There she was, her beautiful, silky, white hair hanging from her gracious ponytail just as he had left her. She walked, using Maha, her polearm, as a walking stick with every powerful stride. His heart ached grievously. Will she have forgotten me just like the others? He wondered. Shade stepped out from behind the tree in Ellinia and walked towards her, not afraid of her hearing him. "Aran!" He called out to her. She turned, her blue eyes holding a curious gaze. She frowned and gave him a questioning look.
"How do you know my name?" She asked, observing what he wore. She then grabbed Maha and held her polearm pointed at Shade in defense. "How do you know me? Are you with the Black Wings?" She demanded, suddenly tense. Shade frowned, heart sinking with every word she uttered.
"N-no!" He said. "It's me Aran, Shade! I was with you and Luminous and Frued and the others when we fought the Black Mage! Don't you remember?" He told her, pleadingly. Please remember, he prayed to no one in particular.
"I don't know what you're talking about. There was only five of us there when we fought the Black Mage! Now, I'll ask you again, who are you? And how do you know my name?" She said, her voice taking a threatening edge. She held the polearm closer to Shade's face causing him to step back. He held his hands up to show he meant no harm.
"I'm telling you the truth Aran!" He said. "Luminous, Frued, and I discovered a way to seal the Black Mage away, but it required a sacrifice. We thought it meant death, but it didn't! I'm still alive Aran! You have to remember!" Images of Phantom flashed through his mind; the thief had reacted just as Aran was, as if Shade had never known them. Every second that passed by caused Shade to sink further into despair. His heart pleaded and longed for at least her to remember.
"Stop lying to me!" She hissed at him. "Luminous sealed the Black Mage away! I would remember it if anyone had given up their life for the sake of MapleWorld! I'm giving you one more chance, stranger. Tell me who you are!"
"I'm Shade," he answered, throat tightening. "Don't you remember? We used to train together right here in Ellinia! We sparred and laughed and we were great friends! Tell me you remember!" His eyes began to water. "Tell me you remember me, Aran!"
"Shut up!" She yelled at him. "You're just a crazy stalker! I don't know how you know me, but I know we've never met before." With that, she swung her axe at him and he dodged it at last second. "Leave me alone before the head of my axe meets your skull!" She hissed. She turned and stalked off, leaving him to fall to his knees in despair. He sank close to the ground, claws digging into the dirt. He yowled in grief. Of all those who have forgotten me, her lapse of memory hurts most.