Twilight Initiator, Zed, Son of Shadows, Shadow
Imperial Calendar: Year 1596, Month 4, Day 1
Riverland Mountains, North of the Imperial Territory
He's dying. I see it in his eyes. He's dying slowly and painfully. He's suffering, a lot actually, but not from his wounds. He's suffering in his heart. It's empty, layers of him questioning the meaning of life. There's a glimmer in his eyes that I know well. A while ago, it was unfamiliar to me, but now I know—it's the will to live. I recognize it; it's very similar to the original Zed. He had the same look, the will to live, for his sister and for himself. But this young assassin, why? What were his motivations? I'm not sure. He wasn't my enemy at all; in fact, I didn't even sense any murderous intent from him. Thanks to him, I was able to do my job very quickly. Do you want to keep living? I recited those words in my mind.
My own shadow, or perhaps the original shadow, nodded. It seems it wants to save him, but how? As far as I know, I don't have healing magic, and I don't have anything to treat wounds or burns. Looking confused at my shadow, it gives signals. Slowly nodding, I understand what it means. I drew my dagger from my waist and, with precision, pierced and cut his heart. And so, he stopped breathing. Quick and precise.
Suddenly, I feel the shadow leave the young man's body and enter mine. It's a refreshing sensation, but that's all I perceived. I still have to check my sea of souls, but for now, the young assassin's body lay without a shadow, and his body began to disintegrate. That was new... I think to myself.
I survey the battlefield, which is filled with corpses and blood.
-I suppose no one managed to survive.
Looking at the map in my hands... there's another drawing on it. There are details that each monster that dies leaves behind a fragment of its soul, and the image is like a slightly deformed glass shard. I thought it would be shaped like an orb or something. There are also indications of where exactly it might be. The brain, the chest, or the abdomen. Glancing at the plant, I let out a sigh.
Forcing my hands, I rummage through its innards. It's too viscous. I avoid the head since it's covered in that corrosive substance, hoping it's not located there. I hope.
There was nothing in its chest (upper body), so I searched further down. After a few more unpleasant seconds, I managed to extract what I think was the fragment.
It's just like the drawing. It had a different glow from the dragon orb. This one looked like it had water inside, with small light specks appearing and fading silently. The flow and glow were constant, very pleasing to the touch. It measured about 30 centimeters. I don't know what to do with this thing, so I'll keep it for now. In Zed's memories of this world, there was no information on how one could absorb this fragment.
Looking at the map one last time, I see the other exit to leave this cave. When the nobleman gave it to me, I felt confused, but then I understood that he wanted all his soldiers to die in this place. He didn't want to leave any evidence, and I think he didn't want to pay such a large sum of money. Instead, he could use that money to recruit more people without any problems. It was the most logical thing I could think of. Following the instructions, I quickly found a small hole. Climbing up the narrow tunnel that led upwards, I saw a small light at the end of the tunnel.
The refreshing air brushed through my hair. Feeling the sunlight made me smack my lips. It was much more comfortable inside the mountains. Dusting off my clothes, I nodded.
-You're back.
It was the nobleman's voice. He was sitting by a tree trunk, with dark bags under his eyes. He looked tired and alone. I didn't sense anyone else around. His expression was somewhat hopeful. There were two horses tied to his right. I wonder what happened to the others...
Nodding, I took out the jar containing the plant and silently handed it to him. He took it with trembling hands, staring at it as if hypnotized. He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the intense emotion he was feeling.
-Let's go!
He shouted as he ran to his horse at full speed. I followed and mounted mine. I didn't need any thanks; there was no need for that. It was simple: I gave him the plant, and the soul fragment was mine, along with the dragon orb. It was a win-win for both of us. Riding the horse, I looked at the horizon. It was an enjoyable experience, necessary to open my eyes and see for myself that this is a different world, where words are only backed by strength. If you don't have strength, you have no power or authority, no freedom for yourself. It's no different than being a slave. Looking at it another way, it's the same on Earth—slaves to work, money, and consumption. We're always tied to something for life... But here, power rules. Much more flexible and much more interesting.
-Well... the first plan is done. Now for the second one…
Looking at the nobleman's back, a smile appeared on my face. There is no man more grateful than one who saves his daughter's life.
****
The days passed in silence. Occasionally, we talked to each other. There were no interesting topics to highlight from those conversations. At least one of them.
-What will you do now?
That's a good question. To be honest, I have a lot to do. The first is to return alive. The second is to somehow find the original Zed's sister, who, according to him, is in the next city. But there's one thing that caught my attention.
Academy.
Yes, I'm 15 years old. The viscount's daughter is also 15 years old. The original Zed's group is also 15 years old. We're in the fourth month, day 1. From what I understand, the academy starts next year. It wouldn't be a big problem, but... the academy in this part of the world is almost half a year's journey away. I don't have much time. There's another problem: you need to pay 500 gold coins to enter, an astronomical amount for my current self. It's impossible for me to gather that amount in a year.
I thought about the possibility of not entering, but that would be stupid. What better place to learn about the state of the world than an academy? And not just any academy, but the Great Northern Academy, one of the two best in the world, along with the Great Southern Academy.
-Will your daughter attend the Northern Academy?