Shadow Beings

22. The Land of Chaos

Shock filled my mind, unable to register the words. The warmth of Hearth had practically vanished and the energy of the Valleys had gone cold. There was no way that could be true.

Right?

"Evelyn, I'll explain everything to you and the others later, but right now, I'm going to have to... possess your mind for a bit. Please tell me you're fine with that."

"It's okay, I trust you." Evelyn's thought propagated warmly, dispelling the cold touch for a bit and I could ease into her mind better.

"Thank you, I appreciate that. Now, leave your thoughts dormant so that the transition will be easier for both of us. Take a deep breath and focus on nothing."

I felt her loosen her control on her mind and I connected my senses to it. As her aura dulled, taking a step back to let me enter the spotlight, a sharp pain shot through me for the briefest moment. The surface of my mind integrated and I was able to control my friend's body.

"My greetings to you," I thought gently, Evelyn's vocal cords producing a strong sound. "I am Audrey - part shadow-trapper and part Angel. Ariana is my friend's sister and if you don't mind, I'd like to know more about what happened."

"Hello, Audrey," The wind's soughing comforted me. "I was expecting you, albeit certainly not in this form."

The wind continued in a low whisper after a slight hesitation. "Ariana, as I previously said, is the last Wind Phoenexia. The Demon Lord needs either an Angel or a Wind Phoenexia to perform a ritual of some sort. Something that would bind the stone to his vessel forever, sealing everything inside him for his control. Performing the act will grant him a permanent physical form that can channel his true zeal."

I frowned, the spirit's thoughts making me question Vlad's true identity even more.

"Alright, thank you for telling me. May I also know why Ariana was here?"

"This valley is the home of all Wind Phoenexias, it is where they originated. Ariana comes by quite often as she feels best here. Only her parents and her sister know about this."

Her sister. Oh no...

There was silence for a moment before the wind spoke again, a subdued melancholy reflecting in the tone for the first time.

"Please, find her and keep her safe. She's very young and is the last of her kind. I know she is brave and I know Vlad is proud enough to not harm her physically or intentionally. But he may not care for her and use her zeal in an impetuous manner, depleting her aura. It will break down her existence as an individual, leaving her to be a hollow vessel of energy."

My heart beat faster and the energy that ran through my body heated, burning. How could I possibly tell Aurelia? 

"I will protect her with my life, and you know I'm not lying," I assured her.

"Thank you, dear. I cannot express my gratitude enough. From my interactions with all of you so far, I must admit that you've put me at some ease. I apologise for relying on you, but I cannot leave the land at the moment."

An anxious silence filled the atmosphere. There was a sudden spark in my thoughts, as if Evelyn urged me to ask the spirit the question gently.

"May I know your name?"

There was a warm feeling as the wind replied.

"My name is Zephyr."

Warmth deeper into our thoughts and Evelyn's aura lightened, alleviating the spirit's fear. I slipped away, letting the girl take control of her body again.