Shadow Guide

On the seventh night after Oiron's birth, the entire family rested in their luxurious palace, unaware of what was happening in the shadows. In an inconspicuous spot in the room where the infant lay, a ripple formed in the air, barely detectable even to the keen senses of the warriors. From this ripple, a tiny figure emerged, slipping out of the visible light like a shadow without a source. This figure was none other than Anarak, a being from the world of shadows.

As soon as Anarak crossed into this world, he felt an irresistible pull toward the child lying peacefully in his crib. This was no ordinary infant; he was the link that anchored Anarak to this world. For reasons beyond his understanding, Anarak sensed a connection at that moment, as if his destiny had just taken a completely new path.

As he approached Oiron, his shadow stretched toward the child. The moment their shadows touched, something unexpected occurred. It wasn't just a simple interaction; it was an instantaneous fusion—an intertwining of their very essences. A wave of emotions and sensations flooded Anarak, feelings he had never known before.

Oiron, just a newborn, was unaware of the world around him. Yet, through this bond, Anarak could sense the child's thoughts and emotions. They were not structured ideas but rather raw sensations—warmth, cold, curiosity, and even a strange familiarity with the arms that held him. Conversely, instincts and feelings Anarak had never possessed before began to seep into him, giving him a new purpose beyond mere wandering.

Days passed, and Oiron's future seemed extraordinary in the eyes of his family. His mother, Clara, was the first to notice that her son was different. Unlike other infants, he rarely cried. Instead, he stared intently at his surroundings with deep, dark eyes, as if trying to understand the world in a way far beyond his age.

"He's so calm…" Clara murmured as she cradled him in her arms.

Her husband, Oberon, forced a smile. "That's a good thing, isn't it? We shouldn't overthink it."

But Oiron's grandmother, Mona, was not convinced. "It's not just calmness… there's something else. You two are too young to understand."

His grandfather, Oscar, chuckled. "Oh, don't be dramatic! My grandson is simply a genius of his time, that's all!"

But it wasn't just calmness. Oiron began recognizing people around him at an unnatural speed. When his mother called his name, he seemed to understand. When his grandfather playfully tossed him into the air, he did not cry or show fear. Instead, he gazed at him curiously, as if analyzing the situation.

What no one knew was that this heightened awareness was not entirely natural—it was the result of the growing bond between Oiron and Anarak. Through Anarak, Oiron had developed an advanced sensory perception. Some of Anarak's instincts had merged with him, making him different from any other child.

Meanwhile, Anarak watched silently from within Oiron's shadow. He did not understand what was happening to him. He had been a wanderer without purpose, yet now, he was experiencing new emotions—just as Oiron was discovering the world.

Thus, the first three months passed, and both Oiron and Anarak began to change. Oiron's body grew, but his consciousness developed even faster. This was only the beginning of a journey that would alter their fate forever

The Special Friday Night

Every Friday, the family gathered in the grand palace hall, surrounded by the warmth of family and the harmonious sounds of laughter. The table was filled with luxurious food, the servants moved with calculated silence, and the family members exchanged conversations about their week. This day was sacred to them, a moment to forget their responsibilities and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of family.

But this Friday was different.

Unusually, the conversation was not centered around family business or academy news, but rather on little Oiron, Who began to show odd behaviour for his age.

He sat quietly in his mother Clara's arms, his dark eyes observing everyone as if his small mind was trying to analyze everything happening around him. He was not like any ordinary infant—he did not cry often but rather watched, understood, and displayed glimpses of an intelligence beyond his years.

Amid the side conversations, everyone suddenly fell silent when they heard a soft yet clear voice, shocking them all.

"Anarak."

Clara's hands froze mid-pat, Oberon's face stiffened in shock, while Grandfather Oscar dropped his glass, ignoring the sound of it shattering against the floor.

Oiron had spoken his first word.

But it was not "Mama" or "Papa," as everyone had expected. Instead, it was a strange name, one that no one had ever spoken before.

"Anarak..."

Despite everyone's astonishment, there was only one person who truly understood the meaning of this name.

