Sanctuary of lost souls

Alone

With every step that Balance is forced to take, the chains rattle infinitely loud, like a farewell song that only he could hear. Even every color that he saw had something sad and a silent farewell to it. He didn't even know why he was in chains in the first place! He was simply chained and locked in a dungeon by strangers who broke into his Doodle Void with no answer whatsoever as to why they were there in the first place. Balance also had no idea how long he was locked in the dungeon, the food and water always came sporadically and the guards never illuminated his cell. Still.. he preferred that darkness. He doesn't know how he would have been, locked in a completely white room.

The only company that Balance had during this time was Paint and Mistake, his two guardians. The two did their best to keep him happy. It didn't even bother them that he couldn't talk because of the muzzle. But at some point even they no longer had a topic to talk about. So the three of them just sat in this never-ending darkness and waited. What they were waiting for wasn't clear, they just knew that they were waiting for something.

The answer seemed to come when, for the first time in an unknown time, light was let into their dark room and effectively blinded the three of them. As soon as Balance's eyes got used to the light, however, he realized who had let the light in. It was Nobo! His friend would surely be able to get him out of here and explain to King Multiverse that whatever the reason for Balance’s imprisonment was just a misunderstanding!

“Take a good look at him, little one. What do his colors tell you?” Confused, Balance looked from his friend to Paint and Mistake, who wore an expression of sadness that Balance absolutely didn't like. Still, he followed their advice and took a closer look at his best friend. It was rare to see Nobo in his official guard uniform. But the black and gold tones tasted sad, mixed with a sourness that spoke of anger and disappointment. Confused and seeking help, Balance looked into Nobo's face, but it was empty, without any emotion or impulse. It.. scared Balance to see his friend like this.

Nobody said not a word when he had dragged Balance out of his cell in chains, down a path that Balance had taken so many times. And as before, he ended up in the throne room. Before him sat King Multiverse with a stone face. His ears and tail showed his disappointment. And even as he looked at the other guardians of the council, every expression on their faces was the same. And their colors all tasted of disappointment and anger. It greatly unsettled Balance. If he could, he would try to escape into the protective arms of Mistake and Paint, but he was sure he would be stopped before he could even take a step. So all Balance could do to calm himself down was to wrap his tail tightly around himself and pretend they were the arms of his guardians.

However, he wondered where Life was. It was rare to see Death without Life. And even more rarely, Life was absent from a council meeting. Even when Life was sick, he still showed up for the meetings. So whatever the reason Life was missing today, it couldn't be good. It made Balance bones rattle softly with fear.

"Do you know why you are here, beings of creation and destruction?" The chill in King Multiverse's voice made Balance tremble. Seldom had he heard him so angry. Still, Balance shook his head when he answered with a weak 'no'. It couldn't be ignored how Death's anger skyrocketed at the testimony. His fluffed feathers were enough proof for that.

"There are clear indications that you are guilty of the disappearance of Life."

What? Life is missing? But he hadn't done anything! Why should he want to do something to Life! After all, Life had taken him under his wing and helped him to find his way as a guardian. Balance had no reason to harm Life! The others knew that! But no matter how much Balance looked into their faces for help, no one took pity on him. He stood alone against this wall of hatred. And he couldn't even defend himself against these accusations, the muzzle prevented him from saying anything.