While some did just gasp and stare, while my shadows jumped out of their hiding places, others were not so unpracticed. Three different shadows were immediately set upon by several members of the Attack group. "HEY!" my voice shouted out from the mouths of the nine other shadows as the first three dodged, "It's me Elliot, keep running I'll distract them". All but one of the attackers stopped in confusion while that last one landed a hit bursting that particular shadow into dispersed mist. Instead of wasting any further time the other 11 shadows ran in the opposite direction the Group was heading. Fanning out and hollering to gather as much attention from the attackers as possible.

As the shadows ran as fast as they could out of the group and directly into the waiting jaws of the hound like rift spawn I realized something I'd been neglecting. Whatever extreme limitations my shadows had in the physical department it was luckily directly countered, at least in moving about, by the fact that shadows weighed essentially nothing. Well an actually shadow does in fact weigh nothing, but whatever misty darkness these were made out of did have a bit of weight. Either way it worked out to where running and jumping were actually slightly easier. I guess I should have been practicing some free running and gymnastics when I had the time. Either way it wasn't that far off from my normal experience to actually hinder me. If I survived it would add a great training regimen to improve with.

Or at least that's what I was thinking in my completely safe body back at the lumber day camp as I rather sedately evaluated the situation. In comparison the thoughts of nearly every shadow was something more along the lines of "AAAAAAAAAHHH!", as they jumped over gnashing mouths and swiping claws. In fact it wasn't just a thought. I'd seen as initially the scream had started to draw attention away from the rest of the group. That had quickly shifted into a full on scream of terror as they got up close and personal with the hounds. Surprisingly only one of the 11 who'd run headlong into the enemy had been bitten so far. Resulting in another billowy cloud of the black mist. The hounds had pounced into it uselessly biting, yapping, and growling. I was so lucky that whatever these shadows were made of wasn't exactly physical, and of course the part where pain was essentially non existent I was infinitely grateful for. Though, that didn't really do anything to help the visceral feeling of those things teeth and claws sliding through the shadows bodies, and of course the image of numerous mouths slobbering in your face with a hungry look of death.

This was around the time that the first shadow to pop was starting to coalesce back into it's proper shape. After which it caught up, and jumped over the literal doggy pile where the other had gone down and caused them to give chase. Off into the woods the shadows hopped and skipped. you might say that's a little too light of a term, but in the forest you couldn't just do a flat out run, not with the undergrowth, debris, and fallen logs to contend with. This wasn't a regularly maintained trail that we were leading a 'hike' down. I'd like to say it was planned but the first shadow to come back to the attack group was actually completely by chance. It was, just like all the others were, running as if their life depended on it and happened to circle back. It was also fortuitously after the Attack group had gotten a grip on the situation and were handily dispatching the group of rift hounds that had ignored the shadows.

While the Attack group intercepted the chasing pack of rift hounds the shadow still kept running for a bit before collapsing down on the ground. Surprisingly actually tired out. I'd need to do some testing as to what made them tired, as it definitely wasn't muscles tiring out. As the shadow panted and stared up in to the treetops Edward came running over. "The captain says to Tell the others to start leading the packs over one at a time." The shadow stopped panting to respond but paused before doing so. Apparently it didn't actually need to pant, or really breathe at all, it was just a knee jerk reaction to the chase and feeling of exhaustion.

Nodding it's head the shadow responded with my voice "aye aye Captian" then threw a mock salute before flopping back down. It sent the message to me which I then relayed to the others. I'd been practicing with the way the shadows could reach out to me and found I could do the same with them. Sending a small message wasn't the only part though. Instead of just pushing myself into the body I could do something along the lines of remote viewing instead. Which definitely helped in the case where I didn't want to jump into a body mid stride causing it to stumble and be eaten by hounds while I was inside.

As the shadows didn't yet have the capability I spent the next hour coordinating staggered waves of shadow lead rift hounds back to the attack group. I would need to have the shadows attempt to communicate with each other as well at some point. It would definitely make communication smoother. Especially if I was asleep or unconscious for any other reason. I'd also had to work to swap out the shadows being chased as they were quickly running out of steam. Eventually even causing a mild pain to persist throughout their bodies. At first I'd tried just slipping another in front while the other jumped out of the way, but the groups just split. Luckily the worn out shadow panicked and jumped into the shadow of a tree. Which was a much easier method of swapping them out from thereon. Eventually the last of the shadows was leading in their pack of, surprisingly still aggressive, rift hounds.

