Shadow Beings

43. The Ritual

I woke up with a jerk, sitting up straight. I observed my surroundings; everyone was still asleep on the ground rather comfortably. Even Jack appeared eased; that shadow-lifting really exhausted him, along with thoughts of everything that had happened recently, although Aurelia's drink must've assuaged him somewhat.

I glanced at my watch. Five minutes were still left for the alarm to go off.

I sighed, leaning back on my hands. I stared at the shining metal above me, memories of the latest events rushing over me. 

Thundering softly... such a heavy presence yet it remained silent. As if it was mocking me, or simply waiting. Waiting to see what I would do. How things would turn out.

Whether I could grow or not. I had to learn from the past.

I still couldn't believe that five days had gone since the battle. Sometimes it felt like it all happened aeons ago. That borrowed time with Holly, the few months when things were calmer were too far away. Yet at other times, it was as if we're rushing through time. Always far from the present, everything occurred in haste without any moment to reflect.

Now feels like a dangerous balance between the two.

I glanced at my watch. The passage of time dragged and I simply couldn't wait for everything to just be over. It felt better to spend time at the headquarters, visit the lands and learn more about ourselves rather than rigorously fight for something I didn't quite understand. Going on this daunting endeavour has united the Shadow-trappers amongst others and ourselves.

I wish the 'others' could extend to all of the Shadow Beings.

At the same time, I appreciated this moment of calm. In a daunting environment made comforting by the presence of the people around. Auras pulsating around softly, sometimes playing with each other. Distinct vibrations changing the atmosphere... are they aware of the effect they have on all that is around them? Do I affect anything?

The light that reflected off the blades was scattered perfectly, evading everyone's faces while glowing lightly, enough to illuminate the space. Something about the setting felt so... graceful and truly alleviating, unlike the calm before a storm. A human space that made me feel good.

I looked at all of my friends sleeping peacefully. Conrad, Galen, Jay and Jack slept straight as if they basically stood at attention. I stifled a laugh at the stiffness, though I did feel relief at the various degrees of smiles resting on their expressions. Conrad was even snoring slightly and Galen slightly bent his left leg.

Our leader slept with an expression that... pulled me in, perhaps to whatever alleviating space his mind resided in as he rested His aura was shifting between phases of dull exhaustion and bright determination, the latter ultimately winning, though the burden of experience was evident around him. Very slight wrinkles marked his face as opposed to Jack's clear face lying beside and a fair distance away, yet that a different burden of the same level resided within my brother. His hands were free on the ground yet a tension captured them, keeping him alert at all times.

Evelyn was sprawled on her tummy, almost hugging the floor, and Elek lay on his back wide open as if going in for a hug. I smiled immediately at the sight and was especially glad on seeing how dulled their energies were, streamlined for this moment of rest. No matter how many concerns flooded their minds, I could trust them with taking care of themselves.

Trina faced the ceiling, both of her arms behind her head. A slight frown rested on her face, and her stomach noticeably moved up and down, showing that she paid attention to her breathing. Theo slept in the shape of the letter 'k'. His left side was completely straight, but his right hand and leg were spread diagonally, one arm supporting his head.