The sounds of life disturbed Conrad. The buzzing of flies, calls of animals, traffic sounds, karaoke songs, arguments, lullabies, footsteps, breathing, thinking sharply pulled Conrad out of his night's rest. Conrad's eyes flew open to darkness, his mind unable to leave the movements of life.

The noises of life.

Conrad slowly sat up, got off the bed and walked out. Silent footsteps, no breathing, empty mind, but the noises were still deafening. He listened to the sounds of his house, focusing on the vibrations of his friends. Audrey, whose mind lived but was silent, Elek curious but quiet, Evelyn a glowing warmth, and Trina and Galen who were still. Conrad smiled, sighing both in relief at the tranquil aura of his people and in exasperation of living sounds.

The moment he stepped outside his house, it was as if the world shook with violent vibrations. Was he hypersensitive or overly cautious? Conrad wanted them to stop but the house didn't seem to reduce it enough. Being outside, it felt as if he could hear the anxiety of human life. Their thoughts, feelings, concerns, life, actions, just by their walk or breathing or laughter or crying or silence or silence or silence...

Conrad took a deep breath. He needed to get off the ground somehow, although the air carried the most vibrations... perhaps music could help him, as it did for Audrey.

Conrad walked back into the house, heading towards the piano before stopping midway. The softest note would wake Audrey up, he couldn't wake his friend. He needed something else. That electronic device with those ear inserting machines, perhaps? No, that would be too loud for him.

Ever since he left the headquarters, Conrad's mind became delicate. His tolerance of living things was worsening. He could now hear the movement of insects on the floor, lizards, the magma in the Earth's crust... his sensitivity was increasing. Sounds living things couldn't hear - the planets' revolution, the Sun burning its gases, the galaxies moving, space expanding.

"Chaos."

And that's when it came. The call from the abyss. What was that voice? The abyss connected everything to the Earth, everything out of and in existence. But Conrad knew that voice. Could it be...

Was that his brother again?

Without thinking Conrad ran towards the source of the sound, his feet making no noise. All other sounds turned off and he could focus on that one sound.

"Conrad."

There it was. It came again. His brother was calling out to him. He'd already wasted three years since he came to this awful, useless, boring thing to help humans. He loved being with his friends but everything else was a waste of time. He just wanted to meet his brother once and...

"Hey kid, what are you doing here?"

A soft voice came from his left and Conrad immediately stopped, frowning in annoyance. He couldn't tell where his name was called out from anymore and the sounds of life returned.

"This is a very dangerous place and it's off-limits to the public. Do you even know where you are?"

Off-limits. Conrad scoffed, ignoring the man. He began walking slowly, trying to find his focal point again.

"Oi kid I'm talking to you, can you hear me?" The man's tone was simultaneously gruff and caring, but also very, very tired. Conrad sighed, turning towards the man.

"I can-" Conrad stopped talking immediately. A human could hear him? See him? A human was talking to him? That had only happened once, three years ago, and the circumstances were very different. The aura from that human was different. This was... ordinary.

Conrad grunted, hitting his forehead. His hypersensitivity made him drop his guard. Such irony. Conrad sighed, nodding his head towards the man. He knew he couldn't find the voice again, and it was best to stay at home, where sounds were somewhat muted.

"I'm sorry. I'm a sleep-walker. I had a bit of a violent episode, I'll head back home."

Conrad said quietly, trying to add false sincerity to his voice.

"Oh okay. Let me take you home, you've come quite deep in the forest but you seem like a wise fellow."

Seem like a wise fellow. Conrad almost scoffed. Humans could be deceived so easily.

"No, it's okay. This has happened to me before, but I can take care of myself. I appreciate the offer."

The man nodded, and Conrad headed back home. Suddenly the sounds around him intensified. Conrad fell to his knees, clutching his ears, gritting his teeth to avoid making any sound. The man could no longer see him. He couldn't seem Conrad exactly when he could've helped him.

Typical, Conrad managed to think in that chaos, still clutching his head. He stood up slowly, focusing on Elek's aura to lead him home. He was lost in the noise, but at least Audrey's lesson on aura was useful.

"Conrad."

There was that voice again. Clay. Conrad just knew it was him. He ran toward's the voice, making the loudest noise in the area while having no other presence. All sounds stopped - the wind, the insects, the cars and all life. Even the voice. But Conrad could hear the echo, he could follow the origin.

