164 Where is He? (1/2)

”How sad, OWL. You're all but too late--”

”Kindly, shut up.”

OWL turned to Maximilian.

”... You dare.” Maximilian's tone raised in ferocity.

”You're of no concern now.”

”Foolish. Shadow is finished, and the same fate awaits you next--”

”You don't seem to realize that you've been played.”

”Played...?”

”Lord Shadow, please allow me a question.”

OWL asked Shadow who was buried rubble.

”... You may.”

Shadow answered after a pause.

Violet mana then blew away the debris, and Shadow slowly stood up.

”You! So you have that much power still--!”

Maximilian was half in a panic but in contrast, OWL was calmness itself.

”Sir, why do you not show your true power?”

”... I wished to fully judge the power of that man. For reference, as it were...”

”For reference… I understand now. I have one more thing I must ask.”

OWL asked with a tinge of anger in her tone.

Shadow nodded his a.s.sent.

”What is the meaning of this…?”

OWL blew the snow at her feet away with her sword. The powdery white pulled away to reveal a black form.

This was-- the lump of slime that had taken the form of Cid Kageno.

”Please answer truthfully. Cid… where is Cid!?”

OWL roared as if to overpower the howl of the blizzard around them. Her voice contained fierce resolve.

”That voice...” Clara stared at OWL as it to ascertain something.

OWL's attention was wholly towards Shadow however.

Shadow took a moment before answering.

”Cid is safe...”

”But where is he?”

”... Must you know?”

”--!”

Shadow and OWL stared at one another for some time. A silent tension rising between them.

Then…

”You have saved my life, granted me power, and have shown me the path I must tread. I… do not want to doubt you. So I shall trust those words… But.”

OWL paused her words to glare sharply at Shadow.

”If the words you said are false… If you've put Cid in danger… I will not forgive you!”