The darkness of the cave pressed down—heavy and icy cold.
Elryia knelt beside Shadow, her trembling hands glowing with magic. But she was so exhausted that the light flickered, dimmed, then flared back up again.
Shadow's eyes were half-open.
"El…ryia…" he whispered.
Elryia immediately leaned closer.
"I'm here! I'm here, don't you dare close your eyes!"
But Shadow couldn't fight it anymore.
His vision darkened completely.
And then—
Nothingness.
When Shadow opened his eyes, he found himself in an endless, pitch-black void.
No ground, no sky.
Just a black surface… and silence.
Tak… tak… tak…
He heard the echo of heels.
Shadow turned quickly.
A goddess in a long dark-purple dress, her hair shimmering like starlight and her eyes glowing in deep amethyst tones, was walking toward him.
A mischievous smile played on her lips.
She didn't hurry—she walked as if drifting through the night sky.
The goddess stopped right in front of him, clasping her hands behind her back.
"Hellooo~!"
Shadow frowned.
"Who… are you?"
The goddess tilted her head, clearly having expected that question.
"Hmmm… let's guess.
A mysterious stranger?
The mistress of darkness?
The mother of shadows?
Or maybe… your new girlfriend?"
Shadow scowled.
"Answer properly."
The goddess laughed, spinning lightly, scattering purple star-dust around her.
"I am… a goddess.
The one who watches you, the one who sees you struggle with your tiny little shadow powers, and occasionally gets entertained."
Shadow stared at her, startled.
"There are… gods in this world?"
The goddess put a finger to her lips.
"Shhh! Don't tell anyone. Ruins the mystique."
Then suddenly she stepped right up to him, locking eyes with his.
"Ah, that face. You don't believe me, do you?
I know, I know… I don't look intimidating enough, right?
You were expecting more—'divine light! thunder! worship me!'—that sort of thing."
Shadow took a deep breath.
"If you're a goddess… why did you bring me here?"
The goddess stepped back, spinning dramatically.
"To make a teensy tiny little deal with you, of course!"
Shadow narrowed his eyes.
"A deal?"
The goddess clasped her hands, smiling widely.
"I want to settle inside your mind.
As your 'mentor,' let's say.
And also—"
She snapped her fingers.
Purple light burst from Shadow's wounds, as if an invisible veil wrapped around them.
"—I'll heal your injuries."
She lifted a finger.
"In return, dear Shadow, you'll host me inside your mind.
Think of it as… renting me a room.
And sometimes, I'll have little personal requests from you."
Shadow turned his face away.
"No."
The goddess winked.
"I didn't even finish explaining!"
"No need," Shadow said, his voice firm.
"The mistakes I made in the past cost me too much.
I won't be a puppet again.
Not for gods… not for humans."
The goddess fell silent for a moment.
Then placed her hands on her hips.
"Oooh… a man with pride, trauma, and attitude.
A perfect protagonist."
Shadow began to turn away, but the goddess spoke more softly—though not fully serious.
"Fine.
You have the right to refuse.
But before you go…"
The goddess circled him, leaning close to his ear.
"That girl… Elryia…"
Shadow froze.
"What about Elryia?"
The goddess smirked.
"Keep an eye on her.
She's far more important than you think.
For you…
and for fate."
Shadow frowned, unable to tell if she was joking or not.
"What do you mean?"
The goddess tapped his forehead lightly.
"Poof!"
A burst of purple light.
"You'll figure it out, shadow boy."
Then she smacked the back of his neck playfully.
"Off you go!"
Shadow's vision faded instantly—
And he gasped awake.
---
Elryia was sitting near the cave entrance, crying softly.
Her trembling voice echoed through the cave.
"Shadow… please… please don't die…"
When Shadow opened his eyes, she didn't notice at first.
But as he tried to sit up, Elryia jerked her head toward him.
"SHADOW!?
SHADOW!!"
She rushed to his side, magic glowing in her palm.
"You're responding to my light—you're really alive…"
Shadow gave a weak smile.
"Elryia… if you scream any louder, the whole forest will hear you."
Elryia's face was soaked with tears.
"I thought you were dead… I thought I lost you…"
Shadow gently placed his hand on her hair.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Elryia poured all her remaining magic into him.
His wounds closed rapidly—not completely, but enough to save him.
Both of them collapsed breathlessly as moonlight poured into the cave.
Shadow lifted his head and smirked.
"So… tell me. How much did you cry when you thought I died?"
Elryia flushed red, looking away.
"I—I was scared. You… you're important to me."
Shadow leaned closer.
"Elryia."
Her breathing quickened.
Moonlight fell between them, lighting their faces.
"Elryia… you know it too, right?" he said softly.
"If I die… who will annoy me?"
Elryia laughed faintly, then her eyes went serious again.
She stepped back a little, lowering her head.
"I… I'm just a slave orphan.
I'm not worthy of you."
Shadow gently lifted her chin.
Her eyes were full of tears.
"Don't say that again," he said, firm and deep.
"To me… you are not worthless.
You're… an extraordinary elf girl."
Elryia held her breath.
Shadow leaned in—slowly, almost touching lips—
She closed her eyes.
But Shadow paused.
And kissed her forehead instead.
Elryia opened her eyes, shocked.
Shadow smiled softly.
"That's how precious you are to me."
Elryia placed her hands on his chest.
Then suddenly hugged him—fully, fearfully, lovingly.
And Shadow embraced her back.
They held each other under the moonlight, forgetting the danger outside.
In that moment…
two hearts beat in the same rhythm for the first time.
A soft breeze passed the cave entrance as they stayed locked in each other's arms.
Time seemed to stop.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere—
On a dark, unseen plane, the goddess appeared.
She fixed her purple dress and crossed her legs on a rock, watching them.
When she saw Shadow and Elryia hugging, her eyes sparkled.
Little purple heart-shaped lights popped around her.
"Awwww, look at these two!" she said playfully.
"In the middle of blood, chaos, death, and running away… they start a romance.
Ugh, they're adorable! My heart can't take it!"
She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Should I interfere?
Hmm… nah.
Not yet.
Let's activate… goddess-in-observer mode!"
She raised her finger, and a floating purple screen appeared—showing the two hugging.
The goddess burst into laughter.
"Oh, this is good. These two are definitely going to get even closer soon.
Shadow rejected me, but…
that doesn't mean I won't meddle with his fate~"
She winked.
"I'm watching you, little lovebirds…
Don't even try to hide your romance. I see everything!"
With a swirl of purple mist, she vanished.
And in the cave, the two young souls remained wrapped in each other's arms… safe, warm, and together.
Chapter 12 – THE END