it?" A wail of anguish and a hiccup of surprise broke forth. "Nyx, Nyx!" Than screamed, "What happened?" "Nyx!" exclaimed Abriel. Another agonized grunt. "Oh, that dreadful door! I''ll never get used to that," muttered a high-pitched voice. "Did you trip over your heels again?" he said, amusement on his face. "I wasn''t able to get all of the shadows in. One of them was a thorn in my side." Nyx answered, "She had persuaded more than half of them to return to their owners." "That''s a secondary consideration. Did you manage to get rid of it?" "I intended to steal him of his abilities... I hoped I was robbing him of his abilities..." "But you didn''t succeed!" "Everything is fine with me! You haven''t improved! You''d been on the lookout for Pyrrha for millennia, and she''d finally vanished from our radar." Groans shattered the silence. "She isn''t as powerful as we are. That''s all there is to it." "Were you able to deprive him of his core power?" The stillness has returned. "DID YOU TAKE HIS SOUL?"Abriel shouted. Silence. "What was the point of being there for so long? Did you take advantage of the opportunity to go to school and earn a degree? If you don''t respond, I''ll make you vanish off the face of the earth!" Its interrogation continues. "I was ready to steal his soul when something happened. Nonetheless, I had ensured that this disabled individual was more associated with death than with life... I''m not sure how she was able to link to the other person''s consciousness and assist him in escaping. I had, however, broken the three ties and separated his powers, allowing me to more effectively annihilate him. I had cast his soul into the vacuum, and with the help of the others, I had shackled his shadow and barred him from conversing. The only thing that remained was his conscience, which is a very human trait! A sense of right and wrong! However, why did Arum invent anything like this? "What you''re saying is that his conscience escaped." "Of course." "You are aware that his consciousness is capable of transmigration, aren''t you? You must also be aware, as we are, that it can occur anywhere. Listen to how you failed to enslave a human right here!" "Did he freeze in his immortality? Enquired a voice I had never heard before. "When you were able to separate his powers." "What do you mean?"Abriel asked. "Do you think that''s possible?" Than questioned. "I believe so," The stranger said. "That was the final moment of his life. You''re going to be unhappy if he froze in his immortality when he was at his most powerful. Okay. This is a cause that, I believe has been lost. From now on, I''m not counting on you. Forget about your commitment to enslave Emerveille''s Duchy. Moreover, you''re too young and fiery for that. You haven''t even attempted to comprehend the origins of its creation; you are unaware that it represents the very brightness of Arum." "You were so close to reaching your destination... Perhaps now is the time..." "You must now hunt for and eliminate each of his abilities one by one. It''ll be harder to beat him now..." "Now that his powers are divided, it''ll be a lot easier!" Nyx remarked. "What a moron! He''s no longer in the human realm! He''d probably gone to Lighthill. No one will be able to persuade the residents to change their minds once they learn that their Kronprinz has arrived. Despite our efforts to infiltrate the Alabaster Castle guard and the Lighthill guards, we can put the Duchy of Emerveille out of our minds. I should never have let the light go after working so hard to earn it!" - - Lightless day +1 - A voice said, "His body will recover." With a start, I awoke. I looked about, perplexed, until I realized I had no idea where I was. What was I doing? What did he mean when he said that? Who was he, exactly? The agony had become a constant aching now that my body was no longer under attack. The agony came in waves that were unbearable. However, I was shaken by the agony and recollections of the horrifying image I had witnessed. I''d been whisked away from the world of winged monsters to a realm where I''d witnessed a discussion and a meeting, only to find myself in a place as strange as the others. My chest was oppressed by a feeling of... emptiness and unexplainable terror, and I felt on the edge. My right hand instinctively went to my chest, where my heart was. I understood I had a body as I made this simple human gesture. That I had a body once more. - - Lightless day +2 - After slipping into a dreamless sleep, I awoke with a startle. I crouched down, sheltering my head, as memories of the winged creatures attacks surfaced. My mind had turned to fear. Was it all in my head? Was it possible that my mind was contained in a body? Was this supposed to be my body? - - Lightless day +3 - Wake up in sweat. What am I doing here? I remembered the drapes from two wakes ago, shocked just like this one... And the second time, I landed with my conscience? The second world... Yes... Nyx, who was she? Why had I landed there? Abriel... Than... Those are the names that come to mind. Who was it that called me? And how do you do it? Was I expected to be present for this debate? Or was it a case of interception, a call that wasn''t intended for me yet saved my life? - - Lightless day +4 - I woke up in pain. Excruciating pain. I was fed up with my sluggishness. I''m not sure what''s going on inside this body.... Why am I in so much pain? I stood up. My legs were trembling and I was struggling to keep them straight. I was in a spacious room with drapes all around me. I drew one of the curtains at random and saw myself reflected in a wall mirror. My reflection was scarcely discernible, and there was no light on this... world, as there had been in the other ones. I couldn''t make out the features at all. I couldn''t place myself. It wasn''t my body that was involved. When I caressed the skin on my face, I was surprised by how supple and soft it was. Long light-colored hair, perhaps reddish blond; the half-light makes it difficult to tell. Clear iridescent eyes with tilted pupils... In a nutshell, this is only a temporary vehicle for my consciousness. In general, I appeared to be a human. My anxiety level decreased. My physique was similar to what I was used to: lanky with optional muscles. Couldn''t I make it better? Isn''t there a new version of this dreadful game? I fiddled with the texture of the garments I wasn''t comfortable with, feeling my hips for pockets that could have hidden a phone... - "Be thankful you''re not nude," I muttered as I fiddled with the texture of the clothes I wasn''t familiar with. I don''t believe I can have the benefits of the human world in this world. I was no longer the cherished VIP member after losing my shadows. Maybe I''ll be able to improve on that? If the opportunity arises, I''ll take it. One thing is certain: I won''t be able to survive here unless I retrieve my power! My reflection returned my stare. My stance has shifted. Nothing when I looked at my right profile! I turned to the left, but there was nothing... Despite my excellent grasp of physics, I rotated 180 degrees because I didn''t want to give up hope... Nothing! But, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but! "What happened to it?" Chapter 11 - Alabaster Castle Lightless day +4 - Downhearted. The discovery has placed a pall over me. My darkness