Shadows Meet

“I want that ruby – you will get me that ruby!” Metalium ordered Shadowman.
“Of course sir, you shall get the ruby, if I may ask a question sir,” Shadowman stepped out from behind the large pillar – which supported the castle roof, even in the light, his features were still impossible to see.
“No, you work to serve me, you do not question me, all will be revealed on the details of the ruby,” Metalium snapped.
“I apologise sir, I will get right to it,” Shadowman replied.

Inside the Armstrong History Museum, dozens of armed police officers, armed with rifles, slowly moved towards the most important room in the museum. This room held some of the rarest artefacts in the world, one of these artefacts was the Ruby of Aspiration, believed to grant the holder with 1 wish, anything they want, once they had made that wish, they forever had to own the ruby in order to keep their wish, if it fell into others’ hands, the wish would be overwritten with that of the new occupiers. The leading police officer peered around the corner, none of the security systems had picked up on any intruder, they only knew of the intrusion when the ruby was lifted from the secure base it rested on. In the centre of the room, a dark figure stood, held by the figure was the ruby, a bright aura circling the rare artefact.
“At last, no longer will I forever live in this dark body, finally, people can see me – my true beauty!” the voice of the ruby holder shouted. Shadowman stood on the balcony, watching as the creature was engulfed in a bright red aura. Suddenly, dozens of police officers began scrambling into the room, the figure immediaty began to disappear, Shadowman decided he had no choice but to follow it, Metalium would not be pleased if he returned empty handed.

Shadowman finally stopped chasing; he was now facing the creature that stole the ruby.
“What do you want?” a female voice asked. Shadowman stepped closer, realising this woman was just like him, just a black shadow, walking the streets without a face.
“You – you are like me,” Shadowman gently told her.
“Not for much longer!” the woman shouted, she raised the ruby once more, again a bright red aura surrounded her, within seconds it disappeared. Shadowman watched as the woman’s features became visible, in front of him, a featureless shadow turned into a beautiful figure, a lady with long brown her, smooth grey skin, she wore a tight black skirt and top, he looked further down, she was wearing long black boots.
“Oh my – you are beautiful,” he told her. The woman smiled at him, she then began to look at her arms, then her legs, admiring herself.
“Finally, I am whole,” she told him, “All thanks to this ruby.”
“I need that ruby,” Shadowman suddenly realised his mission.
“No, you cannot take it from me, if I lose it; I will turn back into a shadow, like …”
“Like me?” Shadowman replied, before she had chance to reply he continued, “I like been like this, this is me, I prefer to live in darkness.”
“I understand, but you cannot take this from me, this is how I want to be, visible to the world, finally able to love and care for others, without been shunned away.” The woman looked up at him, realising he was right, it does not matter how people look, but still, she refused to give up what she had wished for all her life.
“I understand your feelings too, I am sure Metalium will not be too harsh,” Shadowman sighed, “It is worth it, though.”
The woman smiled;
“What is your name?” she asked him.
“Shadowman.”
“Your real name?”
“That is my real name.”
“Nice, my name is Amira Valencia, but you can call me, Shadowlady – I guess,” they both giggled.
“Say – Shadowlady, how would you like to meet up with me tomorrow,” Shadowman smiled, although she could not see his smile – she sensed it.
“Sure, I’d love to,” she replied, her smile was visible to Shadowman – giving him an immense feeling of happiness - a feeling he hadn’t felt too often.