My mind raced as I searched through the memories of Boner and his party. There was a lot of death there and every single one was my fault. I wanted to see her.

Her death, but they hadn’t seen her die. Not even the centipedes we'd flown over had witnessed it. I hope someone was with her. Luca must have been so afraid.

“Izzy, your thinking about bad stuff again aren’t you?” Asked my wife as she tugged on the fabric of my dress.

I shook my head then wiped my tears away. “No, your wrong, I’m fine.” I said.

“You don’t have to lie. Remember I want you to tell me everything.” She said.

I sighed. “Yeah, I know. I guess I really messed up.” I said.

“It’s aright, were gonna fix it.” She said.

“I don’t know if we can.” I said truthfully.

“We’ll do what we can. Now smile for me. I love it when you smile. You don’t want to make Shadow sad too do you?” She insisted.

I turned around to face my wife and gave her the best smile I could muster. She grinned back at me. “Wow, that’s such a cute face. No wonder Shadow is so infatuated with you.” She gave me a hug.

It was one of those hugs you give a puppy when you could no longer stand to look at their cuteness. I never wanted my wife to hug me like that, but I wasn’t gonna push her away.

“Let's get married. “ She said.

“What?” I muttered in confusion. “Aren't we already married?”

“We are, but not in this world.” She explained.

I smiled while still in her arms. “Sure, I’d like that.”

Her hug felt wrong. It’s not like I didn’t like hugs, but why was she so tall. I was under the impression that I'd only lost half an inch. Did Lorie lie to me?

Alice and I were originally the same height, but now she was half a head taller than me. That was more than half an inch! That was at lease four maybe five! Loire, Mr. Brutus, even Zubu were all liars!

I brought the cloud down into an alleyway. “Alright. I need you to do something for me.” I said.

“I was wondering why you were moving away from the barricade?” She asked

“Sorry, I know I said we’d do this together, but there’s something I really need you to grab from the guild.” I said.

“And what’s that?” she asked.

“After our fight with Squirmy, I realized I don’t have the attack power to bring him down. My sword is pretty much garbage at this point.” I pulled out some paper I looted from one of the shops and began to write a note. Once written I handed it to her.

“What’s this?” she asked trying to look at the message.

“It’s proof I sent you. Find Cindy, she’s got the most access at the guild. She’ll be able to get that item for you. Also bring back all the fire resistance potions, fire enhancement potions, and as many Zen potions as you can find.” I insisted.

“And your not just trying to get me out of the way?” she asked.

“Alice, I need you. You’re the only one that can do it. I’ve already seen what Shadow has been up to. One of my abilities lets me see stuff far away. She’s in a lot of trouble right now. I need to go save her.” I explained.

She hugged me once more then took the page out of my hand. “Well then you should have said that sooner.” She hopped off the cloud and began running towards the castle. As she ran, she activated a spell on herself. “liberate!” her speed increased soon after.

I smiled and hopped onto the building in front of me. Then power skipped my way to shadows location. All while carrying a smile on my face, so that the people I cared about wouldn’t worry. So that my wife and Shadow would feel safe.

My speed had transformed. I felt so light and weightless. Was this what happened when the weight of the world was shared? I wasn’t alone and that meant I could fight without fear.

Before I knew it the barricade was back in view and my glowing eyes were locked on Squirmy. He stood before Shadow. Sword in hand. His soul looked like a big cherry. Inside it was nothing but a dark room of cold metal.

How dare he put Shadow on the ground like that! I felt something burn in my chest, as I power skipped my way over the buildings using tiny platforms as footholds.

Every word from his mouth only seemed to make her soul quiver. This was the first time I’d ever seen her soul and it wasn’t at all like the Shadow I loved.

How dare he make her cry! How dare he hurt her beautiful soul! It was a nice orange and looked to be a giant forest covered in a perpetual autumn with lakes of orange waters. Yet the leaves were slowly falling. Each tree losing it’s shape and becoming nothing more than dead branches.

I refuse to let her soul break. Clearing the barricade, I landed on the street. it wasn’t long before I got to them. Squirmy held his sword up above her and her body looked to have gone limp, as if she had already given up. Where was her smile. Where was her joy. I won’t stand for it!

“Don’t you fucking touch her!” I yelled closing the gap between us in an instant.

“Shit!” yelled Squirmy before hopping up into the air.

I chased after him using tiny platforms to move across the sky. Squirmy had his own tricks as he seemed to be bending a combination of momentum and wind aspects to make foot holds in the air. They were not as solid as my platforms. They were more like points of air pressure rather than suspended air.