has vanished. This time, they''d buried it deep in my anus! Thank you, dude! My shadow has been taken away from me. My shadow did not leave me of its own free will, I am certain. I''m confident my shadow still cared about me enough to stick around. Really? Is that something I''m certain of? It must have despised me for not saving Kerry. Yes, another failure to add to the lengthy list of issues that need to be addressed. How do I reclaim my shadow? Where do I begin? I was completely unaware. Especially because I had no idea it had fled! How could I look for my shadow if I didn''t know when it vanished? - - Lightless day +7 - Behind one of the curtains in the room where I had awoken was a balcony. It had only recently come to my attention. Down the mountain where I was standing, a sleepy metropolis sprawled as far as the eye could reach. At that time, the city appeared to be still calm. My chest pinched once more. My restlessness reappeared in my head. "I want to return to Paris!" I got an electric jolt, the kind you get when you don''t grasp what''s going on with your body. This time, it went from front to back across my brow. "Oh, my goodness! It''s excruciating! I''m ready to return home! I''d like to reclaim my shadow!" Without my shadow, I feel naked. "Hey! You hear what I''m saying? I want to return home! Return my power to me! Please return all you have taken from me!" I have no ambitions beyond that. To become who I was before, I need to uncover and focus my abilities. I''d like to see my mother again. I''m missing her horribly. I''m in desperate need of her assurance, and I''m missing her self-assurance. I''m not sure I can do it without her. I''m on my own. It''s more than a phrase; it''s a fact. Kerry is also someone I miss. I became even more depressed when I realized she was so far away and I had no idea how she was doing. Was this going to be my fate? To act now or to wait until I figure out what I should do? The feeling that I''ve forgotten something crucial... What really is the cause of this inexplicable agitation? This sudden... annoyance? I omitted something crucial. My frustration is consuming me. Do I have a sense of being unfinished? What have I failed to accomplish? The drab terror grew stronger. Finally, a word came to me in hushed tones... ''Protect.'' - - Lightless day +10 - The city was perpetually under the shadow. The eyes, my true eyes to correct as my spirit and conscience had been transferred in this body by some unknown miracle, supported the lack of light very well and were able to discern the environment using varying degrees of refraction. Was God responsible for the transmigration of my consciousness into this body? I''m not sure what God has to do with it, but between us, I''d say a few nasty words to him, since he''s replaced the baccalaureate exams with those of the world of the winged monsters, and now with this world whose name and purpose I''m not sure about. I exited the room where I had awoken sweating. I began my journey into this realm by visiting this structure, which boasted impressively high ceilings. The corridors were brightly lit. They started with large rooms almost every 100 meters on the right and left. A room at the end of the largest and longest passage was filled with dancing shadows and a warm glow, thanks to polished braziers at the bottom of each of the six alabaster columns. Images that I discovered with curiosity were depicted on beautifully crafted tapestries. While marble sculptures gazed down to the porcelain floor, chandeliers hung from the slanted ceiling, swaying in the flashing light. A saffron carpet ran from the doors to the far corner of the room, where a huge seat sat, and pointed banners embroidered with needlework hung on the walls. A tiny chandelier hung between each banner. All of them were lit, which in turn illuminated the heroes'' creative portrayals below. Draperies in the same saffron color as the banners were used to conceal large windows of colored glass. Ornate spikes and superb stitching graced the curtains. The magnificent seat, unmistakably a throne, was embellished with religious motifs and a sapphire crescent moon on each of its legs. Golden quilting was often used on lightweight dark saffron cushions. There was no one here, as there was no one everywhere in the castle. Order and cleanliness reigned, but no one seemed to be in charge of the area. - - Lightless day +11 - To get into the city, I had to descend the mountain and through the spooky forest that surrounding the castle. The trees were replaced by their vibrant, living shadows, which began to sing as soon as I got near enough to their trunks. The song makes me shiver. I''ll count this one as a win. Maybe one day I''ll be able to reclaim my capacity to hear shadows'' whispers. My foot became stuck, and I slid backwards into the snow after colliding with some vegetation. The forest was encircled by creeks, and murky waters surged and rolled toward the town, enclosing it and cutting off all access. If this forest had been shown at a period when there was a large audience, Discovery Channel would have made a killing. My phone, my internet connection with 100 GB down, my evenings wallowing in the couch, my buddies, and the basketball championships... I have to thank myself for being here, with my nose in the snow, isolated from all civilization. I dashed across an old drawbridge that led into town. I came to a halt at the edge of the abyss, out of breath. The mountain and the city that I had seen from the heights of the castle were divided by a large crater that was filled with mist to the depths of sight. "Ha! You wouldn''t have me!" I said aloud, my index finger pointing to the heavens. I waited for a response. Nothing. "You''re wrong if you think I''m going to cross that... phantom bridge!" I screamed even louder. "Lighthill," I read a worn sign hung on a post to the right of the bridge, the town''s name nicely spelled but crossed out with a black line. A shaking hand had scribbled ''Ombrehill'' and ''Enter at your own risk'' farther down. Bah! Come on, now! As if I didn''t realize that my student liability insurance, which my mother had paid for the entire school year, would be useless in this situation. This world was unknown to the insurance company. Worrying is no longer an option. At this point, I wasn''t going to stand around like a shadow! Chapter 12 - Lighthill Lightless day +14 - The splendor of this metropolis, which was delicately strewn with mist, astonished me. Lighthill, or Ombrehill, as the sign at the town''s entry put it, was created in the middle of a pristine tundra''s soft snows and revealed a true technological marvel. The contrast between the castle and the landscape was stunning. The city seemed to be evolving, whilst the castle seemed to be stuck in a bygone era, waiting for its king to return. The architectural design of this city was undoubtedly influenced by nature in the past, as the vast majority of structures incorporated vegetation into their architecture. The aesthetics of the architecture back then were supposed to evoke the beautiful meadows that surrounded the structures. The numerous skyscrapers reflected the light of two moons, and their histories seemed to vanish into the eternal night more than before. Parks and gardens were no longer in blossom. The lack of light had prevented the