"Hey kid, I can't see you but you seem to be making a lot of noise running around in circles. Are you okay? Do you need me to call a doctor?"

Circles? Humans truly were useless, delusional. Couldn't even tell the pattern of a sound.

Suddenly, the wind whisked him away, stopping him with a gentle touch.

"Good evening, sir. I'm sorry my friend is making all this noise. We had a difficult time recently but that is no excuse, I should be taking care of him. Thank you for looking out for him all this while. I'll take him home now."'

Conrad felt lost. That gentle yet confident voice was so familiar, but he couldn't tell who it was. The grip on his arm was strong, guiding him home, so it had to be someone from home. From the headquarters? Who was home? Did Clay come back on his own? No, that wasn't his home. Clay was at home, and his grip wasn't that strong. So it must be a demon? Who else could it be from home?

Conrad reached the clearing. The moonlight revealed Evelyn's worried expression, and Conrad was hit with reality.

"Conrad, are you okay? Do you recognise me?"

"Y-yes of course," Conrad stumbled on his words, and Evelyn understood immediately. She gently grabbed his wrist, walking slowly, guiding him back home. Conrad's surroundings blurred and he felt the vibrations intensify, beeping at equal intervals to wake him from his haze. The passage of time confused Conrad, but he eventually managed to speak.

"Evelyn I can't do it anymore, okay? I can't. I want to go back.'

"What is it? What can't you do?"

"EXIST! I don't want to exist anymore, can I just go back home? I heard a voice from the abyss, that's my way out of here. I can go back home."

Evelyn stopped. "I-I don't understand, what do you mean? What is this abyss? What is home?"

"Clay is at home! I want to go back there! Living things are too painful for me. Too noisy. They never shut up. They need to quiet down. Something always is moving. They need to be still for ONE MOMENT."

"Conrad, you're making the loudest sound right now."

Conrad took a deep breath, regulating his tone.

"Well, I'm tired. Tired of listening to noise all the time. Tired of staying silent all the time. Who cares what I think? I don't care anyway. I have nothing to think about. I just want to go home."

"Then let's go home." Evelyn resumed walking, her steps unsure yet determined.

That's not what I mean! Conrad wanted to yell at the top of his lungs, but he knew that would do nothing.

Conrad shook his head, taking a deep breath as he returned to reality. Evelyn firmly held his hand, guiding Conrad, and the two soon stood in front of their house. Audrey leaned by the door, half-asleep, and Conrad thought he caught a glimpse of Elek in his window. Seeing the two of them safe Audrey let out a sigh of relief, smiling. She hesitated, observing Evelyn before she softly walked back inside, returning to her bed.

Evelyn dragged Conrad to their balcony. The night air was fresh, but she wanted to keep Conrad inside the house.

"What happened?" Evelyn asked in a kind tone undermined by a hint of impatience. Conrad took a deep breath, doing his best to explain his feelings.

"Perhaps you should retrace your steps. Understand where those vibrations came from. Give the noise meaning, so it becomes information."

"How?"

"Understand humans. You'll never be able to help them until you understand them, understand life."

Conrad sighed, turning towards the floor. "It's going to take me more than this night to understand humans. I don't know how you all do it. Help them."

"We don't understand humans either. Elek or Audrey are our best shot. It will take time. You can always tell me how you're feeling, okay? And we can always switch roles."

"Silence," Conrad remembered his encounter of that night, the first and only human he respected. He couldn't believe he broke that promise but... he didn't really break it, did he? He strengthened it. Or at least that's what he had to do.

As the first rays of the sun emerged, Conrad went to sleep.

- - - - -

Conrad walked on the stone path, vibrations of truly low amplitude being produced with each step. The atmosphere of Sylva Vita was vibrant but nature softened the scent that evening. The cold felt especially stark, the general comfort that surrounded the headquarters was no more. Most shadows remained within their quarters - perhaps it was the fear of the attack that had passed, the shock of losing a shadow, the worries of what was to come against Vlad.

At times Conrad wanted to do nothing but see how everything played. Sometimes he wanted to face Vlad alone. Most of the time he felt confused, and always controlled his urge to see Clay. He knew his aura would only worry Clay.

A yellow warmth reached Conrad, the only envelope of assurance at that moment. Last night's piano replayed in his mind, at first giving him additional comfort but the sound began to distort and Conrad shut the memory down. He turned towards his left, smiling at the source of the yellow colour.

