Fighting a Shadow: Difference between revisions

<!-- %% Please do not change or remove without starting a new thread. -->

* The being exists simultaneously in this world and beyond; it really is "dipping" into 3-Dimensional space. These tend to [[You Cannot Grasp the True Form|look and act]] ''[[You Cannot Grasp the True Form|very]]'' [[You Cannot Grasp the True Form|strange.]]

* Its awareness is mostly in the form it's taking in this universe; the death of this body merely returns it to its origin point like a rubber band being let go. These type tend to be vulnerable to [[Deader Than Dead]] if killed at said origin point.

Often accomplished with a form of [[Avatar]]. Not related to (but sometimes achieved by) [[Casting a Shadow]]. Also see: [[As Long As There Is Evil]], [[Soul Jar]]. The inverse of this trope is [[Synchronization]] where killing one part kills the rest. Compare [[Actually a Doombot]], [[Worf Had the Flu]], [[Backup Twin]], [[Cloning Gambit]], and [[Robot Master]], [[Decoy Getaway]] and [[Faking the Dead]].

** Your first fight against Omega Weapon turns out to be just a shadow of the real thing, which is further into the cave.

* Ganondorf from ''[[The Legend of Zelda (Franchise)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' series fits this trope to a T. Ganondorf appears to be the "physical body", while Ganon is the inner demon essence and a physical manifestation of Ganondorf's true power and rage.

*** Actually it's her actual physical form, cursed into an implike shape. Trying to take her on is a slightly more literal interpretation of fighting the shadow, though, because she hides out in Link's shadow in the light world (when he's in the form of a wolf she even appears on his shadow's back even though there's no imp on his actual back to cast a shadow) because light is harmful to her, and in the Twilight Realm because she's ashamed to be seen by her people looking like an adorable little imp.

* The Reapers from ''[[Mass Effect]]'' seem to use this trope combined with [[People Puppets]] to fight targets planetside. This trope is played straight only really in the second game, however, as killing the supercharged Collector drones doesn't damage Harbinger at all. {{spoiler|With the Saren Husk, however...}}

* In the ''[[Legacy of Kain]]'' series, ''you'' get to be this guy when you play as Raziel. Raziel is a creature of the Spectral Realm, so when he appears in the Material Realm (where most of the story and gameplay takes place), that is just a new body he creates every time he reaches full power. Every time you die in the Material Realm you simply show up in that same spot in the Spectral Realm, and either suck souls to regenerate your health or simply wait for it to happen on its own; once you reach full health you just need to find a portal and you can return to the physical world (and since time in the spectral realm effectively stands still, whatever killed you may as well have thought you just teleported). Die in the Spectral Realm and you will return to the Abyss, and can continue on from there.

* Midway through ''[[Shin Megami Tensei II (Video Game)|Shin Megami Tensei II]]'', you fight against YHVH, aka God. Except it's not the real one, it's just a false image unconsciously created and empowered by the archangels. In the end, if you're not choosing the Lawful path, you fight the REAL one. And even if you win, He says He will not truly be defeated - as long as there are people praying to him, he will return.

[[Category:Religion Tropes]]

[[Category:Immortality]]