As the man looked up, and saw the two figure holding hands and the faces of his parents, smiling, something shifted inside him. New memories were burning in his mind. But this time, these were not the ones, which he often remembered.

  This time they were walking in the forest, he and his brother playing knight and brigand, with two sticks they found on the ground. All the while their parents watched them in the distance, smiling and talking to each other. He did get hit on the head a moment later, for he turned his back on the "bandit.". His mother and father rushed there to see if everything was alright. It was. In that moment it was. It really was.

  The wanderer stood up, with a little smile on his face. He wiped his tears down and once again talked to his parents.

  'Well,' he started. 'I guess I have done it again. I am sorry. Sometimes, these negative things and my wounds can make a fine pair to have my thoughts spiral out of control. In those moments I tend to think of you as these overly negative and inconsiderate people. Monsters, who failed everything a parent can fail at. But... this is not the case. At least not entirely.'

  He noticed that the two silhouettes started glowing. He found it strange, but continued regardless.

  'There were many good memories too. Things I can thank you for. Like with the crafting project, Father. You may have just tried to use it to connect to me, but you were there. Good thing too. I had no idea how to do those things on my own; I was never a big craftsman, to be honest. Or with the gifts, Mother. So many great books and toys, which you bought me, just to see me happy, even though you knew I would not play with them more than a few weeks. Still, you got them for me. You may have tried to use them against me, but it was unintentional on your part. You two tried to give me the best you could. The trips to the nearby city, the plays, the birthday celebrations. All those things—no matter how they have turned out—were for me. You wanted to give me what you can in this world: good memories and experiences. For those moments I will be forever thankful, for those moments shaped me to become better and more successful as a person.'

  He thought for a moment. Now that he said both the good and the bad, what would come next? He did carry these emotions for a long time, never even thought of what to do with them. What was he supposed to do with them? Absolve them of every bad thing they had done to him? Saying it did not matter to him and only having loving thoughts for them from now on?

  No. While it was true that he made a mistake only focusing on their worst aspects, it did not set them free from everything else they had done to him. Maybe one day he would forgive them the bad things. But not today.

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  Should he continue to condemn them? Now that he spoke his mind, even only to these shadows of them, he could continue onward, never even thinking about them. After all, the real persons were gone now. Nothing to go back to, to remind him of them should he not want it.

  No. Being mad at them will not solve anything. He already suffered enough because of that. No more. In addition, like it or not, they were a part of him. The memories, the teachings, the traits of his parents is a part of who he is. He can't discard it, for it is, in a sense, the very base that he needs to build upon. To improve upon.

  'I guess...' he started talking. 'I guess it's time for me to accept that you are a part of me. Part of where I started, at least. You two were not great parents. I guess that's because you were way too young and underprepared to raise a child. You wanted me, even though you did not know how to give me what I needed. For the most part, I felt like we were a family in blood only. I was always the outcast after all. Still. We have far more in common than I would like to admit. But maybe it's not a bad thing. Maybe all I need to do is to realize that even those traits can help me improve myself. I mean, look at the sword, for example. Anger is a tool of destruction, yet time and time again, I managed to protect myself with it. Even saved some lifes in the process! Maybe it is time to grab those things and reshape them so I can be better. It is time to accept that those things will not make me predestined for anything. I will not cease to be me because of your traits. I will not become you if I allow myself to appreciate all that you gave me!'

  He took a step toward the silhouettes.

  'I can not untie you from every bad thing that you have done to me. For those thing still very much happen, and very much had an impact on my life. But it is time to move past them and to stop blaming you for how I turned out. From now on, I will do my best to accept your legacy and use it so I can be the best version of myself. And I will allow myself to admit to myself that I do miss you every day. Mom, Dad. I'm not like you. I never was, never wanted to be, and never will be. But in my own way. I loved you. I hope you knew that. I know these are not you, but...'

  He hugged both figures tightly, with tears in his eyes. They hugged him back.

  They stood there for a minute. The Hollow watched them. Finally the man looked at it and nodded. The creature released the spell while the wanderer held his "parents" in his arms. Both of them started to dissolve into the air. Still, they embraced, unwavering. The traveler did not let them go until he held nothing but air. But while the figures were gone, the experience remained. The memories would be with him, always. With a tearful smile, he looked up. The lights started to disappear as the first lights of the sun breached the skies. Both of them remained silent.

  'Thank you,' he said to the creature. 'I couldn't have done it without your help. I hope it provided you with some sustenance. Who knew that destruction could be so... freeing?'

  After a short while, he started to walk back to their camp. The Hollow followed him.

  'Its a new day, exciting, is it not?' the ranger asked the creature.

  The Hollow did not answer. It was lost in its own thoughts. For it found that it was not sorrow and suffering that made its hunger quell. Its power grew, yes, but another emotion filled it as it came to find. Its theory was correct after all.