Chapter Text
He should have expected it. Should have expected Player to bring back an “unwelcome visitor”. Should have expected the mere existence of such a creature. Afterall, the Ghostwalker has very specific requirements for one to wield it. He had experienced it all before.
Not like this, though. Not with their Hatred looking like him.
So, naturally, it would be of surprise to him when his “temporary employee” brought back the Ghostwalker, accompanied by It.
Sure, he had sent them out to retrieve the Ghostwalker. From his own mansion, which wasn't really necessary information for them. He had known that they would go through the same experience he once had, to cleanse their soul enough for the Ghostwalker to accept them.
He knew about almost anything, really. Anything but this.
Player held out the ghostly sword, a bored look on their face as Shedletsky studied it. The exact same sword he had meticulously crafted and taken on the role of Guardian for, glowing in their hands.
He placed a finger on the smooth blade, sliding over it carefully. The tingly sensation from the contact left his finger slightly numb as he forced out the same wide smile he always had.
“Thank you for your efforts, Player! Go, have a well deserved rest. I’ll call you for your next quest when the time comes.”
“Sure. I’ll leave the Ghostwalker here for the time-being.” Player carefully placed the ghostly sword against the wall, turning and leaving without another word. It, who had stood behind them the whole time, casually moved out of the way. They didn’t spare It another glance, barely even acknowledged Its presence.
Something seemed off about them. They felt distant, as though the journey for the Ghostwalker had changed something in them. Shedletsky was quite sure on what it was, wondering if he should chase after them. Though, he had a bigger problem to deal with.
With them gone, Shedletsky was now left alone with… It.
It, with that familiar face. That familiar smile. Those familiar eyes. It, looking just like him.
Except, It wasn’t him. Shedletsky knew all too well.
The room was dead silent, except for the slightly eerie whispers the Ghostwalker emitted.
“Pleasure to meet you, Master Telamon.” At last, It spoke. Shedletsky was horrified. It had his voice. Similar, almost identical. He would never have been able to tell them apart, had it not been for the years he had spent with him.
“Who– no, what… are you?” Shedletsky tried his best to keep his voice stable. To not let It know about his inner turmoil.
It continued smiling. A smile almost unnatural for such a handsome face. Slowly, Shedletsky began to see two small buds sprout from Its head. It stepped forward lazily, effectively closing the gap between them before Shedletsky could even react. Something curled around his leg, sending a shiver up his spine. He refused to look down.
“Me? You don’t remember me, Shedletsky?” It put on a hurt expression.
Shedletsky’s heart ached. He took a step back, trying to force his mind to function. Reminding himself again and again that It wasn’t him.
No matter how much he wanted to believe that it was him.
“You’re not him. I don’t know what you want, but I suggest you stop pretending.” A harsher tone. To scare It? He wasn’t sure It was scared. If anything, It seemed more excited.
“Ah, is that how you welcome an old friend?” Its tail curled tighter around his leg. Shedletsky took a deep breath, stabilising himself.
“Do you take me for an idiot?”
“No. Yet, even though you know, you’re not pushing me away. You miss him, don’t you?”
It knew. Shedletsky couldn’t control the way he was trembling. He shoved It away, causing It to fall back slightly but quickly regain composure. Its smile slowly morphed into a frown, a look of disappointment that Shedletsky wished he would never see. The last thing he wanted was for him to be disappointed.
“What do you know about me and him?” Shedletsky growled, consciously trying to avoid looking at Its face.
Its smile returned, compelling Shedletsky to glance over again.
“Ah, I know quite a lot. In fact, I know more than you do, Shedletsky.”
“Oh really? You know my relationship more than I do?” He scoffed, letting out a bitter laugh.
“Perhaps I do.” It gazed at him with mock curiosity. “See, there’s one thing I know that you don’t. He's not coming back.”
“...No–”
Shedletsky’s head began to hurt. Really bad. He let out a cry, his legs giving out as he fell onto the ground, clutching his head tightly. Its voice had morphed into something more sinister, more hostile. The danger of Its existence was beginning to make sense.
“Stop… please… stop it! STOP!” The yell reverberated off the office walls. At once, the overwhelming pain disappeared. The ache subdued, leaving a numb anger boiling in his chest.
It began laughing uncontrollably. The distorted, warped voice slowly reverted back to his voice.
The taunting hurt. It knew how to hurt him. Shedletsky trembled, slowly pushing himself up from the ground and mustering up the energy to glare at It.
“Leave. Get out of my sight.”
Its tail swished slightly faster, and Shedletsky was almost certain that It would fight back. He got into a defensive position, ready to deflect any attack. But–
“As you wish, Master Telamon.”
It was gone, without any resistance.
He was alone again. Standing still in the office, left with nothing but the taunting silvery particles that the Ghostwalker radiated.
Left with nothing but the ghostly presence of someone who had yet to return.
Who might never return.
…
The loneliness really hurt.