Shadow Slave novel Chapter 3177

Time passed.

The world changed, but the shadow stayed the same.

Hidden in the depths of a dark cave, he rested and experienced the changes through his senses. The trees he remembered as young saplings had become towering giants, then withered and died; new beasts were born as others grew frail and were devoured.

People changed most of all.

Out there in the vast and terrifying expanse of the world, countless humans struggled to establish a foothold against the terrifying Creatures of Corruption across numerous realms. Their tribes were wiped out one after another, only for new ones to arrive in search of a home. Humanity had no advantage in this bloody war — in fact, it was hopelessly outmatched.

But humans persisted. They hid, they learned, they endured... but most of all, they changed.

Humans were a supremely adaptable species, after all. That was what made them so deadly.

In the lands where there was snow and vicious cold, humans learned how to stay warm. In the realms covered by water, they learned how to build rafts and canoes. Their flint weapons were replaced by copper blades; their gatherers had become farmers, while their hunters had become beast tamers.

Crafts, farming, animal husbandry... they were learning it all, desperately trying to survive in a world that had no place for them. In hostile, unknown and unfathomable lands, humans were surrounded by darkness on all sides. They had to sustain themselves and push the darkness back, lest it swallow them.

But the darkness always came back to avenge itself.

The people of Tatal's tribe had an easier time than most because of the shadow. While they still had to fight the Creatures of Corruption, no abomination powerful enough to destroy the tribe without giving it a fighting chance ever appeared in their lands. They were protected by a Shaper of considerable strength, as well — great shaman Tatal, who had slain the Basilisk and became Transcendent.

Because of that, the influence of the Shadow Tribe grew, and soon, the neighboring tribes came to rely on it. Even people from the faraway lands that lay beyond the shadow's senses sometimes came to pay Tatal respect and ask for her advice or assistance.

She gave both freely.

For a long while, life was good. Tatal enjoyed the golden years of her life surrounded by people who admired and loved her. Her tribe thrived, while her family grew.

Her children married one after another. The boys went to live with other tribes, while the girls welcomed their husbands home. Soon enough, Tatal became a grandmother — and before too long, there were a dozen or more of her grandchildren running around a handful of tribes.

Despite being such a prolific grandma, Tatal still looked quite young — she was a Transcendent, after all. If one did not know better, they would have thought that she and her daughters were sisters, while her husband was their father.

The young Wolf, now known as Stone Hand, was not so young anymore. His mighty figure was still straight and imposing, but his hair and beard had long turned grey. After losing an arm to the stone curse of the Basilisk, he had surrendered his position of chieftain and became a teacher for the youths of the tribe. Many of the adult members of the tribe had been his students once, so there were few elders more respected than him.

Despite how different they looked now, Tatal and her husband still lived in perfect harmony. It was just that many things were slowly becoming difficult for him, so she had to assist her aging husband in mundane tasks from time to time — other times, their grandchildren would assist him in her place.

Their home was always full of the sound of children laughing.

When Tatal visited the shadow, there was always a bright smile on her face.

“I am so happy, Shadow. I couldn't be any happier, I think. Life is so harsh, but it is also so impossibly wonderful..."

The shadow was content, as well. He was enjoying this measured, peaceful existence. However, time continued to pass, and things continued to change.

Nothing ever stayed the same.

Soon enough, Tatal's husband passed away from old age, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. The whole tribe mourned his death, and he was buried with the highest honors they knew how to give. Both as his wife and the shaman, Tatal performed the rituals to send his shadow off to the Realm of Death.

Standing above the grave in the ornate garment of the shaman, Tatal looked like a young woman as she buried her old husband. Her radiance was striking, and there was not a single grey hair on her head... she looked far younger than her daughters, even, as if time had no power over her.

The shadow thought that she handled the loss of her husband quite well. She still smiled warmly every time she visited, full of joy and hunger for life...

But he also noticed that her smile was never the same since that day.

There was always a tiny hint of melancholy hidden behind its radiant splendor, as if she couldn't help but feel a little sad even in her happiest moments.

In time, Tatal's village grew into a small town. The wooden and clay huts were replaced by homes built of stone. There was a watermill standing above a stream nearby, and a tall palisade with watchful sentries. Tatal's grandchildren had their own children now. Many of them married into distant tribes, so her bloodline spread far and wide, giving birth to exceptional individuals in many places. Some had even found their way to distant realms, carrying her legacy with them.

But Transcendents lived long lives. Having buried her husband, Tatal eventually buried her children as well. She had managed to maintain her composure when the old Wolf passed away... but even her stalwart heart bled when she heard the news of her firstborn son leaving for the Realm of Shadows, somewhere far away. When she lowered her daughters into the ground one after another, caressing their thin and grey hair.

One time, she cried in the shadow's embrace once again, her bitter wails echoing between the walls of the dark cave. The next time, she faced him with a faltering smile...

On that day, the shadow noticed that there were grey streaks in her own hair now, as well.

He comforted her as best he could. He did not know much about human emotions, but it seemed that his company — his mere existence — was of great comfort to Tatal, in and of itself.

But the shadow himself was uncomfortable. He was restless and worried, unable to find peace.

Time continued its merciless march. Many years passed, and in what felt like an instant, as the shadow watched, Tatal grew old. Her fiery hair had turned grey, and the lines on her face grew deeper.

One time, as she came to visit him, Tatal sat down, supporting her knees, and let out a sigh.

“Ha... climbing this mountain is not as easy as it used to be, Shadow."

Then, she flashed him a smile — the same unabashed, mischievous smile the little girl who had snuck into his cave once showed him. At that moment, the marks of old age covering her face seemed to disappear, and she looked just like that small, frustrating child once more. The two were indistinguishable from each other.

Despite her age, Tatal was still a Transcendent. So, no kind of mountain could strain her.

The shadow smiled in the darkness.

“Shall I make the mountain shorter? I can crush it to pieces, if you want."

Tatal laughed.

“No, no... please don't. I love this mountain. So many things have changed, but the mountain is still the same. We are old friends, she and I."

Tatal remained silent for a few moments, then smiled.

"The world is so different now, Shadow. Sometimes, I remember how it was when I was a little girl... it's almost unrecognizable. The forest where I used to search for berries is gone. The tent where my mother nurtured me only exists in my memory. Our tribe is so large now... and it's populated by strange people. They admire me, they love me... and I love them too. But — and please don't tell anyone — I have to put in some effort to remember all their names and faces."

Her voice was wistful.

The shadow scoffed.

“Whom would I tell? I only ever talk to you."

Tatal grinned.

“That's true."

Her smile seemed to dim a little then, and she looked away.

After remaining silent for a while, Tatal sighed.

“Everyone I knew is gone, Shadow. None of them had the decency to stay alive a little longer."

Then, she looked at the darkness and smiled.

“Only you remain. Am I not lucky, to have such a loyal friend?"

The shadow was not sure how to answer. Eventually, he shrugged mentally.

"I guess. As far as friends go, I am quite a catch."

He paused for a moment, hesitating, and then added in a voice that was quieter than his usual cold tone:

“And you, as well. I must have great luck myself to have a friend such as you."

Tatal laughed once again.

“Naturally! You must be the luckiest shadow in the world!"

Gradually, her laughter quieted down, and she continued to look into the darkness with a smile.

But then, a hint of wistfulness found its way into her shining eyes.

Tatal sighed and looked away, brushing her grey hair back.

She remained silent for a long while, and then said quietly, her voice full of a strange longing.

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