Sara observed her son leave.

  He was thirty-five years old. Still alone, he hadn’t fancied any girl before the one he had mentioned.

  The alliance with Unio had happened two years ago, and they hadn’t cared then, but now, he needed to untangle the situation. Her son was reasonable enough not to harm the girl from the alliance, and Sara was also certain he would not damage the unofficial alliance with the OFF.

  The worst, she thought, was that her son had to manage Unio politics, Domini schemes, and Unio families’ attempts. Her son had to manage because Shadows Lord was ill and soon would step down from his position.

  Si was unaware of this. Sara decided it was not yet the moment to tell him. It would be best for her son to take over by himself, making this step his own decision.

  She was aware her son had to endure a lot.

  After they won, when Shadows managed to protect Planet Two for the first time in the history of these attacks, they had it difficult. They lost a huge number of their people, including members of their family.

  Shadows.

  Sara chose this path deliberately when she was young but mature enough to understand the consequences.

  Back then, Crystals were not forced—now they were.

  Then, without that pressure, she was able to choose freely. She wanted to be Shadow, so she decided to refuse artificial energy and started to cultivate her neutral Ability into the Shadows wave.

  Shadows were remarkable—Sara always thought like that.

  It was such a discovery back then. Scientists were sure up until then that both energy types, natural and artificial, were the only ones that were there. But it was discovered that energy was waves and that it was possible to split the waves. The discovery was about natural energy only; artificial energy was very monolithic, very neutral.

  What news it was then.

  The neutral state of natural energy was known as Ability. Ability was neutral when energy waves were balanced. When the waves were split, neutrality was lost. Ability changed into something new.

  Shadows were negative waves. Their waves were creating particles that were absorbing photons. When this energy was used, it created a shadow- or dust-looking glow. They were called Shadows because of that.

  It influenced their bodies. People that couldn’t master it asked even if Shadows were still humans. Jealous of their capabilities or afraid of Shadows being different?

  It had deepened the division between Crystalers and Shadows, especially since they shouldn’t have children. Duals. Now forbidden to have, if mixed marriages between Crystalers and Shadows happened, there were no kids.

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  Crystalers were quite reluctant to accept Shadows, then and now.

  Abilitiers, neutral natural energy users—it has been known for years. Natural energy was declining; after the Sect fell, it was perceived more and more as a mere whim.

  Crystal implants were miniaturized and very efficient. They were also corrupting natural energy; it was problematic to cultivate Ability. Only for fancy users who ‘had time and money.’ And some sentiments.

  Then, Shadows discovery. Officially, the wave started to be known around 122 ACD. But Sara, she was Shadows Lady. She had access to the Sect’s datasets. Specifically, to Clar’s datasets.

  She knew who was the first Shadow—which Elder was the first Shadow. And she knew there was more about waves than was officially announced.

  The Clar datasets—everyone believed that Clar were dead, that the last descendant died in the battle.

  “No, that is not true,” Sara said to herself. “We still are not sure if Mona did die. We are almost sure she did, but who knows? And that she stole our e.i. with all the knowledge. Energy intelligence Crystal was lost. What a problem it was back then. Still is.”

  Sara sighed.

  Her son wouldn’t have it easy.

  Si was the only family member to survive the battle and was miserable afterward. He wanted to immerse himself in science and leave politics aside. But Shadows Lord started to feel weak. It was clear that Si’s future would be difficult.

  And now, Domini from Unio was causing problems again.

  Sara sighed again.

  Arct.

  Her choice back then to become Shadow influenced politics more than she expected. All because she fell in love with her husband, the current Shadows Lord, then one of the cultivating Shadows.

  They met accidentally, usual story. They liked to talk, liked to spend time together, and started to love each other, just like that.

  No pressure, no politics—two people. The difficult part was that her decision to become Shadow devastated Arct, who was already deeply—now she knew how deeply—in love with her. It was one-sided, though.

  Her marriage was supposed to cut all ties.

  Arct, he didn’t let it go. And also, what complicated a lot, Arct became Domini when Unio was formed. He achieved his dream and wanted to fulfill his other wish—to have her back. By then, as she was already sure whom she loved, she became Shadow and got married. And later, only four years later, her husband became Shadows Lord.

  They didn’t plan to be so engaged in politics. It happened like that, after the battle and after problems with Mona Clar running away.

  Sara didn’t need to be a fortune-teller to predict political conflicts in this configuration. They were somehow granted.

  Arct was rational. He didn’t fight with Shadows. They were able to cooperate when needed. Even when the Swan Alliance collapsed after the first attack, it didn’t bring war to the world. Difficulties, but no war, fortunately.

  Moreover, Arct got married; he had a son. Only one. He lost contact with him. Marc, his name? But even when he was in touch with him, when his son was around and was being prepared to be the next Domini, Arct… he still looked in the direction of her family. Her sons. Especially Si.

  Si didn’t have an easy life already.

  He was navigating among so many factors, trying also to have some kind of normal life, as an individual. Sara admired him for it. That he was so down to earth. So realistic. He managed political topics great; she was proud.

  At the same time, Si also managed to care about people, care about family, and be a good person.

  Recently, he was skinnier. He had, in general, a lean physique. Sara noticed, he was busy and more engaged in the problems during the last months; he didn’t take care of himself properly.

  His dimples were stronger when he laughed now; he was thinner.

  Scrambled eggs… Sara sighed again. She couldn’t count how many times recently she sighed. Of course, her son should be able to eat whatever he wanted, especially when skinnier.

  What a situation, she thought as she laughed aloud.