Shadow Beings

61. Circles

I opened my eyes to a convoluted and thick engulfing the exterior of the shield. Ariana grunted in effort, the triplets keeping their eyes fixated on the work at hand.

"How long do you plan to keep this defence act up, little being? It is nothing but inaction," Vlad ridiculed me, his voice straining in an effort to avoid laughter.

Keeping up a defence... acting... I wonder how much of his actions are nothing but an act. Surely every move he makes is his own? Where does such a question even come from? Why would anyone put in so much effort for something they don't care about?

What does Vlad care about? What do I?

I returned my focus to the shadows around me, choosing to ignore the entity's comments for the time being. There were more important matters at hand.

"Audrey, we might need your and Aurelia's help," Ariana whispered loudly, her concerned expression fixated on me.

How does such a tiny person's voice reach me so easily? A confident loud, the wind in her favour to carry the words to me... to anyplace where the wind could run.

I looked towards Aurelia and nodded, and the Phoenexia returned the gesture. Taking a step back, I turned to face the line of shadows to my right.

"Mind-controllers, now!" I instructed, receiving a wary nod from the twenty-three trappers in question. "Build that confidence up! Remember that you are not alone."

The twenty-three took a deep breath as they turned to face Vlad. Closing their eyes they moved into Vlad's mind; I could sense it. For a moment, a frown came onto Vlad's face but he lowered his head furthermore and his mouth curved wider into a sinister smile.

I watched in horror as all the mind controllers kneeled, clutching their heads protectively. I wanted to rush to them and get them out of the mess, but my feet remained fixed on the ground.

Move. 

"Audrey!" One of them whispered harshly, despair marking their tone. "It's... it's... you need to see for yourself."

A frown came to my face and I closed my eyes, turning towards Vlad. 

Move quickly, Audrey. Too many things to do. Hurry.

Do not make haste.

Taking a deep breath, I moved into his mind. It was an absolute dark abyss, turmoil filled within its memories. Images hidden from everyone, delicate of sorrow and pain and suffering and daunting thoughts filled the space and on and on... though they were all underlined by a monotonous energy. A single colour, a single sound.

A sharp pain shot through my head and I felt something trying to crush my mind, a sinister laugh filling my head. I drew back my interference immediately, jumping into reality.

What was that? If this was his power then we couldn't possibly do anything to him, probably not even with Jay's power.

I turned towards our leader. He and Aurelia were the only other ones that stood with their eyes opened, taking in the scene before us. With furrowed eyebrows and wavering movements, I shook my head grimly towards him and he simply turned, facing Vlad.

The entire time his stance was relaxed and his face was tense only with mild caution. The time passed slowly, each second feeling very long. Jay remained unaffected the entire time, standing calmly.

Just how powerful was he? Had I ever seen his full potential in action? Forget about the amount, in what ways was his energy massive? Do I not appreciate him or did I somehow get used to it all?