Ehren jogged towards the powerful force, his elderly eyes intense with humility and curiosity. The council of shadows followed his footsteps, and while he paid close attention to their movement, his concentration was fixated on the source of energy.

The shadows suddenly came to stop, incredulity embedded in their expressions. Vibrant colours of the spectrum reflected in their eyes, sparks of light igniting continuously as the masses' energies elevated.

Ehren slowly moved towards them, crouching slightly with caution. The others stood behind him, a few of their eyebrows furrowed with concern for their leader.

Suddenly, a bright burst of radiance pierced through the atmosphere, blinding everyone in its small vicinity.

Ehren narrowed his eyes, his tall built standing erect, though his palms remained relaxed. The ball of masses disappeared from their sights, discreetly changing into the materialism of two infants.

The vigour of the two Beings was staggering, causing almost all other than Ehren to stumble. Nevertheless he approached them, kneeling as he gently held the two who were clad in white.

The little boy stared at his reflection in his bearer's brown lake, a drowsy expression resting on the former's face.

Silence followed as Ehren stood up, turning towards the people behind him. A soft smile was on his face, spreading an aura of relaxation through the tense atmosphere.

"Who are they?" came the deep voice of an adult. Ehren lifted his gaze towards the head of the Velox-Viators, his face diminishing to a nonchalant expression. He looked back at the little ones, a deep thought entering his mind. The aura that propagated from the two was beyond his comprehension, yet he felt a solicitous sense of duty towards them, needing to protect them from all harm.

"I'm not sure of their origin."

The honour accompanying Ehren's tone could bring any creature of any age to wish to serve him, yet he sensed the little one's proud aura intensify at his words.

"However..."

The mellifluous sound trailed into the atmosphere, a wise glimmer passing his sight. He knew that no ordinary Shadow-Trapper could know about this moment, for such power was abstruse.

His tone had never been so gentle, but it was as if their power urged his own to evolve. A smile broke through his expression as he looked at the two with an unfamiliar fondness.

"Welcome, Jay and Pranetra."

- - - - -

Jay stood alerted, his hands by his side. Adoration reflected in his eyes as he observed his leader walk towards him. He suddenly felt a gentle hand play with his hair to which he paid no heed.

"Oh come on, Pranetra. Don't trouble Mr. Serious here. Not that there will be any repercussions."

Jay's expression remained unchanged other than the emergence of confusion in his eyes. Pranetra narrowed her eyes, shaking her head as slow as a snail and Ehren let out a gentle laugh. He rested his hand on Jay's head, the warmth greatly appreciated by the boy.

"Are you sure the two of you want to learn from me?"

Jay nodded slowly. "If it's no problem..."

"Oh that is no issue. It's just that you two have the ability of mind-control, while I create illusions."

Jay glanced towards Pranetra, a knowing look coming in his eyes.

"I think that's perfect for us."

The light flared behind Ehren, entering through the window. His face grew radiant as a smile of gratitude came onto his face.

"Close your eyes and concentrate on your energy. Picture it and see if a distinctive perception comes; since we have an ability that relates to thoughts, we are usually able to see the auras of others, but knowing one's own aura can take time. The colour may differ from Shadow to Shadow, too."

The two followed their leader's expression. Pride reflected his humble eyes as he stared at the expressions of the children. Though Pranetra behaved like a Shadow, Jay's mannerism indicated that he had only come down to play a part.

Ehren very well knew what the role was, and hoped that he would know when the time was right.

In that moment of no disturbance, Ehren entered the internal realm, peace surrounding his being. A sonorous tinkle of silent notes filled his mind, an unfamiliar but graceful sound. He wondered where such emotions originated from, where the two beings and where every existence belonged, if there even was such a place.

He wondered if the two could see the lines that represented them in the simulation of reality, for he saw nothing, but felt everything.

- - - - -

Jay and Ehren stood amidst a number of fragile and disordered figures, the latter's gaze firm but composed, while Jay remained nonchalant. The air around them was cold as darkness began to settle in. Yet the two felt a melancholic tranquillity in their minds. Their stances were absolutely free of agitation, everything remaining the same even when they finally moved. They paid no attention to the blades on their waist, relying completely on their abilities.

Ehren closed his eyes as he moved discretely, choosing positions out of the senile creatures' sight. A comforting illusion appeared before their eyes, and their intensifies emotions were gradually brought down, the tight air depressurising from the relief.

Ehren opened his eyes, smiling with satisfaction. The creatures slowly began to change their shapes to their elegant form, though they still remained in an unstable state. Ehren was able to use his ability to alleviate the creatures only after so many years of practice, and even then the result was difficult to anticipate. The imbalanced state of the mental threads made the demonic creatures' actions greatly unpredictable; any being could feel any strong emotion at any time.

