The whitemoon stood full in the night sky along with its dark twin, casting light upon Terra. And yet, the dark had been there long before the arrival of the light.

Barry woke up with a start. He could practically feel someone staring at him, the skin of his Inner Shadow crawling and squirming with uncomfortable intensity. The night turned into grey-tinted day as Barry’s vision shifted. Barry laid atop the infirmary bed, and an intruder stood at the only entrance and escape.

A dagger sailed through the air, aimed directly at Barry’s shape under the woolen blankets. Barry’s senses heightened. The metallic blade slowed in its arc of death, moving like the air was made of viscous liquid. Barry felt he couldn’t move fast enough to get away, and he’d prefer to not damage holy ground. Power swelled up in his Shadow, building up like waves battering against a rocky cliff. The world shifted. Black became white, and colors turned to their opposite.

Barry’s awareness was transposed onto a copy of shadow and light. The shadow copy stood near his real body, connected by a tendril of viscous black through the navel. Time slowed to a stop. Whenever Barry moved his copy, time started again. It stopped when his copy stood still. Yeah, this’ll do just fine.

The shadow of black and starlight rushed to the blade, bringing up its clawed digits to grasp the dagger. The dagger passed through the shadow like it was non-existent. Nah, this won’t do at all. Barry felt a tug at his awareness, remembrance flooding his mind. Take upon the luminous pinpricks that dwell in the void, and shadows shall come. Starlight Transposition.

Barry’s real body was pulled towards the copy in a flash of yellow-white starlight, his Shadow Limbs catching the dagger instantly. A small line of red appeared on Barry’s face, the blade nicking him ever so slightly. Better than dead, I suppose. A small drop of scarlet fell onto the floor. The blood appeared black under the moonlight.

Barry’s Shadow strained at the feat of magic, his body feeling twice as heavy, movement felt like the air had turned into stone.

The intruder cowered. The spirit essence around him squirmed like a hare caught in the jowls of a wolf.

“Why?” Asked Barry, his tone carrying an edge. “Why did you attack me? Did someone put you up to this?”

“It was the priest, I swear! He told me to expose your foul magicks.” Said the intruder, his voice trembling. Though his voice was an octave higher, it was undoubtedly a man’s voice.

“He paid you, didn’t he? How much did my bloody life cost you? Twenty silver?”

“My family needed it. I have a wife, two daughters, a-”

“I don’t care about your reasons. I have no need to kill you, so I’ll simply leave. Tell the priest you wounded me, and I ran.”

“But, my family...“

“Let me guess, they’re in danger?”

“I don’t know. Our plan was to run. The priest could just decide to tie up loose ends.”

“Can’t help my would-be assassin. You could be leading me into a trap.”

Barry pushed the intruder aside, making his way outside.

“Please, warlock, help me…” Pleaded the intruder.

“I am no Warlock.” Said Barry. “How am I to know you won’t stab me in the back? You think I am so naive? You’d trade me dead for twenty silvers—imagine how much you could get with me alive?”

“Please…”

The man’s whimpers and pleas did not fall on deaf ears, though Barry sorely wished they did. He could tell the man was honest, sickenly so. Could he leave the man’s family without a father? It was one thing to kill in the heat of battle, and another to kill in cold blood. Inaction was the same as action. Damn this bloody conscience.

“Fine. I’ll have to keep your mouth shut, though.”

Barry recanted the flowing words in the dark of his mind. Take upon the luminous pinpricks that dwell in the void. Shadow Double. Barry felt the reins of his power transferring to his conscious effort together with the intrinsic knowledge on how to use them. In the black of his mind, the luminous essence appeared. By pulling at the threads of the essence in his vicinity, he coalesced a shadow copy of himself. The dark made his powers more responsive, quicker, and less costly upon his body. The coalesced lights in the dark turned true black, collapsing into a facsimile made of shifting darkness painted with the blood of stars.

