A Ghost Among Them

The morning air was crisp, the scent of damp earth thick in Arlan's lungs. The group had already started breaking camp, Mira giving orders while Beren grumbled about carrying too much weight.

Arlan, however, was distracted.

In the shadows of the trees, just out of sight from the others, Shade lurked.

His new summon.

A goblin-sized shadow, blending seamlessly into the darkness. His red eyes flickered with an eerie glow, watching, waiting.

"…Boss…?"

The telepathic voice echoed softly in Arlan's mind. It was strange—different from Bones. Shade's speech was slow, broken, uncertain.

Like a newly awakened mind trying to remember how to think.

Arlan focused, testing the connection. "You stay hidden. No talking unless I say so."

A pause. Then—

"…Hide… wait… yesss."

Arlan let out a slow breath. Good.

This might actually work.

Morning Routine—Keeping Up Appearances

"Arlan, get over here!" Mira called, pulling him back to reality.

Arlan blinked, quickly moving to where the others were gathered near the remnants of the fire.

"We're heading out in five minutes," Mira said. "You're not sneaking off again, got it?"

Tomas smirked. "Yeah, what was that about, anyway? You disappear for half the night and show up looking… weirder than usual."

Arlan rubbed the back of his neck, fighting the urge to glance toward the shadows where Shade was still hiding.

"Just couldn't sleep," he said. Not a lie. Not the whole truth.

Mira studied him for a second too long.

Arlan ignored the creeping discomfort in his chest.

"Right," Tomas sighed, stretching. "Guess it's time to walk again. Seriously, when do we get horses?"

Beren snorted. "You on a horse? It'd throw you off within a minute."

"Excuse you," Tomas huffed. "I am great with animals."

Leila coughed. "The donkey in Duskhaven kicked you."

"That was one time."

"Twice."

The group chuckled, and for a brief moment, things felt normal.

The First Test—Traveling with an Undead

The group moved quickly through the thick forest, following a winding path toward the next town.

Arlan walked near the back, keeping an eye on the others while also keeping track of Shade.

The undead goblin stayed hidden, slipping from shadow to shadow, avoiding direct sight. No footsteps. No sound.

It was unnatural—but effective.

Occasionally, Shade's whisper drifted through Arlan's mind.

"…watch… protect…?"

"Yes," Arlan answered. "If something attacks us, I'll call you."

A low, pleased rumble.

"…yesss… Boss…"

Arlan suppressed a shiver.

Shade wasn't like Bones.

Bones was mindless at first—simple. His intelligence had grown over time, but he was still playful, almost innocent in his weird undead way.

Shade was different.

Shade understood orders.

Shade knew how to hunt.

And for the first time, Arlan realized—this summon wasn't just waiting for commands.

He was learning.

Bones and Shade—A Growing Rivalry?

That evening, as the group made camp, Arlan pulled away from the others under the excuse of gathering firewood.

In reality, he needed to check on Shade.

He stopped at the edge of the clearing. "Come out."

The shadows shifted, and Shade emerged.

The goblin was small, hunched, and wrapped in darkness. His translucent fingers twitched, his glowing red eyes blinking slowly.

Bones, perched on Arlan's shoulder, clicked his teeth rapidly.

The little rat did not like the new arrival.

Shade, for his part, simply stared.

Arlan sighed. "Great. My summons don't get along."

Bones hissed.

Shade clicked his claws together.

The two undead simply stood there, completely still, staring at each other.

Arlan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Gods help me."

The rivalry had begun.