WITHIN SHADOW: BROKEN BOND

RETURN//COLLAPSE

The second after I slayed the monster, my life changed forever. I wish I could say I got the girl and we rode off into the sunset, forever living in happiness. No. That didn't happen.

After traveling to the modern day Earth, Fallon took me in. She helped guide me. She gave me strength when I needed it most. I was only fourteen years old, and everyone I ever knew was gone. Wiped away. Fallon took my hand and told me I was special, a gesture I will never forget. I removed the glove and asked her to keep it in case I died fighting Vastor, the one who hunted me into her world. In case the plan failed. But the plan worked. I lead Vastor away where I struck him in the back between his armor plating. I can still remember his awful cackle before he asked me to end his life. A life I had unintentionally created.

My life has been a series of fear, confusion, and regret. Over and over and over. I have powers I don't understand. I've let things spiral. And I'm just as lost as I've ever been. Any light Fallon let into my world dimmed after I swung the sword.

I sat there crying for what felt like days. Fallon kept her hand on my shoulder throughout most of it. When the sun began to set I came to my senses. I wanted to bury Vastor. I wanted to return to my world.

Of course she wanted to go with me. She's selfless. Of course she wasn't afraid to see a place where a monster like Vastor had come from.

Together we traveled back to the barren Earth. I dragged Vastor's body across the field where my brother Dathon and I once stood. Before I watched him die at Vastor's hand. I thought more and more about it. My family died because of me. What am I doing? Who am I? Why do I keep messing up? I'm putting Fallon's life in danger just by involving her.

"Tee", Fallon said, "Let me help."

I killed something I created. I am responsible for every wrong choice Vastor and all the other Servants of the Enemy make. 

"I can help you do this!" she cried. 

Who is the real monster? Vastor...or me? 

Fallon put her hand on my shoulder. I dropped Vastor and turned with fury. 

"My anger came to the surface. "What?! This is MY home! MY problem! I created him! I killed him! And I'll make damn sure that I give him a proper resting place! I don't need your help!"

She stayed silent as I dragged Vastor into the woods. I didn't feel bad or guilty about the things I said. No. That would come later. Fallon stood against a tree, surely in a whirlwind of emotions just like me. I buried my feelings as I buried Vastor. 

I felt it before I could hear or see it. Something evil was headed for us. I didn't warn her, I didn't even move. I just stood there, looking at the grave. I felt it coming closer and I didn't do anything about it. Fallon shouted for me. My stupidity could have gotten her killed. Luckily, it came for me. Not her. 

The dark black war-hound bit my right forearm, tearing my skin apart. I came to my senses. My anger took hold. Extended my arms, I sent a burst of energy from my hands. The war-hound's claws dug into the dirt as it stood firm against the blast. We then looked at each other. And I realized it was just a regular, burly dog. It was furious and angry...but nothing more than a dog. I believe it realized that I was no more than what I really was...a scared kid. After a moment, it calmed down and sat next to Vastor's grave. 

"Tee, I want to go home.", Fallon said, on the verge of tears. "Now."

We returned to her world. I felt empty inside. I still hadn't said a word to her since my outburst. 

Fallon looked to me as we stood outside her house. 

"Everything's changed. People like you and that monster exist. How do I move on to something normal after that? What do you think I have left?"

"More than me." I admitted.

Fallon handed my right glove back and went inside. She returned to her life and I was left outside. Lost. Not knowing what to do next. I didn't want the glove any more. It wasn't something I ever wanted to leave her possession. Even if our plan to stop Vastor worked. Even though it did and we lived...something inside me told me I failed. 

Our bond was broken.

I left the glove at her doorstep and walked out into the night. Into a foreign and unknown world.