The world shifted, black turned white, and colors became their opposites. Time slowed. The shadow copy darted towards the intruder, stopping right in front of him. Words echoed throughout the void of Barry’s mind. And shadows shall come. Starlight Transposition. Barry pulled at the connection of shadow between him and the double, transposing his real body onto the location of the fake. The double bled into his Inner Shadow, being consumed by the void at his center. The transposing seemed to take Barry across a thin veil of which he did not know even existed. The veil distorted light, making it an eerie copy of normal sight. The veil between worlds had been thin, but all present. He could not interact with the real world whilst his awareness was inside the copy.

In an instant, Barry appeared in front of his would-be assassin, closing a shadow-claw around his throat. Barry focused on the man’s spirit, a cowering thing that tried to hide inside its bearer’s body. Barry plunged his own Shadow into the spirit, lacquering it with a part of himself. Barry let the man go, sending him to fall on his back.

“What did you-”

“Silence.” Said Barry, his tone sending a shiver down the man’s spine.

Murmurs in the mind reverberated like a flick of a spider’s web. All is connected. Shadows and light dance their dance as does the hunter and prey. Reverberations from the strands of a spider are omens of a feast. Take upon another’s Shadow in the dead of night, lacquering their spirit in the web of the hunter.

Shadow Lacquer.

A tendril made of shadow essence connected Barry to the intruder. The tendril wormed its way through the veil between worlds like an eerie, twisting branch. From the intruder’s shadow came a hand made of darkness made manifest. It coiled around his throat like a serpent, tightening when he tried to speak. The phantasmal arm wasn’t directly controlled by Barry but seemed to have his intentions ingrained within its twilight fabric.

“That’ll keep you quiet.” Said Barry. “If you try to speak beyond a whisper… I’ll rip out your throat and leave you where you stand.

“Whisper ‘yes’ if you understand.”

“Yes.” Whispered the would-be assassin.

Barry and the man discussed their route to pick up his family and the one that would be used for escape.

“That’s enough, follow me.” Said Barry.

Before Barry could leave, a voice in the dead of night stopped him.

“Lad, I hope you aren’t leaving without giving a goodbye to this old lady.” Said the priestess. The woman was dressed in a nightgown, a small cane holding her upright.

“Emi? How, what?” Said Barry.

“I’m a mage myself, Barry, that much is obvious.” Said Emi, the priestess. “I knew that decrepit coward was going to act soon, but not this soon. It’s been barely a day since you got here, and he already hired an assassin.

“Sorry, I didn’t do anything sooner. Thankfully, you survived the initial attack… Randy? Is that you?”

“Yes.” Whispered the would-be assassin, Randy. Gods, I thought my name clashed with my appearance. I’m not the only one with a name as common as weeds.

“Randy, why in the Nine. Bloody. Hells. Are you Bernie’s assassin?” Said Emi. She turned to look at Barry before continuing.

“He threw a knife at you, didn’t he? The lad’s been practicing since he could hold a knife in those chubby mitts of his.” Said Emi, relief flooding her voice.

“Aren’t you a little casual too about this? A man just tried to end my life.” Said Barry incredulously.

“Bare, this lad just aimed for your calf or arm. He wouldn’t have hit anything vital. The priest probably just wanted to expose your ‘foul magicks’.

“Bernie’s always had a few screws loose in his head.” Said Emi.

“What’s a ‘screw’?” Asked Barry. "And how did both of you say the same damn thing. Why is my magic foul?"

“I’ll tell you about it over a cup of tea. Let’s go to my quarters. No need for any disappearing in the dead of night.”Said Emi.

Barry was flabbergasted by Emi’s dismissal of his almost-demise and the threat that the priest of Oriath posed.

“Com’ on, lads.” Said Emi. “Let’s go inside. The outside’s much too cold for the likes of me.”

“So, let me get this straight. You were paid fifteen large silvers to nick me in the arm or calf to send me into a ‘violent rage’ to expose my ‘fell magicks’”

“Yes.” Whispered Randy.

“Bare, can’t you remove that little specter or whatever from Randy. The novelty wore off ages ago.” Said Emi.

“Fine.” Said Barry.

Barry focused on the thin tendril of darkness that connected him to Randy. In his mind, Barry recanted the knowledge of the dark. Take upon the luminous pinpricks that dwell in the void, and shadows shall come. Dark Mirror.

