Chapter Six

A strange certainty settled over him. If this mysterious connection he held with the shadow people was real, perhaps he could use it to track down Elliot. "I'll try to find him," he told Sophia, his voice laced with a mix of hope and dread. The idea seemed impossible, yet if he truly was bound to the shadows as their king, maybe he possessed powers he hadn't fully realized yet. 

Alex spent hours in focused concentration, feeling his way into the depths of his mind, where the shadow people's haunting whispers resided. It was a delicate balance, reaching into that darkness without letting it consume him. He took a deep breath, allowing his focus to drift to the shadow realm, feeling the strange, cold energy stir within him. Slowly, he felt himself slip beyond his usual perception, tapping into something ancient and powerful. 

For a brief, intense moment, he sensed them—others like him, people who could see and hear the shadow people. The connection was fleeting, faint like wisps of smoke, but he'd seen enough. Among the murky shapes and fractured images, one name and figure stood out, familiar and tangible: Elliot Green. The connection snapped as quickly as it had come, and Alex returned to himself. 

Alex opened his eyes, breathing heavily as the dark energy faded from his mind, he was already drenched heavily in sweat. Sophia was beside him, watching with concern written all-over her face. 

"You okay?" she asked, her voice soft but tense. "You were gone for almost an hour, Alex." 

His eyes widened in shock. "An hour? No… I was only there for a minute," he stammered, his mind reeling. He shook his head, trying to make sense of it. "Time doesn't work the same way there. It felt like just a few seconds. The shadows… it's like they pull you deeper, slowing everything down." 

Sophia frowned, her gaze sharpening. "So, if you go in too long… you could lose track of yourself completely?" 

Alex nodded, the reality sinking in. "Yeah. It's like it's designed to keep you there. I'll have to be careful next time." 

"But you're okay right." She asked with a worried look. 

Alex nodded, running a shaky hand through his hair. "Yeah… I think so. But, Sophia—I found him. I saw exactly where he is." 

Her eyes widened. "You… saw him? Like, you were able to reach into the shadow realm?" 

"Just for a moment," Alex replied, his voice still tinged with disbelief. "It felt like I was touching something... ancient. I could see others, like me—people with the ability to see them. And then, there he was. Elliot." 

Sophia leaned closer, excitement and awe mingling in her expression. "That's incredible, Alex. It means you really can connect to them. And maybe… you can even control it." 

He glanced away, the weight of her words settling over him. "Yeah, maybe, I don't think so. But it was… terrifying. Like part of me wanted to get lost in that darkness." 

Sophia put a hand on his arm, grounding him. "You didn't, though. You came back. And now we know where to find Elliot." 

Alex looked at her, a renewed determination in his eyes. "Then let's go find him." 

Finally, they tracked down an address, a run-down apartment building on the outskirts of town. The place had an eerie, abandoned feel, its dim hallways echoing as they approached his door. Alex hesitated, a strange dread settling over him. 

Sophia gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Ready?" 

He took a deep breath and knocked. The sound reverberated down the hallway, and they waited, tense and silent. After a long pause, the door creaked open a crack, and a pair of haunted eyes peered out. 

"Who are you?" a voice rasped, weary and wary. 

"Elliot Green?" Alex asked, trying to keep his voice steady. 

"Yes this is me. What do you want from me?" Elliot asked with a hoarse. 

"We… found your journal. In the university library." 

Elliot looked at them, his face twisted with fear and something else… a faint glimmer of hope. "Come in," he whispered. "But be warned. Once you know the truth, there's no turning back." 

They stepped inside, the weight of his words settling over them as Elliot closed the door behind them, locking it tight. 

Inside, Elliot's apartment was dim, with heavy curtains drawn tight against the light. Books and scattered papers covered every surface, diagrams and symbols etched into the pages. It looked like he'd been trying to piece together a puzzle that no one else could see. 

Alex didn't waste time. "Elliot, we need your help. We found your journal, and we're looking for answers." 

Elliot's eyes flickered with a glimmer of interest. "The journal… so you've seen them too." He studied Alex's face intently, as if searching for something hidden beneath the surface. "The shadows. They're after you, aren't they?" 

Alex nodded; his voice tight. "They call me their king. But I want to end this—I need to understand what they are, what they want from me." 

Elliot's expression turned grim. "If you want answers, you're going to have to face them where they're strongest. There's no halfway with the shadows; once you're marked, they'll never stop coming." 

