Have you ever suddenly become conscious of the existence of your shadow?
There had been a time when the black tail stretching long beneath the light inspired ominous imaginings within me. What was the true nature of this silhouette that resembled me? Was it truly nothing more than the trace left behind by light that failed to pass through my body?
It was a story from the days when I had far too many pointless worries.
After leaving childhood behind and becoming an adult, I had never again fallen prey to such anxiety. Ordinarily, I would have had no particular reason to recall that memory today.
If not for the figure before me.
Delphirem.
This woman resembled a ‘shadow.’ It began with the fact that although I had not sensed the slightest sign of her, she was suddenly there. It extended even to the inexplicable sense of foreboding she evoked.
Yet something was different about today’s encounter.
She had always revealed her presence only when the two of us were alone, but Senior Neris was with me now. My adjutant had heightened her vigilance to its limit as she held humanity’s sworn enemy in check.
Without even knowing whom she confronted.
The single bead of sweat forming upon Senior Neris’s brow served as the sole metaphor for…