Chapter 15

Shadow opens Blake's eyes, determining the fire wielder to face his past actions and their consequences, but also to make drastic changes

"Oh, I forgot to give this back" Shadow laughed, now in front of Blake and urging him to take back his amulet.

"What the... You are waaaaay too creepy!" Blake fumed as he snatched it. "And since when are you so benevolent? A minute ago, you tried to kill us, but now you talk as if we have known each other for years."

"I know it sounds cliche, but trust me."

"Why in the world? You keep confusing me! That's not what I expected from an encounter with you." the filarian blurted, earning a chuckle from Shadow.

"Let's be respectful 'till the end and finish our discussion. You were looking for an antidote for the princess, right? Calendula, borage, arugula and fennel."

The grey-haired male was at a loss of words. Shadow didn't live at the expectations of the rumors which were spread in the kingdom. He was beyond every expectation. Nobody could read his next moves, his real intentions... nothing. He was the embodiment of the mystery. Just the thought of him was enough to intrigue someone, but a meeting with him face-to-face would be in the same situation as Blake: with the mind frozen. The bloodlust diminished in the eyes of his enemy, leaving room to the his characteristic dead expression. The filarian took a step back, hoping that Shadow wouldn't have the idea of hurting him. Something told him that it wasn't the case. The young man didn't seem to be in his usual state of emanating a dangerous aura. He seemed to be a person of his words, yet until he showed solid evidence of his intentions' honesty, Blake couldn't bring himself to agree with his conditions. The grey-haired male was standing in a perilous land. 

"You don't seem to trust someone so easily." Shadow concluded after analysing his reactions. "Given the fact that you are a part of the Nightfall team, sure thing something happened."

"What do you see in my eyes?" Blake asked precautiously.

"Lability. Not even you know how to control your reactions and most important, thoughts."

"Are you digging up in my soul?"

"Just trying to help you a little bit."

"First, how did you know the purpose of our expedition in the forest?

"The night talks to me. I know what happens in this forests during this time, but most of the times, I used to enjoy just observing."

Silence.

"Wait until your friend wakes up" Shadow continued in a grave voice. "Return to Filaria and until the antidote is finished..."

"There is one condition!" Blake announced him. "The person who makes the antidote must be one with dignity, with a pure heart, no hatred, a brave soul, who can be able to sacrifice his or her life in the name of the greatest power in the world" he cited from the book he had read with his comrades.

"Then it's impossible to solve the problem. Now if you'll excuse me, I shall take my leave." Shadow muttered.

"You damn idiot! This conversation was in vain?"

"If you think YOU can prepare what you need with these", the assassin hissed, taking from his pocket a bunch of the wanted flowers, "I doubt it will work. The condition is certainly a impediment."

"Just leave! Leave me alone and stay the hell away from me with your sinister deductions and... You know what? Keep your distance! The ingredients for the antidote, your words... It doesn't make any sense. You know everything that is to know! How is this possible?"

Before leaving, Shadow gave Blake a troubled look, followed by a strict order.

"Return to Filaria immediately before I change my mind. I must go back to Faye."

"One more thing!" the filarian pleaded. 

"I thought you wanted me to vanish." 

"Tell Faye that I regret what I said to her." 

Shadow sprinted through the trees moments before Asher awoke. His vision was still blurry and his head hurt because of the blow. Blake didn't move an inch from where he stood. It seemed like a dream, a lugubrious one. Facing one of his greatest fears in such an unexpected moment, finding himself questioning everything. He had been part of Edra's team for almost four years, but in a matter of seconds, he doubted what he had done so far. Blake saw the effects of his actions: his inability to control himself, unleashing his anger towards his teammates and the stolidity he expressed almost always brought chaos. Not only in his team, but to the kingdom who was under the threat of the Moon's Wolves. 

Blake ignored Asher, despite his friend's attempts of catching his attention. He didn't receive an answer from Shadow. Will he send his message? Or the young man's silence was a proof that his malice was finally paid off? Shadow had the ingredients, but it was futile. A person fitting the description given by the book was nearly impracticable and five months didn't sound too favorable. The failure of their search, the chance encounter with the assassin and the deal with him were deeply disturbing the fire wielder. Not because of the coincidences, but for the answer he needed to give the princess.