flowering, and this old era was obvious here, as well as throughout the forest, by the presence of trees shadows, bushes, and leaves. The city was a hive of activity. At the crosswalks, passers-by shadows passed each other, each on their way to their own destination. Merchants put out their stalls along the twisting cobblestone streets near the town center, while a diverse population wandered with tourist curiosity. As I strolled through the crowd, I noticed that no one was paying attention to me. Maybe I wasn''t a threat to them. Snatches of conversation came to me, and I took advantage of the opportunity to learn more about this city and its people. The pressure had returned. My chest constricted once more. My heart was grabbed by a claw, which squeezed it so hard that I had to come to a halt and lean against a tall lamppost. ''Protect.'' The voice had gotten into my head. My heart stopped beating. - - Lightless day +15 - "Kronprinz." The voice had a husky tone and sounded familiar. He softly shook my right shoulder with his palm that had come to rest on it. "Kronprinz!" exclaim the voice. He shook me even harder as the voice continued. "Get up!" One of my eyes popped up. Without embarrassment, a gloved hand shook my shoulder. He assisted me to my feet once I sat up. "Kronprinz, I''m delighted I came across you first." "I recognize you! You''re my high school''s guardian''s shadow! The one I was unable to save!" "Yes, Kronprinz, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. "he murmured, a small smile on his face. You are correct; I was also your school''s guardian." With a small bow, he agreed. "What exactly do you mean by ''also''? How many different personas do you have? Do you have any idea what I''m doing here?" "During my wanderings, I came across numerous envelopes, one of which was from your school''s guard. I''m afraid I''m powerless to help you with your existence in this world. All I know is that you have been summoned to carry out your mission. This is the world of your mother." "Blah blah blah blah blah ! Nothing you say makes sense to me. First and foremost, why are you also a shadow here? A shadow is a dark area generated by obstructing light rays with an opaque body. However, there is no light here." I even heard the guard''s shadow sigh as he stared at me suspiciously. "We don''t have time to unroll your physics book, Kronprinz. We must act quickly." "Are we in a hurry? Or how about this? Instead, why don''t you tell me why I''m here? Also, stop referring to me as Kronprinz!" "I''m afraid I can''t provide you with a definitive answer." "Another of your educated guesses? You know how hard it was for me to get here. I''m only now getting back on my feet. My physical form..." I paused. I was describing my current body as if it were my own. "Do you agree? What about your body? Which body, is it?" "Voil¨¤! What happened to my body? Do you have any idea?" "It was in the hospital that I last saw your human body." "At the hospital? Why did it rest in the hospital? What the hell happened to me?" "Your shadow was stolen when the girl in the heeled shoes stole the shadows that were tied to you. Except your shadow was not attached to your body through the purely scientific mechanism, you just explained; your physics book blah blah blah. Your soul, spirit, and consciousness are all contained in your shadow. So, when it was shackled and compelled to follow the person who took it, a split occurred, and your physical body went into a coma while your soul was cast into nothingness, and your spirit wandered through the worlds of high consciousness, shadows, and thaumaturges." "So, what world was I in when the winged monsters attacked?" "Monsters with wings? There isn''t a universe I''m aware of that is occupied by flying monsters." "Is this something I''m making up?" "That is not what I am attempting to convey. I''m simply stating that I''ve never heard of, and have never seen, a place like this. Let''s get this party started!" I grudgingly followed the guard''s shadow as he strode ahead of me, oblivious to onlookers. I did my best to keep up with him, attempting to blend in by clinging to the walls. "Don''t shave the walls. Carry on as usual." "I don''t want anyone to notice me. I''m not like you in that I have a body that doesn''t belong to me." "You are completely unnoticed by passers-by. And, just so you know, you are the owner of this body." "Who''s Pyrrha?" "Pyrrha ? When was the first time you heard the name?" "I overheard the name during a conversation." "Was anyone else involved in this conversation?" "Abriel and Than, respectively. Do you recognize any of these names?" "They do, in fact." "How about Pyrrha? Do you have any idea who it is?" "Yes, I am aware of her existence." "How come you didn''t inform me?" "As I previously stated." "It''s time to put this game down!" "I''m not taking part in any games. You, on the other hand, you continue to behave as a child." "What will you stop me from acting like a child? I''m only eighteen years old! And... and I have no idea where I am or what I''m doing here..." When the guard turned back, I could see he was about to growl, but when he met my sight, his expression softened. He approached me and placed his hand on my shoulder. "You have arrived in Lighthill, the capital of the Duchy of Emerveille, from which the light was stolen in order to gain Arum''s power. From that point forward, the population began to reflect shadow rather than light, the light that nurtured Arum''s world. The Duchy of Emerveille was renamed the Duchy of Ombrerais. This is your universe, now the land of shadows. As the successor of your mother, the Empereiz, the sovereign of this realm, it is yours." "I am my mother''s heir? What exactly does that imply? That my mother is no longer alive?" The guard''s shadow did not respond. As if he didn''t hear me, he strolled with his hands crossed behind his back. I grabbed his arm and forced him to slow down or stop and look at me. "I''m afraid I won''t be able to tell you anything." "All of a sudden, you''ve become less chatty. What exactly happened to my mother?" "I''m afraid I won''t be able to tell you anything." "You don''t want to confess you don''t know," I yelled, shoving him away. The claw gripped my heart once more. My flesh was flayed by the anguish. I relinquished control. Chapter 13 - Gleaming Thing Lightless day +16 - How could I say I''d had enough of all these threats? Go there... Come here... Pass-by our realm as well! I was fed up, and no one seemed to understand me. But what am I doing here? "This is insane!" I grumbled and tried to stand up when I noticed an index finger above me signaling that I couldn''t move. "Kronprinz. No. You won''t be able to do what you desire." "Do you think you can do it? How? And who are you, exactly?" Above my front was a shimmering object. It was surrounded by a light, milky turquoise glow, and the mesmerizing, cyclical rotation reminded me of a pendulum. I swept my attention over the area, not to enjoy or explore, but to spot any potential threats. The voice said, "You have been punished by the gods. Condemned to the most incredibly fortunate existence imaginable for a human being. With the added disadvantage of being unable to realize how enjoyable it is. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" I say, "I want my former life. I''d like to return to an activity that I used to like. Driving about, going to school, winning basketball titles, conversing with shadows..." "While we''re on the subject! You are here as a result of your self-centered deeds. Your only option is to win back our trust and have us evaluate your case." That''s something I do from time to time as well. Being self-centered. I was indoctrinated from a young age to crave rather than be content with what I have. That''s what drove me to behave in such a selfish manner toward others. Nonetheless, I had begun to change for a while. Despite the mist surrounding me, the feeling that I wasn''t here for the first time resurfaced. My senses went into overdrive. I could see where the threat was coming from as I scanned the mist. However, the unexplainable tension persisted. The winged monsters had assaulted me here in this swampy location. My attention was drawn to shapes moving in groups in the distance. One of them, the tallest, shivered me as it stood high above the fog. Another fight would have meant certain death in such a muddy environment. A safe haven light glowed in the distance. I felt drawn to it and understand more about it straight away for some reason I couldn''t explain to myself. A rash decision. When it wasn''t necessary, no rational individual would desire to expose themselves. "If you want to locate your shadow, focus on your duty," the voice stated once more. "It will determine your future and the future of the Duchy of Emerveille. Do you want to throw away your mother''s legacy? Do you want to let her down?" A target. I was a target who got away and was in danger until I regained my shadow and, with it, my abilities. "Will I be able to reclaim my shadow if I finish this dreadful mission?" As I studied the skyline and the group nearing my spot, I wondered aloud. The horde of threatening figures knew every trick in the book. "Although certain protections left by the powers of your ancestors keep you hidden, Kronprinz, no protection is foolproof. You must act accordingly as the person in charge of the defense of your Duchy and the well-being of your subjects. Kronpriz, this is your solemn responsibility. Do you want to make your mother angry?" I shook my head deliberately, attempting to divert my attention away from the light thrown by the object above me. But my eyes quickly betrayed me, and I returned my attention to the thing. What''s the point of keeping that thing above me? What story was this so-called hypnotist trying to persuade me to believe? Was my life in the mortal world truly so dull that I ruined it? My sight wandered from the light signal of the object... to the hand that held it... to the light signal of the object. Damn it, I''m not that weak... to risk losing my mother''s trust... at the same time, she never told me anything about the Duchy of Emerveille, much less her heritage; no one, undoubtedly, loved this land more than she did. I swore when the light flickered and a stray beam entered the iris of my right eye. What if, in the end, I was able to satiate my curiosity? "I''m not sure how many individuals have wrapped themselves in spells over the years in the hopes of warding off the threat posed by the Duchy of Ombreville. But you, Kronprinz, have a special capacity to defeat their spells." "Do I? Now I''m a wizard. I had no idea that I had developed this skill throughout my long nights of agony..." "But you have such a nasty temper! I''ll have to punish you if you keep doing this!" "What? What additional punishment do you have planned for me? By putting my body in a coma and transmitting my awareness to this realm and my shadow to.... What happened to my shadow?" "You are solely responsible for your current predicament! It has nothing to do with me at all. But I swear, if you keep doing this, I will punish you! I still grant you the ability to employ the powers you got from your mother in my magnanimous science. But only if you use them wisely in the future! You''ll have to find your shadow, and in order to do so, you''ll have to pass various exams. As a result, your trials will begin right now." "Am I really anyone''s plaything... what god?" I screamed and abruptly stood up. I was alone in the midst of a swarm of winged monsters that had gone dangerously near to rolling over me. I stared up into the dark sky, unsure of which way to walk or where to hide. In the purple sky, there were two moons. One pink is ascending, while the other is dropping in a milky turquoise. They appeared to be looking in a large mirror at each other. The illuminated dwellings dotted the fields that extended to the horizon like golden nuggets. Who was I, exactly? Is it true that I am the heir? Was my mother a native of this land? Chapter 14 - Duchy Of Emerveille Lightless day +17 - My new power was revealed to me by chance the other day. It appeared as I was attempting to save my life. I''d been rolled over by the flying monsters. I didn''t see the huge chasm since I was rushing without checking where I was putting my feet. I couldn''t afford to fall. I pedaled through the air, failed to hold on to the edge of the abyss, and then teleported away after noticing that I had transformed into mist. This helped me avoid sinking into the melancholy of yet another defeat, as well as the pain of the claws, which my body would have embraced once more. I continued running in the opposite direction after this fantastic discovery, expecting to find the shadow of the guard, as my friend Lucas would say, because I was already far away from my attackers. I tried to teleport huge distances in an unprecedented impulse to get closer to the light I had seen on the horizon. I slipped and passed unobserved amid the passers-by who were racing home rubbing their gloved hands, changing my state, turning into a frost, for now I could shift into a fog generating frost deposits. The street lighting sprinkled the streets with a sensuous light and warm air in the darkened metropolis. My condition did not prevent me from recognizing the city''s lavish adornment perfectly. Despite the lack of light, the city of Ombrehill was a stunning sight. The sky, which had been silver sprinkled with pink and turquoise before, now was turned blue with gray and dark purple flecks. After my mother''s departure, the cheerful town of Lighthill was changed into Ombrehill. After a sidereal revolution, the residents of the happy city of Arum''s light found that the two luxes had become two opposites, and the light had vanished. Ombrehill was the name given to the city of Lighthill. And the perpetrator had yet to be apprehended. Copper blocks covered the streets of Ombrehill instead of the granite pavement I was used to in Paris. Diaphanous fabrics in gleaming hues hung from storefront windows and draped the doorways. I''d just noticed that each store had a flag hanging display, with a particular hue dominating. Saffron, on the other hand, was the predominate hue in the castle''s d¨¦cor, making it the royal color. One store in particular stood out among the others that I had viewed. When I peeked through the glass, I noticed shelves of battered volumes lining the central corridor. Architecture, history, the art of combat, weapons, and jewels are all covered in these books. The walls were covered in entire collections, which climbed the stairs to the top floors. The open spaces on