He was brooding and lost, a dark storm cloud in an infinite sky. His grey soul was heavy with rain. She was a small wisp, a faint light in the pale . She was his small light, his guide.

-An Excerpt from the Legend of the Dark Cloud-

The small wispy blue flame shed a faint blue light to it's surroundings as the wind blew through the trees. The wispy flames curled in the air, dancing slowly, completely unaffected by the wind.

"What in the world...?" He muttered under his breath.

The small blue flame bobbed slightly in the air, then began to slowly float into the forest.

Hurriedly, Nimbus stuffed his violin into its case, fumbling with the silver clasps in his haste. Looking up, he caught a glimpse of the blue tendrils disappearing behind a tree. He brought his case up on his shoulder and started off into the forest, following the faint blue light.

At first, Nimbus was easily able to keep up with the light, the ground was firmly held together by grass, and the journey was easy. His boots sank slightly into the grass as he walked.

However, the terrain began to get steeper. The ground was a gnarl of dry dirt and roots, and the footing became tricky.

The small blue flame continued, unhindered by the terrain. Struggling to keep up, he stumbled upon a root and a low hanging branch caught his cheek.

He touched his face in shock, tracing his cheek where the throbbing pain was coming from. Drawing his hand away, his fingers contain a splotch of red.

He was bleeding. He was hurting

Suddenly, the sensations flooded him. The cold breeze of the night ruffling through his shirt and vest. The sliding sensation of the dry soil beneath his boots. The heat from his own wound upon his face. They all washed over him like a tidal wave.

This wasn't a dream.

It should be a dream.

But it wasn't a dream.

Shuddering, he was knocked off his feet by the huge shock, and fell backwards upon his bottom.

"W-why...where am I?"

The sensations flooded over him as his mind became a roiling sea of chaos. He slid backwards across gnarled roots and the dry ground. He put his back against one of the large trees and hugged his legs to his chest. In the darkness, he trembled. His gray heart trembled.

He was scared. He hadn't done anything really worthwhile. All the things he had chased, money, fame, skill. They wouldn't be any good to him if he was dead. It would all be for naught. He started to truly realize just how empty he was.

As he shuddered, a soft blue light shine upon him, the little wispy ball floated from behind, and came into view. It floated for a second, seemingly watching him, then came and floated besides, hovering over his case.

He put his head down into his knees and shuddered. The small blue light waited with him, giving light, keeping away the night.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

His trembling subsided and he raised head. The small blue flame bobbed gently in the air, happy to see him. The faint light reflected in Nimbus' eyes, a small blue fire in his eyes.

He reached out towards the flame, but it floated out of reach. It shook once in the air, and continued on what appeared to be it's original path.

Nimbus rose, wiped off the blood with his thumb, and licked it off firmly.

Picking up his case, he continued to follow the pale light into the night.

The incline lessened, and the thick trees and root infested ground gave way to a small clearing of grass.

Nimbus slowed his pace as he walked across the clearing, staring with interest.

On the other side of the clearing was a large iron fence, towering above the grass. Beyond the fence was less dense forest.

Nimbus watched curiously as the blue flame continued to float steadily towards the fence. It showed no signs of stopping, and Nimbus found it curious. As the blue flame approached, the air around the gate blurred.

Nimbus rubbed his eyes, and blinked a few times behind his glasses. His eyes widened.

Standing at the edge of the clearing was a large gate. Two massive brick columns stood side by side, their pale stone lightened by the soft moonlight. Atop each was a stone gargoyle, standing as sentinels, their rough Iron wrought fence, several feet taller than Nimbus, extended from either side of the columns. Between the two columns extended an arch of iron. Two thin iron bars curved in a semicircle, and between those were letters made of thin silver strips.

As the blue flame passed under, the thin silver letters simmered.

"Mausoleum Heroum"

Nimbus followed the little blue light through the arch and into the darkness, the gate disappearing behind him.

The trees thinned as he followed his faint blue guide down the cobblestone path. The stones were uneven and mossy under his feet. His ankles began to feel sore, yet Nimbus continued on.

The trees gave way to a forest of stone bushes. Faded, clean, tall, short, the graves were innumerable. Yet at the very center was the grandest of all.

Dead leaves dragged over the cobblestone path, pushed by the wind, screeching like a multitude of cicadas rattling their wings. The stone angel stood tall over the cemetery, its wings spread proud. The moonlight cast a vibrant glow upon the marble masterpiece, elucidating the melancholy features of the beautiful sentinel. It was rather ironic how the dead and empty seemed so alive. Nimbus was enthralled in silent awe, drawn closer and closer, step by step.

Then, a voice cut through the screeching of the leaves.

"Who are you?"