I withdrew my sword and we clashed weapons in the sky. His sword was of much better quality, as it's edge cut my sword in half.

I had to use a few platforms to dance around his strike. Then used a triple cast of platform to recreate the rest of my sword while using what was left as it’s core.

Our clashes made my hands shake, but I pressed on stacking several platforms over my sword to recreate it’s sharpness and shape.

When my sword play outmatched Squirmy’s he began attacking with jade Fireballs to make up the difference, to which I responded with my own Fireballs and Manabolts.

When it felt like we were evenly matched I created an Azureball. Not the advanced one, but a condensed Solarball that turned blue with intense heat. My blue flame was unleashed, as I filled it with punishment aspects and the hatred I felt for Squirmy.

The attack swallowed up his jade fireballs creating a big explosion that momentarily blinded him. I took that chance to make a quick cold water aura and jumped through the flames only to break my sword on Squirmy’s hard head, sending him crashing to the ground.

By the time I struck him, my sword had basically been reduced to a hunk of metal, and worked better as a bludgeoning tool. I ended up having to toss it aside since it was now useless as a weapon.

Afterwards I landed besides Shadow making sure to stand between them. I had to slow the flow of Qi to my aura. Bringing it down to a more energy efficient level. The broken energy reformed and I was left with an aura of 40 layers total.

Not bad. This was almost as fast as when I fought with Cain. Battle seemed to help me focus the most, so building it up was best during these times.

What wasn’t great was the fact that my Qi had dropped by 13%, proving that flooding your body with Qi was always going to burn through your supplies.

That was when I heard a name. One I hadn’t been called in a long time. “Master…”

What should I say? She’s got that weird imprinting thing going on. Did she actually like me? I don’t think that mattered. What mattered was that I liked her. I loved her, though it was kind of embarrassing. Too embarrassing.

I turned to her and smiled. “Sorry I’m late. I was trying to figure out all this aura and magic stuff.”

To my surprise she didn’t run and cling to me. In fact she was still on the ground. I was both relieved and disappointed. Was she mad at me for getting Luca killed? I kept smiling, because otherwise I’d just start crying.

That was when she started crying and slamming her head into the ground while apologizing. “I’m sorry!”

I felt her sorrow wash over me. She was blaming herself. The emotions were a bit too strong for me. I walked up to her. “You have nothing to apologize about.” I said while reaching out to her.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

I smiled as she lifted her head. There were so many tears. She had been crying a lot. This wasn’t the only time. She must have been in a lot of pain. Even now those emotions seemed to hurt me.

I lifted through her recent memories. I felt her anguish for leaving everyone behind. For allowing Luca to die. She blamed herself for everything. I noticed a familiar weight on her back.

She had been sharing the burden with me this whole time and I never noticed. I was so caught up in my own shit to ever take her pain into consideration.

“You’ve done pretty good. You evacuated the civilians and closed off the area. We might have lost some people, but you were absolutely amazing Shadow.” I complimented her.

She deserved it. After all I never expected her to do so much so quickly. Shadow was never the strategic type. She was good at keeping everyone’s spirits up, and taking care of the little things we never really thought about.

Like when she went out and gathered a bunch of the more grindy resources. We would need a bunch of stuff to make certain builds and upgrades. It was pretty funny when Shadow would just hand them over as if out of thin air.

Her tears intensified, “You can’t say that! I Killed Luca!” her words carried so much pain in them that I nearly stepped back just to get a little distance.

It hit me like a truck, but I kept smiling. This was what it was to hold a burden by yourself. I knew it all to well. It almost made me happy to know I wasn’t the only one feeling that way.

“It’s not your fault. If you want to blame someone then blame me. I brought that demon to this world, but right now. I need your help to get rid of it. Preferably before more people die.” I insisted.

She cried some more before finally taking my hand. I knew it was coming, but it was still a surprise when it happened. “Master!” she cried before pulling me into a hug.

Alice had already done this to me once. I didn’t really like it when Shadow did it, because I knew she had other intentions. It was less because of the physical contact and more because of the sharp excited emotions that came biting down on me.

They didn't hurt, but it always made me feel like I was a rabbit being squeezed in the mouth of a wolf. “Let me go Shadow! I’m married!” I cried before trying to get away.

Next thing I knew she was licking the side of my head! I’d forgotten about that part! Oh no! I should have never let her get this close! She’s tasting my flesh!

Getting away was impossible since my aura was currently turned off to prevent Qi loss. I might as well have been an actual child right now.

That wasn’t even that weird compared to what came next as shadow lifted my dress and blew a raspberry into my tummy. I couldn’t help but laugh because that’s what you do in this situation. “Shadow, don’t do that!”