the walls were adorned with drawings and paintings. Their depictions, as well as the materials used to create the illustrations, were as unique as the books themselves. Mechanisms, antique clock cogs, and three-dimensional schematics. I was intrigued by the book store, whose titles were printed in characters I had never seen before, but I didn''t have time to look around. When my elbow sank and passed on the other side after accidentally touching the transparent surface that had allowed me to see all these delights, I looked away. I''d just realized that my mist had dissipated, that my state had changed without my knowledge of what had caused it. What I was hearing took me by surprise. The singing of an instrument I couldn''t place managed to divert my attention. I went inside and up to the second floor, listening intently. I pulled back the curtain to reveal a strange gadget that resembled a gramophone. I screamed when something landed on my left shoulder. "Is it you, Kronpriz? Here? In Lighthill?" I sprang back a few feet in terror. His square features suggested that he was a male, yet his voice was sharper as a result of the effect of amazement. His build and clothing made him appear to be one as well. "The door," I said it with the intention of apologizing. "There isn''t a door for such a location." I had my eyes crossed. Crossing my eyes is a rare occurrence in my life. "Only three people are allowed to access this room. Empereiz, Kronprinz, and... you must be the Kronprinz if you''re here." He murmured, his gaze falling on me. The man moved away from the machine-gramophone, opened a closed cabinet, and pulled out a little pedestal, which he placed next to it. A faint fog rolled in as soon as he set the base down, followed by bright, silver, and saffron particles. A form appeared as the fog dissipated. "Kronpriz, it''s you. Take a look at it." I''m not sure whether it was just my imagination, but the fog had taken on the shape of a hologram, depicting a man in a dark suit with a saffron flag across his jacket. "I''m not sure how it qualifies me for the Kronpriz, as you claim." "The Lyndhurst never makes a mistake." "What is this location?" As I looked around the room, I added. "Emerville''s last stronghold. The one spot where Arum''s old magic coexists with modern technology. And you are proof of it. This place is merely a window presenting literature obsolete by the evolution of our civilization to passers-by, residents of this gloomy and dark town, and tourists. This location signifies the start for you. The spells of your ancestors will always protect you here, and if you know how to ask the correct questions at the appropriate moment, you will find the answers to your queries. And if the solution is within you, but you haven''t found it or forgotten it, you won''t get an answer." "Can you tell me what my duty is?" I enquired. My gaze drawn to the strange equipment that caused the hazy person to materialize. There was no action. There was no response. There was no reaction. "Lyndhurst isn''t a fortune teller. Yes, your answers are here. You''ll find them within these walls, but you''ll have to put forth some effort to find them." He took a resolute step away before unexpectedly stopping after lowering the curtain with his right hand. "Kronprinz, you are the last born, the successor of the Duchy of Emerveille, the armed arm of your family," he continued as he twisted his head halfway around. "You could be a potential heir to the kingdom, but you couldn''t claim it until you''d completed your duties. Your birth was foretold a thousand years ago, making you the Duchy''s peacekeeper and ruthless killer. Leave your tender heart at behind. You wouldn''t be able to survive here. If you don''t finish what you''re supposed to do here, you won''t be able to return to your old human homeland. Stuart, you''re the Glaive of the Duchy of Emerveille. Emerveille is your family, and she must be your greatest love. My son, this is your fate. You will never be disappointed if you aim for nothing more." My heart sunk as he vanished beneath the heavy curtain that rapidly dropped. Chapter 15 - $py Lightless day +17 - "Daddy? Please, please, please, please, please! Please don¡¯t go! Daddy, please! DADDY!" Another slap in the face has been delivered. Since I became 18 years old, the universe has not been kind to me. Is my father here? Does this imply that he was aware of this world? I¡¯m not convinced! Why does the rest of the universe know about it but not me? I¡¯m on my own. I felt even more alone than I already did. I¡¯m overwhelmed by a sense of abandonment. - - Lightless day +18 - ''Congratulations! Our VIP club has now accepted you as a member.'' It took me a few hours to comprehend that my father was still alive and well somewhere in this world, and that I wasn¡¯t dreaming! "It¡¯s YOU! Where have you gone?" In this reality, I could hear my phone yell! My father was something I had to consider, and I needed the information. While obtaining this heinous object should not take long. "Death & Doom! Right now, I¡¯m going to destroy this object!" ''Congratulations! You¡¯ve been added to our Most Wanted Members list.'' "Terrible" is the right word to describe the days spent healing from a severe beating before returning to "Earth technology." Just thinking about what this object reminds me of¡­ I want to¡­ "WHERE IS IT?" I screamed, and in a fit of wrath, I began to remove the books from the shelves one by one, taking them up with both hands and hurling them back. ''Greetings, valued member! The app will now be updated to the most recent version. Please select the sort of notification you desire.'' "What happened to this dreadful object that ruined my life?" "Terrible" is also the word when you had just met your father and he vanished at the end of the first intermission. My only knowledge of my father came from my mother¡¯s stories. My father had passed away just a few years once I was born. ''Rather killed,'' my mother had said, each syllable pronounced clearly. ''Don¡¯t forget about Stuart, too! Your father did not forsake you; rather, he was ruthlessly murdered.'' ''By whom?'' I had inquired as soon as she stated that there was a significant disparity between what people knew and what was actually happening. ''Dear Most Wanted Member, 10 Wish Stones have been credited to your account.'' "Is it that TEN? Furthermore, they are tight-fisted in this universe." I dashed from one room to the next. I looked in every one of the bookstore¡¯s or antique store¡¯s twelve rooms for this dreadful thing. I tossed on the floor the books classify according to criteria that eluded me. I leaned back and listened to the walls, which were lined with silky fabrics. I emptied the antique-lined shelves, got into a chair, and sprang into the air in the hopes of catching the most stunning crystal chandelier. I was flipping all of this opulence and refinement on its head. I retraced my steps back to the room where I first heard the synthetic voice I recognized and came to a halt at the door, perplexed. My devastation had left no trace in the room. "They are really efficient when it comes to cleaning up." A faint shimmering mist floated over the room and appeared to be created by an object on the Lyndhurst. I was still stumped as to what the Lyndhurst purpose was. A baritone voice spoke up from a machine the