Shadow World

Shadow World

The Dark World and Ariel Who Fears Light

...CHAPTER 1...

... 「The Dark World and Ariel Who Fears Light」...

The world was pitch black, with no light shining on the expanse of land, there was not a single color in the sky but black.

A world where black clouds overshadow the sky, a world where light is an extremely precious and rare thing.

After decades of time they finally could see what they called light, because someone had found a crystal that turned out to be a source of light.  They turn the crystal into a tool that they now use to illuminate the darkness in their lives, such as flashlights, lanterns, house lamps, they even managed to create lamps that can light the way.

That day, Elesis was sending a farewell greeting with her family.  A farewell that seems more like wanting to run away from home.

A thief girl, wearing modest clothes, with a green scarf, accompanied by pink hair that looks cute and elegant.  Right now, Elesis wants to run away from her city, the reason is obvious, to achieve freedom from her poor family.

There, Elesis met a man in a sad condition, perhaps even sadder than the Elesis family's financial problems.  Between the aisles, the man sits with his knees against his chest and hugs him tightly.  He looked like he was protecting himself from something.

Elesis thought that perhaps having a friend or ally wasn't a bad thing to consider.  They can help each other, as fellow poor people.

"You there, do you want to come with me?"

A tomboyish voice resounded in the man's ear.  The appearance of the stranger shocked his deep blue eyes.

The answer it gave was–

"Hmm? I don't want to."

"Eh ?!"

Elesis was surprised at the answer, maybe because Elesis just asked him out of the way, he refused.  But, why did his refusal feel quite casual?  It felt like he was taking it easy in that box.

Wearing thick white clothes like clothes in winter, but slightly soiled by the dirt and sand around his seat.  Short jet black hair, like men's hair in general.  His age is not very old, judging by his face, maybe his age ranges from 16 to 18 years.

"Uhmm, do you want to go with me? Get out of this city?"  asked Elesis.

"Hmm? Don't want to."

"Haaah? Why don't you even want to? Isn't living here difficult?"

"Hmm. I'm afraid of the light."

"Eh? Just now .... What did you say?"

Elesis leaned forward, tilted her head, and put her hands beside her hips, as if she were looking at a lowly human.  Elesis thought, "Huh? Is this guy crazy?"

"The light makes me feel uncomfortable, so I'll just sit here."

The time hand is already pointing to the number eight.  The day looks even darker, meaning that night has come.  It does not mean that the day is bright, it is still dark, different from the day it should be.

"How could it be. This world has been shaded by a black mist for decades."

"Hmm ...."

This kid is still stubborn, how can he be afraid of the light?  Elesis thought, this kid is just stupid.

But, on the other hand, actually Elesis was just as stupid as that boy, because she still insisted on asking him to go.

"Well .... Then I'll accompany you, how?"

"Is it true?"

His eyes widened, a feeling of joy and gratitude in them.

"Right, what's your name?"

"Your name first."

Here people, too much, that's a must - never mind, thought Elesis.  It would be better if Elesis didn't pay much attention.

"Elesis, how about you?"

"Ariel."

After their brief introduction, Elesis didn't think anymore and immediately told her her plan.

"Okay, now let's get out of here. You can see the train, right?"

Outside the alley, there is a train station that will soon depart somewhere.  The plan, Elesis wanted to get to the roof of the train when the train had already started.

"We'll go to the front of the railroad tracks, and as soon as the trains start coming, we'll either get into one of the hay-filled carriages, or climb onto the roof of the train."

"In the hay hopper."

"Hmm, the train will leave soon, let's hurry—"

"Wait."

Just before Elesis stepped her foot, Ariel stopped her with a face full of doubt.

"What else?"

"Can you hold my hand?"

It was like a boy who was afraid of the darkness, but this time what he was afraid of was light.

"Uhh, all right."

Accepting Ariel's request with objections, Ariel seemed to feel more relieved.

Elesis's palms are soft and a little chewy–

"Don't think anything weird, okay?"

"Which one?"

"Hmph."

They have to be careful with the employees who supervise the station.  If they look suspicious, they will definitely be arrested for interrogation.  But if you want to walk as usual in front of everyone, Elesis is not supposed to wear dirty clothes, the result will be the same, Elesis will be arrested and interrogated.

"Shall we just go ahead?"

"Are you crazy? How could we go there without preparation, right?"

Wearing modest clothing has become a common symbol of poverty, and Elesis is also part of that discrimination.

"So? What do you want?"

"Hum…. Give me a minute."

Elesis couldn't have come here, wanting to escape the city without preparation.  If it had been planned, it would be ready whenever he wanted.

"So…. You haven't planned everything yet?"  asked Ariel.

"Shhh! I'm trying too."

Touching his chin, closing his eyes until his forehead frowns, as if he is thinking hard.

"Can't we just turn around?"

What Elesis thought was, she would parkour from the top of the station, then get off the train.  However, Elesis had to leave Ariel alone if she wanted to use the plan.

"Tell you what, you and I will circle the station, then we'll go through the same plan."

"...."

"How? I'm smart, right? Hehe."