Sophia spoke up, her voice steady. "We're ready for whatever it takes. But we need you to help us decrypt the codes in your journal. There are things we don't understand—symbols, passages that talk about some hidden truth." 

Elliot's gaze softened, a hint of empathy breaking through his fear. "I'll help you. But you need to know that understanding their secrets comes at a price." He lowered his voice, casting a wary glance at the shadows pooling in the corners of the room. "The shadow realm isn't just a place—it's alive, and it feeds on those who try to expose it." 

Alex's grip tightened, feeling the weight of Elliot's warning. But he had come too far to turn back now. Whatever secrets the shadow realm held, he was determined to uncover them—even if it meant stepping deeper into the darkness. 

Elliot led Alex and Sophia deeper into his apartment, his fingers dancing over the pages of his journal. "I can help you decode the encrypted entries, but we have to be quick. The shadows won't stay away for long, especially now that they know you're here." 

As Elliot began to explain the strange symbols and passages, a heavy stillness enveloped the room. Alex could feel it—a thick, oppressive energy creeping in from the corners. His heart raced, instincts screaming that something was wrong. 

"Elliot," he warned, eyes darting to the shadows pooling near the windows. "I think they're coming." 

Before he could finish, the air exploded with a rush of dark energy. Shadow demons materialized, their twisted forms slithering into the room like smoke coiling around a flame. Alex's breath caught in his throat as he recognized the familiar, chilling presence. The creatures were grotesque, their eyes burning with malevolence, and their laughter echoed through the small space like nails on a chalkboard. 

"Get ready!" Elliot shouted, reaching for a small silver dagger tucked beneath a pile of papers. "They'll come for us all. We have to fight!" 

Sophia steeled herself, her own resolve hardening. "I'm ready." 

The first shadow demon lunged at Alex, its claws slashing through the air with blinding speed. Alex barely dodged, adrenaline surging as he summoned the shadow energy within him, desperate to channel it like he had before. He could feel the power thrumming beneath his skin, hungry and raw. 

"Let's go!" he shouted, adrenaline fueling his movements. He thrust his hands forward, dark tendrils erupting from his fingertips and coiling around the demon, forcing it back. But it writhed violently, the shadows snapping and snarling as they fought against his hold. 

Elliot rushed forward, slashing at another demon with his dagger. The blade shimmered against the darkness, slicing through the creature's form with a bright flash of silver. "Aim for their cores!" he yelled. "That's where their power is!" 

Sophia unleashed a burst of energy, sending a shockwave through the room. It struck a third demon, sending it crashing against the wall. "I can't hold them back forever!" she cried, panic rising in her voice. 

The first demon broke free from Alex's grasp, its eyes locked on him with a feral hunger. It lunged again, and Alex barely had time to react. In that moment, a surge of shadow energy exploded from him, instinctively responding to his fear. The shadows roared to life, wrapping around the demon and tearing it apart in an eruption of dark energy. 

"I did it!" Alex gasped, disbelief coursing through him. But there was no time to celebrate. Two more demons were closing in on Elliot, their claws glistening like daggers in the dim light. 

Elliot fought valiantly, but the creatures were relentless. He struck one down, only to be ambushed by the other. It knocked him to the ground, and the air filled with his sharp intake of breath. 

"Elliot!" Alex shouted, fury igniting within him. Drawing on his connection to the shadows, he unleashed a wave of energy that swept through the room like a storm. The demons stumbled, momentarily disoriented, and Alex took the opportunity to charge forward, joining Elliot on the ground. 

"Get up!" he yelled, determination surging through him. "We can't let them win!" 

With renewed strength, Elliot rose to his feet, eyes fierce. "Together, then!" 

They stood side by side, Alex channeling the dark energy around them, while Elliot brandished his dagger with precision. Sophia stood close, ready to amplify their power. 

"On three," Elliot said, glancing between them. "One… two… three!" 

The trio unleashed their combined strength in one decisive blow. Shadows collided with the remaining demons, the force of their attack erupting like a thunderclap. The room shook as the darkness spiraled, wrapping around the creatures and ripping them apart in a blinding flash of light. 

As the last demon fell, silence enveloped them, the oppressive weight of the shadows momentarily lifted. Breathing heavily, Alex looked around, heart pounding in his chest.