Painted Flowers

Chapter 28 - The Painted Mountain

To say Layali and Zain were astounded would be an understatement. They absolutely could not believe their eyes. Layali had a horrible feeling she already knew who this spirit was, and didn't wait for them to confirm it. So this was who was waiting for them at the end of their exhausting and exciting voyage?

She let out her breath. "Zain...we need to get out of here."

Her companion stood rigid, as if his paws were frozen into the snow. Layali nudged him, trying to shake him back to his senses.

"Do not fret," the specter's voice echoed off the surrounding stones. "I mean no harm."

"Don't lie!" Layali exclaimed. "That dark pelt...those white eyes..."

The spirit didn't reply, but their glowing eyes were fading to match the dark color of the snow clouds, as if that hue would be preferred to the default white. As they stepped closer, Layali moved backwards, shivering. They suddenly lunged forward to strike the nearest dog with their claws, and Zain cringed.

"No!" Layali yelped. But her friend wasn't hurt at all--the spirit's paw had completely fazed through him. Zain gasped heavily, stumbling backwards in surprise. Layali rushed forward to catch him, and the pair huddled together. The spirit's eyes began to change to a more friendly color, a soft gray-blue.

"I will not harm you. I cannot harm you."

"Y-you're still in our realm," Layali stammered warily. "I know who you are."

"Yes. I am Dark. At least, that's the name your tales have given me."

The two mortals' hearts pounded in rapid synchronization. Layali felt dizzy as she sat down on a thin layer of snow. "But that's impossible...I saw Light when I was dreaming...I saw you in that dream, too." She turned to her companion. "But we're both awake now, and we can both see you."

Dark smirked slightly. "Impossible, you say? Being a god, I am immortal, but I am not quite...'here,' as a physical being. I am a spirit, yes, but also much more than that. I am the ancient guardian of shadows, the second half in the principle of Color. In the end, Layali...I'm just as real as your Dreamwalker."

Layali flinched. "Of course you would know of my Dreamwalker."

"Naturally. It was created from my very own paint."

Layali felt a growl deep in her throat, and she was speechless for a moment. Zain took a step to stand in front of Layali, taking a deep breath with his fur bristling. "Th-then how...h-how can we trust you?"

Dark turned their chromatic eyes to the ever-darkening sky. "As I said, I'm not a physical being. I cannot hurt you. I am no threat. I am simply projecting an image of myself to be beheld by mortal beings. Either choose to believe me, or choose to leave, rendering your long journey and truth-seeking a complete waste of time."

Layali was completely taken aback. It was quiet for a moment as she slowly considered just what was happening. She noticed Zain eyeing her uneasily, and pressed her fur against his.

When she didn't offer a reply, Dark shrugged. "Why don't you two step into my cave, out of the wind and snow? We can talk there in a more pleasant environment. I will explain everything--obviously starting with why I summoned you here through your dream with my sibling."

"That...that was you who spoke the prophecy?" Layali gasped. "But Light was the one who..."

Dark turned around to pad into their den, melting into the shadows like snowflakes against warm fur. Layali and Zain shared a flabbergasted expression.