The voice of pride was interleaved in his sentence.  Ariel just looked at Elesis with a look like she was looking at a nagging fool and didn't listen to other people's words.

"Even though I said that earlier–"

"Ariel, the train will leave soon, let's hurry!"

Elesis grabbed Ariel's hand, his grip much stronger than expected.  Her legs were also very nimble, she ran so fast and suddenly, Ariel almost tripped.

Elesis glanced at Ariel for a second, checking on her condition.  Even though it was only for an instant, Elesis showed little concern for her new friend.

They ran through the crowd, gliding nimbly through the crowd.  Dashing out of the station, catching the steam train.

"But, where is the train going?"  Ariel asked while catching his breath.

"I don't know, the important thing is to get out of here."

"Uh, scum."

The wheels of the train started to turn, the charcoal steam was already coming out of the chimney, Elesis accelerated her pace, running after the train that was a little faster than them.

"Huu ~ Haa ~"

"Hey! You're a man, aren't you tired?"

"I huu ~ haven't eaten haa ~ for three days."

"Ah."

Ariel took a deep breath every step of the way, holding back the tired and hungry stomach.  If only Ariel could speak his stomach, he would have said, 'Just get me out of here!  I can find food by myself! '  with an angry tone of hunger

"Well forget about that for a moment, we'll jump into the carriage behind that!"

"Eh ?! Okay!"

But, when Ariel said 'OK!'  that, Elesis immediately jumped without a clear warning.  Ariel who was just trying to follow the direction of Elesis's jump.

With that, the two of them got into the hay carriage which was pitch black with no light, according to Elesis's plan.

Still questioning who was the human who was afraid of this light, and why he could be under the box for three days without eating or drinking.  Elesis will question him once he starts to calm down because of these actions.

... ×××...

"Are you awake?"  asked Elesis

"..."

There was no answer, in the darkness of this carriage, as if someone had covered your eyes with a thick black cloth, Elesis could not check Ariel's condition.  Is he sleeping or just brooding?

"Should I light my lantern?"

Elesis wanted to know how Ariel would react when faced with direct light.  There's no way Ariel will be afraid of the light right?  That was what Elesis had in mind.

The light flashed, and Ariel's face slowly became clear.  It took Elesis a moment for her eyes to get used to the light that had just been lit.

"Ariel?"

Elesis's eyes were still dazzled by the lantern, but her eyes were trying to identify Ariel's face or get information about her condition.

"How wicked. Even though I told you I was afraid of light."

"Geez. You have to get used to the light."

Ariel didn't fall asleep, and was a little surprised by Elesis's action just now.  However, Ariel is still seen relaxing on the hay pile by sitting huddled as before.

Elesis sat in front of Ariel, opposite him.  Ariel looked at Elesis with a face that seemed relieved and calm.

Placing the lantern in the center, so as not to burn the straw, Elesis began to speak.

"Why are you that scared of the light?"

"...."

Ariel growled hungry, then Elesis took out her food supply from the small bag worn on her hip.  Ariel took the bread that was served, then began to tell his story.

"I don't know, I think I forgot my memory. At least that's what people say."

"Heh ~? As it is, where do you remember the first time?"

"Hmm ... I remember in the city of Mir."

"City of Mir? Isn't that very far from where you were?"

"I don't know, I think so. I'm not too sure either."

Forgetting to remember is tantamount to forgetting who you are.  Just knowing that is scary enough, especially with those who have completely forgotten their memories.

Elesis felt sorrowful, her face looked like she felt guilty.

"But, it would be strange if it could scare you with light."

"I meant it when I said I was afraid of the light."

"Hard to believe …."

"What about you? Why didn't you just leave me? Though that would make it easier for you."

Naturally, if Ariel asked that.  Ariel is certainly suspicious of what is behind the mind of an Elesis.

"Sometimes, I can feel other people's feelings. Maybe that's why I believe that you will help in the future."

"Feeling other people's feelings? You are just like me. Equally hard to believe."

"Well, if you don't believe it, that's okay. The important thing is, we agreed to become comrades in arms, right?"

"Hmm, of course."

Little by little understanding each other, slowly knowing their deepest secrets.

"Haa ~ that's great then. Please help, Ariel."

Letting out a relieved voice, Elesis raised her hand, asking to shake hands.

"Eh? Yes, please help too."

Ariel accepted the offer of her hand, moving her hands up and down.

"So where are you really going?"

"My goal? Well, I just want to find a better life–"

[!!!]

Strong pounding was felt on the wheels of the train.  The beat that shook the whole train from front to back made the train slow down.  Most likely, there was a technical fault with the train.

"Give me a break. It's going to take a long time."  complained Elesis.

What should they do now?  Walking along the train tracks is not an option.  In this dark world without light, invisible demons will attack.

"Tch, what should we do now? If we just stay here we'll be caught sooner or later."

"There is one thing I haven't told you."

"What is that?"

 "I am a holy magic actor."

The magician of light who is afraid of light, what an absurd combination.  He can see in the dark, and can also drive out those invisible demons.  A very, very rare magician.

"...."

"Light magic, you must understand right?"

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