The shadow walker slunk through the forest, staying in the dark. He had been cursed by the witch to live in the shadows, never to feel the sun's warmth or the touch of another living being. He had served her for years, doing her bidding and spying on the realm. He had no choice, no will, no voice.

He had seen everything, and he had reported everything. He had seen the guy, and he had told the witch. He had seen the fight, and he had watched. He had seen the forest tree, and he had felt its judgment. He had seen the guy's powers, and he had felt his fury. He had seen the curse, and he had felt his despair.

He knew he had to report to the witch, or she would punish him. He also knew she would reward him, or she would ignore him. He did not expect anything from her, or from anyone. He did not fear her, or respect her, or despise her. He was just a messenger, a witness, a bystander, a tool.

He reached the witch's hut, where he saw her sitting by the fire, stirring a cauldron. She looked up, and saw him. She smiled, and said he was back. She asked him what he had seen, and what he had done. She said she had a task for him, and that he had to hurry.

He said he was sorry, and that he had seen something. He said he had done nothing, and that he had obeyed. He said he had a report for her, and that he hoped she would listen. He said he was loyal, and that he loved her.

He told her everything, how the guy had killed the forest tree and broken the curse. He told her how the guy had used his werewolf and vampire powers to destroy the tree. He told her how the guy had freed himself and his lover from the curse. He told her how the guy had crossed the border of the forest, and entered the world of light.

He expected her to be angry, but he was not prepared for the rage that erupted from her. She screamed and cursed, hurling fireballs and lightning bolts at him. She accused him of being a failure, a traitor, and a fool. She said he had failed her, and that she would make him pay for his incompetence. She said she would capture the guy, and make him suffer a fate worse than death. She said she would destroy the world of light, and plunge everything into eternal darkness.

She grabbed him by the arm, and dragged him to her cauldron. She threw in herbs and bones, blood and tears, and whispered a dark spell. She said she was sending him on a hit task, and that he had to succeed. She said she would find the guy, and kill him. She said she would use the shadow walker as a weapon, and a sacrifice. She said she would control his mind, and his body. She said he was hers, and hers alone.

She plunged a knife into his chest, and drew out his blood. She poured it into the cauldron, and said the final words. She opened a portal, and pushed him into it. He felt a surge of pain and fear, and then nothing. He saw the witch's face, twisted with hate and madness. He saw the portal, a swirling vortex of black and red. He saw the guy, smiling and holding his lover's hand. He saw the light, bright and beautiful. He wished he had never met the witch. He wished he had never been cursed. He wished he had been free.