Ehren set his eyes on Jay's empty expression. He sighed, moving a little closer to the boy. Ehren would make him the leader in two years, and had to groom him with everything he had.

"Show your sympathy, Jay. I know you feel for them, but you must show it so that they will be at more ease. This way their odds of returning to normal will increase."

Jay nodded slowly, forcing a smile to appear on his face. At first, it felt awkward, but with one last shriek from the grievous throat, genuine pity reflected on Jay's face. He moved into the humans' mind who had now withheld their tears, raising their loved memories of the deceased.

Ehren's hand was now gently rested on Jay's shoulder, a soft smile coming on his face. He couldn't help but feel proud, and a whole lot happy.

This was how the leaders wanted their people to work. Not have to kill anyone, but instead help everyone.

And that's exactly where they were headed.

- - - - -

Jay walked with confusion, though his pace was patient. He broke into a jog at the sight of his leader, a very small smile on his face. He was glad to see the man alone, and almost chuckled at the aged eyebrows' curve.

Ehren turned towards Jay, a smile emerging immediately. The man never expected such a gesture of himself at the sight of another, and neither did Jay. While Pranetra had lived with another mind-controller and her family, Jay was with Ehren. Despite his busy schedules, he had always managed to find enough time for Jay, for which he was deeply grateful.

"What's this about you leaving?"

Jay spoke in a solemn manner, though his tone was soft and genuine.

Ehren smiled, momentary silence filling the atmosphere. Jay appreciated such moments, but also wanted his answer.

"It's been eighteen years since you were born, Jay, and then itself I was eighty-seven. I think someone else ought to be the leader, and I should devote some time to myself."

Jay nodded in understanding, sorrow almost reflecting in his eyes.

"Where will you go?"

Ehren turned towards the sky, sighing before he faced Jay again.

"For the time being I will go to The Land of Grace; the spirit of that land is very friendly. I might go to The Land of Valleys too, but I aim to go to The Land of Oblivion, which is probably impossible, but that's alright. I have at least some time."

Ehren chuckled softly, and Jay forced a smile.

"I'm sure you will make it to The Land of Oblivion."

Jay looked proud, and Ehren nodded in gratitude.

"I'm sure you will make a great leader. That's what you were born for."

Jay now returned his gesture, though a heavy thought lay in his mind. He knew his purpose was to lead the Shadow-Trappers and learn from the leader himself, but he'd never anticipate that he'd make such a bond.

A bond almost as strong as the one with his siblings.

The two began to walk together, observing the life around. Jay was always relieved to see the safety and happiness of everyone, but it was always from the perception of a leader, and never from personal compassion.

He was so different from Pranetra. There was a softness around her that alleviated everyone, and she could feel for others so well. He had decided to remain alone when he was ten, but she went ahead to be in a group, though her group remained in the headquarters. She couldn't be separated from him, not like he was...

Jay took a deep breath, putting up a relieved smile to not worry those around him. He wondered if he really was so incapable of emotions, or if he simply hadn't recognised them yet. He couldn't let such things affect him, though, his mental and spiritual state. Spirituality meant to be oblivious of strong emotions so they wouldn't affect one's soul.

However, Pranetra showed wonderful compassion and he knew she felt it, yet it didn't affect her mental balance. They were permitted to recognise, but not to depend on them.

Jay snapped out of his mundane thoughts. He was an entity and had a duty to fulfil; that was all that mattered. The well-being of the Shadow-Trappers.

- - - - -

"Jay!"

Ila's lively voice had never sounded so sombre before. She was accompanied by Pranetra who held a calm look in her eyes, but was visibly worried.

"What happened?"

After being their leader for two years, Jay hadn't expected such depth in his own voice. But he knew he still had a lot to learn.

Ila said nothing more, handing him a small, black box. He looked at it with caution, his eyes widening at the sight. The signal was variable and so deeply red-shifted that the colour went below red; an almost invisible light that felt ghastly. However, the abominable force that propagated from the radiations was far greater than the sight.

"It seems like someone is tampering with the Shadow Dimension."

Jay let out a sharp breath, wishing to not hear those words. He remained calm, falling into deep thought.

"All those with the ability of mind-control, illusions and shadow-lifting and are willing to go will be the only ones to join us. Them and the Council."

Jay suddenly stopped in his tracks, contemplating his options. If he was right, then he simply couldn't risk their lives. But what about the council...?

"Actually, leave it. Pranetra and I are the only ones who will go."

