Chapter 87: Ombre
I tried controlling the shadow but it won't budge from its position. I thought about controlling the purplish particles that were now inside it but it wasn't working. They won't listen to me anymore.
"Uhh… hello? Can — Can you move?" I tried talking to it. "Maybe try waving your hand a bit uhh… Mr. Shadow."
Great! Just great! Now I'm talking to my own shadow. I just made a fool out of myself.
I tried reaching out to touch it, but my hands only went through it. Turns out that it was only still a shadow after all.
Then out of the blue, a jolt of electricity accompanied by a high-pitched humming sound assaulted my mind and all the purplish particles instantly vanished.
And I went limped all of a sudden and collapsed on the floor. I'm out of gas. I never felt this tired all my life. All I wanted now was to have a really long sleep.
Everything was back to normal. Even my shadow was back to where it was supposed to be. But then seconds after, it started to wriggle and squirm as it slowly morphs into something. It took the shape of the devourer I spoke with earlier.
"You know what? It was amusing to watch you practice your newfound skill, Sean." It suddenly spoke.
"Wha— Since when were you watching me?" I asked. To be honest, the very thought that this devourer has been living in my shadow the whole time creeps me out. It's not even a talk about privacy here.
"Pretty much the whole time," it said.
"I can't allow you to do that. I mean, haven't you heard of the words space and privacy?"
But the devourer only shrugged and said, "I don't really care about you just so you know."
"That's not the point."
"Besides, you can actually make it so I won't be able to see you, you know? With your illusion and stuff."
"I can do that?"
"Of course! But you've only been casting illusions to yourself this whole time, you're aware of that?"
"What do you mean? I don't remember doing that to myself."
"You've been doing that since the time you got that skill, Sean. Remember when you saw me in your best bud's body, Karl? You're the one who did that to yourself. I can merge to things and suck people's souls if I like to, not shapeshift."
"But that doesn't make sense! Also, stop calling me Sean. I mean, it's just weird hearing it from you."
"It might not make sense to you, but that's none of my concern. And no, I won't stop calling you Sean. You see, devourers don't really see people's physical bodies, we see their souls. And I've been seeing Sean this whole time. Not Jack."
Honestly, I don't know how to respond to that.
"And by the way, be careful out there. Other devourers are acting weirdly these days. I don't know what's their deal. Haven't been with them in a while. It's comfy here inside your shadow."
"And why are you telling this?"
He shrugged and said, "I don't want you dying, do I? Those mindless devourers are a pain in the ass. I don't want you associating me with those brain-deads."
"Besides, if you die, won't I lose a place to stay in as well?" he added.
"Just who are you?" I asked. The way he's speaking gives me the inkling he's not just a normal devourer.
"I'm glad that you asked. My name's Ombre. A sickly boy has given me that name in the past. He's a nice kid," he said. "And oh! Just so you know, devourers don't really have a name. We're just called… devourers. But hey! That's what made me special. I have a name!"
"Ombre, huh."
"Right! Omb—"
"Is anything wrong?" I asked. This devourer was so excited just a while ago, but all of a sudden, his countenance shifted.
"Sean, it might be best if you don't go out today at all," he said.
"Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"I'm not sure, but it might be best if you don't go out at all."
"But why?" Because I don't think that's possible at all. I have a job to do. And Alviar was expecting me to play the snitch with him today. Liam was expecting me tonight. I can't stay here at all!
"Do what you want. Your decision. But don't tell me I didn't warn you," he said before he disappeared back into my shadow.
What does he mean by that? Is something bad gonna happen outside? I should ask Ethan.
"I didn't know you have a habit of sleeping on the floor now, idiot." I suddenly heard a voice.
And huh? Did I sleep on the floor?
"Ethan?"
"Finally! You're awake," he said before throwing a banana at me which I caught. "There are so many things to do from now on, Mr. Jack. Vlad wants to see you tomorrow."
For some reason, I feel like Ethan was back to his usual self. Or at least to the one I'm actually familiar with.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone