Imagine a world of fairy-like beings. They are about the same size as humans, if perhaps a bit smaller. On the back of each is a set of wings that vary in all different shapes and sizes. Some appear bat-like, others are feathered like a bird’s, and some are thin and laced with intricate patterns like a butterfly. These beings are immortal, incapable of death unless physically murdered. They spend their lives in endless mischief, terrorizing the human race with anything from simple pranks to violent attacks. It’s a good thing I made this all up, right?
But what if I told you they’re real.
These beings call themselves “The Shades” and they live the same world as us humans. They have metallic looking hair and eyes of any color you can imagine. Some even have tinted skin, tails, horns, and other unique features. Of course anyone could identify a Shade instantly because of these distinguishing traits. There’s just one catch: The Shades are invisible. They can’t be seen with the naked eye and they only appear as dark, blurry shadows if caught on camera. They can make themselves visible, however, by putting on a human façade, ridding themselves of their mystic appearances to look like common people.
Normally people can’t tell the difference between a Shade and another human. There are a select few who can see through the disguise though. This special ability is called The Sight. Sighted people can see the wings on Shades along with whatever other physical differences they may have, even if they are wearing their façades. The Sighted humans are extremely scarce in number and secretive about the fact that they can see The Shades, so much so, in fact, that most Shades believe they are a myth. People with the Sight believe that if The Shades discover their ability, they will kill them.
Despite being invisible to humans, Shades can sometimes become attached to the mortals. When this happens, they tend to stalk the humans they fall in love with, following after them whenever they can. Eventually, some Shades reveal themselves to the objects of their affections under their human façades. Sadly, the relationships can never last because the humans grow old while The Shades never age. This would obviously raise some questions from the human partner, which is why most Shades try to suppress their feelings instead.
While there are plenty of frivolous troubles among the more romantic Shades, there is ultimately a bigger, more dangerous problem for their race: the king. The Shade king rules with tyranny and fear, attacking and torturing any Shades he thinks are plotting against him. He doesn’t bother with “reasonable suspicion”, so any Shade that gets on his bad side is at risk of injury or even – in the worst cases – death.
The Shades may have many issues, but they still find time for fun between hiding from the king and wooing human lovers. Things might be bad, but they believe strongly in their own freedom and won’t let their problems interfere too drastically. What they don’t know is that there’s a vicious force lurking in the shadows that threatens the safety of both Shades and humans alike.
Any interest?
