The Shadows are incredibly loyal to their chosen master, and they will accomplish anything whatever their Masters wish them to do. They are the tools of their desires.
They are born from accumulated emotions and negativity of those who dwell in Astra. They exist as early as one could remember.
They have always been there until someone started to accumulate them. When souls depart, the Master gives them a chance to be cleansed or give in to their desires.
If one chose to linger and fulfill them, they would be reborn as a Shadow. For a brief moment, they will attain whatever their heart's content.
Power. Lust. Fame. Fortune. Revenge.
It doesn't matter what they desire. They will experience its fulfillment.
It just that, after completion, they will be chained to this unfortunate destiny to serve as slaves. They will forever be bounded to the Master of the Shadows to do his bidding.
The Master of the Shadows won't hesitate to do anything and anyone under him to achieve his goals. They are all irrelevant to him and consider them as means for his disposals.
He has done his part to grant their wish, and it's their turn to give his. This is the hidden system of this world.
Despite the true nature of their existence, Noite considers them as his allies, and he treats them well. He is always just and values them as comrades in arms.
Even so, those details don't concern the Shadows. They are like anomalies in this world, and they are strip off whatever that was once remain.
Morality. Mentality. Humanity. Dignity. Self-consciousness.
Also, the Shadows are already unconcerned of these things. They are unfeeling and relentless, who follow orders without question.
They wholeheartedly accept whatever fate their Master bestows upon them.
Even if it means, to be drag into oblivion.
To be used or abused.
They will comply with whatever their Master wishes for them to do. They never complain or question their commands.
Meanwhile, everything seems somewhat peaceful in this desolated place. Darkness, shadows, and monsters seem normal nowadays.
The Darkness starts spreading out and continues to contaminate the land of Celesea. Even villages are not spared, and they are either wiped out with a contagious, unknown disease or turned into atrocities.
As scheduled, Noite decided to leave Themis the following day. He needs to check with everyone in the guise of getting supplies.
He also wishes to bump with his newfound friend, Euer, along the way. He truly enjoys the young man's company, after all.
Unbeknownst to him, Di'Anon and his crew are on his trail. As soon as he steps out of Themis, their plan has commenced.
They really don't plan anything drastic and only wish to monitor his movements. They are somewhat convinced that his frequent visits are not entirely virtuous.
"Do you really think this would work?" Seig asked for the hundredth time as they stealthy follows the young lad.
He can't help doubting such a simple plan to work. Then again, It is probably best to make things as normal as possible to prevent him from suspecting too.
It will be less obvious if they create random occurrences like bumping at each other or asking for directions or as such. All they need is a brief moment of interaction with him.
Di'Anon needs to get closer in order to analyze him better as well. Stealing a strand of hair can be helpful to him. He can quickly get details from anyone like that.
Fugue and Canon join a hoard of furry hyena-like atrocities. They drugged the beasts to calm them down so that they could safely join their herd.
The beasts are very unstable, and one wrong move could provoke and endanger them. The twins can't help to be cautious while they pretend to be one of these creatures.
Meanwhile, Noite looks around the depressing scenery. Instead of wild animals, ferocious monsters lingers in the dried open fields.
Celesea is once a lively, colorful place. Right now, everything is consumed in this glum, depressing atmosphere.
This scenery is somewhat making Noite troubled. He doesn't understand why are they doing these things?
What really happened to his brother?
He and his older brother used to travel in this region when they are young. The beautiful meadows of wildflowers and the sparkling water that gives life are exceptional.
He looks at the black, monstrous beast with forlorn eyes. He wonders, what kind of animals they evolve from?
"Young Master, do you wish me to wipe them out of your view? They are making you upset." he said casually.
Noite smiles as he raised his hand and refrains him from doing anything. He bits his lips in guilt as he continues to look at them.
"It's not necessary. They are victims of circumstances. We are the cause of their changes. We brought in this darkness to consume them. We cannot blame them for the madness we have caused. We can only blame ourselves…" Noite calmly responds and walks away.
