NEW: The dead shadow.

 

The shadow stood - motionless in the setting winter sun. To the casual observer, it was his shadow, same vaguely physical characteristics, similar stance, just drawn out strangely by the fast setting sun. But Nathaniel knew that this was not his shadow, it couldn't be, for his was standing quietly beside him - his continual living companion and comforter. This other shadow was something else entirely. It was a dead thing, a mocking approximation of life, a shadow conjured by someone that was abroad, and shouldn't be. This was someone that was at the centre of a deep and dark force, a sinister movement, a deliberate collection of dark elemental forces, all coming together in a naked need, a need to bring Nathaniel here to this spot in space and time - by ruse, by persuasion, and finally by force. And he had come, as it was predicted that he would, he couldn't stay away. He knew that forces had brought him here to do something, to be someone - he didn't know what, but what he did know was that he was determined, with his whole heart and soul, to not be what was expected, to not deliver to whatever conglomeration of evil stood now before him, personified in essence in the seemingly passive drawn out shadow before him - he would not be persuaded. It may well be a foolish stance to take, he knew that, but Nathaniel would not be the facilitator of evil. He would stand his ground, and if need be, and he was prepared - die in the process.