Turning my attention back to the other shadows I picked up on a growing unease. Just as the shadows had been swapping out to conserve energy the rest of the Attack group had been as well. Currently a majority of them were standing back a few paces. Still keeping watch around but also shooting glances at the ever growing crowd of shadows standing in the middle. I couldn't point to a single one who actually appeared upset. Curiosity seemed to be the major expression. However, internally I was still feeling that old habit of questioning what others were thinking of me burning strong. This time though it was multiplied by 11 as every shadow head not currently being chased by hounds was each providing their own internal commentary on just how much exactly they felt everyone hated them. Worried I might get myself worked up into a panic I suggested they jump back in to the shadows of those they were previously hitching a ride with, and maybe count to ten to help. I actually did the same back in my body while riding the wagon into town. Adding a few deep breaths that definitely improved my overall mood. That was until the last shadow actually finished leading their tailing pack in. As the last of them fell bleeding to the ground they heard the captain shout "You lot Grab a moment of rest, the rest of you grab up the hounds and lash them up for transport, no sense in wasting good leather." turning to the last shadow he continued "And, you... Elliot?" He said with a slight question in his voice "front and center"

Every single one of the hundreds of fears the shadows and I had concocted flooded through our collective thoughts again. Stepping forward my shadow put out a sheepish "yes sir?".

He stared at me for what I knew was only a moment but when you've got a bakers dozen of different heads fretting over things, any time span can feel like an eternity. "That was good work distracting the Rift spawn." He let that hang and I felt a little relieved but I could tell there was something else coming "However, surprising your allies in the middle of combat by jumping out at them is never suggested let alone advised. You will report to the barracks on return to town. We'll need to discuss methods of utilizing your skillset that isn't as much a detriment as it is useful" He paused looking around at Edward, Avery, and the others who's shadows hosted mine. "That means each of your shadows" He said turning back to me "And your physical body too"

"Yes sir.." the shadow that he'd been speaking to said. Standing there unsure what to do the shadow felt relieved as the captain moved on barking orders to whomever didn't seem to be at the tasks he'd assigned. With everyone else focused on gathering up the hounds the last shadow slipped into the refuge of another's natural shadow. In doing so embodying the wish that every single human that'd ever been publicly embarrassed before has had at least once. That to shrink into nothingness and disappear completely. Unfortunately that didn't help too much but with an effort of will we managed to turn our thoughts to productive matters. If everyone already knew I had these weird shadow clones there was no point in hiding anymore. The shadows Popped back out, one after another this time as to not frighten my comrades. Heading to the Captain the group got his attention with another hesitant "Sir?.."

"Yes Elliot" The captain said turning to us and looking expectantly. I was instinctually turning back to fretting over possible reactions he could have, as well as wondering how he might be feeling about me, but one thought helped me quiet those others. On a battlefield it wasn't about what you felt or thought of someone, it was whether you survived to return home. If the captain seemed gruff, or unconcerned about my feelings it was not important, only returning was.

With a little more confidence I provided my suggestion "I could set up an advanced perimeter for us while we march out." He gave a grunt and swept his view across the assembled group almost imperceptibly nodding at each one of us. It looked like he was counting us.

"with two conditions" He started giving a look over us again. It seemed he expected a response so we nodded and he continued "You don't seem to have much trouble taking hits, but it seems you likewise can't dish any out is that accurate" Again we nodded and again he continued "Do not expect that just because this type of rift spawn couldn't harm you that no others will be able to either. Some are as ethereal as you are, and some can still interact with such entities without being so themselves" All the shadows nodded again even though he hadn't seemed to be looking at us let alone asking for confirmation "Any sign of trouble, and you alert us while retreating immediately, do not try to engage or even distract unless directed to do so" This time he looked again and we obediently nodded in response "As to the perimeter you will form two circles one within shouting distance but past our forward and rear guard formed by three of you spaced out. The other formed with 8 at closer to a mile out. Lastly one of you will remain next to me at all times to ensure good communication." We nodded one last time and began spreading out, the one closest to the captain actually saying "yes sir" and remaining beside him.