Shadow Beings

38. The Plan for Alesund

"Clay," I started, carefully picking my words, "what did you do with the demons back then? Why did they all immediately run away?"

Everyone other than Jay wore a confused expression, now. Clay took a deep breath, a dulcet wave of assurance radiating from him.

"During my time in the land of Chaos, I learned of certain vague things. I didn't understand them, I  that I was only aware of the aura of the events. One such piece of information that I got from Vlad was regarding the worst fear of the demons, or perhaps their worst experience. I instilled the emotion attributed to that experience. The aura spread through their minds and an illusion of it was created, visible only to them. I think that made them return to the land of Chaos, as if seeking comfort. I do not know what it is that they saw, though, since I didn't create it. It came directly from their memories.

"It is the worst thing I have ever done."

The last sentence was like a whisper and I probably wasn't supposed to hear it. However, the guilt in his tone was heavy, and I recognised it easily. He acted against his morals, perhaps against his nature, to protect us.

No, Audrey. What had to be done was done. The stone was protected, too. The battle is over. 

At least no one else was lost.

The worst thing one had ever done. All the times I helped humans by scouring their minds, picking out their positivity... that had helped them, right? I had seen the immediate result, I had seen the energy of the demonic creatures return to the Earth, everything seemed fine. 

Everything was fine, right? 

No one knows anymore.

My eyes slowly rose to meet Elek's yellow gaze, the warm yellow spreading a gentle aura of stability all around. Perhaps he had anticipated that as he was already looking at me, his usual smile swimming across my aura, spreading ripples of warmth. He looked towards Conrad and Evelyn, then towards Clay with a soft gaze, but immediately shook his head to let a more serious expression settle in.

I nodded my head with a smile, thanking Clay. Trina's curiosity and Theo's scepticism were evident, but they knew better than to question a tired shadow further. It didn't seem that Clay knew anything more, anyway, although one couldn't ever be sure.

"Since we're all together here," Conrad broke the tension in a hushed tone, "We should discuss our plans for the summer solstice."

Jay gave a small nod, his black hair caressing the atmosphere. "We're not going to take too many shadow-trappers with us. Remember, this is solely a rescue mission. We cannot face Vlad now, anyway. Caution is of great importance; nothing must happen to Ariana. She should be unharmed, but we'll all take care of each other's safety, too.

"We're still looking for the place where the ritual will take pla- yes, Audrey?"

I slowly withdrew my raised hand and crossed my arms. "The summer solstice will take place in Alesund."

I hardened my expression, my eyebrow being raised, trying to make myself look intimidating so that no one would bother to ask me how I knew about this.

Of course, though, that doesn't work on Trina. Short people really are something, and that's funny because I am short.

"It makes sense. A bonfire takes place in Alesund every year, so Vlad can use its energy for the ritual. Also, it is close to the abyss of Earth."

Evelyn, Galen, Theo and Jack wore confused expressions. "I still don't know what exactly the abyss is. Explain," Evelyn demanded, and something shone in Trina's eyes.