Chapter 8: Awakening of the Shadow
Haru's POV
The night was long. Even after the assassin vanished, the weight of his words gnawed at me. "Next time, I'll test whether you can protect her for real."
I sat awake, listening to Aina's steady breathing as she slept clutching her stuffed toy. For someone who called herself a goddess, she looked so fragile in her sleep. And yet, she was the only constant in this unfamiliar world.
The goddess who summoned me… said she was giving me a "gift." But what if the gift wasn't power, or wealth, or fame—what if it was Aina herself?
The thought alone kept me from sleeping.
---
The Next Morning
Sunlight spilled through the cracked windows of the mansion. My body still ached from the fight, but there was no time to rest.
Haru: "We're going to train. Both of us."
Aina blinked, still hugging her stuffed toy.
Aina: "You… want me to train too?"
Haru: "Yeah. The assassin's after you, not me. If I fall, you need to be able to protect yourself."
For a moment, her expression wavered. Then, she nodded.
Aina: "…Alright. But don't blame me if I outshine you."
Haru: "…Haha, deal."
---
Training Grounds – Hill Clearing
We chose the grassy clearing near the hill where the wind always carried the scent of flowers. Safe, open, and far from prying eyes.
I focused on my shadow power, letting it flow like Aina taught me. Slowly, it gathered around my hand, forming a dagger, then melting back into smoke. My control still wasn't stable.
Haru: "Tch. It's like trying to hold water in my hands."
Aina: "Then don't hold it. Guide it."
She raised her palm, golden particles scattering like stardust. They floated, swirling gracefully.
Aina: "Magic isn't forced. It listens. It responds to your intent. Shadows are even more delicate. They'll resist if you try to command them, but they'll follow if you… trust them."
Trust shadows? That sounded ridiculous. But maybe she was right.
I closed my eyes, remembering why I was fighting. Not for glory. Not for strength. But to protect the girl who had been ridiculed, hated, and hunted—yet still smiled.
The shadow pulsed around me, thicker this time, wrapping my arm like armor.
Haru: "…It's working."
Aina clapped softly.
Aina: "See? I told you. You're not hopeless."
Haru: "…Thanks, teacher."
She pouted.
Aina: "Don't call me that. It makes me sound old."
Haru: "You're a goddess. Aren't you like… a thousand years old or something?"
Aina: "W-What!? I'm not that old!"
Her cheeks turned pink as she puffed up like a child. I couldn't help but laugh, and she smacked my shoulder lightly with her toy.
For the first time since coming to this world, I felt… happy.
---
But Peace Never Lasts
The air shifted. Cold. Heavy. Familiar.
Haru: "…He's here."
Aina's smile vanished instantly. Her golden particles gathered at her fingertips, ready.
From the treeline, the assassin stepped out, his blade gleaming faintly.
Assassin: "You've improved. The shadows answer you more readily now."
Haru: "…What do you want?"
Assassin: "You already know. The girl. And to measure your worth."
He vanished.
clang!
Steel met shadow. I barely managed to block his strike, but the force sent me skidding back.
Haru: "…Damn, he's fast!"
Aina raised her hands, golden light bursting forth.
Aina: "Goddess Skill: Binding Chains!"
Golden chains shot from the ground, wrapping around the assassin's legs. But with a swift twist of his blade—shhk!—they shattered like glass.
Assassin: "Too fragile."
He lunged straight at Aina.
Haru: "No you don't!"
I forced the shadows to spike from the ground, forming jagged spears. The assassin twisted mid-air, evading most, but one grazed his arm.
He landed silently, glancing at the faint cut.
Assassin: "…Impressive. You're syncing faster than expected."
His eyes gleamed with something dangerous—not hatred, but interest.
Assassin: "The goddess didn't choose wrong. You truly are the vessel."
Haru: "…Vessel?"
Before I could ask, he charged again.
---
The Fight Intensifies
This time, I didn't block. I let the shadows guide me, moving fluidly. His blade slashed, but my shadow armor absorbed the blow, rippling like liquid. I countered with a dagger strike, forcing him to retreat.
Haru: "…I can keep up."
Aina: "Haru, be careful! He's not going all out yet."
Assassin: "Smart girl."
He blurred. Faster. I couldn't see him—until instinct screamed. I spun, barely parrying a strike aimed at my neck.
The assassin leaned close, whispering as our blades locked:
Assassin: "Do you even know why you're here, boy?"
Haru: "…To protect her."
Assassin: "No. You were brought here… to replace her."
His words froze me.
Replace… Aina?
Aina: "…Haru! Don't listen to him!"
The distraction was enough—his knee slammed into my stomach, sending me crashing back into the grass.
Haru: "Gah—!"
Blood filled my mouth. My body screamed in pain.
But then I saw her. Aina, standing in front of me, her golden particles flickering desperately.
Even if she was terrified, she was still ready to fight.
Something inside me snapped.
---
The Awakening
Haru: "…I won't let you touch her."
The shadows erupted around me, no longer just smoke—they formed wings, jagged and black, stretching from my back.
The assassin paused, eyes narrowing.
Assassin: "…So the horns chose you completely. Interesting."
My vision blurred with rage, but my body moved on its own.
The shadows surged, slashing at him like living beasts. He danced through them with impossible grace, but I could tell—this time, he was being pushed back.
I roared, slamming the shadows into the ground. Spikes shot up, forcing him to retreat further.
For the first time, his calm mask cracked.
Assassin: "…Too soon. You shouldn't be this strong yet."
He melted into the shadows, retreating.
Assassin: "…Very well. Grow stronger, vessel. When you finally drown in that power, we'll claim both you and the goddess."
And then he was gone.
---
Aftermath
I collapsed to my knees, gasping. The shadow wings faded, leaving me drained.
Aina ran to me, her hands glowing faintly as she tried to heal my wounds.
Aina: "…You idiot… You pushed too far again!"
Haru: "…I'm fine. More importantly… what did he mean? Replace you?"
Her hands froze. Her eyes trembled.
Aina: "…Haru… The goddess who summoned you… she's my sister."
I stared at her, my breath caught.
Aina: "…She didn't bring you here to protect me. She brought you here… because I wasn't supposed to exist in this world anymore."
Her words cut deeper than any blade.
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End of Chapter 8