Ila raised her eyebrows in a questioning manner, staring deep into her leader's eyes, looking for any hidden truths. Jay felt no emotion and stood blatantly, ready to do everything in order to keep the Shadow-Trappers safe.

"Oh come on, Jay. You know you can trust us because we trust you. You will lead us well."

A small smile emerged on Jay's lips as he nodded slowly, approving Ila's indirect request to let her come.

He'd let no one die. That was his duty.

The three rushed to the headquarters' defence room. Jay walked towards the large window, reaching towards the microphone while pressing a black button. His expression was devoid of anxiety and a gentle smile emerged on his face.

"All members of the council, please come here, to the announcement room."

The sound echoed gingerly, yet it lacked the refined empathy Ehren's words carried.

He waited patiently as the room began to fill gradually. His first sight from twenty years back flashed through his mind, a proud smile appearing as he remembered the previous members of the council.

There were only ten of them present including Pranetra, but they were also few of the most powerful and wise Shadow-Trappers of the time. Though concern marked most of their expressions they all remained patient, waiting for their leader's words.

"We've picked up a very peculiar signal," Jay said while displaying the dull, radiating dot. No one made a single sound, though Jay could feel the tension escalate.

"So far we think that this might be related to the Shadow Dimension as the signal indicates something greater than a concentrated presence of demons. Something is almost interfering with space-time."

Jay enlarged the image of the signal, revealing the unsettling radiation and constant displacement of the point on the map, sometimes at short distances and sometimes at longer ones. This couldn't happen in normal space since there was no possibility of Demonic Creatures jumping from one place to another so frequently as if passing through wormholes, and that too was a far-fetched analogy.

"We know very little about this situation, so I understand if you wish to stay back. You also have your family to think about, so please answer my next question with good consideration: Are you willing to come with me?"

To Jay's relief, no one other than Ila and Pranetra nodded immediately. While they showed no hesitation, Jay sensed their minds entering a contemplative state.

"We'll go," Umbra and Hedley said in unison. Jay had expected such a response from them, but he did not confirm their response so easily.

"Are you sure? You even have Ava to think about."

"I have great confidence in her, Jay. Besides, if we don't go today, maybe she won't have the best tomorrow." The thin man's confidence was massive, and his height amplify its effect. Umbra's tenderness expressed the two genuinely wished to aid their leader.

"Me too," said a cool voice, and Jay turned to meet Clement's brown eyes. He smiled, shifting to a casual stance as he slipped a hand into his pocket. Jay was grateful to him and his family for taking such great care of his sister, and they were perhaps a crucial factor in shaping her personality. The sincere wish to help that reverberated from the man was incredulous, and an instinctive smile peeked through Jay's tight face.

"I'll stay back," Maysa said after moments of silence passed, a solemn look glinting in her grey eyes. She stood firmly and her dark hair radiated firmness, but Jay sensed guilt weigh on her mind.

"I understand. You must be awaiting the birth of your child. I'm glad you made that choice; only two weeks remain, after all."

Maysa smiled with gratitude, seeming a little relieved. She cared deeply for the others, but Jay trusted her to take care of her mental well-being.

"Aileth and I will remain here, too. We need someone to take care of the headquarters and other workings while you're gone. Time in the Shadow Dimension is unpredictable."

Aileth nodded towards Genji as an affirmation, and Jay smiled. The two were the only members who were a part of the council at the time he was born. They deserved a break, and he couldn't risk straining their depleting energy anyway. It was surprising that they still remained in the council even at that age, being about seven years younger than Ehren, that's all.

"Who do you think I am?"

Jay turned towards the purple haired man, shaking his head at the wide grin. He immediately understood the man's answer, though Ila flashed an unimpressed look.

"A moron."

"Talking about yourself, huh?"

"Answering your question, dumby."

"You don't understand comebacks."

"You don't understand logic."

"Shut it, both of you."

Ila and Zeno turned towards Umbra with widened eyes, absolute bewilderment crossing their faces.

"Umbra said 'Shut it.'"

The woman in question remained still with her nonchalant expression sharing a look with Clement, though the tension in the room had evidently eased. Genji wore a proud smile as he shook his defined head, and few of the others bursting into light laughter.

In that moment, Jay felt like a Shadow.

"I'm afraid we mustn't delay anymore," Pranetra said softly, receiving a nod from the leader. Though the unease had dissipated, concern now lay in everyone's minds.

After the final exchange, Maysa, Genji and Aileth departed from the other seven, wishing them their best.

