Shadows of Stars

Chapter 10: There's More of Them?

Soul was vaguely aware of something prodding its back. Brain sluggishly coming to life, it tried to work out where it was. Perhaps having a look around might help. Summoning every ounce of concentration, it managed to crack open an eye. It was a strange place, rocky and glowing, the splashing sound of water everywhere. The jabs to its back were more noticeable now...

And Soul leapt to its paws, energy buzzing through its limbs, brain suddenly very awake as it realised where it was. Startled, the bird that had been pecking at its back flapped its wings, squawking in outrage.

Nice to see you are awake Soulblaze.

"So-rry! I haven't experienced sleeping before. And you could have found a better way to wake me up. "

Very well. Next time we shall push you into the waterfall.

"No! I don't mean like that!"

Then what do you mean? It is a perfectly plausible solution. We imagine it would be a pretty invigorating awakening.

"I would rather not wake up to find myself being pummelled to death by water! Use some of your fancy powers or something more noticeable than a bird peck."

Our 'fancy powers' as you put it, do not include magical alarm clocks. Unless you would like us to enter your mind and wake you up?

"I'm fine not having other cats in my head, thank you very much."

As you wish. Now may we proceed to more pressing matters? There is more to discuss than awakening preferences.

"Oh, of course."

A cat's out line appeared in front of Soul and beckoned it to follow. As they padded deeper into the cavern, the spirit noticed the light began to grow dimmer and the noise of the falls less prominent. The ceiling crept lower and the walls narrower until they were walking single file down a tunnel. Just as the walls were growing uncomfortably close, the passage widened into a large chamber, sloping gently upwards to a flat-topped rock at the far end. Being in almost complete darkness, Soul had to rely on the softly glowing cat in front to guide the way.

They paused just before the rock, waiting. Behind them the chamber grew steadily brighter as more and more Highers appeared. When the chamber was finally full and blazing, two figures flared into existence and settled on the rock. Immediately, silence fell, the humming Soul had not noticed before disappeared.

Welcome, guardian, to the Chamber of Thought-sharing. I am Just, and this is my sister, Wisdom.
The white and gold cat on the left flicked its tail towards the white and purple cat next to it, who dipped its head in acknowledgement.

"So you do have names!"

They seemed a bit confused
Of course, why would we not?

"You haven't used any before now, so I thought you didn't. "

Just because one doesn't show something, doesn't mean they don't have it.

"Oh. Sorry."

So, as you already know, we need your help.

"You mentioned something about there being other 'Highers' than you"

Yes. We are the positive spirits of this realm, the 'light' side if you will. We embody the values and skills of the Clans; Loyalty, Honesty, Agility and so on. Everything that keeps the Clans together. Our siblings embody the things that drive clans apart, things that destroy them like Deceit, Greed and Mistrust.