The Shadows of Nature

24. Goodbye

In that space there were no senses, yet shrieks filled the mind of the Shadows. So deafening, that everything was quiet. The presence of the six was disregarded, Vlad's energy being all that was in focus. The darkness of a past, the grief of living. Those dull thoughts, those horrors of the senseless senses, all such memories plucked from the soul and pierced in the subconsciousness of the Shadow-Trappers. That was what Vlad had begun to do.

Kaczie immediately spread her energy before the cloud where the Shadow-Trappers were, blocking those red tendrils of what was probably light. She didn't know what had happened with the six, but within a moment of recognising Mildred's aura she somewhat understood the cause of what was occurring then. Still, one thought was unanimous amongst most Shadow-Trappers.

Why does Vlad wish to destroy us?

"Vlad, are you projecting your anger on the Shadows?"

Mildred's thought echoed softly, a momentary comfort to Vlad. The solicitous impulse of the Raven crossed his thoughts, but he remembered nothing. Only felt fear and hatred... probably for nature and the Demons, and life respectively, though he wasn't sure. No, he was sure. The Demons took care of equilibrium and aided life to such a great degree, and yet they were hated, they were feared. Why? Why were adversities regarded as negativity so often? Why were the living so stupid?

Vlad didn't know what transpired in his mind other than chaos. Everything immediately became still; no sound, no sight, no sensation. Then a sharp scent of confusion filled the space, Rage's smoke curling around every being in presence.

"I wonder."

A blatant sting of destruction began to suck the zeal of the Shadow-Trappers while Vlad cared for the Demons, though unknowingly he stripped the Demons of their conscious sanity, too. Everything was a result of the unconscious use of Menod's power; such a state of disarray with such energy. Menod's power was far beyond the ability of mind-control and because of it, the being devoured on all Shadows' zeal in some form. More accumulation of such vigour within him. Of something that turned into mental horrors of a collective conscience.

If only he were more conscious of himself, Sousconic thought. But this is okay, he needs to be aware with time.

Joha became vigilant with sudden realisation, aiding Kaczie in holding that protective veil. Soon enough the energy of the rest of the Shadows of nature coalesced into one enormous sphere, as if it were a magnified image of the stone, reminding Vlad of what he had to do next.

Kaczie was signalled to immediately pull away her zeal from that shield and she complied; too much had been exhausted. In such a space where no energy was available she would be unable to replenish it, but she would wait with courage and determination. She was in no vessel and the she felt no pain, but her consciousness seemed to be collapsing on itself from the bursts of such energy.

Clement recognised her adversity and immediately went to her aid, projecting a thin cloud around the Shadow to not let her energy remain only in her. It was then that Clement suddenly wondered about their purpose for reaching the dimension; were they simple witnesses, or was it something more?

He turned his awareness to the others, a tender sensation pressing on his thoughts when he recognised Thet's tranquil aura. Gradually, information entered his notions; for him the ways of the past and for Thet the hopes of the future. All the knowledge and wisdom surrounding the Seven Techniques, their ways of life, the few records of the far past; Clement treasured it dearly. In that moment Clement and Thet were invisible to everyone else and they were connected in time; different souls, different beings, but a sure bond.

When they returned to the space Clement realised the others formed a similar link with each Shadow and these connections were shuffled amongst each of them. They were so oblivious to all despair and this web of attachments and timelines was so strong that the rest of the Shadow-Trappers fell in short-lived peace within the serenity of their leaders.

Clement's covering was still around Kaczie but he had returned to his place of solitude out of her kindness. Every Shadow had formed their bonds, even the demons with the one that lay within Vlad's subconsciousness.

As if insulted, Vlad grew more outraged. A burst of absolute dark zeal emerged from his gaze, instantly appearing to pierce the veil. Thin but strong fragments propagated from it, curling around the sphere to tear it open. It was beyond negative energy, beyond any energy. Absolute desolation. All thoughts would be torn and the Shadows would remain in an eternal dolour.

Kasia's gaze grew wide with terror, a fear of destruction overcoming her being. Everyone was petrified but she recalled the calamities in her land and was immediately determined to block that malefic aura. However, Zindel would not allow it.

Perhaps it was because of his knowledge of time or perhaps simply because of who he was; it didn't matter. He had to defend his friend, his land's sibling and most importantly, the Shadows. Sinnder Ärger pierced his now existing body.

All attention turned to the Shadow of Grace. Such dread in their eyes, such a smile he wore. A momentary gaze he shared with everyone, his zeal slowly being exuded.

The only Shadow who would not be allowed to reunite with its land in order to maintain the only remaining equilibrium in existence. He would have to wait for three more millenia till he could return to his place, but he was in a space where Time was not fixed. Anything could happen.

Then came the second blast of dark energy. Kaczie's energy fired its power to protect the Shadow-Trappers, a soft glow holding the essence of kindness. Zindel wished he could aid her, but Vlad's vigour was too great for him. But he no more felt guilty as their auras were locked with each other with the sole notion of what was their vessels' future, and the two were at a transient peace.

Kaczie held a deep connection with the being and thus, he was able to feel her 'pain' despite her best efforts to not let the sensation go to him; he was in too much distress as it was. Vlad therefore couldn't bear to see that kind being's energy scattering because of him. There was a calmer burst of power from his consciousness as it partly wrapped itself around Kaczie, a sphere of energy separating from her and being bound in that enigmatic bubble. Kaczie knew the zeal was too weak for continuing a life, but it could certainly grow a new one.

Her soul gently slipped out of the vessel as it was no more, and at the same time was Zindel dissipated. His yellow fragment, bubbling with a curiosity and a compassion so sincere, it made its way into its new sphere of energy.

Kaczie smiled one last time, bidding her goodbye.

"I trust you'll take care of him, Jay."

Joha felt sorrow, but she understood what had to be done. She'd never really spoken to the Shadow before but the kind aura coming from Kaczie always put Joha at ease, and she always sensed an almost mystic connection. At least, she wanted to return the favour to Kaczie for all the help she'd given to everyone, but she'd never accept.

For the shortest time Kaczie seemed to turn towards Ethelred, a surprising but strong bond overwhelming his thought. He didn't understand from where it stemmed but he was... happy. Zoey caught a glimpse of that emotion and all she wished for was that Kaczie could live for herself.

Kaczie merely smiled, saying the words she would not be able to say in the future.

"Until we meet again."