Shadow Beings

15. The Next Action

"We better get going folks!" Evelyn exclaimed while stretching her arms. "I need rest."

"She's right, we should go," I started, mumbling the next. "rest not being our reason."

"What was that, missy?"

"For someone so active you sure are lazy."

Jack rolled his eyes and Evelyn crossed her arms. I'm sure he only did it to annoy her.

"Less arguing, more walking," Ava said sweetly, though her expression was focused.

We walked towards the clear blue sheet, its ripples sending a wave of peace through the entire land. Holly said that the river contained a portal underwater, though it was in a section that was on dry land.

As I made my way underwater, I caught my breath, literally too. The water inside was not contaminated in the slightest. It was nothing like most water bodies that I'd seen on Earth before. It's probably how the planet was millions of years ago, but the toxic substances have destroyed the beauty of most natural substances.

If only humans cared enough...

But I had no right to blame them. It is for them to recognise their flaws. That made me wonder about the other planets and their beings. It is said that a long time ago, Shadow Beings used to venture to other worlds too. All around existence, really, so I suppose they didn't have physical bodies. 

So long ago... how long ago?

The sunbeams seemed to form scattered figures in the water. Only we swam in the water but there was no real sensation; it was as if we were floating in space, only the darkness of being lost or isolation didn't affect us. 

If we weren't physical, would we be able to interact with the world like this?

I saw a large hole underneath that opened into a large patch of land, the water stopping itself from flowing into it. All of us directly swam to it, standing on the hard ground as we waited till we were all assembled. The darkness reminded me of the cave Jack walked in, although something about this place felt emptier despite the light that came from the water. 

Emptier and truer.

"So this is where Jay is keeping the portal opened?" Evelyn asked as she pointed to an illuminated circle, as if the light bounced around to shine on it specifically. The two sisters nodded in unison. Holly turned towards the opening, her gaze lingering at the land that was in front of her before she closed her eyes for a long while.

"You can always come back here to visit," Ava said softly, but Holly shook her head.

"Not very often, but it's okay. I had my time."

Another sparkle. Ava smiled as she rested her hand on Holly's head before facing the rest of us and nodding. I stepped forward into the circle, taking a deep breath.

"Take me to Earth." I whispered, closing my eyes while taking in one final moment of the place.

A sweet, natural scent surrounded me and lifted me up gradually, as white light covered my vision. Suddenly, there was a small flash of black light for a millisecond, but it turned white again. I felt the light fluctuate between red, green, brown, yellow, orange, blue and grey. A fresh smell filled my lungs, but I could trace a hint of smoke in them.

My feet landed softly on the wooden floor of our portal room. I waited as the others arrived, exiting the room to give them their space, wondering about Aqdas had told us. I was worried for Holly and Jack and I realised I had to do everything I could to protect them.