It seems like he's being watched. And like a senior Shadows his judging his judgements. Which calls the entire point of him into question. Hmm.

This story is definitely going to keep getting darker before it gets finished, of that I'm certain.

I'm getting the impression that the soot itself is some type of malevolent, parasitic life form.

Did they both used to be the same person, before being *split* in some way?