The Shadows of Nature

25. Nature's End

Melancholy flooded Jay's consciousness, a recondite sense of an endearing emotion welling within him. For whom the emotion was, he did not know, but he knew it was his.

As the leader's name lingered within the radiations of the protective sphere, the kind Shadow evanesced. Remnants of her memory sparked through the minds of the Shadows, finally acknowledging the one who was unacknowledged in all her life.

Kaczie's remaining energy - her child - took her place on instinct, a wave of assuage overwhelming even the demons who were really unconscious. It was only a simple orb, but it would defend.

The state of Jay's consciousness suddenly transformed, his solicitous attitude towards the Shadows returning. His focus now was solely on Vlad, his thoughts emanating softly.

"Vlad, do not let go of that energy anymore."

Jay didn't know if it was a command or a plead, but he only hoped his sibling's rationality would aid the being in recognising reason.

"Why should I keep all the negativity within me?"

For once, Jay didn't know how to respond.

"He is right, Jay."

Mildred's sense of respect immediately stirred something within Jay; a bond. They knew nothing about each other but that sense was beyond powerful. Perhaps it was because of their understanding of what was conscious, of reality and of silence, or perhaps simply because they were both leaders. Perhaps they were connected across the fabric of time but in that moment, Jay saw and realised Mildred's thoughts.

"We need to take the Shadow-Trappers back to Earth. Joha, take Brier and Isaac with you. Ethelred, I need you to transport the Demons back to their land, too. Take Zoey and Kasia's aid."

It felt so odd to not be able to take Zindel's name, as if that sound itself existed no more. Thet recognised his friend's sorrow and especially the desolation that came from Ethelred, Zoey and Kasia. They almost ignored their leader, immobile. They were in a void.

Thet focused on the memories of happiness in regards to their friend. Those bright and affable expressions, the unearthly but comforting aura he brought with his presence, all those warm strokes of yellow. The Shadows realised that they had to move, they had to honour what had been given to them; time in a domain of no measure.

Zoey remained sensitive but very gradually regained her strength. She glanced towards Joha, the Shadow that had taken up her burden of the hearthstone. Though she too faced grief from Kaczie's departure she only sent waves of confidence, giving Zoey all the conviction she needed. They were the demons and they weren't living, but they still needed their freedom, their safety, their 'life'.

Ethelred formed a connection with Vlad's inner being, Kasia subduing its destructive nature. Such a variable, an obscure level of quantum and conscious energy lay in there, but the Shadows were unshaken due to prior anticipation. As if lulling the being to sleep, the Shadows very carefully separated its control from the minds of the demons, receiving brief aid from Joha's illusions and her Yuran. The weight was still heavy and Vlad's gaze was sharp, but they persisted so very subtly. Isaac's darkness began to cover their presence and they nearly managed to lift the control.

Vlad would not be fooled.

The being's grip now tightened around the minds of the demons, sending off the meddling Shadows back to their land in a hurry. For that brief moment Demons were free and they realised their unity amongst all Shadows. When their time to be awake would arrive they would perhaps be alarmed at the sight of the Shadows but never would emotions such as fear, hatred or anger be in them. They would be patient.

Nothing would be futile.

Still, for now the Demons remained in their prison. That protective sphere of energy slightly interfered with Vlad's aura which was enough for the Shadow-Trappers to break away from his grasp and not suffer any damage, though they could not return to the dimension anymore.

The remaining Shadow-Trappers turned to Brier.

"We can help," Zeno spoke immediately. Every Shadow of the 'present' wished to help her, but a few of them knew it wasn't plausible.

"No, you cannot. You will be stuck in my time."

Zeno was prepared to protest but withdrew upon receiving a signal from Ila. Amongst those still present in the dimension, she probably understood time the best. Without the Shadow of Time they could not take such a risk.

"I can."

Thet's thought was confident and yet soft, providing some assuage to all of the Shadows. Brier responded with a warm aura but had to decline.

"You are needed here, Thet. Besides, I think this will work the best if I do it alone. Nature will aid me."

Thet knew she spoke the truth, but he also knew what she had to do in order to transport the Shadows back. His selfless spirit urged him to help Brier anyway; not just for her, but to alleviate all of the Shadow-Trappers too. But then, a discreet impulse coming from Genal seemed to bond with Thet's energy. He turned towards Pranetra, confused to see a Shadow, but he realised he was indeed needed there. Oddly, Ila seemed to express a concern that stemmed from the future and Thet was compelled to stay.

For a brief moment Thet wondered why Mildred, their leader, did not express herself in any of the affairs related to the world outside. But he knew his friend all too well; she had always interfered indirectly, through the mind and the consciousness, not what was physical.

With a convincing gesture from Brier, Thet subdued his force, giving the Shadow her space. Kaczie's child perhaps subconsciously drifted away, thought it still maintained an air of defence to protect the Shadows. Green fragments ripped away from Brier's vessel, her image gradually fading away though her zeal only grew stronger. The fragrance of nature's integrity suddenly filled the space, taking the shield's place. The power of instinct and belonging, to know that they weren't supposed to be there began to gently peel away the layers and layers of confusion and transported the consciousness back to the Earth.

Vlad's grip loosened because he didn't wish to fight nature. It was really Menod's rationality and the care with which Brier handled Vlad's force that made the being wish to alleviate that Shadows' worries. But he couldn't. He shouldn't.

That's when his Rage broke out again, meddling with memory of the Shadow-Trappers in the protective sphere. Such destructive power interfering with Brier's Yuran; she would have to use all of her energy. Thet felt an instant pang of sorrow and the others all hopeless, but Brier gave them assurance and used the energy with a sense of satisfaction.

The Shadows of the 'present' let Brier know they could lend their zeal, though Brier took nothing. She did, however, accept a little bit of Umbra and Hedley's energy, once again through a bond that was felt from the future.

Time was funny.

At this point Brier had vanished from existence and had almost left the dimension. Brier's vessel's zeal was only temporary, so using that to oppose Vlad was no problem for her. However a cloud of zeal was always maintained around every soul till they reached enlightenment, so that it could decide what their form would be in that 'life'.

Guess I cannot help it, she thought without regret. She'd have to use some part of that zeal and she did so with no hesitation.

Horror marked everyone's aura, especially Menod's. For a moment he unknowingly overcame Vlad's body, so greatly wishing to aid the Shadow. A small part of his energy immediately left him to combine with Brier's sphere that surrounded her soul; such energy was very little for him but necessary for the Shadow.

Thus, demonic energy became a part of the Shadow of nature.

And then, with all the Shadow-Trappers returning to where they belonged, she left life.