"Blake, come to your senses!" the water wielder yelled as he pressed his hand where he was hit. " What happened? Where's that wierdo?"

"I should've been more aware of what I've done..."

His comrade's response bewildered Asher, as he continued to voice further his confusion.

"Did you see who he was?"

"He could've killed us, but he didn't."

"You fool, answer me! I'm talking seriously, you're freaking me out!"

"The one we just met was Shadow... and we are still living."

The red-haired filarian covered his mouth to prevent a gasp. It was widely known that whoever came in his way didn't have the chance to tell the story. In the middle of the night, in the cursed forest, they could have met their end. Asher drummed his fingers on a nearby tree, fighting to find his words. Blake told him about their conversation, but the reveals were too much for Asher to handle.

"You actually bargained with Faye's life? He had the plants we needed? I swear I would have shot you if I heard these myself! How can you trust someone like him? What are we going to do now? What is Edra going to say? What about the king?"

"Asher, calm down! We will find a solution!" Blake attempted to temper his friend's outburst.

"It's your fault!" the water wielder screamed at the top of his lungs, "This entire situation is your fault! If hadn't been so foul-mouthed, Faye would have been with us now. You know what? You got us in this chaos, you will be the one who will finish this story. We're going back to the royal palace right this instant. Knari!"

As soon as Asher voiced the magic word, a tornado engulfed the two males and transported them back to their concerned teammates. Edra rushed to Asher's side, who was on the verge of collapsing.

"This..." he hissed, pointing an accusing finger to Blake, "is how a monster looks like."

"Asher, you misunderstood! Let me explain!"

The princess listened to what her friend had to say and glared daggers at Blake. Upon hearing the news, the king rubbed his temples and took in a sharp breath. 

"Do you have any idea of what kind of messed up condition you dragged us into?" Daivat raged as he slammed his fist on the table, making the others take a dew steps back.

"Your Highness, given the fact that the person we need..."

"Blake Almain, how can you toy with a life in such a manner? You don't know anything about what Shadow is really capable of."

"I am begging you to allow me to continue explaining in more details what was the subject of our conversation."

The man was fuming, but he rested his forehead on his palm. With a steeple made of his fingers, he listened to the explanations. Even with all his magic knowledge and wisdom, the king couldn't comprehend such a bizarre behaviour. The differences between reality and assumptions were almost impossible to be found. Such an enigmatic existence that held the key towards either the salvage of Filaria and the entire Evonk, or their demise. 

"But why? Just... why?"

"King Daivat, now it has become my responsability to handle this conflict. Perhaps it will sound strange, but due to the fact that he has a connection with Faye, it would be a brilliant opportunity to find a way of defeating our enemies once and for good."

"In other words, you suggest us to trust the small posibility that he has good intentions. This means dooming ourselves."

"Your Highness, I said that I want to remedy what I have done to Faye. I never knew if my choices were the right ones or reflected upon my thoughts and actions. We are in a tough point, but I swear here and now that I will find a solution. Let me prove that I can change myself. I am begging you."

Blake kneeled in front of the king, fighting the urge to cry. A gentle yet strong hand patted him on the head. Daivat looked in his eyes and gave him a sorrowful glance.

"As you know, everything comes at a cost... but I don't want to lose anyone of you, especially to those beasts. My daughter chose you to be my trusted guardians of this kingdom. Ever since you swore to protect the land where you were born, I knew what sacrifice all of you had to make. Despite your young age, you know what you want from this life and dedicate yourselves to the duties. I simply refuse to let something happen to you. I cannot accept to lose the people who became the support of Edra and me after the death of my wife. I cannot lose my family."

The fire wielder broke down into tears, followed by his comrades. Although the fright was haunting them, they couldn't let themselves be overcome. The only way they had was to have faith in Shadow. As much as they hated it, they had to admit that only he was able to determine the following course of action. Until then, hope was just a thin thread that  hardly kept their agonizing souls from falling apart.