Chapter 3

Garou jolted.

He stopped and stared as he felt something appear out of nowhere under his feet. Zenko froze too. "Garou…" she whispered. They turned and saw a pair of large, demonic eyes staring through the darkness of Zenko's shadow for but a moment. "Garou… what is that?" she asked fearfully.

"One of Bad's new friends…" he muttered. "A damn powerful one too…"

"What is it doing here?" she whispered.

"Dunno, let's ask Bad."

They kept silent to it, Garou couldn't help but feel his skin crawl at the notion of something lingering in Zenko's shadow. Something that powerful too waiting for a moment to reveal itself. By the time they got home, Garou let Zenko into the house first, but paused as he could sense something else was off. He didn't like it the least bit, yet went inside shortly after.

Bad was in the kitchen, dinner was already made and at the ready for everyone. He was quick to take notice of the creature in Zenko's shadow. "You got a reason to be there?!" he demanded.

Garou walked in, yet froze at the sight of Bad yelling at the shadow behind Zenko's chair. Yet he stood there and waited, until the look of anger dropped from his face. "For real? You'll do that?" he asked with great sincerity. He then gave a nod. "Okay then, I'm trusting you, got it?"

"Uh… if I didn't know you were the Shadow King, I would be worried about now." Garou said.

"Nah, it's cool. She has a dragon protecting her."

Zenko froze. "A dragon!" she demanded.

"Yep, one of the strongest shadows I got, volunteered for the job to keep you safe. Apparently this one is on the council made by Jima, he represents the dragons and other lizard like creatures I got apparently. He seems like a nice guy."

Zenko suddenly peered over her shoulder, but saw no demon eyes staring back at her. "Does he have a name?" she asked.

Bad peered over her shoulder. "Nope, he said you could name him."

"Again, creepy as hell." Garou muttered as he took a seat.

"I'll think about a good name for him, I don't want it to be something silly," Zenko stated.

They ate dinner in silence at first. Garou however kept peering over to Bad who was lost in his own thoughts by the looks of it. Garou was half way done his plate of roast beef and mashed potatoes when he heard Bad say. "Garou… what can the Shadow King do? What is he capable of?"

Garou worried for this moment. There has been something hidden from him, that no one has told Bad yet. "Do you know why the Shadow King is so feared and yet sought after?" he questioned.

"Shit, if I knew I wouldn't be asking you!" Bad snapped back.

"But you do want to know?"

Silence befell the table, Bad thought it over but then nodded his head. "Yeah, I mean, one of them… Sonic who I spoke with, my bodyguard apparently. He was terrified when I threatened I would eat his shadow if he crossed me… he threatened you so I put an end to that quickly." Garou was stunned that Bad would stand up for him like that, but he continued to listen. "Why would someone like him be terrified of his shadow being eaten?"

Garou sighed aloud, his fork put down as he looked Bad dead in the eyes. Bad didn't look away as Garou said flat out. "Because, you aren't eating shadows… you are eating souls."

He sat there, petrified. "Souls?" he whispered. "I… I'm eating souls!?"

A nod came from the human monster. "Yeah, all those under your command, aren't shadows, but souls of the fallen. They have unwavering loyalty to you, for you prevented them from falling into death. Yet it also the power you have over them as well. As easily as their souls have been brought back, they can be taken and sent on to the afterlife. Many… don't wish to die such a way. For most, they are warriors, and they didn't die a warrior's death. Being shadows, they are able to fight still, to serve and be of use to a great ruler until they no longer have need or use for them anymore. Many, refuse to leave the side of their King, many don't want to move on for they wish to serve."

Bad still shook his head to it all. "But… souls?!" he said.

"King of the Shadows, even Death welcomes you with open arms… the greeting, that's what is it. The Shadow King is an extension of death itself. Those created to serve are fallen warriors from various races," Garou said. "I'm sorry no one told you this until now…"

Zenko was silent too, her hands covered her mouth as she turned to Bad with a stunned look. "Big Brother… are you going to be okay?" she whispered.

He began scratching the back of his head nervously, he said nothing as he suddenly left the table in a huff, and slamming the door to his bedroom. Zenko jumped as it happened, but she turned to Garou. "Did you have to tell him that?!" she demanded.

He nodded. "No lies, right? I could have lied to him, but then, I would lose his trust. I couldn't do that to Bad, he would have learned sooner than later the truth." Garou suddenly lost his appetite. He pushed his plate away and sighed. "I need some air. Leave the dishes, I'll get them when I get back."

He walked out of the house and was quick to get out of the city. He needed to breath; Garou had much on his mind too. After all, all this happened ever since Bad became his match. He wondered thought if he hadn't, would this world be better off? So many thoughts plagued him, so many notions made his head hurt. They stopped more than one threat to this world, but at what price?

Garou was about to go into the streets of City V, when he paused. Someone was following him rather closely… and they have a killing intent!