Light Guardian

Chapter 5

The wolf stood before me, not as the familiar ghostly form, but in a live body. This can't be real, this can't be real. But it is. The proof stood right in front of me.

    Now that the wolf was in a living form, I could tell it was a female. Her breathing was hitting my face, and she stared me down. The familiar voice of the wolf invaded my ears, "Nakoma," she spoke, her voice filled with wisdom. In my confused and shocked state, I felt my head tilt to the side. "My name is Nakoma, one with the spirits and the living."

    My body shook, as I stared at her, before accusing, "You've been haunting me!" My fur was bristling as I continued, "You've always been there, watching me. Did you enjoy watching me as I was banished? Did you enjoy watching me as those shadows drained my soul, did you enjoy watching my pain?" My voice held a hint of madness, causing me to flinch.

    The wolf breathed out slowly, and her warm voice echoed through the forest, "I've done no such thing." Her voice was calm, almost calming me down. Almost.

    "Yes, you have! You know you have! Why didn't you ever help me, why did you let them do the things that they did?" My voice cracked. I felt Rhea move to my side, leaning her thin body against my own. Soothing words fell from her mouth, as she tried to calm me down.

    The wise voice from Nakoma rang in my ears, "I've never hurt you. If you do not recall, I have helped you. I caused the shadows to flee from your body while they drained you. I stopped them from attacking your sleeping body in the real world. I protected you. And for your pain, I had to watch, I had to endure seeing what they did to you. I was not allowed to interfere unless it was life or death. Abilities can never truly be perfect. My abilities are both a burden and a blessing."

    I was confused, and I heard the pusillanimous voice of Amos speak up, "What do you mean by abilities, and why were you watching Varian?" The scared tabby winced at his own voice, causing pity and empathy to grasp my heart.

    "I was cursed with the power of life and death. I am immortal, in a way. Never will I be stuck in the spirit world like the mortals. When I died, from a fatal blow, my spirit hung to my body. It was trapped, unable to wander off to the safety of the spirit world. It reentered me, causing life to flow through my veins once more. There was a difference though, I was still dead. I am still dead. I have been ever since that day. But I also am alive. I am able to travel to the spirit world and back. I can choose to look living or dead. I have been assigned to tasks of greeting new souls, as well as guiding some living ones. You, my dear guardian, are my current priority." Nakoma explained.

    My fur fluffed up as I questioned, "Why are you calling me a guardian? I don't get it?"

    A chuckle emitted from her throat as she responded, "Of course you wouldn't get it." Anger flared up in me, and Rhea hushed me from speaking up. "This world that we live in, has been tainted by darkness. Shadows roam the land, trying to drain the world from the light it possesses. To counteract this, the Greater Spirits made Light Guardians. These are creatures that have the power to control light itself. There are ancient markings that are burned into their pelts, just like what you have on your own." My eyes fell on the patterns that stained me, causing my life to take this path. She continued, "These Light Guardians are what keep the shadows at bay. Once one dies, a new one is born. They are born at a time to ensure that the shadows will not be strong until they are of age. Sadly, now is the time the shadows are gaining back their strength, which you have noticed with their recent attempt at draining your light. They are increasing their attacks on the innocents, killing and taking what they can. You are the only hope for keeping the light in this world because if you are to die or become tainted, the shadows will win. There will not be another Light Guardian born and they will still have all their strength. We need you, Varian, let me help you."