Approaching closer to them, I began to notice that the figures began to reach out to me; gradually the shadows began to take on the figures and faces of those I knew. Behind the figures it was clear that not all the shadows had yet accepted those whom I knew, was it because they stood behind the backs of those who had already accepted the faces and figures whom I knew.
The eyes of the Emperor and Empress of the Cray Empire looked at me. In the world of darkness, they had black eyes, like the color of their hair, in their gaze I saw discontent bordering on contempt in my direction.
My father rested his sword on the ground, the tip of which was turned towards me. Mother was holding a staff that rested in her hands, I well remembered what a formidable magician she was.
- The test is for us to fight? But why? - Unable to resist asking the father and mother figure.
The shadows only grinned at my question and threw their weapons to the ground, when the sword and staff were about to touch the ground they dissipated.
- A stupid boy who imagined himself capable of standing up to his parents. Your mother and I don't need weapons for you to return back to your family. - The bass voice of the emperor was heard and began to move towards me.
I remembered my father's strength well and tried to step back and put my hands forward hoping to block the blow. As I thought, he was aiming at my chest to take my breath away, I felt my arms aching from pain and partially stopped feeling them.
The Emperor just grinned at my behavior and struck with his other hand backhand, aiming for my shoulder. I felt that my hands had not yet fully recovered and trying to get away from the blow, I felt pain in my side, looking where the pain was coming from, I saw only part of the long hair going to the side.
Realizing that I had completely forgotten about the empress who was hiding behind the emperor, their style when they fought together was unique and dangerous.
When the emperor attacked, the empress waited for an opportunity to strike, both magical and physical, which could end the battle.
Trying to move further away from them and glancing at the remaining shadows that had not moved further, I turned my gaze back.
I felt like my body hurt in different places from the blows of the emperor and empress on their faces, I did not see that they were tense. Approaching me, my father stopped and extended his hand to me.
- Come with us, thanks to you and your chosen powers, our Kray empire will be able to receive new lands by rejecting the oath of the alliance. You will become the emperor as always and wanted to go son let's bring a glorious time to our empire. - Turning to me, I heard hope in my father's voice and in his gaze that he had already seen how the Kray empire was seizing new lands and how I was leading troops into the attack.
Listening to him, I thought about his words: did I really want to be an emperor? Previously, I had no talent or opportunity, but now none of my brothers and sisters can resist me and make an empire from one part of the world to another.
All races would live in an empire and the chosen one would no longer be a damned swordsman. Like my father, I saw how the empire changed under my leadership, how it became bigger, how I and those faithful to me had fun celebrating a new victory.
But I felt that even being surrounded by races loyal to me, I did not have the feeling that I was where I was supposed to be.
The day gave way to years and the feeling continued to grow stronger. I no longer found joy in battle, not in intrigues at court, the empire ruled all races and I could only enjoy what I had achieved, but something continued to give everything that I didn't need it.
I don't want to be an emperor? Surprised by such a thought, I felt that what was causing me discomfort began to disappear and the world that was in my power also changed.
I saw myself wounded, covered in my own and the enemy's blood, but I felt joy and fun, next to me were Keirin and Cassandra, who were also smiling under the night sky, helping each other with wounds. In their looks, as well as in mine, there was no sadness or sadness.
- No, father, being an emperor is not my way, I probably had thoughts about taking the throne, but they were there before. - I answered in a quiet voice, not understanding why.
I expected that after my refusal, the emperor and empress would launch an attack again, but they stood and looked at me; in their eyes there was no anger or irritation at my refusal; they were calm.
Gradually, their bodies began to be swallowed up by darkness until not a trace remained of the familiar figures. Was this a test?
Turning my gaze to the figures that began to take on familiar shapes, this gave me the answer to my question.
The shadows began to recede revealing who was hidden under the shadows, they were Keirin and Cassandra.
Both had black hair and black eyes, watching their changes, I wondered if everyone here would look like this?
Looking at their clothes, Cassandra was wearing an academic uniform the last time I saw her, while Keirin was wearing field clothes.
If, when meeting my parents, I didn't attach any importance to the fact that they were dressed the same way when we last saw each other.
Now I began to have suspicions that darkness or shadow had the opportunity to take my memories and give shape to the way I last saw them.
The shadows began to slowly approach me by their face and gaze, I saw that they were irritated and angry, but unlike the shadows of my parents, they did not show that they wanted to attack.
Finding myself next to me, I saw changes that were invisible from a distance. Small shadows were visible that stretched along the girls' hands and rose up.
- So, how did you go on missions to escort the caravan? But in fact, you wanted to go to the Avel capital from the very beginning! - Cassandra said angrily, her voice was like a real one. Did the darkness take everything from her?
If the darkness gave the shadow everything from appearance to memories, then how does it know that I am in the capital of Avel?
- Don't try to be cunning, even if you took on the image of Cassandra, you are not her. - I said, feeling anger rising in me that the darkness was trying to play on my feelings for the girls.
Two melodious laughter was heard, their faces and gaze began to change, taking on a calm expression and their gaze becoming thoughtful.
- It doesn't matter who we are, but did you deceive one of those whom you called your family Alurik or better yet Trey? - Cassandra asked in a thoughtful voice, turning her gaze to the shadow that had accepted the figure of Keirin.
Did I deceive Cassandra when I said that I was going on missions and then returning to the academy?