"Hello, Elek. Do you mind if I sit with you?" Conrad asked softly. Elek sat cross-legged under Audrey's favourite Banyan tree and closed his book at the sight of Conrad, his pen holding the page he worked on.

"You don't have to ask, silly," Elek replied with a smile and Conrad sat opposite to him. The spring sky was mellow, letting sunlight pass, but the cold was as harsh as ever. A gentle breeze blew, breathing life into the seemingly infinite flower bed. For once, Conrad couldn't hear a single sound of living things. No thoughts nor emotions nor walking... it was as if Holly left the headquarters isolated in Sylva Vita's nature after her death.

"Everything was difficult for her, wasn't it? Not just because of her demon blood. Perhaps in that regard she received much support, it was her doubt that troubled her. She was just so lost and alone for so long. And even though she had Aqdas - Evelyn and Ava told me a lot about it - that presence counts as something different. Aqdas seems to be an entity that is meant to be alone."

Conrad paused, unsure of what he was saying, unsure of where he was going. He saw a perturbation of sorrow on Elek's face, almost like a glitch of nature.

"But I am glad she was in the Land of Grace because it feels like the absence of more complicated living things gave her the peace she needed to... understand herself."

Conrad sighed, his eyes falling to the floor, waiting for Elek to say something.

"Do you wish for that kind of peace and quiet?"

"Not exactly," Conrad replied immediately. "I do want a different environment - perhaps different from Earth altogether - but it's not the Land of Grace. That might be too quiet for me. Also, from what I've heard about Aqdas, he seems quite a lot like you."

Elek chuckled and Conrad smiled, but his friend seemed to fake the emotion.

"Why do you want this shift? Is everything here too overwhelming? Or perhaps not enough for you to, hmm, understand yourself?"

"All of the above and more. But I am quite confused by everything, especially since our visit to the land of Chaos. Why does it seem like I have some sort of bond with that land? What does my existence mean? What does existence mean in general? When Holly came back here she seemed very confused and lost... her mind was in a sort of quiet chaos. She's always been gentle and I think she held back her feelings, usually. But I still remember the phases of her energy during the battle - she was so sure of everything. Is it because it was the time of her death?

"Perhaps existences are different. Existence defined by meaning. Defined by joy, or grief, love, family, emotions, energy, stillness, achievements, thoughts, stability, and so much more. Perhaps an individual's definition makes the individual. These definitions don't have to be mutually exclusive, and their union doesn't have to make life since these are closed while the whole could be infinite. Nevertheless, there is something concrete for living things and now, even Shadow Beings. Most of us feel some responsibility towards Earth and nature, we have... preferences? But I feel hollow.

"I am like a ball on a network of paths in many geographies. Nature gave a push, I moved. Nature did something else and I changed my direction. And so on... and I am guided by nature, all the while being confused about what's going on. Then nature told me to be silent and I agreed.

"Even in human beings... take a general child. They are composed of their parents' gene template, their qualities. The child is raised by them in an environment of whatever circumstances. It learns from the environment and is taught by those parameters. They are a product of lineage and circumstance. When do they become an individual?

"I am not an individual. I am not even a being, a defined existence. I feel like I am nothing but a shadow of nature. Even so, is individuality true? If yes, what does it mean? Is it only formed when we exit existence?"

"I don't know."

Conrad raised his eyes to see Elek's silent smile. Conrad assumed Elek had all answers, so that response surprised him at least a little. The physical world had almost disappeared from Conrad's senses and all that surrounded him were thoughts. His thoughts.

His... thoughts?

"I have never known my parents. Clay never talked about them either - not even once - and I never asked because my curiosity eventually died. I am sure they are not dead, but I know nothing about them. I don't even know the number of parents we have. Perhaps we don't even have parents, if that's possible? But Clay is my brother so there must be some link...

"I don't care for it much now. But I suppose my parents don't have much role in me being me because the energy that is transferred don't have a transfer component like that of genetics in living things. Not too much, anyway. I feel quite detached or separate from the rest of the Shadow-Trappers in terms of being alike, so I don't know what kind of effect my environment has had. Perhaps Clay is the main person who shaped me and after that you and the rest of our team, our work and our learnings. But still..."

Conrad's voice trailed into a consuming silence, something tugging on Holly's protective veil. Conrad steadied his thoughts, trying to maintain the stillness. Conrad's eyes scanned the environment and settled on Elek's strong, yellow, glow.

