【 CHAPTER 3: PARENTAL GUIDANCE (II) 】
After patrolling and concluding that the surroundings are cleared and safe, the shadow creature headed back to Rezochi’s location. The creature let out a sigh as he found her sleeping peacefully. “Well this is a surprise, I really hope you get some proper sleep this time.”
The shadow creature then prepares to rest on the opposite side of Rezochi. Facing her, the shadow creature stared at his sleeping companion as he laid down. Looking at her sleeping face, then her long, fluffy black hair and slightly ragged clothing, one could tell she is something more even if she looks a bit messy. The shadow creature then stared at his body. His body was of shadowy and inky matter; it didn’t have a solid form. The shadow looked at Rezochi again, and back to himself letting out another sigh. He then moved closer, beside Rezochi, and kept watch.
Seriously though, I can’t believe I would become a caretaker…
The shadow wriggled about beside Rezochi’s slumbering body. He knew there was not much of an option back then. The two guardians who left the young child were also in a desperate situation.
“Ecli, please take care of this child.”
Memories flashed through the shadow’s mind from that night.
Ecli was in a deep sleep, forever chained to the nightmarish forest of Senka. The Shadow Beings don’t have a reason to explore the enchanted forest of this place unless they wanted to be cursed by the Ancient Being residing in it. Every shadow knew it was a forbidden and sacred place that only the “Royals” of the Shadow Beings could set foot into. Others would be devoured by the forest as they get lost in the thick fog and nightmarish illusions specific to the trespasser’s fears. No one knows what happens to those that disappeared.
Ecli’s stomach growled. He missed devouring the greedy shadows that would roam into the woods, but never in his lifetime would he have imagined that he would be visited by a “Royal”, let alone two of them begging for Ecli to be a “guardian” to a young child. He was asked to keep the child a secret within the forest while helping to guide her into adulthood. The first part was an easy one for Ecli, though the second part caught him off guard. They were basically asking Ecli to adopt the child on the spot. Why ask a slumbering Ancient Being to be a “guardian” to a child? Were these “Royals” insane in the head? No doubt Ecli didn’t go down without a fight or argument. In the end, Ecli still lost as an old promise from centuries ago was brought up. If it weren’t for that promise he wouldn’t be in his current state now.
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“I’ll be back.” Those were the promised words made to Ecli, but that person never came back. Waiting became worry, and worry became sadness. Eventually that sadness turned into hatred towards that person for leaving him there; however, there was another promise. It was Ecli’s promise to that person.
‘I’ll never forget you.’ is what I said, could it be this child is… No, that can’t be. This world plays tricks on everyone’s minds. I won’t believe it until I know for sure.
He sat back up and glanced at Rezochi who’s still sleeping soundly.
This child has grown, but I don’t see that person within her…
Ecli shook his head, he knew he shouldn’t be looking for that person anymore. He wanted to move on. If anything, Rezochi has become one of his priorities, distracting him from other difficult things. Training her to be ready for the outside world has been a work in progress goal for the both of them.
She really has become one of my own… Yikes, I sound like a parent. I don’t even know if I’m doing this right.
The shadow creature melted into inky matter and swiftly travelled through the surface of the ground. It looked as if Ecli was teleporting with how fast he moved.
A few laps would do, I guess.
Ecli loved racing through places. He never got to do it for the longest time, and now that he’s free it’s his most favorite thing. As the creature slowly tires himself out, his last thought was how thankful he was that “Rezochi” is growing up nicely despite her guardian being so different.
At times, the Shadow creature felt frustrated with himself. Leaving and escaping Senka has made Ecli’s power and physical form limited along with certain restrictions. He couldn’t be of much help to his companion now if something serious happened. With that thought in mind, Ecli rapidly went back to Rezochi.