Darkest Day of the Year

02

Lili's heart began to race as she processed the information that Viktor was giving her. He said he knew about Vix, and that he'd encountered numerous spirits like them. This meant that she wasn't going crazy, and this was real. She turned and looked at Vix, who was still hiding under the bed. "Vix... are you there? Do you know this man?" Lili whispered in a soft voice. Vix nodded. Lili slowly emerged from under the bed as she looked at Viktor, trying to make sense of the situation. Her mind was reeling with the information that she had just been given. She turned to face Viktor and asked, "You know that Vix is here? You can see them, too?" Viktor nodded, and Lili felt her face light up with a smile. "Yes, I can see them. And I've dealt with spirits like Vix before." Viktor extended a hand towards Lili, and said, "Let me help you." Lili looked back at Vix, who nodded to her in agreement. Lili slowly walked to Viktor, and took his extended hand. As she did, he closed his eyes and whispered some words. Immediately, a calming glow surrounded Lili and a sense of peace came over her. Vix watched with admiration and relief, and slowly emerged from under the bed. Viktor opened his eyes and looked at Lili with a genuine smile.
"Trust me," he said, "I am here to help you."
"How did you do that?" Lili asked, still in awe at what Viktor had done. "That calming glow. It was like something out of a dream." "Yes, it's not something you would normally experience," Viktor replied, "But the words I spoke were magic, and they helped to bring peace to this place." "So Vix is safe now?" Lili asked, and Viktor nodded. "Yes, Vix is safe. And so are you."
"Thank you," Lili said sincerely to Viktor, "I don't think I can ever repay you for all that you've done." Viktor's face remained serious, and he simply shrugged. "It's my job," he replied, "Spirits like Vix are not meant to be here, and they must be returned to the place where they belong. I was sent to find Vix, and now I have succeeded." "What will happen to Vix then?" Lili asked with concern. "Vix will be returned to the spirit realm," Viktor said solemnly, "It's a place beyond our understanding, a place where spirits like them belong. It is not a bad place, it's just a different place." Lili looked at Vix, then back at Viktor. "Will I be able to see Vix again?" she asked softly. Viktor looked at her sadly, "I'm sorry, but no. Once Vix is taken back to their realm, they will not be able to return. It is the law." "No" Lili whispered softly, as if she thought by saying it, it could somehow undo what Viktor had just told her. Tears were forming in her eyes, as she struggled to accept the reality that she would not see Vix again. She looked up at Viktor and said, "Please, can't there be another way? Can't Vix stay?" Viktor shook his head, "I am sorry, but it is a rule that no spirit may remain on the mortal plane. I cannot break that rule." "Then I want to go with Vix." Lili looked at Viktor with pleading eyes, "I can't bear the thought of having to spend the rest of my life without Vix by my side. Can't we go to the spirit realm together?" Viktor remained solemn, but he did not say no. Instead, he looked up at Lili and said, "If that is what you truly wish, then yes. You may come with me." Lili felt a rush of relief as she heard Viktor's words, but she knew that she could not take this moment for granted. She was about to enter a completely different world, one that she had rarely even imagined. "I'm ready," Lili said with determination, "Let's go." Viktor stood up and extended his arm toward Lili, and she took it without hesitation. Lili closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The world around her went dark, and when she opened her eyes again, everything had changed. She was no longer in her room, she was now in a mysterious, otherworldly place. There were glowing trees surrounding them, and in the distance she could see what looked like a castle made of mist. "Is this the spirit realm?" Lili asked, and Viktor nodded. "Yes, it is." He said. Lili felt a rush of excitement and a twinge of sadness as she took in her surroundings. She had left everything she knew behind, but it would all be worth it if it meant getting to be with Vix again. She turned to Viktor, who was watching her with a sympathetic expression. "Are we close to where Vix is?" Lili asked, and Viktor nodded. "Yes, it is just beyond that mist." He pointed in the direction of the castle that Lili had seen. "Let's go." Viktor started to walk towards the castle, leading Lili through the strange, mist-covered landscape. The path twisted and turned around the glowing trees, and the sky was a deep, dark hue, as if the sun had never existed. Lili walked beside Viktor, trying to take in everything around her. The world here was so different from what she had thought, so strange and yet so captivating. She felt a sense of peace wash over her, and she knew in her heart that she was getting closer to Vix. Viktor and Lili eventually reached the castle in the distance, and as they walked up the steps and into the castle, the mist slowly faded away. Inside the castle, Lili took in her surroundings with a mix of awe and excitement. The walls were covered in a sparkling, iridescent sheen, as if painted with star dust. Light poured down from the ceiling, illuminating the place with a warm, golden glow. As she looked around, Lili felt a sense of comfort wash over her. "Wow." Lili whispered to herself, "This is the spirit realm."