"I believe individuality comes from one's soul," Elek began nimbly. "Some sort of mechanism where the soul affects the energy of a being in the slightest way. The being is a complex system, so that fluctuation takes its course and lets nature do the rest of the work. Perhaps this change comes from the memories of the soul, perhaps something else. Perhaps it isn't created once. It could or could not be periodic.

"Or, perhaps, there is no such thing as individuality and we are all existences of nature. Random. Who cares if the universe is destroyed? Whose care has value? So I suppose the former notion is more comforting."

Conrad smiled. "I like that... but it doesn't guarantee any certainty, does it? I'm just tired of being so confused all the time."

"I don't think these things need to make sense, at least in the traditional definition. Truths can be intuitive, instinctive, unintuitive, confusing..."

Conrad nodded, sighing. Suddenly, he felt a little thirsty.

"After everything is over, though, I can't return to our previous life. 'Helping humans'. All that has done is make me feel more lost and detached from Earth."

Conrad paused, and the breeze picked its pace.

"You know, if you all were not on my team, everything I did for the humans would amount to nothing but bitterness. I have no real motivation. I just want to see Evelyn happy after she sees the humans relieved, or take off some of the burden of death from Audrey's hands, or give Galen a safe space so that he doesn't overburden himself like he tends to.

"I'm just so confused with everything. I don't know what to do, you know? I have lost motivation to help humans - there was a time when I thought that was all I wanted to do, but now everything feels overrated - and I don't have the courage to do what I actually want to do."

Conrad sighed, unable to contain the chaos in his mind. Elek held a worried look in his eyes but still smiled. Conrad would figure it out. Eventually.

Hopefully, before it was too late.

"What is it that you want to do?"

"Um..." Conrad started, hesitating. He'd never told this to anyone before, and he'd never heard of such a task being done before. But it was Elek, he could trust him.

"I... I want to rebuild the Land of Chaos. The moment I entered that realm something hit me. It wasn't hard or strong... it was soft, like the comfort of hearth as one reaches home in the cold. But the windows were open and something harsh unsettled that comfort. However, when I reached Clay was, nothing mattered anymore. Until he appeared I wanted to stay there with Clay."

"He?"

"...Vlad."

"What do you think of him, anyway?"

The question took him by surprise, resulting in hesitation, but Conrad replied fairly quickly.

"I think he is a being who isn't supposed to exist and for some unknown and useless reason, he is torturing the demons."

"Imagine you are talking to Audrey and tell me once again: What do you think of Vlad?"

Conrad opened his mouth then pursed his lips. He couldn't lie, nor stay silent anymore. He still hadn't formulated a whole 'opinion' and his previous thought was not exactly false - that's what he thought till before he reached the Land of Chaos.

"I feel that Vlad is a confused... being? That he is playing a role that he believes in but doesn't understand? Right now, at this moment, I can't bring myself to blame him for what's happening. However, the moment I come within a certain distance from him and the demons, I hear both their vibrations and something just snaps within me. I feel... angry."

"Why do you care for the demons so much?"

Conrad sighed, wearing a sad smile. The wind lightened its pace now, gently whistling through the leaves of the tree he sat under. "That is yet another part of my confusion, but I suppose it is related to whatever 'connection' I have with the Land of Chaos. Besides, the demons are such innocent, selfless, tortured creatures and it makes me sad seeing them...

"Perhaps they even remind me of Clay. Just slightly," Conrad added, almost silently. Elek took a deep breath, pausing the moment, then let time flow with his exhale. Conrad harshly blinked his eyes, as if a sudden awakening overcame him.

"Not really, you know. The demonic creatures are innocent. The demons are more disciplined, silent. Especially now, they are mere vessels. But originally they were very free, just like us. The term 'demons' does them a great disservice."

Conrad thought for a moment as Elek spoke. He slowly nodded, realising Elek was right.

"The demonic creatures have always saddened me a little; what must be done to them in order to 'help' humans. When I come across helpless living things I sort of want to help them, but I don't understand why they need any sort of help and why we must kill demonic creatures for that. It's only because of you and the others that I am able to push myself to do something.

"That's why I've always hated our job," Conrad added in a small voice.

"Hate is a strong word, Conrad," Elek replied softly, but Conrad sighed.

"I know I know.... perhaps not hate it, but every day I wish to never do it again."

"Do you really not like humans and demonic creatures that much?"

