Earth and Shadow (read desc)

The haunted angel

I felt so bad for Nightmare. Imagine living for thousands of years, never really being accepted by anybody, and losing the one person you cared for?
And the way he spoke, he sounded so desolate. Like he knew that things wouldn't get better no matter what happened. Worse of all, he died young... He never experienced a good life.
I also felt mad. I mean, why do people judge him?? Obviously he's got some issues, and he acts kind of negative, but he can't be blamed for that! It's THEIR fault he's like--
Then it hit me. If basically everyone has judged him or hurt him at one point...
No wonder he pushes people away.
"Can I show you something?"
I looked up at him and nodded.
"Yeah, you can."
He took a deep breathe then closed his eyes. At first nothing seemed different, but then his chest seemed to become halfway transparent. Within his chest was a single shard of black crystal, perfectly in the middle of his being.
"That's the last shard of my once crystal heart. It's the only thing keeping me alive. Theoretically if I got all the rest of the pieces, along with a burst of healing magic, I will be revived."
He opened his eyes and his chest went opaque again, back to what it was.
My eyes widened.
"W-what.. so if you lose it..?"
"I would either die or become a slave to whoever has it. Then again, there is a good chance I could live without it if someone with good intentions had it, but I am not sure if it would work." He clearly looked at me.
"I-I wouldn't risk it, what happens if you die? M-more then you already are I mean."
"Then I guess I die. Its just a thought. I think the slave thing is more likely then anything."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I don't know the idea of a slave is weird to me."
"Eh that depends, but it usually means someone who is trapped into forced servitude. For me it would probably be until someone decides to release me and turn me back into this again."
"O-oh..."
He shrugged, not looking disturbed at all.
"To be honest I'm not really bothered by it."
"Your not??"
"Well, the thought is scary. But no more then if I was forced to live forever forcing people to lose control of their powers and wreak havoc while also remembering every single mistake I ever made."
"That- That sounds horrible."
"It is, and it can really mess with someone. I would know. After all, that is literally what I've been doing the last who knows how long. At least a few thousand years. I guess you could say the thought doesn't bother me because it is no worse then what I am currently going through."
I was amazed, but more then anything I felt bad for him. Worried, I guess you could say. It sounded absolutely horrible. I mean, being forced for thousands of years to drive people insane...? That would drive you insane too.
I quickly shook off the thought. Nightmare seemed fairly stable... I think.
"...I'm so sorry.."
"It's fine, I'm used to it. I mean, I should have seen this fate coming either way, since its my own fault I'm like this. I lost control of my magic, destroyed my body, and became this. I was the one that cast my own fate, and I accepted awhile ago I just have to live with it. So there's no need to feel sorry for me."
"I can't help it though.."
He looked at me, almost curiously.
"Do you want to help me?"
I nodded
"I'll do whatever I can!"
"Are you willing to take a big risk?"
I hesitated, thinking. Whatever he was up to, I figured it was probably dangerous.
"Y-Yeah."
"Then I want to try something. If I don't respond or appear or anything don't worry. Just take it to Scratch."
"Take what..?"
"You'll see."
I had a really bad feeling that I knew what he was up to.