Dressed in Feathers | K.TH FF

7: Deadlands

"So," I began my question. "If you collect souls, then how are there ghosts?"

"That, my friend, is a very good question." He gave me a compliment instead.

"Thank you. I would still like to know."

"Of course. Generally, spirits, or ghosts as you call them, are manifestations created, excreted, projected, and left behind by the soul. They are like the embodiment of memories for the deceased person or animal to live on spiritually. Because these entities are memories of what and who the creature was, that is why my travels to and from the underworld are always solitary. The souls had already departed from their prior lives. But every now and again, I get some that are meant to reside in the underworld, therefore their spirits remain attached. You are one of those souls. However, none have tried to slip out from my soul pouch, project their silhouettes to me and interact like you are. If your soul had separated from your spirit, you would still be in that apartment as an incorporeal, paranormal being. But you are not. You are here with me, keeping me pleasant company. This I thank you for."

"So I'm a... ghost...? Right now? At this second?"

"Precisely."

"I should have guessed."

"That's alright."

"Wait, what happens to the spirits when they see the light?"

"The 'light' is the spirit's enlightenment. Enlightenment for us is similar yet different than your human religious beliefs. Enlightenment—the 'light'—is when the spirit is ready to journey and travel to the underworld with our guidance. It can take centuries, even millennia at times." He both confirmed and disproved what every religion thought.

"What about the guardians?"

"What about them?"

"Are they always dormant?"

"Of course. Souls and spirits are different from one another. A sentry can touch and harm a soul, but they cannot make physical or spiritual contact with any spirit. They do not have that sort of ability like reapers do."

"So you can touch them?"

"Yes, that is correct. I was able to make physical contact with you, was I not?"

"I'm confused. Am I a spirit or a soul?"

"You are both. The soul is your core, while the spirit provides your body and voice."

"Ohhhh, 'kay."

With my fingers, I lifted his feathered cloak to sneak a peek at his backside. I didn't remember seeing him put the weapons away on his person at all. The folded scythe was attached to his back and I caught sight of a chain looping on his belt the other side of me.

"May I help you?" Of course he noticed.

I guess I wasn't really sneaky. "I was just wondering where your weapons were. I thought you lost them at the watchtower."

"I did not. They are safely away in their designated places."

"So I see."

The journey through the wasteland was long and extremely quiet. The only sounds that we could hear were our steps and voices. Everything was dead here. No sun or moon, no gust of wind in the slightest, and no signs of life anywhere. The sky was like a grey cloudy day. The only color in sight was us two.

He may be dressed in all black and his hair and eyes are ebony, but his skin counts.

"What even is this place? What do you call it?" Is there even a name for it?