Sky: A Light is Born (I)

III: Sacred Woods

Every time a new portal was created, they could tell what could happen in the world inside because of the color it reflected. Both of the past portals had shown bright and vivid colors, but this wasn't the case. In this third portal, they could feel a bit of a "dark" vibe, if that makes any sense. They were a little nervous, but Eli and Skye held hands and went into this new world together.

The first thing they saw was a bit interesting. They could see a path leading to a gate far away. And as strange as it could be, they felt like this place wasn't truly abandoned. It seemed like people were still there.

"These are the Sacred Woods. This place has something special I like. I don't know what it is, but that's what makes it interesting! Don't you agree?" Said Eli.

"I guess you are right. This place is really different to everything we have seen before! Let's just hope it's safe around here." Skye replied.

As soon as those words were spoken, she felt little drops of water falling on her head. It was raining, and that was one thing Skye loved to see and feel when she was at her true home. Eli started to slowly walk away from the rain, but she smiled and decided to let it drop on her. However, the feeling wasn't the one she expected. She started feeling a weird pain all over her. Her cape and even herself started to lose color. All of this was so unexpected that she freaked out and screamed for help.

"E- Eli!? What is this!? Help!". She screamed.

The boy turned around and saw what was happening. The more he looked at it, the more Skye would lose her color. He didn't even think about it and sprinted to her. He picked her up and took her to a place with a roof. Skye felt weaker than ever, but she still had some force to talk.

"Wha- What happened?"

"Oh, I'm an idiot! How did I forget to tell you about this!?"

"Te- Tell me about what?

"I'll tell you, but close your eyes for now. Please, for your own good..."

She followed Eli's instructions and closed her eyes. Eli used this little time to grieve. He was just mad at himself for making Skye get harmed. But he had to do something and not just stay there. She was still injured and only he knew how to heal her. He took his candle and placed it on the floor. Then, he slowly approached Skye and hugged her softly so that he wouldn't hurt her.

"This might sting a little, ok?"

"Ok..."

He picked his candle and got it close to Skye's cape. She felt a quick pain and even tried to move away from it, but that meant that it was working. Her cape started to regain the color it had lost, and so did her skin. The pain slowly faded away, and she started to feel brand new. She was just speechless because she didn't know what had happened. But then, Eli started explaining a lot of things he should have told her earlier.

"Darkness. It is everywhere, and it's also our worst enemy in this world. I don't know if someone ever told you this before, but everyone here lives from Light. There is a flame deep within our souls that holds all of it. It is as strong as a diamond, but Darkness can easily damage it. If that flame dies, we fade away with it. Just thinking about the fact that I could have lost you..."

He dropped a few tears and hugged Skye once again. After understanding what had happened, the girl realized that her life had been saved, and that was a big deal. She felt like she had to say something, so she continued the hug and showed gratitude with her beautiful voice.

"Thanks for helping me, Eli. I don't know why you are this way with me. I don't even know why I'm here in the first place. But I know for a fact that it has to do with you. You sure are an incredible person, and I really hope we will do this. Together, like the best friends I feel we are..."

Eli smiled and dropped some more tears, and Skye did the same. Their friendship grew bigger and bigger with every second they helped each other. Eli stepped away for a moment and wiped the tears off his face. His mask moved a little, but he didn't notice it. Skye didn't say a word, but tried to look behind the mask. Sadly, she couldn't see anything.

"Alright, enough of that... emotional stuff. We have an adventure up ahead, so let's go!"

The gate they had seen yet ignored started opening in front of them. When they crossed it, they saw a giant forest in front of them. That forest was the place Eli had talked about. They had arrived to the Sacred Woods. They made their way through it, always being careful of not touching the rain. The eventually made it through, when suddenly something caught Eli's attention. When he looked at it closely, he realized it was a light like one they had seen before. It was another spirit, and he was quickly set free by the fire Eli and Skye held. The spirit seemed to be a very enthusiastic man, and you could tell by his voice.

"I thank you, great chosen ones! You actually set me free! Oh, I can't be more thankful!" Said the spirit.

"The pleasure is ours! By the way, could you tell us where to go? We lost track of the right way when we saw you." Skye asked.

"I'll guide you, don't worry about that! But before we do, there is something I need you to help me with."

"What is it? We will help!"

The spirit asked both of them to follow him. Eli was a little concerned, but he felt secure when Skye was by his side. When the spirit suddenly stopped, they were in a big hole beneath a tree.

"This tree is no ordinary one. This tree is known as the Great Hollow Tree. Spirits like me used to gather here and keep light safe, but Darkness came rushing in and destroyed us all. I don't know if someone has told you this, but as peaceful as this place can be, you can fade away into the Darkness if you aren't careful. All of us faded away when we got attacked, so I would like to ask you a favor. Could you try and bring them back to life?"

"I guess we could try, but we don't promise it will work..."

Skye and Eli were standing in the middle of this great tree. They both took their candles out and created a big flame. They both looked at it confused, since they didn't what to do next. But then, the flame started moving and getting closer to Skye. She could feel the heat, but she wasn't afraid of it. It got to a point where it eventually touched her. She took a deep breath, closed here eyes and let the flame do what it had to do. While her eyes were closed, she could hear a voice that she remembered. She could clearly tell it was the old woman's voice.

"You are doing well, young Skye. And for that, I shall grant you a new ability. That candle may be useful, but the fire in your soul is way stronger than that. You will now be able to create light out of it. Just focus and get ready for it. The real adventure starts now..."

Skye nodded her head to show she was ready. When she opened her eyes, she started floating. She lowered her head and opened her arms, and her chest started radiating light. Light that would soon expand and set all the spirits nearby free. All of them started to get confused since they didn't know what had happened. But then, they looked at Skye and bowed to show their gratitude.

"We thank you, chosen ones. This has happened for a reason, and for that we can assure you two will be the ones to bring back the light we have all awaited for. May the Light be by your side..."

"Wait, the Light? Why do you talk about it that way? What is it?"

"You'll discover it later on. Just you wait..."

The spirits faded away with a smile in their faces. Skye felt fulfilled and more powerful than ever, while Eli was just surprised and excited that she had gained so much power.

"You always find a way to surprise me, you are truly amazing! I'll never get tired of saying it!"

"Thanks! Not even I know how this is happening, haha!"

They both laughed a little and decided to go Home. They might had done a lot of things, but the adventure wasn't over yet. What else could wait for them? What exactly was the Light? Why was all of this happening? Those were questions that lured through Skye's mind. At least until she fell asleep with the moonlight shining right above her.