Shadow was wearing his shroud the next morning.
Terra's spirits dropped. Edgar noticed. He wrapped an arm around her waist and placed a couple of kisses on the back of her neck as she tore down the tent. "This was but the first night of many, soul light. Do not give up."
She nodded with a deep breath, sent him a quivering smile, and then watched him as he made his way to Shadow. One or two intense discussions were nowhere near enough to help Shadow make such an important decision. She had to be patient. Terra focused back on the tent. It would be hard, but she was willing to see it through. Just as Shadow had done for her on countless occasions.
The camp was packed up, the chocobos were loaded, and then the group set off for Nikeah once more. The pace wasn't quite as maniacal has it had been the previous day, and that instantly raised Terra's hopes. Shadow actually seemed to be in a thoughtful and quiet mood. Interceptor had noticed the change as well, and he continued to send questioning glances toward not only his master, but Terra as well. She tried to give him a reassuring smile, but how did one know whether or not a dog was reassured?
Terra giggled under her breath, noticing Edgar's adoring glance as she brushed a stray ringlet from her forehead. She met his eyes and he winked at her. She flushed and her eyes twinkled their response before she looked away. He'd been a constant source of encouragement and strength. A giver of understanding and compassion at the exact moment she needed it. His wisdom amazed her, drawing her heart closer to him than she thought possible. Saying that she loved him was no longer enough. She hadn't lived long enough to know what word could possibly describe the feelings she held for him.
And each day brought a new discovery of who he was.
"Terra?"
She looked up and caught Edgar's amused expression. "Hmm? What? I'm sorry. Were you saying something?"
"No, but our traveling companion did."
Terra changed her gaze to Shadow with a blush as she stammered out an apology. "I'm sorry, Shadow. I didn't hear you."
"I have a favor to ask you."
Terra looked over at Edgar, who was still smiling with mild amusement, and then refocused her eyes on Shadow. "Of course, Shadow. What is it?"
"Would you and Edgar go on ahead? So that you are there in Thamasa with Relm before I arrive?"
"I suppose we could do that." She changed her eyes to Edgar. "Right?"
Edgar shrugged. His eyes clearly held mild confusion. "I don't foresee a problem, Shadow, but I'm curious as to the reason."
Shadow said nothing. He simply moved away, Interceptor tagging along behind him with what almost seemed to be reluctance. Edgar and Terra watched him in silence. Then they turned toward each other.
"Do you suppose...? Could he be considering your idea?" Edgar asked softly.
"I... I don't know. Maybe." Terra's brows wrinkled together. "Do you think he could be?"
"I suppose anything is possible, especially from Shadow. It does give one cause to wonder."
"Did you see Interceptor's reaction?" Terra asked as they prodded their chocobos to a slow walk. "He wasn't too happy about something."
"Yes, I had noticed." Edgar pulled his chocobo close enough to hers that he was able to rest a hand on her knee. His thumb caressed small circles on it. "Shadow's favor has become a wondrous opportunity for me. It seems we will have a second honeymoon, my little Esper angel."
Terra covered his hand with hers and sent him an innocent glance. "Oh. Was our first one over?"
Edgar's expression showed shock. Then he smiled, and his hand released her knee to adjust his hold on the reins of the chocobo. It purred. "Now that is truly the most wonderful statement I have heard pass from your lips."
Terra giggled.
They arrived in Nikeah a few days later. Terra and Shadow hadn't shared another twilight conversation, and Edgar had been avoided - much to his surprise. Any surprise or disappointment had been easily put aside, however, as he and Terra shared many a moonlight rendezvous, both outside the circle of the campfire's light and within the inviting closeness of their tent. While these well-timed escapes had originally been for the sole purpose of experiencing a private and intimate moment, the two had found themselves cuddling together in the soft darkness discussing their traveling companion's possible decision.
The time together had given Terra exactly what she'd needed in order to accept Shadow's decision of secrecy.
Now, the trio was on the Nikeah dock getting ready to temporarily part company. Shadow removed a pouch from somewhere on his person and handed it to Terra. She stared down at it for a long moment before catching Shadow's guarded eyes.
"Give that to her. Tell her that he won't be back. Tell her that he met his match at the Coliseum. Tell her that... tell her anything you believe she will accept as the truth." Shadow knelt and rested a hand on Interceptor's head. Then he straightened and gestured to the massive beast. "Tell her that Interceptor has no home, and that it was Shadow's dying wish she take him."
"D-Dying wish?" Terra's throat tightened, and she felt Edgar wrap a comforting arm around her waist. "Y-You're going to..."
"Shadow has no purpose. The Empire is gone. My wife is avenged. What else is there for him to do but fade into the existence that was his name?"
Shadow turned and lost himself in the crowd as Terra and Edgar silently stared after him. After a moment, Terra turned to face Edgar with tear-filled eyes. "Did he mean that he's going to die? Or that he's going to be Clyde? I can't tell. I don't know what I should believe."
Edgar continued to stare off in the direction Shadow had taken. "I do not know, Terra. Perhaps he doesn't yet have the answer."
Terra changed her gaze to the pouch. "Relm will be heartbroken."
"She is young, Terra, and her heart will mend." Edgar changed his gaze to his wife and lifted her chin. He caressed her cheek and gently smiled. "Come, spirit light. Let us away."
Terra allowed herself to be guided to the ferry. As they put out to sea, Terra looked back to the dock and clutched the pouch to her chest. "Come home, Clyde. Come home," she whispered.
Edgar drew her against him with a kiss to her hair and an arm protectively encircling her. Interceptor whined and leaned a shoulder against her leg.
Shadow watched the ship until it disappeared into the distance. Then, he turned and went into the shop, removing his shroud before the door had closed completely behind him.