The Shadows of Nature

9.1. Go

Audrey walked on what appeared to be clouds of a pale yellow, dense and spanning the infinite space uniformly. The yellow was like the glow of morning sun softened by a cloudy sky, keeping the intensity within it for later use and reflecting to this world what was required for vision. The only things to see were the cushioned ground and the tree that sat in the centre of the infinite space.

Tall and broad as every. An ordinary brown bark with ordinary green leaves, full to the brim. An ordinary tree, but it propagated the slightest spike of aura, the only place in the entire space to do so.

Aqdas's presence pervaded all of space uniformly with the exception of that tree, an alternation Audrey was sure it made for her sake. There was no real sense of direction, it was an illusion. Audrey wondered if there was any space at all, or if that was an illusion too.

Perhaps the only thing that now existed in the Land of Grace was Time. 

Audrey closed her eyes, focusing on the spike intently. She let go of any connection to any other presence or stimulus in the environment until all she was aware of was Aqdas. Audrey's mind clicked into place, as if her soul was lifted out of the body into the true Land of Grace. It still did not comprehend this world, but that comprehension was not presently required.

Information exchange can now happen in the purest manner, but any retelling of this would still be partial. Purity of one environment cannot be transferred untainted in another easily.

"Hello."

A pause, followed by the spirit's response.

"Hello, Audrey. Am I the last land on your list in this visiting sequence of yours?"

"Yes."

"You're skipping one land then?"

A hesitation.

"Yes. I do not need to go there now."

"How has it been?"

A pause to ponder. It wasn't an answer Audrey could form in a moment's thought.

"It is difficult to summarise right now, but enlightening, if I were to put it in one word."

"A position of power is a position of great responsibility, but also of certain privilege, right?"

"Yes."

The response was slow, but it was sure, a realisation that had come to the shadow too a little while ago.

"How are you?"

"Okay."

"Perfect."

If they were in a place of the living, Audrey was sure this is a moment where Aqdas would smile.

"Why have you come here?"

"I... I don't know. I'm not sure. I think I just wanted to, so I came here."

"Why did you want to come here?"

"I don't know."

"Is it because you miss Holly? Or because you miss Elek? Or because you miss Jay and Paliv Verasel's guidance, so perhaps a part of you thought you could find that here?"

"It could be but... I don't think that is the reason."

Why was she here? It was a question Audrey was surprised she hadn't considered, and it was one of those questions she probably would not get an answer to no matter how much she thought about it. Even if she wished to think, she might not have the time to do so anymore.

"I see. Interesting."

Silence. Absence of information for the briefest moment, until it resumed.

"I think you have incredible instincts, Audrey. I think that may be why you are here. At least a part of the reason."

What did it mean?

"Never ignore your gut, Audrey. It is a very human thing, but it is a gift of Nature. A very useful one, a good gift, and a very important one. It holds the learnings of your past, and some of the world you are in. That does not mean you will blindly follow your instincts and never reason. It is often difficult to recognise what your gut is saying, whether you are a shadow being or a living thing or whatever else. Even for us. But respect it and always consider it. Be on the lookout for what your instincts say, and listen to it."

Audrey was properly confused, but she listened keenly.

 "Anyway, that is all for my lesson today."

The spirit paused, the slightest touch of warmth invading the purity of space. A blot that Aqdas thought was good, for that moment.

"You are doing very well, Audrey. Be brave, as you have been. Be compassionate, as you always have been.

"Keep doing well. Goodbye, for now."

Audrey was still properly confused, but before she could do anything she was lifted back into that illusion of clouds, the colour the exact same as what it was before.

Audrey then felt a tap on her shoulder. 

A familiar touch.

Once she turned around, all that filled her heart was joy.

"It is lovely to see your smile again, Audrey."