size of a shoebox that had taken my photograph and was now exhibiting a bizarre shape on its monitor: "You threw me on the floor, smashed me with your foot in front of half your class, and now you¡¯re calling me to come back? You should make a decision, eh?" I was taken aback and said, "I didn¡¯t do anything." "Then why am I here?" the machine inquired, her voice hushed. "Hold your horses! Is it true that you¡¯re my old phone? But this is absurd!" "Let me guess," my old phone said, irritably, "you pissed off the wrong folks yet again? Where did your power go?" "I was stripped of my power, according to the guardian¡¯s shadow." "Is it? The guardian is also present?" ''Dear Most Wanted Member, the latest edition of the ''Always with you,'' coaching and tailored aid app is now available to you.'' "I¡¯m not sure what I¡¯m going to do with you. You must be at least 20 pounds. You¡¯ll never be able to come along with me again like you used to." As soon as I finished the phrase, a cloud of light engulfed the gadget, which vanished, leaving behind a transparent rectangle the size of my hand with a little circle of light on its surface. ''Dear Most Wanted Member, as a valued member, we are pleased to present you with the latest model of our revolutionary product $py as a gift.'' When I pressed the light point, I heard a strong-accented voice ask, "Am I presentable enough now?" I was given the gift of $py¡¯s services? What was the reason for this? "You¡¯re a complete thug! Is it possible for you to change your shape whenever you want?" "Yes, I am capable. That¡¯s a little portion of it. I¡¯m capable of a wide range of tasks. Teleport, become invisible, and modify my shape as you suggest¡­" "$py don¡¯t peek in on me while I¡¯m in the tub!" I wasn¡¯t hallucinating; the screen flashed a wicked grin. "Are you meant to obey every single one of my commands to the letter?" "I wouldn¡¯t go so far as to state that¡­" "Then show me the license terms." "All right, all right, you humans ¡­ it¡¯s all in the deal," he grumbled. "And what exactly are you looking for?" "Foremost, I must regain my shadow. Then I have to regain my soul and figure out why I¡¯m here." "Because you¡¯re still perplexed as to why you¡¯re here?" "As a result of my power abuse." "Still the same." "What do you mean? Because of what, exactly?" "Rather, because of your power." "Didn¡¯t I attract the wrong individuals with my power? That is something I am already aware of. I recall Nyx, Than, and Abriel having a talk. They attempted to kill me. Nyx also managed to take my shadows." "As well as your shadow." "Isn¡¯t that correct? It came to mind as I was thinking about it. They must have seen my shadow. You¡¯re aware of its location. What are they doing to keep it?" "An object must be used to control it." "Is it a mystical item? I mean, we must be in the presence of a miraculous object in this world." "Most likely. Nyx must have this item." "Is it possible for you to figure out what that thing is and how to disable it? Are you able to locate Nyx? What method will you use to do this?" "All right, I¡¯ll go for the first tavern around the corner. I¡¯ll very certainly run into Nyx¡¯s or Abriel¡¯s sidekicks." He said, "And right away." The air seemed to ripple around the phone, and then $py vanished. I was in the human world the first time I confronted Abriel and his gang, and my yearning for independence had nearly cost me my life. With my might, I had enticed them. Was it factual? Chapter 16 - Luxnevia Lightless day +19 - Nyx was the young woman in high heels who had arrived to check the scene following the death of the guardian at my high school. My rising strength had most likely drew her in¡­ That was why she had bombarded me with inquiries, inquiring as to how I had warned the English teacher. She must have known right then and there that I wasn¡¯t ordinary person. She went to the hospital after that. I had no idea how Nyx had discovered that I had the ability to steal shadows. All I knew was that I had powerful adversaries and that I needed to be ready for the worst. They knew everything there was to know about me. And I had no idea who they were. I need to understand more about them and this world in general. The thrashing delivered by the winged beasts had taken me almost a month to recover from. I had healed completely, despite being half of this world and practically eternal ¡­ but it had taken a long time. And what had gotten me through it all? What is my desire to live? Is there a desire to return to the human realm? Is it possible that I¡¯ll never see Kerry again? Or my mom, for that matter. $py had come back with some wonderful news. He¡¯d discovered where my shadow was held. "So this is where the thief of my shadow has its refuge¡­" Surrounded by my mist, I saw a towering structure as well as the city that around it. The city had been constructed on a landmass that fought to keep the light. Newcomers were deterred from entering the city by a swampy forest filled with massive trees with trunks measuring at least six meters in circumference. Years had faded a sign that read: "Luxneville, the Royal Seat of Luxnevia, welcomes you. The law of dominance applies." The words were etched between the heads of two winged monsters. "Luxnevia? What is the nature of this realm?" "A world off-limits to the vast bulk of Arum¡¯s worlds," $py answered dryly. "Do you have anything more to say? You¡¯re quite chatty." A cold rope wrapped itself around my wrist. In a bracelet with a crystal in the center, $py had changed. I picked up bits of talk while remaining invisible in the thick of the crowd. Several individuals were huddled together, shouting about a tournament that will start in three days. Competitors of various species had already gathered around a big arena enclosed by steel gates. A saffron glow emanated from the four-sided gem. When I tapped it with the palm of my hand, the crystal began to flicker slightly, which I took as a location indication. I surveyed the surroundings. Just above the tall skyscraper that pointed straight up into the sky, a signal that matched the crystal¡¯s light signal was flickering. I took the left path, resigned, and knew I¡¯d arrived when the signal light flickered. No one was more determined than me to get a shadow; the last of Lighthill to risk his life by entering this closed world. I let out an expletive and teleported to the balcony that surrounded the highest tower¡¯s top-level apartments. A spell had been cast to guard the entry, but I was unconcerned about this protection. I discovered I could get around these gimmicks. I moved beyond the glass doors into a vast living room, shattering into a mist like a ghost. The darkness of the space did not prevent me from recognizing the lavish design perfectly, but the disorder ruined everything. The carpet was surrounded by mountains of clothes piled on the chairs, recliners, and pairs of shoes. A magnificent four-poster bed was located in another room, where a woman was sleeping. Her black hair was strewn across the bed, as if she had slumped over and not moved. My wrist was constricted by the band. The gem shone brightly. "You frightened me," muttered a voice from the room I¡¯d come to a halt in front of. Seen. Wasn¡¯t I supposed to be invisible? "At long last, you arrived," the voice continued to speak, and I noticed that it was smiling as it