A resounding quiet was all that remained, time appearing to just be there but be still. In only a little matter of time did three shadows leave... conflict rarely ever caused the death of a Shadow Being.

No more, Mildred thought firmly. She focused on Vlad's aura, the blinding and scorching heat that was now left astray. For a moment it seemed as if he remembered the events of the trials, but a wave of thunderous noise indicated he didn't.

Vlad still had no body and the demons were mentally connected to him, in the Shadow Dimension. It was the perfect setting and only one thing could be done.

"You will require a lot of energy."

Pranetra's tone was tender, its silence spreading a sense of tranquillity in Mildred's mind. Mildred returned a knowing gesture but turned her attention back to Vlad.

"There is a thin line between selflessness and arrogance. I know you
wish to protect everyone by doing everything yourself, but there is some naivety in that. Take our help."

Mildred returned a warm aura, her attention tilted towards Pranetra.

"Only if you do not mind. No one is obliged to do anything, but I am the leader. It is my duty and my will."

Pranetra and Jay seemed to exchange something before the latter spoke.

"I am the leader too. Besides, I will do anything for the Shadows."

And I'll do anything for you.

Both notions, what came from Jay and Pranetra settled deep within Mildred, forming the strongest bonds she'd ever known. It wasn't simply across time and the two were very different, but it instilled some profound and enigmatic emotion. Mildred didn't understand what.

"Thank you."

Vlad could feel the notion too, as if he received Mildred's gratitude along with the two beings. It confused him and all he could do was brush it away.

'What do you have in mind?'

Pranetra's thought was shared with Mildred and only Jay could hear it.

''Before Vlad's third attack, we have to encase him in a very strong energy bubble. Sort of like how it is before a Shadow Being is 'born', but it has to be there till your time... three millenia.'

'What good will that do?'

'Defeating Vlad right now is impossible. Only when he goes against us will we realise what the state of nature, consciousness and energy is. Not just the Shadow Beings, but also the spirits of the land. Besides, Vlad is too powerful right now, and only a collective energy will work against him, from everywhere. There is also something deeper going within Vlad and if that is released now, equilibrium will fall. Time will create the right circumstances, and that time is yours.

'He will wake three millenia later.'

Silence spread. Both of them agreed, but they had their concern.

'The energy required to make that energy encasing will be very large. How will you get that?'

'Perhaps we can use the energy that is inside him? That is very powerful, and expanding that while adding some of my energy should be fine. That way he will probably not be able to attack a third time, too.'

'What exactly is inside him?' asked Jay, though he knew the answer wouldn't be pleasant.

Mildred's response horrified the two beings.

'It is... certainly powerful. However, Mildred, you will be born again in our time and you will need your energy. Everything has to be eventually returned to your land and for that, the energy needs to be in you.'

'I will guide the collective energy when opposing Vlad. Then, after it is done, the energy will return to me.'

'To maintain your vessel and consciousness till that point you will need energy. Perhaps you can borrow the energy from a land and that can temporarily be a part of you?'

'Perhaps. Earth is too distorted, Hearth has too many beings, Chaos is out of the question for many reasons, Tenebris, I mean Destructive Tenebris has Demonic Creatures and their energy is the most delicate as the now name of the land suggests, and Valleys is hurt. Only Grace and Oblivion are left.

'Zindel is no more and Grace cannot be connected.' It saddened Mildred to think that.

'Oblivion is our only option because the Angels are the closest to equilibrium. However, we can do nothing till their or their spirit's permit.'

'You have the permit,' Pranetra's thought propagated softly. 'Three centuries later you will receive the energy you will need, depending on how much is used now.'

With that statement Mildred confirmed her suspicion.

'Since I am in the form of a Shadow Being, I'll be needing the aid of the Shadow of Oblivion to separate a part of the energy within me once Vlad is put to his slumber. Then I can give it to you when I return to my time.'

Thet recognised the attention of three powerful souls on him, his presence elevating. Upon learning what had to be done, Thet immediately agreed.

The three beings came out of their contemplative cloud, time 'moving' at a normal pace for everyone. Vlad and the other Shadows of the future perhaps subconsciously realised that the three beings were in a discussion, but they did nothing.

'I need you to block Vlad's energy for us as we create a... prison for him.'

Jay's thought managed to escape Vlad's attention and reached the Seven shadows. He disliked the words he used, but he knew that that was true to some extent. For a bit they were confused and wondered how they would do so until they remembered their conversation with the Shadow Council of the past.

The Technique of Solis...

They knew nothing about it, but they had to try. Something similar to Zeal Conflux, only, merging the energy 'mentally' instead of ever splitting it.

They wondered why Vlad did nothing all that while, though even recognising was a task; he was so still. Only when his thoughts travelled somewhere did a spark of his existence make itself known.

Hedley seemed to understand a glimpse of Vlad's state to an obscure bond. All he knew was that Mildred's gratitude had still left him in absolute disorder. He wondered who she really was and what was happening. There were so many questions and so much confusion, but the Shadows always remained patient.

The Seven from the 'future' began to connect with each other and that came by rather easily due to all those years of being together. Some of them were not as familiar with each other but even the shortest time was enough to strengthen their bonds.

Bond... Vlad thought. Such a funny thing it is, giving the most trivial creatures meaning to their life. Futile meaning.

"No, Vlad."

Jay's tone was mellow and quiet, invoking an earnest sense of comfort in Vlad.

"You have so many bonds within you and or bonded to other beings. Do you really believe they are futile?"

As the Seven's energy was further accumulated, its vigour began to grow. With each other's support they were able to hold such a force, Jay's control, thoughts and sentiments giving them their greatest strength. Unity.

There was no sight, only the sensation of a notion leaden with the memory of their home and all of the Shadow Beings, all of existence. For some reason the sight of that One tree in Sylva Vita flashed before their sight, finally connecting them all to create a powerful shield. A powerful Shadow, something that would block the rays of the energy they were against.

"Recognise it, Vlad, and accept it. Perhaps with time."

Vlad wished to feel, to express sorrow. He feared his 'duty', himself. He hated it.

Vlad wished to feel sorrow but only one thing was possible.

Rage broke out, yet again.