At first, the shadow hunted Ged relentlessly. Then, Ged hunted his shadow with fear but without pause. Now, Ged realizes, neither of them are assigned to the roles of hunted or hunter: they are bound to one another in a more complicated way. Ged’s relationship with the shadow ties in with the concept of the universe’s careful equilibrium—the two have been engaged in a kind of dance as they’ve crossed the seas and are now at a point of standoff. Equally matched, Ged knows he must come up with a way to retake his advantage and complete his mission.