The Gold Paladin

Chapter 9 - Spirit World

She wasn't sure if she was dreaming. Or alive.

Maybe I'm dead, Night thought. I'm probably dead. Can you think when you're dead?

She heard someone singing. The voice was distorted, like they were singing underwater. Night tried to open her eyes, but all she saw was black.

Yeah, I'm dead.

The singing got louder, as if the singer was approaching her. Then it stopped.

Please keep singing, Night thought. It makes being dead more interesting.

She heard footsteps. They were light but had a certain touch to them, like the person was dragging their heels or something. The voices were talking. Whispering, almost. Night couldn't hear much, but she got the general idea. The conversation went something like this.

"What should we do?"

"I don't know?"

"She's the paladin! Gold's been acting up ever since that happened. I think Gold can sense her pain."

"You know, Gold took a lot of the blast too. Maybe she's malfunctioning or something."

"I don't think so. I think it's something else."

"Actually, I've been meaning to tell you, Black has been acting strange, too."

"The same as Gold?"

"Yeah."

"Can we go see?"

"Sure. Let's go."

"Go ahead. I gotta check on something."

"Okay."

The light-footsteps person left the room, and Night could feel someone place their hand near her. Night tried to move away, but she was suspended in something.

Okay, maybe I'm not dead?

The person who was kind-of-not-really touching her spoke. The voice was male, but young, not aged.

"You okay?"

Night tried to say something, but she couldn't speak.

The person sighed. "I don't really know what happened. Keith says Gold is acting weird."

Keith? Who's Keith? I know a Keith!

"I hope you'll live. Pidge says there's a small chance."

Pidge? I also know a Pidge. They woke me up yesterday!

"I didn't know you for long, but if you make it, I know we'll be good friends."

Who is this? Hello?

"Please don't die, Night. The paladins need you."

I know what paladin is! It's a type of cheese! On Kty'hipta! Why does cheese need me?

"Night?" The person started crying.

Don't cry. The cheese will be fine. Please don't cry!

Night hated it when people cried. It made her want to fix it.

Cheese needs me. I will help.

Night forced her eyes open, and was blinded by the bright lights. She was in some type of pod. A steady beeping sound was the first sound she heard.

Someone turn that off! It's not helping me focus.

A sharp pain in her left shoulder made her groan. There was a deep burn on it.