spoke. My heart skipped a beat. "You were here in fact!" "I am, indeed. I had a feeling you¡¯d come after me. The others also." "What about the others?" "Of course. The other shadows. We¡¯re all delighted to see you." I felt thousands of fingertips skim my shoulders as it spoke. I almost screamed, but I forced myself to hold back my fists. "What went wrong? What brings you all here?" I stated as I took a look around. Because there were so many shadows, I couldn¡¯t make out each one. I felt as if I was on a basketball floor with tens of thousands of fans watching from the stands. I was shrinking and shrinking. My shadow was having a good time. I smiled when I heard it¡¯s crystalline laughter and remembered Kerry¡¯s shadow. "It¡¯s here as well," my shadow said, moving to the other corner and returning with a smaller shadow. Kerry¡¯s shadow jumped on my neck and quickly backed away, intimidated. My shadow laughed when I blushed. I took a seat on the floor, as did the shadows nearby, while those further away stood or sat halfway. Before I began, I cleared my throat. I reddened a bit more. I coughed twice in a row and said: "I¡¯m sorry for the trouble I caused you. I damaged you because you put all your trust in me. This should serve as a warning to you," I added, raising my voice to a higher pitch. "Don¡¯t trust someone like that, blindly¡­" I continued as the bracelet tightened on my wrist. "We can¡¯t do anything else," a voice whispered, "We don¡¯t have anyone." "Don¡¯t endanger your life by betting on just anyone. You might wind up with someone who is even worse than me. A person who¡­" I shook my swollen wrist and sighed. "Someone who has the ability to enslave and exploit you. You¡¯ve come here because of me, and I swear I¡¯ll do all in my power to get you back home." As I tried to untangle the bracelet from my wrist, I crossed my hands behind my back. The environment was a bit more laid-back, but I still didn¡¯t feel as if I had their full trust. There was still a long way to go. "I came here to assist you in getting out of this situation. If you wish to keep up with me." Kerry¡¯s shadow approached rapidly and grabbed my hand. Other shadows approached cautiously, one by one, followed by smaller groups. In front of me, my shadow remained.. I extended my hand, and my shadow took it and softly squeezed it. Chapter 17 - Shadows Lightless day +19 - When I reached out to take my shadow¡¯s hand in order to teleport out of this realm, two things happened: we didn¡¯t move an inch, and my wrist was twisted. I let go of my shadow and examined the deep gashes on my wrist. "What the hell is going on here? Are you the one who did it?" I shook my wrist, enraged. No! I have more pressing matters to attend to than debating with $py. Specifically, how do you return all of the shadows to Lightville? "Do you believe you¡¯ve been enchanted?" I felt irritated. Is it possible that this horror night could go any worse? My shadow remained silent. "What got in the way of me teleporting you?" The shadow winced and gave me a dark look that told it all: it wasn¡¯t going to answer any questions. My pupils dilated. "What can I do to get you out of here?" The bracelet started squeezing my wrist once more. The blood had stopped and then resumed its flow. Half of the shadows had shifted behind my shadow. I had only recently observed. We were now face to face, as if we were two boxing opponents in a ring. The bracelet was less painful. "My mistress has a magical pendant to which I am connected, and she can summon me at any time. She employs it to compel me to remain in this realm until the tournament is completed." $py had already informed me that this type of pendant was an antiquated method of command. "Do you think you¡¯re the only one who¡¯s linked to this pendant?" Yes, the horror has the potential to get considerably worse. My shadow, on the other hand, was not bound by a crude charm. "My mistress is a sorceress," the shadow said and I felt a tinge of pride in its response. The mistress, enchantress or not, left any impression on me. I had never been terrified of anything I had never fought before, and I had never been rated. A sigh escaped my lips. It made no difference. My shadow remained the same. "Can you tell me where I can obtain this pendant? The clock is ticking." "It was offered as a prize," the shadow replied in a hushed tone. "A tournament." "You¡¯re the trophy, then?" It becomes worse. With a shrug, the shadow replied, "If you want to know, there¡¯s an invitation over there." A scroll caught my eye as I looked about. "Following the grand tournament conducted in Luxnevia three days before the blue moon, Nyx, queen of all enchantresses, offers the shadow summoning necklace of the heir to the Duchy of Ombreville as a prize. Volunteers will be required to take part in death matches. Outside of Luxnevia, all participants will be protected by magic." "The heir to the Duchy¡¯s shadow summoning pendant¡­ Is this the pendant of my Duchy? Is this my necklace?" In my tight fist, I crumpled the parchment. "Your entire Duchy is presented to the winner on a silver platter. Do you have any idea who is going to participate in this farce? Not only will you lose your Duchy, but all of the inhabitants will be forced into slavery and will be unable to return to their former state." "Basically, they will remain shadows forever" I came to the conclusion. As I approached Luxnevia, I noticed a few of these candidates. Nyx and the other two, I was certain, wanted to do whatever they could to eliminate Emerveille. They wanted to do it swiftly because I was frail and untrained for combat. They had even considered using my shadow as bait. What might a poor human like me accomplish in a magical world if I didn¡¯t have any power? "What made her do it? What was her method of obtaining this pendant? What is the essence that this summoning pendant is made of?" "Arum¡¯s final ray of light," the shadow said quietly. Before I could ask the shadow what it meant, it continued, firmly: "The final ray of light from Arum is the only means to restore light to the Duchy of Emerveille. I shall be absolutely committed to follow whoever wins the tournament as soon as it begins. All the shadows I brought from the human world, as well as all the residents of the Duchy of Emerveille who are already half-shadows, will come with me." The shadow didn¡¯t appear to be scared. "What¡¯s the point of telling me all of this? Now¡­" The bracelet on my wrist tightened once again, and I became silent. I was able to comprehend. And now you want me to be the one who brings you home. "All I was attempting to do was describe what was going to happen to me." Someone had just slammed their fist into my face. If it were my shadow, it would sense the danger and have the same desire as me: to save all of the Duchy of Emerveille¡¯s shadows and residents. The more I stayed here, the more I felt responsible for the people of this Duchy because I had no news of my mother or father, whom I had glimpsed between two curtains. The one in front of me was completely unaffected. "What if I just went ahead and stole the pendant? And you with it?" "It¡¯s guarded." "I can simply break this enchantment, just as I did the magical barrier." "Arum¡¯s light protects the locket, which is placed in a closed bell. It can¡¯t be taken; only the winner of the death match competition