The Point of No Return
Fandom: Sky: Children of the Light
Warning: Spoilers! If you have not finished or reached Eden (the seventh realm), please do not read to avoid spoilers of the end.
Commissioned by: @shen-hongzi
Forebode and misery—howled by the sharp-cut winds. Danger! Don’t go in! He could feel it crawl under his skin. Much like the eerie mechanical clinks of dark dragons passing by.
Unbearable coldness doused him under the presence of a creature devoid of light, or more like, a creature filled with darkness. Rubbing his forearms, he shivered as it hovered above them. The blue light miraculously shifted away from them, acting as blind watchtowers. Although it’ll be hard to shake it off from one’s cape when it turns red.
The only thing that kept him moving forward was “Light”—or that's what he called him—who was dragging him through everything.
For some reason, this person couldn’t talk, only honks and a morse code of honks, but he doesn’t know morse code, so he doesn’t know whether it was the latter.
They took a leap of faith and managed to stumble towards the entrance of the cave before the blue light could spot them. The “light child" nestled comfortably right at the edge of the entrance despite the danger before it.
His heart was racing so fast. He thought he was going to die.
The dark dragon slowly slithered in the air. He could see its long jointly yet serpent body pass by through the small entrance as dark particles dripped from its thin legs.
He thought he would never see another one of those abominable creatures after the eerie green barren desert. But of course, he should have known better that life would smack them back in the face after catering them.
He collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily as he tried to catch his breath. It felt closed. The cave doesn't help, nor does the red hue of the sky as if they're trying to warn him something.
The senior let him be. "Light" only stared at him for a brief moment before honking. He drew his eyes to look at him, his back remaining glued to the floor.
Just... let him... breathe!
After a brief moment of silence, he stood up. It was about time to finish it anyway. The sooner it's done, the sooner they leave, the better.
He peered down the long dark corridor. It looked endless, but he could see "light children" leaning on the walls, waiting to be "rescued" by him. It was the only source of light. Or so he thought.
"Light" took his candle out and lighted the fire holder near the glowing silhouette of the golden child's remnants after he collected it. He didn't notice it but the slight arch of the cave hid the other golden children from plain sight.
As they continued further, there was more and more. It was like a dragon's den full of gold. It was worth coming here after all.
"Light" was ahead, standing in the middle of the dim-lit hallway, waiting for him. He was just looking back, honking.
When he neared him, a chill ran down his spine. Those who enter can never go back.
Darkness loomed far ahead, a sense of forebode creeping around his shoulders as he stood there longer. Never go back, he thought.
What lies ahead is unknown. And whatever happens, he doesn't know if he could ever tell the tale. Because for whatever reason he couldn't go back, he knows that he shouldn't dare question. The only answer is what lies ahead. And it is up to him whether he would want to know.
As he hesitated, "Light" jumped in the tunnel, the darkness eating him whole, leaving him behind, much to his horror. Silence kept the air still, only the hollow howls of winds from outside and the rattle of rocks filled the empty barren space.
The moth's outstretched hand faltered before it dropped to his side. He had stared at the darkness calling unto him. He took a step forward, a rush of courage, but as well as fear weighed down every move he made. But he took another, and another, and another.
This is it. The darkness is in front of him. One step forward, will it end? Or will it continue?
He closed his eyes, afraid to know the answer, but he moved his foot forward, too curious to know.
~~
Winds roared, the air stirred like a hurricane in a storm, and there was darkness. He peeked behind his lashes. Red shards poured down on him, instantly forcing him down to his knees.
It burned. It stings. It hurts.
Far ahead, a red diamond crystal; bright, glowing, and ominous. It pulsed, as if beating like a heart. What is it exactly? He doesn’t know.
A few steps from him, however, was “Light” waiting by a fire statue. He honked, beckoning the moth to come.
