"Because Of Him" (Sky: Children of the Light Fan-made Stories)

Chapter 1: Playing It Right

Home.

A small island of greenery and peace situated in the middle of nowhere and yet, is the most visited region by the flying and flame-carrying populace. It is still a mystery how doves would appear suddenly out from corners but they brought a nice touch to the mini sanctuary. They would fly even if the sun had already set and would not fret as much as the birds living near the working bells of Daylight Prairie. Placed down many years ago, seven portals with frames of stone, each with specific enigmatic symbols, are still up and running just for the usage of the residents of light.

Sitting on the stable head of the seventh portal, Ketakutan was doing his personal routine of watching and enjoying the sun's ray wash over him and the land. Whenever he wishes to do so, he would quietly look over his kind as they enter and exit portals or spend some time around the little pond of the island. However, if eyes ever landed him, he would quickly hide behind the bell of the gates to avoid them. If anyone were to fly specifically towards him, he would instantly hop off and swiftly head towards the portal leading to Golden Graveyard, his mindset still persuading him that not many would go there so why would they bother following a troublesome being such as he?

He thought he could keep up this little attitude of his until he knew why he enjoyed sitting on the gates leading to a fallen kingdom not liked by many but things had changed when a special veteran landed onto the little land.

Minutes after daybreak, Keta planned to do the expression the Spirit of Water taught him not so long ago when the said veteran landed onto the island like a fallen star. Judging by the amount of wing lights and the thick scent of charcoal coming off of them, they had recently gone through the Eye of Eden. Their soft snow hair was shifted simply to the left side of their head; a pleasant highlight for their shadowy face and attractive black festive cape. Their dark baggy pants given by the Spirit of Fire appeared as very light grey by the rising sun. Being another noticeable feature was their firework staff. Its golden surface had its edges sparkled by the natural light.

Keta watched as the veteran took their time to take in their surroundings before dusting themselves off and carefully standing on their two booted feet. Now at full height and although far away, Keta realized the other was quite tall and with their ancient accessories, they definitely looked like someone not to be messed with. Nonetheless, before he knew it, the veteran unexpectedly turned towards his direction and casually waved up at him as if they knew he was staring at them the for a while. This caused his eyes to widen. He ducked behind the bell that, with its stone pillars, were able to cover his entire body. How was he being spotted that quickly? He was even standing at the darker side of the gates' head!

"Hey!"

Fear rocketed up and down his body. Don't tell him that he was about to be forcefully put in a position to communicate with another. Oh the effort he would have to give and the tension he would feel. His introverted mind would just make a fool out of him.

"Hello there!"

The young man covered his ears from the veteran's loud honking that was similar to a grown manta's. He had experienced being called and people heading towards him without his consent (not that he would ever allow anyone to be near him asides the spirits and elders during that time) but the veteran was yes, an experienced person who had just gone through Eden and fell from heaven for Pete sake. This was his first time seeing someone from there. Moreover, having one wishing to grab his attention was terrifying.

A moment passed and ever so slowly, he let himself hear the gentle sound of small waves crashing on top of each other and the doves chirping happily above him. Behind his mask that had a blue scar slashed across its left eye socket with a similar shade hue tear painted below them, cold sweat formed and slid down his cheeks.