I held my dress down hoping no one had seen me. It was way too embarrassing. How was I supposed to get married in this world with such a shameful body.

“Aww, Master you’re so modest for such a little girl.” She teased in a cooing manner.

“Wh-What’s wrong with you!? What if someone saw!?” I cried.

“Oh, there’s no one around. Besides most people wouldn’t bat an eye. Even so, you got those little bloomers on.” She hugged me again and began to nuzzle her cheek with mine.

“Shadow stop it, I’m trying to look cool!” I complained. There was a literal demon right there and this crazy cat insisted on teasing me.

“But Master, I can’t stop. Can’t you see how happy I am to see you?” she insisted.

She wasn’t listening at all! I know the only way to get through to a beast was to speak their language! To do that I started growling at her… except… it didn’t really sound like a growl. It was more like I was purring. No! That’s the opposite of what I wanted! Now she’s gonna think I like this sort of treatment.

She just kept treating me like her kitten. Eventually I had enough and bit down on her arm. She let out a hiss and I got my chance to escape!

I quickly ran out on all fours then zigzagged my way towards the farther wall to which I nearly broke my way inside when I rammed the door.

Pressed up against a wall I tried to catch my breath while Shadow seemed to be day dreaming about something pleasant.

That was when Squirmy finally spoke, “You two done with your weird skit, or do you need another minute to do more perverted stuff?” he looked super board. Like a lazy cat laying out in the sun.

“Hey, its not like that!” we both yelled. I didn’t need this asshole spreading rumors like that! The last thing I wanted was for my wife to suddenly stab me because this asshole couldn’t keep his mouth shut!

“Shadow, see what you did!” I whined.

“It’s not my fault you’re cute, and I haven’t seen you in forever! It’s been over 39 chapters – if you count the flash backs – uh…. I mean it’s been a few hours. Fo-Forget what I said, now, are we kicking her butt or what?” she said

What was she talking about? I sighed realizing there were more important things right now. I turned to the demon as my aura flared to life.

Squirmy got up off his rock and said, “Who the hell do you think you are my better half?” a black aura began to move around him. I wasn’t sure on the aspects or how he was doing it. It was kind of weak compared to mine, but that was still a multiplier for his abilities.

I smiled and responded, “I’m not your anything! My name is Isaac Smith and I’m here to kick ass and eat lots of candy and I’m not allowed to eat candy.” It was a classic line and I’d always wanted to say something like it.

“Master language! Also if you’re hungry I have some cookies if you want? I know you didn’t eat lunch, so you can have some.” Shadow brought out some of the cookies she stole from me yesterday.

She was ruining my cool moment again! “Shadow, I was trying to be cool!” I complained.

“So… does that mean you don’t want cookies?” she asked.

I pouted and crossed my arms. How dare she make me look weak in front of our enemies. I hated her. The worst part was that I actually did want cookies. I wasn’t hungry for some reason, but I could always go for sweets.

They looked so yummy and because they were freshly baked when she put them in her inventory, I bet they were still warm too. To try and save face, I mumbled some words out hoping my enemy wouldn’t hear me.

Even with her crazy strong ears Shadow couldn't hear me. “What’s that Master?”

She was so annoying! I tried again but I could already feel tears beginning to form. “a little louder please.” She responded.

I couldn’t believe she couldn’t hear me. So much so that I nearly started to sob. “I said I want them!” I cried.

“Okay but I’m only giving you two. It’ll be dinner time soon and I don’t want you spoiling your appetite. I’m giving you two since you haven’t eaten.” She said.

“That’s it! Only two. But why! That’s nothing.” I cried stomping my feet.

Shadow looked pretty irritated, so I made my way to her side hoping she wouldn’t change her mind. Knowing her she might just decide not to give me anything.

To my delight, I was handed two cookies! I started eating them immediately. They’re still warm! I knew it! As I ate Shadow began petting my head. I didn’t mind. Maybe if I was a good girl she’ll give me even more. Yummy!

“Can I have one too?” asked Squirmy.

There was no way Shadow would give him one. These were just for good girls and Squirmy had been bad. I was the best that’s why I got two!

“If I give you one, will you stop killing people?” she asked.

Bribery? I never thought of that as an option. Ooo, Squirmy didn’t like that ultimatum. His face scrunched up like when I told my brother he should read a book. He shook his head then stuck his tongue out at Shadow. She was genuinely upset about it too.

Shadow smiled then said in the smuggest tone she could muster, “Sorry, only good children get cookies.”