He instantly ran to him as red crystals came hurdling down. He tripped a few times but the pain on his back felt burning that kept him going. He stopped by the fire, his light was almost dim. That was the only time the moth was able to take a good look at what was in front of him—a statue of a stoned figure.
It was clutching his body while facing the red diamond light in the far distance. Blue cracks snaked around its body like fissures on earth. A chill ran down his spine.
What…happened to them?
He looked far ahead. There were multiple of it scattered, facing the bright red crystal, shards falling like sharp heavy rain.
He can’t go back. The point of no return.
Instead of dwelling on it further, he trudged forward, but with a heavy heart. What will become of him? What are those? Were they once like him? What is the thing that lies ahead?
Those questions circled like vultures in his head, prowling at his sanity, waiting for it to crumble before they feast.
He felt alone. He felt cold. He felt bare. He felt scared.
A tap on his shoulder and he lifted his gaze. “Light” held out a hand. With no reason to decline, he placed his hand over his, and “Light” pulled him up on his feet.
The light that dwindled inside him, ignited. His grip tightened on his friend, never wanting to feel the hopeless cold again.
“Light” dragged him around, hopping from cover to cover, reaching statues and statues. Until they stopped at one point.
The moth noticed. The red rain that ever so paused from time to time never did beyond this point. It was continuous. The sharp shards of glass cut through his eardrums.
The diamond was still far ahead. So do the statues. But they’ve become scarce.
Not a single soul in sight except for them.
Before he could even prepare, “Light” already leaped in the red storm. Too scared, the moth never let go.
He stared at the back of his senior’s cape as they proceed further in, shielding his face from the onslaught of red rain. As they passed one statue, he would give, not knowing what it does, what happens, what’s worth, what’s lost.
But then he realized, the things he worked hard to collect… were slowly decreasing. All he worked hard for… slowly going away.
What’s worth? He asked again. But, of course, why would he get an answer.
Fear, frustration, disappointment. It swallowed him, as his wedges slowly diminished. Then it came down to the last one…
Still, there are so many statues up ahead. What happens to him now?
“Light” still stood, albeit, dark and gray. He still had his cape.
As the moth tightly clutched his senior’s hand, a shard struck him. Everything went slow. The red diamond still reverberated in the distance.
He fell back, sprawled on the wet cold stony floor. The rain grew ever so wild.
The moth, who lost warmth, sought it. With ragged breaths, he pushed himself up, limping as darkness clung to his body. His skin slowly withered black, chipping away, revering blue tones under the cracks.
He stretched his arm out, reaching for the diamond in the far distance. He thought he was getting closer. But it only felt…so distant.
His eyelids grew heavy, blinking ever so slowly. Until darkness engulfed him completely.
He woke up. Darkness was all there to see, yet the floor felt solid. Where is he? What is he?
He looked at his dark hands, feeling conscious. The coldness seeped through him. Unbearable.
Something gleamed in the corner of his eyes. Light. A child, same as he, albeit, gold, hugged its knees close.
As he approached, the golden child noticed him. The moth, never encountering a moving golden child, took a step back, scared. But it held out its hand.
Confused and uncertain, he slowly reached out for it. It felt warm, and he felt so cold.
He sought warmth.
Using his outstretched hand, the golden child pulled itself up, standing tall as him.
He wants to feel warm. The cold is unbearable.
Without any thought, the moth opened his arms for a hug. The child accepted.
Then he suddenly burst into light. A current ruffled his cape, and took him to a great height, out of this senseless void, and he was engulfed by light.
The sight on the other side greeted him with a sight that was out of this world. It felt ghostly. It felt beautiful.
As he marveled at the scene before him, a bright yet familiar halo figure stood at the grand stairs. Seeing him, the moth hurried over and immediately grabbed his hand. He smiled wide which the senior mirrored, although smaller, proud of him.
The moth experienced joy, sorrow, hardship, and memories. He grew up, the senior glad to see his moth seeing it through the end. Nothing could bring him greater joy than to see his moth survive until the end.
31 notes
·
View notes