Chapter Text
Life down here in the sewers was always the same. The same murky sludge would flow in from the surface. The same sounds would appear and disappear every day and night, as it accustomed to an everlasting rhythm. I did not mind the stillness of life as I lived in the darkness by myself. The local farmer would come down occasionally to purchase my wares, but they were the only company I had. They were the only being I was acquainted with, and other than them, I was alone. I was simply the lone shadow person living in the frightening, sickening sewers.
However, little did I know a small, fateful encounter would change my life forever.
It occurred during the night. The sound of footsteps from the surface would lessen until they disappeared entirely. I dared not to peek up above - even at night, my existence was at risk of getting caught - but I knew the sun had fallen asleep for now. The moon had taken its place, its soft moonlight seeping through the gates of the forest entrance and signifying its presence. All was quiet as it had its nightly reign, and I appreciated every gift it had to offer.
However, the silence would swiftly be shattered by a sudden sound. A ghastly, fearful wail echoed within the sewer walls, and I did not expect to find myself flinching. I had heard a wide variety of monster cries before, but this one was unrecognizable. Even by shadow person standards, the cry was too childish and human-like. I recalled the two children who lived in the town above, and only then did my mind begin to ponder. Why were they awake at this hour? Was it possible one of them was capable of making such a sound? If not, then what was it?
The cry reappeared, louder this time, and I began to creep toward my humble home. This corner of the sewers offered good defense, but it was not invincible - It would not be able to protect me forever. “Please help me, dear Yoba,” I murmured to myself, pressing my body against the sewage-lined wall. I peered over to watch the large area of the sewers, wanting to catch just a glimpse of the unknown monster, but fear flowed throughout me nonetheless. The wail came closer and closer, amplifying as it closed in, and I could only hope my attempt to hide would not be done in vain.
The sound reached its highest volume, its echoes reverberating within the sewers, and when its true owner arrived, it was not what I expected at all. Instead of anticipating a mysterious and dangerous beast, it was but a small, strange creature. It swiftly dashed inside from the forest gates, its spectral form flying around the border of the sewers. Its saddened cries told me it was simply lost and confused, but I dared not to interact with it. At least, not yet. It was still a monster I had not seen before. As it attempted to gain its bearings to the place it had entered, I examined it from afar, wondering what in the world it was.
The creature levitated above the sea of sewage, turning its odd stump head around to take in the scene. Two branches protruded out of its sides, and its dark wisp-like body was somehow holding it up. Interestingly enough, I also sensed an air of familiarity around it. It seemed to resemble a shadow person, in a way - Was it possible it was the same species that I was? However, the thought did not live long. I swiftly remembered this being was completely unknown to me. I had never seen anything like it, whether up on the surface or in the dark.
Nonetheless, I felt inclined to help it, from one shadow to another.
With the creature’s loud cries of distress now soft, sullen weeps, I silently rummaged through my wares. It was there I found my very item I was looking for: A solar essence. Resembling a miniature sun, its soft glow and pleasant warmth radiated an aura of calm. I knew it would be the perfect thing the little ghost needed to brighten its saddened mood.
I took a moment to myself before revealing both my presence and the solar essence. I presented the item to the wood-like specter, wanting to attract its attention, and much to my joy, it worked. Although it was hesitant at first, the creature gradually floated toward the light, its attention all too aware of me. Once it was close enough, its gaze shifted from me to the essence, enamored by the soothing sight. To my luck, I took this chance to have a closer look at the strange being, curiosity prickling my mind.
While watching the solar essence’s yellow glow, the ghost-like creature’s red, beady eyes were fixed upon the item. They stayed within the borders of two circular hollows carved where its eye sockets would have been. They reminded me of haunted skulls, an occasionally rare monster I had seen in the mines, but the sight of movement brought me back down to earth. I barely noticed it while examining the creature, but its short, nubby hands were reaching up to the solar essence. It then came closer ever so slightly, as if acting like a child attracted to something they wanted. I should have been surprised, but a brief memory came into mind - I recalled the cries and wails from before. They sounded higher-pitched with adolescent tones. They were reminiscent of the two human children, whose squeals were easy to point out within their older counterparts. Could it be this strange monster, the same creature whose noise frightened a shadow person like me, was really that young?
To test out my hypothesis, I quickly brought the solar essence to myself. Its golden glow now rested close to my chest, and looking at the specter before me, I noticed its expression had changed. Instead of being mesmerized by the item, it moved its gaze to stare straight at mine, pleading with its small, red eyes. It continued for as long as it could, refusing to look anywhere else. Its little nubs were still aimed toward my item, wanting to grab and hold on to its soft light, and that was when I came to my conclusion: It did want the solar essence. The creature wanted what I took from it, just like how a child would act.
With my thoughts confirmed, I returned the light to the little ghost. I brought out my hand, the solar essence resting within my open palm, and the creature grabbed it with one swift snatch. The moment it had the object back, I could tell its emotions were now vastly different. It was no longer crying in fear and sniffling in sorrow. Instead, a cheerful smile stretched across its face, clutching onto its golden glow as it twirled around in joy. The little wisp was as happy as ever, and before I knew it, I was happy as well. Even if I had no clue what it really was, it did not matter. All that mattered was that the little shadow deserved happiness, and as long as I was with that fact, I was content.