Conrad widened his eyes, hesitantly answering. "How do you know that? I thought you'd assume I just don't want to kill demonic creatures... I mean I don't want to kill them, I don't like violence but it's not that simple. Why can't humans deal with their problems on their own? Why do they need to make the demonic creatures suffer? You know this too by now, don't you, that they shouldn't be existing? Every day the count of humans is increasing and so is the need for demonic creatures because of the dependency that has been created between them. It was much better when the demons were here; no dependency, just nature. There was an unspoken but mutual understanding between all elements of nature.

"Evelyn is right, the demonic creatures suffer too much... and humans get away with everything. But I don't care much for demonic creatures, either. The imprisonment of Demons is Vlad's fault, but the increasing presence of those creatures causes the Demons pain. I know this because I can feel it."

Elek wore a saddened expression, his finger twitching to open his book. He sighed, raising his eyebrows, but still was gentle to Conrad.

"Evelyn treats all creatures with equal respect."

"Yeah well, I don't."

Conrad's tone shut the nature around him and a sad silence fell. Elek took a quiet breath, smiling a little as he picked up a leaf.

"Conrad, do you know what a complex system is?"

Conrad seemed confused by the question but responded immediately in a small voice. "I think it's a system with many components."

"Hm close enough, but what does that imply?"

"Many variables indicate the smallest perturbation can cause far-reaching effects. In other words, things are delicate."

"Indeed. And you know that nature is a very complicated system, right? Everything from physics to biology to the more abstract thoughts of the mind."

"And Shadow Beings aren't?"

"Of course not," Elek replied immediately at which Conrad felt confused. "Well, not in our 'original forms'. But the place from which we come from is strong yet sensitive, and with these changes in the equilibrium of energy, we are becoming more... complicated. More like the things of nature."

"Living things."

"...yes."

"And we are not changing for the better," Conrad added gruffly, to which Elek nodded. Conrad closed his eyes, sighing, leaning against the trunk of the tree. The grass seemed colder now, sharper too, and the tree's rough features woke him to heightened sensitivity.

"It's stopping now, we're taking a U-turn," Elek said softly and Conrad opened his eyes. "I can't tell you the exact time, but we are going back to our origin."

Conrad leaned forward, again sitting up straight. It was a little difficult for Elek to make out his friend's feelings, but he guessed Conrad was... hopeful.

"Can you explain this other worlds scene to me once? For whatever reason our teachings in our childhood were focused only on Earth and max the other seven lands."

Elek took a deep breath, nodding.

"The seven lands are the same planet in different universes. It is the same point in space-time, but due to certain fluctuations, the outcomes are different. Originally shadow-trappers could travel without any bounds of nature, through the abyss of these lands as the abyss leads to the Shadow Dimension. All of spacetime is connected there which means that all of reality and existence is connected there.

"All the Shadow-Trappers are currently on Earth. The Phoenexias always had Earth as a home, just as the Angels have Oblivion and the Demons have Chaos, but Shadow-Trappers were only of the Shadow Dimension. They helped all living things. Not all universes have living things and Shadow Beings don't go to where they are to help them. They take care of everything from the Shadow Dimension.

"Earth is in a privileged place, and as animals and Human Beings came here, equilibrium started being disturbed. Hence we changed our roles, and this is why we don't manually help living things of other planets. I can't tell you everything because I don't know everything, but this is the best I can explain at the moment."

The wind whizzed around and Conrad gave a short nod.

"So eventually, we won't have to do this anymore? Killing demonic creatures? 'Helping' living things?"

Elek nodded.

"And Demonic Creatures can go away?" Conrad added softly. Elek hesitated but nodded once again. Conrad leaned back on the tree, lost in thought. The sun finally emerged from the cover of clouds, and the leaves of the tree parted to let the sunlight fall on Conrad.

"I don't understand why practically everyone disagrees with Vlad. Destroying all the extra beings to restore the equilibrium of energy."

"Because it's wrong," Elek said immediately.

"Vlad destroying the demonic creatures in one, swift blow is wrong, but us slowly killing the creatures while their net number just increases isn't? What kind of stupid logic is that?" Conrad said gruffly, beyond frustrated. His eyes held a burning crimson that Elek hadn't seen before and concern immediately filled his mind.

"You're right. We've been doing things wrong, but that doesn't make Vlad's actions right. We've forgotten our true purpose, and we need to find it back. We need to come to this realisation on our own and that's why we fight."

"What realisation?"

"We've forgotten our true purpose, and we need to find it back," Elek repeated. At first, Conrad frowned and opened his mouth, but he immediately understood what Elek was saying.

We don't know... and that is why we fight against Vlad. For all these years we've just been stalling, waiting for Vlad to wake up and knock some sense into us.

"How did we end up in this situation in the first place? What is our situation?"

Elek sighed, hesitating. Conrad's breathing was rapid now, frustration and confusion brimming in his aura.

"That is something I cannot tell you yet as I don't know the whole story. Misinformation is something we must absolutely avoid, now."

Conrad narrowed his eyes but upon seeing Elek's defeated expression, he exhaled calmly. Conrad nodded, wearing a gentle smile.

"Okay, I think I understand. Thanks, Elek, you've been a great help today." Elek couldn't help but smile at that response. "But still, in exactly what way are Vlad's actions wrong? Morally? They don't feel things anyway, they're not living things."

"Naturally. They're not living, yes, but they do feel."

Conrad's eyes widened and he immediately stood up. "No no..." Conrad began, scanning his surroundings wildly.

Elek's eyebrows furrowed and he wore a deeply concerned expression.

"But... it makes sense. If they're affected by feelings of human beings they must feel something too..." Conrad mumbled, his eyes finally settling on Elek, scared.

"Conrad... all these years, where have you attacked the demonic creatures?"

"Their ankles or collar bones. Not because I cared, just because I was following rules."

Elek sighed, standing up too. He softly lay his hand on Conrad's shoulder, smiling.

"What's wrong?"

Conrad took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "I guess my confusion rose, momentarily. I'm okay," Conrad said with a smile. Elek nodded, but suddenly widened his eyes.

"Wait Conrad, just now you said that you can feel the demonic creatures causing the demons pain. What did you mean by that?"

"I've always had this vacuum in my mind, as if I'm not in control of my abstract actions. Or as if I'm not me, just some stranger in some Conrad's body looking at life eerily - that's why my face in the mirror unsettled me. Initially, I assumed this was because I don't know about my parents, but the feeling amplified too much when we went to the Land of Chaos. I did a little inspection of the radiation of that place and realised the land was emotionally barren and that the energy of demonic creatures applied pressure on the mind of the Demons."

Elek looked bewildered and he closed his eyes, taking time to understand Conrad's feelings.

"Why did you never tell anyone about this?"

"We've all been so busy and I'm just not sure if these are random false perceptions of mine, or if there is some truth to this. I don't want to create unnecessary confusion."

"Well, Conrad, you obviously have some connection to the Land of Chaos, similar to what Audrey has with Hearth or Evelyn has with the Valleys. Why did you deny it when Theo suggested that?"

"Because this land is so... I don't know how to describe it, I don't want to say something wrong. You understand what I mean."

"Then there is something you should know about the seven lands. There is no place that is objectively good or bad. It's not as if Chaos's atmosphere is negative and Oblivion's is positive. They are both neutral. And you know that too: You don't think the land is bad, do you?"

Conrad slowly shook his head.

"Then why?"

"Because of Vlad. I don't want to be associated with Vlad. And I know he isn't inherently evil or something, but he causes so much pain to the Demons. I don't know, I just have mixed feelings about him."

"Then sort it out. You'll need to if you want to help Audrey sort things out. You don't have to be so silent anymore."

Conrad nodded slowly, but his eyes were still heavy with doubt. Elek knew he couldn't solve Conrad's uncertainties in one day, but he hoped he sparked some progress.

"I feel like I am wasting time and I have no idea what I want to do with this... existence," said Conrad.

"You mean this life?"

"No, I do not. We are not living things. We are not living a 'life'. At this point, we have less freedom than living things. We've got just one job nowadays and that is to kill demonic creatures. What kind of a useless existence is this?"

"That's not really what we do, Conrad. We try to help human beings and sort out their thoughts and emotions."

"Human beings, there we go. Why can't they take care of themselves? Why do demons have to suffer for this?"

"Demons? Where did demons come from?"

"Demonic creatures, whatever."

"You can't say whatever to that, Conrad. Now I think I'm starting to understand why you're so troubled. You know that demonic creatures and demons are very different."

Silence.

"Is it freedom that you wish for? To be beyond the bounds of nature?"

"Maybe. I'm not sure what I want. All I know is that I want to get out of my present situation. Our present situation."

Elek nodded and the two relaxed in their posture. The thoughts and doubts flowed turbulently, but Conrad did his best to control his mind. As if mimicking the motion, the wind increased its pace as did its cold touch, breaking the prior silence that existed in Conrad's atmosphere.

"I know it's ironic that all the questions I've asked today are somewhat typical to living things. Existentialism and what-not. Still, I can't bear them much."

"I think you don't dislike them. I think you dislike the fact that you have similarities despite you being a Shadow Being, but by now I hope you understand that all Shadow-Trappers have developed similarities to the living things of nature.

Conrad took a deep breath, nodding in agreement. The sky grew warmer still, and everything was quiet. A trail of butterflies circled one specific Iris amongst the violet bed, flapping their wings playfully. Finally, he felt as if the noise was stopping.

No wait. It's coming back. Somebody stop it, please.

"Hey, Conrad," Elek started in a hushed tone. I've got a question."

"Hmm?" Conrad replied, not taking his eyes off the butterflies. The vibrations produced by their tiny wings reached him, the sound increasing every moment and giving him a fuzzy, uncomfortable, inexplicable feeling.

"You see a train approaching a track on which five people are fastened with powerful belts. You can switch the track, but another person is fastened to the other track. What do you do?"

"Stop the train or switch the track and help the person out, something like that. Basically, help them all," Conrad replied immediately, his expression neutral. Elek wondered if Conrad was avoiding the question, but it didn't seem like it.

"That's a very idealistic answer. Are you avoiding the question?"

"No, of course not. It might be idealistic for living things, but not for me."

Conrad's eyes widened with realisation and all motion stopped, tensed. He wore a weak smile as he relaxed.

"Living or Shadow, we're all beings of nature," Conrad started softly. "I guess we all do things that are required for nature, followed for nature. Responsibility."

Elek nodded and Conrad returned the gesture. He always respected Elek because of how the latter treated knowledge, but also appreciated him greatly as a friend.

"Thanks, Elek," Conrad said as he waved his hand, heading back to the headquarters. He needed to spend as much time with Clay as possible.

Elek sat back down against the tree, opening his book, sinking back into his work within seconds.

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

Audrey slowly opened her eyes, exhaling deeply. She wasn't sure how she felt, a little heaviness weighed on her mind. Perhaps it was guilt, perhaps sorrow, perhaps a simple wish to help her friend. She couldn't help but miss Elek, and her mind began to wander off to the possible outcomes of the different decisions she could have taken...

Audrey shook her head, warding off all those thoughts. She stood up slowly and began to walk.

Conrad softly walked across the garden. It was five in the morning and Sylva Vita was unusually empty, but he appreciated the silence. The breeze was still and a comforting warmth was spread amongst the atmosphere.

Something warm hit him at the sight of the little girl, curled up like a ball against that tree. Her hair was practically just an outline of her head and her skin was the colour of the light earth. It would be difficult to spot her if someone wasn't aware of the presence of her aura. Conrad frowned, wondering why she slept on the sand and why the grass did not grow around the tree. It stood on a small, circular patch of earth and the rest was surrounded by the green grass.

Trina sat next to her, sitting cross-legged with her back straight. She closed her eyes, almost facing the direction opposite Conrad. She raised her hand momentarily and gestured for Conrad to come, at which the man couldn't help but chuckle.

He no more felt the path he walked on as if hovering just a picometer over the Earth. Sylva Vita had transformed in many ways in the past four years, and he appreciated how everything was so tranquil.

Every time he saw Iris, a pang of relief and grief hit Conrad. He was glad at least she survived Vlad's attack - no doubt because of Audrey and the Phoenexias - but she always reminded him of his loss. His first demon friend, Holly, then Elek, Jay and... Clay.

Iris slept under Paliv Verasel, oblivious of everything around her. Conrad stifled a laugh, smiling. Iris picked that up from Audrey, no doubt, and at that moment it would be easy to mistake her for a small Audrey.

Conrad slowly walked towards the little girl, sitting next to her a fair distance away. Trina opened her eyes, standing up to sit next to Conrad. She stared at Iris fondly, disturbed only by Audrey's presence who joined the two.

"How is she?" Conrad whispered.

"Peaceful," Trina replied with a smile and Audrey nodded.

"What about her ability?" Trina shook her head, though she didn't seem worried. Conrad felt Audrey stare at him and moved his chin up. Audrey smiled and shook her head.

"Shadow-Trappers usually get their ability a little after they turn one, right? I think your timing was perfect in that respect - one year and two months," Trina nodded as Conrad continued.

"Elek was late; he showed his at two years and Evelyn did so at just five months. But four years... I don't think she will ever develop an ability."

Silence passed, and Trina nodded. Conrad turned towards Iris, his eyes softening as he wore a warm smile. Despite the memories her presence may have brought, Conrad always felt a mellow tranquillity surround him.

"That's a good thing," Audrey said softly, her gaze now fixated at Iris, and both Trina and Conrad nodded. "She's doing great at learning the seven techniques - we've started with Solis, Liber and Mellus so far. She's actually exceptional at Mellus: she learns it quickly and finds out different methods of its usage. She only started learning Mellus a year ago."

"We lost the knowledge of the seven techniques of quintessence because they use a lot of energies in delicate mannerisms. That's we had our 'abilities' - energies narrowed and filtered to be of one kind rather than versatile. Experimenting with the techniques while the equilibrium of energy would be too dangerous, especially if we don't know how exactly the equilibrium is disturbed."

Audrey hesitated, her breathing disciplined and steady. Iris shifted her position, catching their attention, but she settled immediately after.

"Ever since Vlad's death, things have quietened a little. Now that Hawsod and Genal - I mean Jay and my mother - brought back the knowledge of the seven techniques, and since Elek's book has a lot of it written down, we can finally let go of the abilities model.

"Iris is the first, but I think everyone after her will not develop any abilities."

Trina and Conrad nodded. The wind blew some leaves over Iris, as if covering her in nature's blanket, and Audrey couldn't help but smile at that. Remembering Jay, Elek, her mother and everyone else still brought the slightest feeling of sorrow, but Audrey thought that was okay. At least for the time being.

Audrey turned her head towards Conrad, observing his silent expressions. How did he feel now that Vlad was gone? He had even visited the Land of Chaos several times, though at present he majorly wanted to help out at the headquarters. Zelda mentioned that every time Conrad went there it was as if the land became... happier.

"I'll take her in now, it's time for me to help Ava with the kids anyway," Trina said softly, standing up to gently hold Iris. "Come soon, Conrad," Trina said as she left quickly, and Conrad nodded. The wind whizzed around, covering the circular patch of sand with leaves.

"Conrad," Audrey said to catch Conrad's attention, and he turned towards Audrey. No one was in their vicinity now, perhaps because Audrey's tree was so far from the centre of Sylva Vita.

"In these four years, you haven't visited the Land of Tenebris yet, have you?"

Conrad shook his head. "I've only been to Chaos and twice to the Valleys with Evelyn. No one's gone to Grace and Oblivion, right?"

Audrey nodded slowly, sighing. "Perhaps you should go to Tenebris with Trina, whenever she next goes there? Since you know the demons so well, I think it'd be good if you interacted with the Demonic Creatures before..."

Audrey's voice trailed into silence but Conrad nodded his head. The existence of demonic creatures no more caused the demons any pain, but it did interfere with the equilibrium of energy more.

"I'll do that, I promise."

Audrey smiled, standing up. She extended her hand to pick Conrad up and he gladly took it, standing up. He towered over Audrey, and yet Audrey stood firmer.

"Well then you better get going to Trina, she doesn't like it when people are late at all," Audrey said and Conrad chuckled, agreeing completely. Conrad waved his hand and turned towards the headquarters.

"Hey Conrad," Audrey said suddenly, perhaps a little shy. Conrad turned his head, raising an eyebrow.

"For whatever reason, you and I haven't interacted much - at least not as much as I do with the rest of our team - which is a little odd because of how well we work together. I hope you know how much I respect you, especially since Vlad's death. I know Elek isn't here and he was everyone's go-to wise old tree, but I'm constantly learning new things and if you need any help untangling anything... well, I'm here."

Conrad hesitated for a moment, taking a moment to understand his friend. He smiled warmly, giving a strong nod.

"Of course, Audrey. And the same applies to you, too. I'm a pretty good listener," Conrad replied with a wink, and Audrey laughed lightly.

Conrad waved his hand again and began to walk towards the headquarters, the light breeze lifting his silent steps. Audrey turned towards the tree, smiling.

It's been pretty long... perhaps I will play the piano a little, while I still can.

The leaves of the tree fluttered as did the tiny blades of the grass, as if agreeing with the Shadow. Audrey waved her hand with a smile towards the tree and headed back inside.