The seed of shadow essence that inhabited Randy’s spirit came undone, unraveling at the seams. The essence flowed through the connection between Randy and Barry, being devoured along with it by the void in the center of Barry’s Inner Shadow.

Randy let out a breath he had been holding for long as the spiritual weight was lifted off his being.

“By the gods. That magic had to be foul or wrong on some level. It felt like there was a beast lurking in my shadow.” Said Randy.

“You aren’t entirely wrong, Randy.” Said Emi. “A normal human compared to a mage is like a dog compared to a wolf. Though both may look similar enough, one can easily tear the other to shreds. Foul magic or not.”

“Emi, why is Bernie fixating on my magic being dark or ‘foul’?” Asked Barry.

“Man fears the unknown. The priest doesn’t know your background. He probably assumes you were tainted by the fight against the undead. It’s common enough to acquire foreign magicks when awakening.”

“Huh. I don’t think I took anything from the giant. No, wait. I may have.”

Barry pulled himself into the void of his mind. Blackness stretched for eternity everywhere his mental sight fell. Underneath his steps were murky waters that held strange whispers. The waters reflected his form, and their depths were like the never-ending abyss. And yet, Barry walked atop the surface of the water without falling through. Barry’s mental body was made of black and starlight, almost a perfect copy of his shadow double.

Barry grasped at the knowledge that came with his powers. A small ripple radiated outwards from his feet through the black waters. Stars of all colors sprung into existence along with the gentle ripples. A tug at his navel forced Barry to focus on the location of the disturbance. The center of his Shadow was his navel, a black so dark it burned to look at. From the deep of his Shadow came two flames, manifesting near Barry, both floating in front of him. A yellow-white corona made of the luminous blood of stars. And a void-like flame akin to the center of his shadow, being made of the caustic blood of the black space between the stars.

Barry reached towards the star-fire and void-flame. A blaze started in Barry’s mind, burning as it branded knowledge onto his psyche. Barry’s breaths came like the air was made of boiling water, and his mental form shuddered, spasming in death-like contortions. No whispers made their way into his psyche. Only the violent screeches of the dying were present.

The light and dark are ancient lovers estranged through time. Starlight and the cold depths of the night sky are dependent on each other for survival. For there to be shadow, there must be light. If there is light, blackness must first exist. Neither can be separated. Thy cloak of night shall weigh you to the bottom of the abyss, and thy mantle of stars shall burn thy mind with the scorching kiss of the Luminous Daughter. Take upon the chaotic essence of others to fill the night of thy mind.

Barry opened his eyes to the sound of someone screaming. Looking around the church, he saw Emi’s and Randy’s confused faces.

“Bare, why did you scream?” Asked Emi.

“Me? That was me?”

“Yes.”

“Oh… I was trying to-” Barry stopped talking as he looked down at his hands.

Floated above his palms were two twin flames—the star-fire and void-flame.

“Aren’t those Bernie’s flames?” Asked Emi.

“Yes, they are. I remember taking the flames from him, but never thought…”

“Quick, shoot me with fire, Emi.” Said Randy.

“Randy, just because this lad got magic from being shot with fire, doesn’t mean you will too.” Admonished Emi.

“Fine.” Said Randy.

Barry focused on the center of his Shadow, recanting the whispers from the dark. Take upon the luminous pinpricks that dwell in the void, and shadows shall come. Dark Mirror. The twin flames disappeared from sight into the depths of Barry’s Shadow.

“That might not be a bad idea.” Said Barry.

Emi and Randy shot questioning glances towards Barry.

“For me, I mean. I can take any type of ‘chaotic’ magic and make it my own. Anything like a flame or light.” Said Barry.

“And where did you find that out?” Asked Emi.

“It’s hard to explain, but… I heard it from the whispers of knowledge. They come to me when I need them.”

“Interesting, a method of soul-magi communication.” Said Emi, almost going unnoticed under her breath.

“Soul-magi, what now?” Asked Barry.

“The connection between a mage and their soul. The whispers of knowledge are how your mind interprets the knowledge of the soul. The mind could interpret it in several different ways. It’s mostly unique to each mage, though there is some overlap.” Answered Emi.

“So, the whispers came from my soul?”

