Teen Years

Chapter 19: Shadow Language

When he woke up again, the forest was peaceful. Black Mist crawled out of the hidey hole, feeling refreshed!

He saw two Shadow Creatures, the three-eyed and the three-armed one, guarding the tree. They seemed to be on full alert for any danger. When they sensed their master, they turned to him. The three-eyed one spoke.

"Master...awake," he hissed. "No tired. Move on."

Black Mist looked at them with a confused look. "You were here this whole time?" He clapped his hands over his mouth. Had he hissed?

The Shadow Creatures looked at each other, and white smiles appeared on their mouths. They, too, hissed in their own language.

"Master knows our language," said the three-armed one. "Thank goodness. We need not speak in the foreign one."

"How did I...?" Black Mist was too shocked to finish his sentence. He was still making hissing and chittering sounds.

"We taught you when you were asleep," the three-eyed one explained. "It was easier than actually teaching you when you are awake."

Weird...

Black Mist just went with it and didn't question it. "Okay...?" He looked at the tree-eyed one and scrutinized him. "Mind if I call you Triclops?"

"Triclops?"

"Yeah. You have three eyes."

Triclops shrugged. "Whatever Master says."

"What about me, Master?" the tree-armed one asked eagerly. "What will you call me?"

Black Mist thought on this. "I'll call you...Shade." He figured it fit sinde he matched the shade of the tree. In fact, when they were in the cellar, he could hardly see him!

"Yes, Master." Shade nodded. "Shall we escort you back home?"

"Sure." Black Mist shrugged. He would have to get used to being called "master" by these creatures since they thought of him as their master.

Two more Shadow Creatures emerged behind the Number and guarded him from behind. They made sure to be close so as to protect him. This made Black Mist a little uncomfortable, be he still went with it. It was probably dangerous to make them mad by dissing them. Besides, they were protecting him! How could he ignore that?

"Is Master nervous with us?" Triclops asked, looking over his shoulder.

"What?" Black Mist stammered. "What do you-"

"No need to hide it," Shade assured. "There is reason behind it. Should you lose your control on us, we will attack uncontrollably. We would never attack Master, though." He seemed to be smiling.

Black Mist smiled, too, shyly. "Okay. I just have to get used to being saved by you guys."

The Shadow Creatures all chuckled wheezing chuckles. It didn't really sound safe, but who knew with these guys?

"Do not exert yourself," the voice cautioned. "You will need sleep soon to continue recovering. Do not worry, I will make sure they do not do anything reckless."

Black Mist nodded and kept going.

~.~.~

Soon, Black Mist needed sleep again when they entered a town. It seemed more of a graveyard, though, as if a fight broke out years ago. There were people rebuilding it, so it looked nicer than a graveyard. Actually, it looked nothing like a graveyard...

Just in case, Black Mist pulled his cloak on to cover himself. Still, that didn't keep the townspeople from seeing the Shadow Creatures, which only the Dark Numbers with enough energy had. They glared at him but made no move to attack just yet. Keyword "yet."

Black Mist's feet stumbled over each other as he walked with great difficulty. He found himself growing sleepier and sleepier.

"You should rest, Master," Triclops whispered. "You look like you may collapse at any second."

Black Mist shook his head and kept pushing forward. He would rest when he got home.

"I said not to exert yourself!" The voice sounded angry. "You must rest now!"

Before Black Mist could come up with a smart remark, he collapsed into the arms of Triclops. Triclops shook his head and sighed.

"Master needs rest. Come, one of you!"

A different Shadow Creature came out. "Yes?"

"Take my place," Triclops demanded. "I will keep Master safe."

The Shadow Creature nodded and made a scythe out of shadows.

They made a huddle and continued on. As they walked, Black Mist's hood fell off slightly, which gave them a clearer view of their master's face. This was the first time seeing his face. To the Shadow Creatures, it was a beautiful face of delicate grace. To the villagers, the face was one of fear. It looked like the face of the Barian king, Don Thousand. Even just the red markings on his forehead and the gems on his body looked like Don Thousand's. They backed away with their weapons at hand.

Seeing this, the Shadow Creatures hissed and made fire crackling sounds, a known sign of anger. The presence in Black Mist's head hushed them and controlled them with more ease than Black Mist.

The Shadow Creatures complied, but they still crackled at the villagers softly and angrily.

"Almost there," said the voice. "Be calm. My son would not appreciate it if you cause him another power shortage again."

The Shadow Creatures nodded.

Now, to give all you readers a description of Shadow Creatures. Shadow Creatures were named so due to their primary form of shadows. They were made of the Dark Energy of Dark Numbers, but the energy needed was so immense, a Dark Number would need almost all of their energy to make just one! Most Dark Numbers had one at the most, and they always drained so much energy when they fought. Those Dark Numbers who had one hardly ever used it.

Shadow Creatures were affectionate to their masters, no matter who they were. They were so defensive that they would attack anyone who dared attack their masters!

Now, Black Mist was different. He had millions of Shadow Creatures he didn't even make. Those were the Shadow Creatures of his father, who supplied him with Chaos. That Chaos was Dark Energy multiplied by more than a million. Chaos was the strongest form of Dark Energy, which was why Black Mist could control all of those Shadow Creatures with the help of his true father.

Now, you all may be wondering who his father was.

Well, it was the Barian king and ruler of the Barian Emperors, Don Thousand.