The demon shrugged, “Whatever, I’ll just loot them off your corpse.”

Somehow hearing Shadow say that made me really happy. I’m a good girl! Yes, yes, I am! Crap, is my brain mush or what? This isn’t something an adult man should be happy about.

I might have been a bad boy and a devil child growing up, but I was a very good girl now. So good that I got two whole cookies instead of just a pre-made dry sandwich and a bottle of water. I went ahead and finished my good girl cookies.

That was when that asshole did something I couldn’t believe. He pulled out a soul. The frequency felt familiar, but it was wrong. Like… hollow. What was going on here?

The soul was like a crystal flower. Purple in color. It looked as though someone had stabbed it with a black glass stem. Why was the stem there. It didn’t belong there. Why was it so cold. So dark on the inside. I didn’t want to answer. I didn’t want to know.

Shadow tried to pinch my cheek to get my attention, but I couldn’t get my eyes off the soul in Squirmy’s hands. I swiped her hand away and waited to see what would happen.

I switched to Qi sight as I watched closely. Squirmy gathered up its antessence and force fed it through the stem. The flower turned back and after a few seconds that darkness came out as a black sludge.

At first it only gathered in a puddle. Then it started to form into something. Aspects of all colors and frequencies began to gather there, though I was the only one that could see it. The frequency resembled her so much, but it also had a darker tone to it—as if the colors and sounds were reversed.

The aspects that gathered to form its shape were a combination of earth, cold, water and shadow aspects. There were also a few death and life aspects in there.

First the bones rose from the muck. Then grey muscles wrapped themselves around the skeletal structure. Bonding to it through the use of thick white tendons. That was when the skin came in. It was a pale grey sheet that draped itself onto the bones and muscle.

The ends melted together forming a sack of skin. It tightened and stretched like leather, as it attempted to create a person. The person inside fought against the skin as if trying to escape. The skin tightened and resisted the person, preventing them from getting out. From taking a breath.

I could clear hear crying coming from inside as they tried desperately to find a way out of the skin. At this rate they would die of asphyxiation. There were emotions of fear and desperation.

Feelings like those of a caver getting his body wedged upside down in a hole when he thought he was in a different part of the cave. Like those of a child that fell into a septic tank disappearing under its murky waters. Like that of a man getting into a suit case for his girlfriends stream, only for her to belittle him the whole time while he cried to be let out. And even after ending the stream she left him inside overnight leading to his death.

(Authors note: these are all real incidents)

Finally the skin seemed to shift into place and the person was made whole. That was when Shadow blocked my eyes, but I could still see everything, since my Qi sight continued to light the way.

Long dark purple hair grew, draping itself on her shoulders and back. All but one lock that was fixed into a permanent cowlick. Shadow aspect gathered forming a black sheet. It became a black robe of pure darkness, covering her body. That was when Shadow let me see. Just as her eyes opened revealing purple irises.

It looked like Luka, but I knew the truth. This was a poor copy. That asshole bug copied some of Lucas memories onto a soul fragment then powered it up to the mortal rank and gave it Lucas old account. It was still unsettling.

Of course this didn't mean it wouldn't work on Shadow. “Luca?” She cried.

“That's not Luca!” I yelled before pulling out the large mana stone. It was neat how focus was separate and not straight up just null Qi. Just like the potions, but I was afraid to withdraw too much of one aspect and accidentally turn the stone into something else. At least that was my hypothesis. I can do riskier testing once this is over.

With a thought I used the heat from the heat stone, and gathered up wind and momentum for a few fireballs. They gathered in the air above us.

As for the large mana stone. I drained a large number or aspects from its focus pool and let the power flow through me. I was gonna use it to cultivate while fighting. With this much, my dantian should fill up in no time.

With this amount of null aspects I even managed to make a null aura. The little Alice in the stone was still dancing, but this time she had free reign of my body too. She was loving it.

“Luca,I’m so sorry,” Cried Shadow.

“Shut up!” Yelled Nega Luca. “If you’re really sorry you’ll give me your life! An eye for an eye.” She formed a shadow lance midair.

I could feel Shadow’s soul hurting—like she was about to do something really stupid. I needed to stop her, “Don’t do it Shadow! She’s not Luca, you see that flower over there!” I pointed to that mutilated soul. “That’s Lucas soul. Not just her soul. That’s Luca. The most important part at least. That thing you see in front of you is nothing more than an Imitation.”

For a moment I was only getting dark feelings from Shadow. Then I felt this overwhelming trust. “Okay, then we’ll get her soul back and figure it out from there.” She said.

I felt so happy to hear those words. Let's save Luca.