can claim it." This was something I had never heard of before. Taking a quiz on human history did not guarantee that I would understand the power required to effortlessly bypass this enchantment. "You must have a plan in place to get it." With a shake of the head, the shadow expressed dissatisfaction with the situation. "Not at all. If it were, I¡¯d tell you." I was so focused on controlling my fury that I forgot about the pain that was twisting my wrist even more. "I¡¯m sorry to be your shadow," the shadow said softly, as if it were carefully considering each word. I must take action to protect my Duchy. As if I really needed that right now! I should have been grateful for $py¡¯s arrival, which had given me a boost in my abilities. Because I didn¡¯t have a choice at this point. "My shadow, I bid you farewell." The sun was starting to shine brightly in the room. "Are you going to leave?" I made my decision based on the urgency in its voice. The shadow was heartbroken. "Are you planning on stealing the pendant?" "I¡¯m going." The shadow opened its eyes wide this time. "Please don''t! Whatever you desire, I''ll do!" As the sun''s blistering rays flooded the room I took one last look at the shadow and vanished. Chapter 18 - Blade Lightless day +20 - "Show yourself!" Back at the bookstore, where I knew I¡¯d be safest, I sensed danger lurking in the shadows. Before heading up to the vaulted ceilings, I studied the golden living room, pausing in the dark recesses. Then it¡¯s on to the two corridors that are next to each other. Nothing. I went back to my studies. I had stated that I would not be back for my shadow. That shadow was not, in fact, my shadow. I¡¯d gotten swept away by the excitement of finding it and had failed to notice my own shadow. Now, though¡­ I hadn¡¯t acted egotistically¡­ My gloom had not vanished. I¡¯d gotten rid of the person who pretended to be my shadow. The one who had done everything in its power to lure me into this trap, this fight to the death trap. I was trying to come up with a sensible solution that would allow me to save the Duchy of Emerveille¡¯s shadows and people. Is it possible that this will happen today? Simply put, I didn¡¯t have enough knowledge about the person who pretended to be my shadow to draw any conclusions. I have to think things out logically and acquire information. The crumpled paper from the tournament invitation was placed on a large desk in the room where I had met my father. I stretched it out and rubbed my palm underneath it, smoothing out the creases and making the lines visible. I was so overcome with deadly wrath that I almost teleported. That, too, was a proven fact. I took out a large, thick book that purportedly described everything there was to know about the Emerveille people. The Marvelous, as they were referred to in the book, were unique and superior to the other Arum groups, such as the Arum Army and the Chaste. Even though I had never met one of these two sides, I tried to persuade myself of this. Domination¡­ Luxnevia¡­ I started reading a book about Luxnevia¡¯s history. The Luxnevians, a race of light enchanters, derived their strength from other beings that shared their world with enchanted things. To put it another way, the Luxnevians took the Arum light that was possessed by living people or reflected from them, and that was possessed by objects. They were, in the end, vampires. They have spent more time in conflict than in peace over the years. Because of their enchantments, their dominion comprised of an isolated swamp, a world where time did not move at the same rate as it did everywhere. Luxnevia¡¯s time, like its life, moved at a slower pace¡­ Nyx, described as a beauty, had reigned as queen for numerous generations and was said to wield incredible power, albeit it was kept hidden. The queen possessed drakes in her menagerie, which she allegedly used to punish evildoers. Here we are, with a name for the winged monsters who had been feeding on my flesh on a regular basis. Each enchanter was born with a basic power that they regarded as their soul. Their species was one of the weaker among the immortals, at least in terms of physical strength and regeneration -that is great for me. Okay. However, I had established one thing. Nyx¡¯s physical requirements were not only taxing, but also perilous. There were, however, details that could not be found in books. My wrist had started to mend gradually. I was in less discomfort, and my wounds were healing nicely. With the absence of $py, the bracelet vanished as well. He had left without explanation again, despite my repeated requests for him to return. I took a quick glance at the invitation, then the books, then back to the invitation¡­ My neck was slapped by cold metal. A blade! I¡¯d never been threatened with a blade before. I leaped from my chair and dashed to the opposite side of the room. "You allowed yourself to be surprised! It¡¯s possible you¡¯ve lost your mind! The Duchy¡¯s head could have rolled off this rug!" "If you keep doing this, I¡¯m going to smash you again!" "I¡¯ve come to assist you. You contacted me because you required assistance. You haven¡¯t met anyone yet. I¡¯m the only one you have." "Think again! If you think this will save your battery!" "For a long time, I¡¯ve been operating without a battery. What could be so preoccupying your mind?" "I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯ll die because of you or because of Nyx and hers henchmen." "It won¡¯t be me, I assure you." "How did you figure that out?" I muttered this as I pushed back the blade¡¯s point, which was now pressing on my jugular. The blade rippled and vanished as a laugh erupted in my ear. "I might lose some of my abilities temporarily, but you, old man, would lose your life," claimed a voice from the water jug¡¯s interior. This night was full of firsts: feeling the cold metal of a sword on my jugular, meeting Kerry¡¯s shadow and being unable to assist, my shadow ¡­ and even meeting Nyx without paying the price. I instinctively shook a light glove that had slipped over my right hand. "It¡¯s time to be ready for fight," $py¡¯s voice remarked abruptly. The room had vanished. I¡¯d entered a fencing room. "Cousin, draw your sword." "Cousin? When did you allow yourself to become acquainted with me?" I took several steps backwards to escape being planted after a blade flew by. I took the sword that hung in front of me, the hilt facing me, with a tired groan. "This sword was one of your father¡¯s few items that he cared about," stated $py, its voice deep. Despite the pain in my damaged hand, I would be the crescent moon-shaped pommel of the sword, believing that I had a memory of my father in this world. In front of me, a black sword materialized. $py had switched into a demonic sword, as I had predicted, to scare me even more. "This isn¡¯t fair! Your weapon is significantly larger than mine!" "Because you believe Nyx will fight according to the rules? Be ready for the worst." "I¡¯m already bracing myself for the worst-case scenario. Only when making a sandwich do I use a blade." "This isn¡¯t a sandwich fight to the death." "When you tamper with me, I despise you even more." "I understand; that is why I do it. You must first learn to control your rage. You¡¯ll have no trouble handling the sword and knowing how to battle.. All you need is a little more practice."