Shadow Walkers are a strange breed that possess the ability to slip between the planes of reality, becoming immaterial. This allows them to hide in the shadows, either hunting from the concealment of near invisibility or evading enemies. Though they become corporeal to mate or to eat, they spend most of the rest of their lives walking in the shadows. Shadow Walkers are wary creatures, though on dark autumn evenings when the leaves fall to swirl in the chill, rain damp air, they may be seen drifting out from the shadows.

Dragons are highly-intelligent reptilian creatures that—from a human perspective, at least—appear to live forever. Many different varieties of dragon exist, each with their own unique qualities, habitats, and behavior. Adolescence in dragons is usually marked by the growth of a hatchling’s wings, although not all breeds of dragons grow wings and some breeds have other traits that indicate the beginning of maturation. In Galsreim, dragons and humans coexist peacefully.

Akihiko is rather reclusive, often hiding from his keeper and the other dragons.  When he is forced to appear Akihiko can be quite charming with his sweet expression and calm exterior, but there is only one thing always on Akihiko's mind—his lifelong mate, IX Misaki Takahashi.  Even as Akihiko strides between worlds, he stays very near to the Whiptail and will emerge at a moment's notice should another dragon (especially another male) come too close.  Though Misaki often seems displeased with Akihiko's presence, the young Whiptail can be seen closing her eyes and lifting her face to the night wind.  This is usually the only way Akihiko's keeper can be assured he is nearby.