The clear ringing of the bell resounded in the dark cave, straining to escape it. The shadow willed it to stay within the stone walls of his shelter, sensing the sound reverberating through him.
As a strange vibration was born in his chest, he remembered.
The courtyard of a dark, magnificent temple that stood under a lightless sky. The rustle of leaves washing over him as a towering tree swayed gently in the wind. The laughter of a young woman who sat on the ground, enjoying a lavish picnic…
The memory came and went, leaving behind a lasting ache. The shadow did not like the feeling, so he put the silver bell down and collapsed back into his natural, formless state.
Fleeing from it.
His thoughts were heavy.
What had come over him, anyway? Taking the shape of a human… who would want to be a ghastly being like that?