They are quite surprised to hear his ideology. They expected Noite is as brutal as his sibling, but he seems like a very sympathetic person.
Not long, Noite and his guard resume traveling the brick road to Mystic Spirit. This path is once used by traders to guide them to their destinations.
It consists of many branching paths towards different villages and clan towns around Celesea. Ever since the Central fell two hundred years ago, everything changed as well.
The path is unmaintained for two hundred years ago. The once solid, white bricks show wear and crumbling. In time, it will only continue to vanish as it ages.
Meanwhile, Di'Anon's eyes glow in crystal blue as he carefully observes him. He can tell that he shows genuine concern, but it doesn't mean he will conflict with his brother.
Also, it is evident that Noite is not from Celesea. He wears black leather fitted garments under his thick, gray hooded cloak.
People typically wear robes, tunics, and dresses over their cloaks around these parts. Some wear assorted, colorful ethnic dresses depending on their tribes.
Not long, he noticed someone following Noite. He pulled Seig back into the cloaking spell.
Di'Anon starts focusing on the Shadow, who is tailing their target. He can quickly assess that he is from a different affiliation. He has a different aura from Noite's Shadow companion.
"Di, what is wrong...?" Seig asked.
"He is being tailed by his brother's men. We have to be more cautious." Di'Anon discloses.
Seig knits his brows as he wonders why his brother is secretly following his younger sibling. Is it to keep him safe or something else?
Di'Anon closes his eyes as he devises a new plan. He tries to sense how many Shadows is currently following Noite and watching over him.
They are very discreet and careful not to alert Noite and his companion. Thankfully, they seem also oblivious of their presence.
"There are ten more shadows. We need to be extra careful not to alert either side..." Di'Anon informed Seig.
He is always amazed by his sensory skills. He doesn't know anyone aside from him who can detect these mysterious beings so accurately.
"What should we do now?" Seig inquired.
"Plan B." Di'Anon nonchalantly responded.
Seig knits his brows tighter as he gave it a thought. He doesn't have any idea what he meant by 'Plan B.'
Meanwhile, Di'Anon casts a wind telegram to Eirwen and the twins to informed them of the situation. They simply need to be more cautious as they carry on with their plans.
They can't alert both sides that they are on their trail. It might cause more problems for them if they were found out.
The fluttering wind spell discreetly heads to its destinations. Noite and his companion have gained significant distance from them.
"Take care of those shadows. I'll take care of Noite. Keep them distracted." Di'Anon said as he disappears.
Seig was simply dumbfounded. Di'Anon was gone even before he could ask him where are the ten shadows he is referring to.
As of the moment, he indeed doesn't have a clue where to find them.
He looks around the barren lands and wonders how to distract something he wasn't even sure where he could find them.
'Di'Aonon, what is Plan B…?' he murmurs.
Meanwhile, Canon and Fugue receives their order and quite surprised as well. It only states, 'Plan B.'
There is no 'Plan B.' What does he mean?
"Diversion?" Fugue asked his sister as they try to figure out the message.
"Maybe. It's a good plan. Let's make a commotion." Canon responded cheerfully.
The younger Tanuki seems bored idling while monitoring their target. She can't wait to wake them up and creates a distraction.
His older twin brother can only sigh in resignation. This girl is always naughty and impatient, after all.
On the other hand, Eirwen also receives the same message, 'Plan B' from Di'Anon. He heaves a heavy sigh as he also has no idea what he meant. He needs more details before he can figure what he meant after all.
Meanwhile, If hostile shadows indeed have bad intentions, there is no way they can enter the borders. That is how Eu's monitoring spell works.
So how can they slip in undetected?
How can they not trigger the monitoring spell?
Di'Anon finally catches up with Noite and carefully observes them. There is really nothing unusual with him, and he seems like a very genuine person.
For now, he needs to focus on why these brothers are here and where they are from. Though, by now, he already has a suspicion who they really are.