Sky - Children of the Light: Isle of Dawn

V - The Daytime

- Chapter five - 

I look at the "spirit," and look at Nick. I am not sure quite what to think of it. My curiosity has kickstarted, my eyes holding onto this spirit thing, my eyes almost hurting beneath the mask as I stare at the light. It's such a similar "pure" light from the village and from the winged-light, and from the others when they call. 

The spirit is a supernatural light, but this light is hazy and vibrant and almost just-as-blinding. It's a peaceful light, but it's intruding.

My exhaustion catches up with me again. My feet feel cool and relieved with the stone I'm standing on in this carved-out plateau. I'm a little over the rough graininess of sand--even if it is softer than the sand I'm used to.

I'm hungry.

I heave a sigh, curious of this spirit but overwhelmed with the adventure of today. I notice, too, that the light is still rubbing against me, internally. It won't settle, as Nick said it will. 

Seven leans against the wall, behind the spirit. His stance seems nonchalant, but he's faced directly at me, like he's studying me or about to make a comment.

"You need a candle to rekindle the light of a spirit to see their memories and restore their spirit," Nick explains, looking from the spirit to me. He uses his hands to speak. "You don't have a candle yet, no light from a blood candle, don't know the basics of it yet. So, it's your choice."

I wait for him to continue, but he doesn't. "My choice?" I question.

He nods. It seems like he's about to speak, considering the inhale he takes, but it's Seven's voice that says next, "Based off that exhausted exhale you made only a few moments ago, I'd say you, miss curious and adventure, are tired and ready to be done with the 'curious' and 'adventure." He speaks truth, honestly. But he continues before I can say anything. "So, 'your choice.' You can either go home to your apartment, we'll bring you back. Well, Nick will. Or, you can have us use our light for the spirit to show you the delight of spirits today."

"Pretty much," Nick remarks with a half-chuckle. I purse my lips beneath my mask, tiling my head as if giving the illusion of being in thought. But my decision was made while Seven was talking.

"You read me well," I drawl at Seven, rolling my eyes the slightest bit. "Home."

I look at Nick who nods and looks at Seven. They have a conversation I don't care to listen to, instead replaying everything I've been through today. It's not much, but it still seems exhausting.

My replaying is interrupted when Nick holds out his hand to me. I look at his hand then back up at him. He's entirely serious. What's with the hand holding here? 

I give him my grasp hesitantly, and he fully grips my hand and runs out of the carved stone, flying as soon as we are beneath the sky. I shriek and reach my other hand to grasp his, which is the sheer lifeline of--well, my life--as we fly higher and higher, right over the span of sand we trekked and the over entire stone tunnel. We float down once we make it back to the shore.

Nick lands us right in front of the portal, as if the flying was nothing. He releases my hand and instead gestures towards the portal. I can see people pacing in front of the portal, and one person turns to walk through it, completely unfazed with us like we aren't there. I look at Nick, who only nods. Don't think too hard on it--got it.

I walk through first, being pulled apart atomically before feeling like I fall together in one big puzzle. I wonder if I'll ever get used to that feeling, something as simple as walking through a portal.

Nick is right behind me as I find my place amidst people. There are more people by the portals now than there was when we first left. I turn to look at Nick, who has temporarily turned to talk to someone he must know. I turn back at the bustling field of grass, people jumping and running back and forth, some landing, some taking off. Contrary to the first few times I have been around the village, now it is entirely packed and loaded with all sorts of people. There is a plethora of colors, outfits, masks, capes, things that people are carrying with them. Many are even carrying multiple things.