Yes, but I had no desire to expose her to the danger that could await us here. Remembering the attacks of robbers on the caravan and how Fel suffered was the best confirmation that Cassandra needed to stay at the academy.
- It was better for her safety; if she knew about my plans, she would insist on going with us. I don't want her to go through the possible pain that my ex-fiancee went through or worse. - Saying this, I turned my gaze to Keirin, who was silent the entire time.
Whether this was due to the fact that each shadow expressed something of its own was not clear to me.
Cassandra shook her head and ran her hand over her throat and face, where she held, red marks appeared and blood began to flow from these marks. I wanted to retreat, but my legs would not obey.
- Do you want to save your wife by locking her up anywhere and not telling her anything for fear that something like this will happen to her? - Cassandra's interested voice was heard.
A smile appeared on her face, and from what she said, the blood began to flow even more, I had a desire to look away, but the shadow did not just decide to show these wounds.
I saw that the wounds did not cause pain to the shadow, examining the wounds it was clear that they were inflicted by a weapon that would have ended the life of the dark elf.
- Alurik, or Trey, you can't save those you care about by locking them in a cage and not telling them what might happen to you. And you can't hide everything from them hoping that they will understand your actions. - The shadow said gradually disappearing.
Was the shadow trying to tell me that I need to trust those who are dear to me more? Why then did the shadow take the form of Keirin and was silent all the time? I expected the girls to talk together or attack like the shadows of my parents did.
- Trey who are we to each other? - I heard Keirin's question, which pulled me out of trying to understand why the shadows took their appearance.
Looking at the girl, I tried to see something else in her question, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't.
Unlike Cassandra, the shadow that took the form of Keirin did not try to inflict wounds on itself or do anything else.
- Partners, I told you that you are more than a servant to me. - I answered the shadow, which nodded at my words.
It was noticeable that the shadow began to smile and a strange sparkle began to appear in its gaze.
- Yes, I remember how you said if the world turns against us, then we will fight together like this? - The shadow spoke in a strange voice.
I remembered our conversation when I told her this, but I still didn't understand where the shadow was leading. Did she mean that these words meant nothing to me at that time?
- Will your partner leave you alone in the forest with weak girls who have gone through all sorts of humiliation? - I heard the voice of a shadow, tearing me out of my thoughts and memories.
Was the Shadow unhappy that Keirin remained in the camp? But it was her desire to save as many captive girls as possible, if not for her desires she would have been with me in the capital of Avel.
- I trust my partner and her judgment and I am confident that she will cope with a possible threat if there is one. - I answered in a confident voice, looking the shadows in the eyes.
It was clear that the shadow was surprised by my answer; was it trying to begin to doubt Keirin's powers? Or did she want to verify my judgment of my partner's strength?
- And if it happens that she is captured, what will you do? What will you do? Will you be ready to challenge empires or kingdoms? She is weaker than you, although she received a weak chaos power. - The shadow asked in a thoughtful voice, running a hand over its face.
Her face began to change, now in front of me was Keirin's beaten face, one eye could not see her and the other had bloody streaks, in her gaze I saw pain and her lips began to speak asking for help.
Listening to her strangled voice, I felt anger and anger rise within me at those who dared to do this to Keirin. Was I ready to confront the one who did this to her?
The answer was yes, but you can destroy the enemy in different ways, both openly and covertly.
- Why are you asking me this question if you know the answer to it? - I said, trying to look away from the face of the shadow.
A melodious laugh was heard, which gradually began to gradually disappear, realizing that the shadow was silent, I again turned my gaze to it.
Keirin, all wounded and with traces of blood on her hands, stood in front of me, stretching out her hands to me.
- Are you ready to accept all the anger that is in you? If you think you're ready, take my hands. - The shadow addressed me in a choked voice.
I saw blood dripping onto the ground from Keirin's hands as she held it out to me, was this a test of the shadow that took the form of my partner?
- What happens if I'm not ready to accept all my anger? - I asked the shadow, from her look I already guessed what would happen to me.
The shadow sighed and looked down at her hands, which were all wounded, and it was clear that if it were not in the world of shadows, Keirin could not keep her hands in this state for so long.
- Will you die Alurik or is it better Trey? By trying to run away from your thoughts and judgments, you are only postponing the possibility that they will break out like a hungry beast. - The shadow said in a quiet, choked voice, looking up at me.
Were all the shadows my thoughts and experiences all along? The Emperor and Empress thought that if I return to the empire, what will my life be like?
Cassandra, whom I tried to protect from the possible risks that my travels would be associated with. Keirin, who was one of the first to find out that I was the chosen one and against my will, became my servant, but we found a solution with her.
- I will accept my thoughts no matter what they are. - I said, looking at the shadows and raising my hands, placing them on the hands of the shadow.
I had the feeling that different voices were heard in my head, but each one was mine, gradually they became quieter until they fell silent completely. Did I die or did I still pass the tests of Keirin's shadow?
- You have accepted your thoughts, chosen one, now you can leave the first test. - I heard voices unfamiliar to me behind me.
Looking back in search of the voice, I saw only shadows that either took shape or diverged again. Was it the one who decided whether the chosen one passed the test or not?
When I wanted to ask a question, the shadows began to take shape, extending their hands towards me and I felt them pushing me away from themselves until I again found myself in a familiar room.