The finger pointed to the ground.
There—etched in the dim light—was a shadow.
Something unknown.
Something terrifying.
Their eyes locked on it, but their bodies refused to move.
A sudden gust of wind roared through the street.
The shadow shifted.
It was subtle at first—like the twitch of a sleeping beast. Then, slowly, it seemed to open its eyes… and look directly at them.
In a blink, it was gone.
The street was empty again, but neither of them moved for several long minutes. The silence felt wrong—like the air itself was holding its breath.
"I… I'm leaving," Gara whispered, terror lacing her voice.
Then she turned and ran, disappearing down the street.
Marine stood frozen, thoughts racing.
What was that thing? An illusion? Or… a real monster?
Her chest tightened.
She ran home, too shaken to speak.
Silvey, noticing her daughter's silence, walked over.
"Darling, what's wrong?"
Marine hesitated, her courage faltering—yet something in her urged her to speak.
"Mother… I saw a shadow. A shadow like… like a demon… following us today."
Her words broke into pieces between trembling breaths.
A chill ran down Silvey's spine.
"This isn't real… you're not playing a prank on me, are you?"
"No, Mother! I'm telling the truth!" Marine's voice cracked.
Megum stood nearby, saying nothing, but his sharp eyes scanned the room—every sense on alert. He felt it too. That unease.
Then, like a spark catching flame, Marine remembered—
"Mother! Gara's in danger!"
Silvey's face hardened. "Then we go. Now."
They sprinted toward Gara's house. She lived alone—something Silvey never liked.
As they ran, Marine panted out a question.
"Mother… how will we save her from that monster?"
"I don't know," Silvey admitted. "But we will."
When they reached the small house, an oppressive weight pressed on them. The air was heavy, tainted with the presence of something unnatural.
"You two stay here," Silvey ordered, her tone firm but edged with unease.
She pushed open the front door and rushed upstairs.
The moment she opened Gara's bedroom door, her eyes widened.
Marine couldn't stop herself—she ran in after her.
Megum followed.
And there it was.
Gara, smiling, perched casually in the massive hands of the same shadow they had seen earlier. The creature's form rippled like smoke, eyes glowing faintly.
"Gara! Get down!" Silvey cried. "That thing will kill you!"
Gara tilted her head, utterly calm. "This isn't a demon or monster. This is Gaiku—my friend."
"Gaiku?!" Marine's voice wavered between fear and disbelief. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Yes, Marine. I was lonely… so I used my powers to summon him. He's a shadow construct—a protector."
Silvey's gaze sharpened. "Your powers?"
"Yes, Auntie," Gara said softly. "I'm a Green Witch. I don't belong here. My parents… sent me to this world for my own safety."
Megum stepped forward, skeptical. "Even so… that thing could hurt you."
"No," Gara replied firmly. "Gaiku is my pet. He would never harm me."
Silvey studied her for a long moment before sighing. "If you're certain, dear… then be careful."
Marine left with her family, but the image of Gara resting in those monstrous hands refused to leave her mind.
From that day, Gaiku followed Gara everywhere.
One afternoon, Marine's curiosity finally broke free.
"Mother… are these creatures real? The ones we read about in myths?"
Silvey only gave her a faint smile.
A smile that looked less like reassurance… and more like a secret she couldn't yet tell.
But Marine could feel it—
This was only the beginning.