“Yes.” Said Emi. “The same thing happens with your magical senses. It’s a way of your soul communicating with your mind. You can feel it, right? The essence in the air and people?”

“Yeah. I can feel an invisible sea on the edge of my skin like weight that shouldn’t be there. And when I close my eyes, I can see colorful wisps like stars in the darkness.”

“Emi, have you been drinking too much of that ‘tea’ you gave me last month?” Asked Randy.

“Randy, this man can seemingly disappear in front of your eyes, and you doubt my ability to see the hidden world?” Said Emi.

“Oh… Yeah, you have a point.” Randy admitted.

Taking another sip from her teacup, one of Emi’s eyebrows went up in intrigue.

“How did you disappear from thin air, Barry?” Asked Emi.

“I made a copy from the essence all around us and then jumped to it. The jumping part feels like I cut a hole in some fabric between worlds, which then pulls me into the location of my double.

“Time also stops when I’m inside the double and not moving. It starts again when I move about with it.” Said Barry.

“Interesting, dimensional manipulation.” Said Emi. “Have any mages in your family tree? Your magic seems highly developed for a newly awakened.”

“Not that I know of. I used to live in a village quite a ways north of here. I joined up with a mercenary band. We got a mysterious contract and then…” Barry’s tone turned monotone as he remembered the battle. A mix of emotions bubbled beneath the surface. Helplessness and then a surge of power. It was so vexing how he could feel two seemingly opposing feelings at once.

Barry looked down at his shadow-infused tunic’s sleeves. He pulled at the shadowy essence, willing the threads of cloth to unwind together with it. His black sleeves seemingly unspun into thin air as his shadow limbs were uncovered. The limbs were an eerie reflection of his original pair, possessing pale blue skin and black finger-nails.

“Why do you keep the scars on them, lad?” Asked Emi.

“What?”

“The scars.” Said Emi. “You don’t have to keep them, were they from the fight or before?”

“Before.” Said Barry. “I used to get into all sorts of trouble, falling from trees, chasing cats. Got most of 'em though with the band.”

“Generally, when someone awakens, their scars slowly disappear. They become their ideal selves. Other times, they look exactly the same. And in your case, even after losing your arms, the ones you’ve made for yourself are reflections of the original.

“You have a strong sense of identity, Barry. Your mother raised you well.” Said Emi.

Emi’s voice and compliments always hit Barry strongly, making him feel like he was still in the village with his ma. He felt like he would cry if he stayed any longer.

“Thank you, Emi.” Said Barry. “But, I have to leave. Maybe you’re right, and Bernie wasn’t trying to kill me this time. But, he’ll try soon enough.”

“I understand, Bare. Since I knew something like this would happen, I drew you some pictures to help you with your… magical studies during your journey.” Said Emi.

“Ah yes,” said Barry with a cough, “magical studies. Thank you.”

The day was starting for the town of Berrowden. The sun shyly peaked through the oaks and trees, and the snow had all but melted. Barry, Emi, and Randy and his kin were at the gate of the town, doing the last bit of preparation before they left for their journey.

“Why can’t we do something about the priest? Why can’t you just come with us?” Asked Barry.

“You’ve asked that before in many different ways, Bare. And I’ll still give you an answer, though this is the last time. Me and the old priest are conjurors bound by nigh-unbreakable oaths to gods who do not wish for us to live forever. We will die of old age.

“I can’t leave this town alone as long as that old sack of bones is alive. Imagine if a townsman awakened with magic that was deemed ‘foul’. Or the priest downright didn’t like someone. They could end up burned to cinders.”

“Can’t we, you know, off the old bastard?” Asked Barry.

Emi let out a small laugh, soon exchanging it for a stern look.

“Barry, killing should be a last resort. I won’t judge you for your past sins. You were part of a mercenary band. Killing was to be expected. But, now you’re going to be going to towns and maybe even cities. You should only kill someone if they outright attacked you themselves.

“The world has laws, Bare.” Said Emi.

“Aye, fine. If the priest misbehaves, give him a good kick in the unmentionables.” Said Barry, his tone light and wry.

“Will do, lad. Will do.” Said Emilia as she gave the young mercenary a hug.