Metanoia

𝘍𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯

• ஜ • ❈ • ஜ •

❝𝙄'𝙢 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣. 𝘿𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙤 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪.❞

-------

          Glancing around, you slowly trudge forward through the shallow water you were currently standing in, the water reaching just slightly above your ankle. The dark green hue around you was heavy, and the distant sound of screaming was loud in your ears as you trudged forward. The mist around you was hovering just above the water you were on, which illuminated a green glow every now and then, only to be interrupted by your walking.

After a little while longer of walking, you paused and glanced at a figure in the shallow waters, glancing around with fear and confusion. The boy stuck out like a sore thumb in the Departed Realm, the blue on his outfit not blending into the dark green back drop, and the scared look on his face didn't help either. Jay looked petrified for a moment until he turned around and saw you standing a few feet away from him, you jumping when he locked eyes with you.

Slowly, you walked over to the area Jay was standing in, watching as he kept glancing around nervously as you approached. "Are you okay? This is the only way I can contact you and let the others know that you're safe." You whispered at first, not wanting to startle the boy any further than he was, watching as he glanced up at you in silence. "This is the Departed Realm, but don't freak out, you're not dead. I just... removed your soul from your body?" You shrugged your shoulders in a confused manner, watching as Jay froze for a moment before screaming loudly.

He grabbed your shoulders and rocked you back and forth, eventually letting out a sarcastic laugh and slamming his head on your shoulder. "Oh, if my day couldn't get any worse, I'm dead!" You sighed deeply and shook your head to yourself as you reached up and gave Jay a few rough pats to his back, an attempt to calm him down at least some. "I knew that if scrubbing the bottom of a flying ship wasn't gonna kill me, something else was! How did I die? I don't want to be dead!" Jay continued to freak out as he pulled away from you and kept on shaking you back and forth, not liking the flat look you were giving him.

"Jay, I just said you weren't dead, or did you block that out the moment I said 'The Departed Realm?'" You raised an eyebrow but quickly shook your head in disappointment, the look Jay was giving you was enough for you to form your own answer. "Whatever, it's fine. You're not dead, and you won't be dead if you listen to me, Jay." Pulling the boys hands from your shoulders, you held them in your own and leaned closer to him, a serious look plaguing your face. "Jay, you need to hold out for as long as you can, okay? Me and the others are trapped on the island currently, but I know we'll find a way off soon. You just need to have faith in us." You reassured the boy in a gentle manner, watching as the scared look that glossed his eyes slowly started to fade away.

His bottom lip trembled a little before he glanced down to the water underneath you both, stating that he didn't know how long he could wait. "Look, I know we don't know each other all that well right now, but just know that I know you're strong. Cole used to brag to me all the time about how some 'scrawny ginger' beat him at his best video game, or a sparring session." Your grip on the boys hands tightened to the point you were sure you were going to cut his circulation off. "If you want, we can meet here every night until we can finally reach you. That way we both know that we're okay, how does that sound?" Your tone was gentle as you tilted your head slightly, trying to get a glance of the boys face, even if it was just a small freckle.

You watched as Jay's shoulders shook a little before he looked up at you with a determined look before nodding his head. "I'll let Lloyd and the others know that you're okay for now. You continue to distract and get intel on Nadakhan's ship while we try to get off the island."  You reaffirmed as Jay sniffled a little and tightened his grip on your hands as well, you chuckling at the gesture. "I'll see you tomorrow night, and hopefully in person soon." With one last smile, your eyes started to droop before you felt your grip on Jay slacken, falling back to the water below.