Darkness.
As we grew closer to the Castle, the landscape around us became darker and darker. The Mother's son lost in his battle to shine upon the ground, as the clouds choked him in the air.
I wondered briefly if I would be able to see the moon at night through the fog.
Had I known that last night would be the final time my eyes would gaze upon her, I would have taken her in more. Said more words of love and basked within her glory more.
Instead I had nothing but a memory of what once was.
The shadows came out, creatures of lost souls that the King did not feel the need to help and the Light had deemed beyond saving.
They clawed at the carriage as we passed. Some even made it to the window, crawling through.
Jonaus made no motion to repress them, instead letting them reach out at him. Any who touched me though shrieked away, shocked at the amount of light that was absorbed through them.
One even withered on contact, transforming into a pure white flower.
Jonaus gasped as he watched. I sent a silent prayer to the moon. Thanking her for her sign, showing me that the darkness had not consumed my soul. That I was still blessed with her light.
I took the flower and offered it to Jonaus.
"I have not seen one of these in a long time," he said, yet he made no motion to grab it.
I extended it further as we descended into the land of Darthin.
He shook his head, "no thank you."
"Why?" I asked, "is it because you already know what will happen when you take it?"
Jonaus's eyes flickered up to mine in surprise.
"For a follower of the Mother's light, you know a surprising amount about the Dark."
I looked at him, still holding the flower out in offering, "I am Arishia," was all I said.
He reached out and touched the flower, taking it from my hand. I made sure he did not touch me in his movements. He noticed my behavior and respected my actions, avoiding my touch also.
Upon contact the flower started to fade. Its petals began to shrivel, and its stalk turned brittle and yellow. The vibrancy of life that it once held became lost as the darkness swept in and took control.
Jonaus looked down at the once-flower in his hand.
"You killed it," he said.
I looked at the blackened corpse, "I suppose we both did."
Jonaus threw the flower out the window. We both listened to the shrieks of the creatures as they consumed the once-life of the flower, taking in greedily whatever darkness they could.
"You can save them," Jonaus said, staring out the window at the tortured souls and their cries.
"And more will come once I am done," I answered.
Jonaus looked at me, analyzing my words.
"You choose to go to the source instead?" he asked.
I stayed silent. I would not reveal anything to a servant of the King. But his assumptions might cost me already.
"You think that will stop all this?" he motioned out the window.
"Darkness will never be stopped," I said.
Jonaus started with surprise at my words, "so you admit that we have won?"
I shook my head, "there is no winner or loser. There is only Dark and light. For where there is Dark, there is light- where there is light, there must also be darkness. Darkness in itself is only the absence of light. The story of the Mother and Father prove this to us," I turned to Jonaus, glancing at his wide, fearful eyes.
"You really are Arishia."
I smiled on the inside. Had he really doubted?
I turned away and looked at the window, praying for the lost souls that we passed and placing my hand upon all those who ventured to close. Soon, enough became weary and learned not to traverse within a close distance of our ride.
Just the hisses and silent curses could be heard after a while.
I turned back to Jonaus, noticing how his eyes were still upon me.
"Arishia...," he hesitated before continuing, "if a soul is in darkness, how can it be brought back to the Light?"
There it is. His selfish question. Everyone had a selfish question they needed answered.
Mine was why fate had chosen me to accomplish the task ahead.
"That is the question," I said.
"You don't know?" he asked.
I could tell the answer I had given him had let him down. Just being in my presence had reminded him of the light and blessing that he once contained.
"I don't know."
He nodded, and looked out the window at the lost souls that he would eventually join.
The fate of those who gave themselves to the Father's darkness.
We stayed in silence for several more hours. The scenery changed from one horror to another. I watched it all. Never closing my eyes or shuddering away from it. I felt Jonaus's eyes on me as I took in the darkness. I could not even tell the time of the day- the Sun since gone from the view of the eye.
It took me a few moments to even realize that we were close to the Castle. The only indicator was the carriage slowing down and Jonaus sitting up straighter. Throughout the whole ride, he had kept to his corner, occasionally taking deep breaths out the window.
I glanced briefly out the window. Ahead loomed a large black structured Castle. I wondered if it had always been black, or if the grime from the darkness had covered and stuck onto it through the years, making it what it was today.
Guards stopped us. Their eyes immediately went to me.
"What have you brought us Jonaus," one asked, leaning in closer as he inhaled deeply.
I looked calmly at him, waiting for the carriage to be cleared and for us to move on. This would be how others reacted to me now. Not bowing, praying, or adoring me. Just looking at me with lust filled eyes and desire in their mouths for a taste.
"A woman for the reaping," Jonaus said.
The guards crowded around, three sets of eyes looking back at my pale blue ones.
"Not scared of us is she?" One said.
"The others were all crying or shaking, asking to go home, or asking why they had been picked. Not her though uh?" Another leaned forward and smelled the air again. "I can tell why she was picked," he said through hooded eyes.
"I could smell her a mile off- even with all those," his eyes raked down my body and the repressors that were tattooed on, while the others nodded in agreement.
"Alright then, we'll let her through. Watch out though," he directed his words at me, "Not all of us are disciplined like the guards and Jonaus here." The men in the back smiled at the spoken words. I stared on, waiting for us to pass. There was no use wasting my breath upon these men.
"I hope for your sake, you can run fast."
The others laughter died out as we moved away from them, the carriage granted its access to go through the gates.
I looked at Jonaus. He continued staring out at the passing land of the King's property, lost in his own thoughts.
The castle grew closer. We were almost there.
Please protect me moon, I prayed.
For the first time since my departure, I started to feel the first pangs of fear.