(Page 75) "I can't believe this." Glitch swarms back and forth like an angry black wasp. "I really, really can't believe you're doing this." Shadow shoves down her guilt as she stuffs the last of her clothing and knives into a bag. Her apartment, once filled with plants, decorations, and memorabilia is now empty, save a few tables and chairs. "You know I have-" "No, you do not HAVE to do this!" Her ghost snaps his gaze onto her. She sits there, feeling helpless. "I'm sorry-" "No, you're NOT sorry." There's a bitterness in his voice she's never heard before. "If you were sorry you'd be staying here. This is NOT what you were brought back for." Taken aback, Shadow hesitates. Did he regret resurrecting her? "Variks has been making an effort to trust me. I can't keep coming back and forth, it's too risky. Plus, he might think I'm giving away information." The hunter had begun running errands for the eliksni after he had graciously allowed her to stay with him. Allowing her to return to the tower was risking a lot, trusting that she wouldn't give him away. Pride surges through her chest. He was trusting her and she wouldn't let him down.      "As if you're the one who needs to earn trust here?!" Glitch scoffs. "After what he did?" She glowers at him. "Don't forget everything Variks has done to help us." She continues before he can interrupt her. "I have to choose where I live, and that WILL be with Variks." Standing and turning her back on him, Shadow makes it clear her decision is final. Glitch seems to lose his energy, looking away from her. "I just can't believe you're choosing a fallen over your city. "Eliksni," she snaps, her sharp teeth flashing in the dusky light. "Whatever. You're still leaving the place you're meant to protect." "What about other hunters, huh?" She raises her voice, becoming indignant. "They go off sometimes for months!" "I thought you were better than that." All she responds with is a scoff, turning and grabbing her bags before heading to the window. "Come on. We're going now." Glitch takes one last look at the empty living space. "I know the other guardians are tough on you for caring for the fallen..." Shadow turns to look at him. He continues softly, "But you don't have to run away." "I'm not running. I'm making the choice to be with someone I love."      The ghost's shell twitches. Hearing her say the word out loud, about an eliksni, no less, seems to physically hurt him.      "It's not like I'm betraying the city. I just can't stay here." "You're not even going to say goodbye?" "You know I can't do that." Her amber eyes are dark with sadness. She hops up on the windowsill without giving her ghost a chance to answer and opens the glass with a click. She transmats into her ship. Glitch doesn't say another word as they take off. Shadow steals one last glance back at the traveler, streaked golden with the light of the setting sun, the city sparkling below. Her work here, for now, is done.