Putting Snuggle into a pocket, the shadow clasped his hand behind his back and headed in the direction from which the voice was resounding. Soon enough, he reached the plaza at the edge of the city, where the northbound road turned into its main street.

There, in front of the open city gate, he saw a figure painted in shades of pale silver by the pouring moonlight.

In front of him stood a human youth. The stranger was dressed in dashing, albeit somewhat dusty, robes of pure silk — his garment must have been quite lavish once, but now, the luxurious scarlet dye had faded, and the embroidered hems were frayed. His skin was pale and smooth, and his black hair glistened in the moonlight like onyx.

There was a crescent moon mark on his forehead, and below it, two clear eyes were burning with righteous fury, imbuing his adolescent face with a hint of noble dignity. The shadow sighed inwardly.

‘Another child...’

Despite his youth, the fool who had wandered into his kingdom this time was a Transcendent Beast, no different from Snuggle. In fact, his soul gave off the scent of divinity as well — he had to be a descendant of one of the great gods, without a doubt. This was the Age of Heroes, after all, and there were plenty of them running around.

In fact...

The shadow felt that the human youth looked strangely familiar. He just couldn't quite place the young man, lost in the boundless ocean of his memories.

So, instead, the shadow simply said:

"Greetings."

Hearing his voice, the youth did a double take and turned to look at him in surprise. After studying the shadow in confusion for a few moments, he suddenly beamed.

“Well met, stranger! What luck, to find a fellow wanderer in this desolate land. However, take heed — a terrifying monster is rumored to dwell in this cursed ruin. I plan to challenge and slay it, so you'd best take cover until the dust settles. We'll savor fine wine and trade stories after I return victorious!"

The shadow stared at the youth, confused. Snuggle, meanwhile, peeked out of his pocket. Looking just as baffled, she glanced at the uninvited guest, remained silent for a moment, and then whispered:

"Is he a fool?"

The shadow did not respond immediately.

‘I mean... that's self-evident.'

He gave her a subtle nod, then followed an impulse and asked:

"A terrifying monster?"

The youth threw a tense look into the darkness, then sighed.

“Indeed! You might not know, but this land was prosperous once, populated by enlightened humans. But then, one day centuries ago, all communications with them ceased. When the merchants arrived to trade as usual, all they found was a dead city shrouded by eternal darkness. And, what's worse... something dwelled in the heart of the city."

He grimaced with disdain.

"It was a vicious, ghastly abomination! The one I came here to kill."

The shadow tilted his head a little.

“Really? What kind of abomination?"

The youth looked hesitant for a moment.

"Well... no one knows for sure, and the legends people of the surrounding realms tell all differ. Some describe it as a giant beast with seven heads and the tail of a beaver, some say that it looks like a human with the head of a mountain goat. In any case, it's extremely hideous, grotesque, and unsightly! That's why it lives in darkness, afraid to see its own face."

He sighed.

“That creature is not only extremely abhorrent and revolting, though, it is also extremely powerful. It subjugated all the people of this land and turned them into its servants. Now, those poor souls live in the darkness, having long ceased being human. So, I — the legendary hero, Noctis — came to cleanse this land of Corruption. I came to banish the darkness and return this land to the light of the Moon!"

The shadow studied him for a moment, then threw a furtive glance at Snuggle. Perhaps she knew what he was supposed to do.

But Snuggle just raised her hands and shook her head, similarly stumped.

The shadow sighed.

Standing at the edge of light, he said:

“Oh. I see. However, you are not entirely correct."

The youth raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not? What do you mean, stranger?"

The shadow nodded.

“You see, I never subjugated the people of this city. I merely killed them all. I killed all the beasts, insects, and Creatures of Corruption as well. So... it is not as though I have something against humans in particular. Even if they are the most bothersome bunch."

The youth laughed.

“Well said!"

But then, he froze.

“Uhm... wait. What did you just say, stranger? Did you say... that you were the one who killed these people?"

He stared at the shadow again, a clear expression of incomprehension on his face. Then, he chuckled nervously.

“Don't jest. You are clearly a human... a gentleman of refined upbringing, by the look of it. Even if you do, regrettably, suffer from a lack of taste and seem to be in the habit of wearing drab colors, that's no reason to bring yourself down!"

The shadow blinked a couple of times.

"I just look like a human for the sake of convenience. Would you prefer I take the shape of a giant beast with seven heads and the tail of a beaver? Or should I simply change my head for that of a mountain goat? It's no bother, really. Just say the word."

The youth hiccuped.

"No, no... what are you talking about? The creature that dwells in this land is... is..."

He had already looked pale in the moonlight, but now, his face seemed ghostly white.

The shadow shrugged.

"Is me. Welcome to my kingdom, young Noctis... Crimson Beast of Twilight, was it? Didn't you say that I should come and face you? Since today is the day I die. So, here I am."

The youth studied him for a few moments, then composed himself and forced out an arrogant laugh.

“I see. So the monster who caused the ruin of this city is none other than you! You... uh... what should I call you?"

The shadow shrugged.

"Call me Shadow."

The youth scoffed.

“You vile shadow! As I was saying... I came here to slay you! So, prepare to die!"

The shadow studied him with a dubious expression. The youth was putting on a brave face, but he clearly seemed unnerved. And why wouldn't he be? The shadow was truly an unnerving existence.

Noctis had a reason to be confident in his prowess, perhaps. He was a Transcendent — even if it looked like he had only reached Transcendence recently — and a descendant of one of the great gods to boot. He had also reached this place alone, braving the wilderness beyond.

Even if he had been lucky to avoid the most powerful abominations that dwelled there, he still had to have fought quite a few of them, and yet, he was unscathed.

However, he clearly had not expected to meet a creature that could take any form it wished, was capable of human speech, and seemed just as intelligent as a human. Beings like that were supremely dangerous. He might have already realized that his opponent was Supreme, as well. It was just that he had not realized that the shadow was a Titan.

But, really...

‘So he wants to kill me?’

He had nothing to worry about.

The shadow nodded.

“Okay."

Noctis stared at him in confusion.

"Huh? What do you mean, okay?"

The shadow shrugged.

"Go on, kill me.”

The human youth frowned, then raised a hand.

“Don't think that I won't!"

The shadow just stared at him.

Nothing happened for a few moments.

So, the shadow spoke with a hint of impatience in his voice:

“Alright? Come on, you may begin."

Noctis hesitated for a bit, then lowered his hand and glanced at the shadow with suspicion.

"What kind of ruse is this? Are you trying to deceive me, creature? Let me tell you — I am the smartest hero in this land! Or any land! The likes of you won't ever be able to outsmart me, so you should just give up the thought right now."

The shadow frowned.

“There is no ruse, young human. In truth, I've longed to die for a long time now... since before the dawn of time, when the gods themselves were young. So, I decided that I might as well let you try. Go on, do your best... your worst? Anyway, strike me down with all your might. I won't resist."

Noctis stared at him in stunned silence. Then, he cursed.

"You are taking all the fun out of it, knave!"

Then, he gritted his teeth.

“But I'll take you up on that offer. So, get ready!"

As the youth raised his hand again, Snuggle suddenly jumped out of the shadow's pocket and swiftly climbed to his shoulder. There, she raised her hands and squeaked:

"Wait! Don't do it, please! If you do, someone is really going to die... and it won't be Shadow!"

The young man lowered his gaze and stared at her.

Then, he somehow paled even more. Noctis opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Then, he suddenly screamed in horror:

“Oh, gods! A talking doll! Shadow, run for your life!"

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