Within the flickering shadows on the wall, Anarak felt an inexplicable shiver run through his being.

The child had called him… by his name.

How? When? No one was supposed to know, no one had ever spoken it aloud.

But through the shadow link, through the strange connection binding him to this child, Oiron had known his name.

At that moment, Anarak realized that their bond was not just an interaction between a shadow being and a human child—it was something far deeper.

---

A Moment of Silence… Then Shock

After a few moments of tense silence, voices erupted all at once.

"Did… did you all hear that?!" Grandfather Oscar muttered, staring at his grandson in disbelief.

"Oiron, my dear, what did you say?" Clara whispered, gently holding her son's face as if trying to confirm what she had just heard.

But the child did not answer. He merely blinked his deep eyes as if this was nothing out of the ordinary.

"Anarak..."

He repeated it more clearly, as if it was a part of him—not a random word, but a name carved deep within him.

Everyone was puzzled, exchanging confused glances, wondering about the meaning of this name. But to one person, it was not just a name.

Within the shadows… Anarak felt something he had never felt since awakening in this world.

He was not supposed to have an identity, not supposed to be more than a nameless shadow being. But here he was, in the human world, and through this child, Through their strange bond, his name had been called.

For the first time since arriving in this world, Anarak felt truly… existent.

"How… how does he know my name?" He wondered.

Was their connection truly this strong? Or was this child… different from anyone else?

The more astonished he became, the more convinced he was that this child was no ordinary being—and that their journey together would not be an ordinary one.

---

The Family's Confusion

In the hall, Oiron's father, Oberon, had finally regained his composure. He looked at his wife, then at his son, before speaking in a steady tone:

"I think it's just a random sound. Babies make meaningless noises when they start speaking."

But Grandmother Mona was not convinced.

"Oberon, a child his age does not pronounce a name with such clarity. This is not just a sound, it's a real name."

Everyone fell silent at this truth. Indeed, when babies first begin to speak, they mix up letters, distort words—but Oiron had spoken the name as if he had known it all along.

"But… where did he hear it?" Clara wondered, holding her child close.

There was no answer—at least, not from them.

As for Anarak, he remained silent within the shadows, ignoring all the questions being asked. He was certain of one thing only:

This child… will change everything.

---

The Moment After the Shock

Silence lasted for a few seconds, but minds did not stop working. Every family member was trying to make sense of what had happened, but there was no clear answer.

"Could he have heard this name somewhere?" Grandfather Oscar murmured, searching for a logical explanation.

"But none of us know anyone with this name, and no one has ever mentioned it before." Grandmother Mona replied firmly, her eyes locked onto her grandson as if trying to probe his mind.

At that moment, Oiron appeared completely calm, as if the matter did not concern him. Yet, he was staring at his shadow with a mysterious look, as if he was aware of something he could not yet express.

Meanwhile, within the depths of the shadows, Anarak felt something different.

That word the child had spoken was no coincidence, no random sound. It was an acknowledgment of a bond he had yet to fully understand.

"He knows me… even though I never told him."

That thought alone was enough to plant a strange feeling within Anarak.

He was not just a shadow being without an identity, not just a ghost from another world.

He had been given a name, recognition, existence.

---

The Parents' Reaction

Clara looked at her son with concern, then said in a soft voice:

"Oiron, my dear… can you say it again?"

But the child did not repeat the word. He merely looked at her before shifting his gaze toward the shadows on the floor.

That moment alone was enough to make his mother's heart race.

"He saw something…"

As for Oberon, he remained composed but could not stop himself from wondering:

"This doesn't make sense… Could our child have more awareness than we thought?"

Their family lived in a world where the impossible could sometimes be possible, but for their firstborn to pronounce an unknown name with such precision? This was beyond their expectations.

---

What About Anarak?

At that moment, deep within the shadows, Anarak was thinking of only one thing:

"If he can sense me now… what will happen when he grows stronger?"

He did not know that this was just the beginning…

The beginning of a connection that would change the fate of both of them.

And perhaps… the fate of the entire universe.