The seven headed towards the signal, anticipating the future yet remaining admirably composed. Jay walked with Pranetra and Clement at his sides while the others remained a few steps behind, maintaining a fragile silence. As they moved deeper into the forest, dread weighed on the atmosphere, an abysmal force pushing the molecules together. The dim sky held a profound solace and Jay found it succouring. However, he couldn't shake off an odd familiarity and turned towards Pranetra with a worried expression.

"Do you feel this presence?"

Pranetra nodded gently, her expression free of agitation. To that day, Jay never understood why Ehren chose him to be the leader and not Pranetra. Even the name given to her suggested that she would be perfect for the role.

Jay sighed, facing the path ahead with newfound confidence. He wished he would've asked Ehren about it, but none of it mattered at the moment. An innocent smile flickered as he looked behind with a soft gaze, the headquarters a small but potent figure in the distance. His eyes travelled downwards, warmth filling his mind at the Shadows' positivity. The soughing of the mind alleviated their emotions, though Jay was thankful for the cautious expressions.

Suddenly, a powerful force pushed on the seven's minds, stopping their movement. Their eyes were widened as it pulled them within a concealed dimension. Even Jay and Pranetra were under its influence, not being able to even think out of their free will.

Time was no more a factor as an event of the past flashed through both siblings' minds. Their beings were absolutely still, their consciousness entering the space devoid of light and their sight in an abyss of light.

Three powerful orbs of light hovered above the endless depth. An aura of tranquil enigma almost visibly spiralled around the entities, even though they were still concealed within their integument. Their time to descend upon the world was coming, and the creatures of the unconscious land. The abyss was a place where even most the land's creatures couldn't go, yet its vigour was felt through every fragment of the realm.

The love that bound the three siblings was beyond any being's comprehension, perhaps even their own. A single chord strung the three tones together in an inscrutable sound that echoed across the features of the enlightening spirit.

Their time grew closer, though they were yet to be bound by such a factor. To understand the world and the beings of the Shadows. All they'd known was that the mental balance of their dimension was precarious due to this world. They couldn't let such a factor atrophy the spiritual balance.

Then, the moment came, bringing an unforeseen guest along with it. The entities mundane visions were closed, and so they felt a rather alleviating and melancholic presence. It astounded them, how that existence approached them, and a deep respect emerged in their consciousness. The presence was contrastingly similar to the creator.

Suddenly, a tenebrous force caused motion to the spherules of energy. At that moment their true insight closed to open their raw gaze, an emotion known as fear entering their minds.

The entities could no longer follow the dark wind's presence, and its movement was too fast for them to predict. With the flash of a blinding light, the new entity joined one of the siblings, and sent the other two to a moment of the future, a place requiring their presence.

No one understood a thing. No one, other than The Three of Aequsama.

Jay's eyes opened to meet the darkness, his being immobile. No physical object was in sight, but the presence of all everyone's consciousness couldn't be more evident. He leaned towards his right and his sibling did the same towards him. It was now that he remembered it, once again.

In this universe they were undoubtedly alone. They had each other, but they had their own roles to fulfil. He sensed Pranetra's confidence quiver as she took his support, and he gladly gave it. It took only a moment for her to regain her composure, and her gratitude somehow lifted Jay's esteem. Their minds departed from that moment, once again returning to their solemn lives.

Suddenly, Jay heard a soft tone saunter into his mind, words of morality elevating the innocent entity's.

"Now do you see why I made you the leader?"

The fervent silence couldn't possibly be more appeasing.

"She can lead, and she can heal. She is ideal, yes. But her will is not as strong as yours. She can conciliate, she can bring comfort. But you must bring balance and peace.

"Besides, this isn't about an individual. This is about your duty. Recognise it and believe."

The strong presence vanished as abruptly as it appeared, yet in such a moment Jay found something immensely consoling.

Suddenly, a force cut through his surroundings as if sucking in everything. Throttling silence filled the air as little spheres of different lights entered his vision.

"Look who's joined us."

That menacing shadow. That innocent entity. That recondite existence.

The mendacity of perception.

"Welcome home."

----- -------

Was she getting closer to the answers? She didn't know. She wanted to know so very badly.

History contained so much and the present knew absolutely nothing. To share the information with others she gradually gained would be a moronic action, and as a leader, she recognised her duty to comprehend and keep it within. However, it confused her at least to some extent. Every thought was now a question to the universe.

Funnily enough, Audrey gladly welcomed this abstruse emotion. She had to simply wait for the right time and then choose the right words to help this ordinary world, a world she genuinely was fond of. But it was now that she realised the truth behind the choosing of her kind's leader.

They had their morals, their sense of duty. They were gentle, yes, and became wise, yes. But what was most prominent was simply one thing, and she found nothing bitter about it.

They greeted solitude as their true friend.