Arcturus knew they had walked for a few hours now that the sky became pure black. He was surprised to see so many stars in the night sky for there weren’t any clouds that pelted snow anymore. The only sounds that resonated in his ears were the sounds of breathing and footsteps between both Nova and him. The only feeling he felt was the cold atmosphere tickling against his exposed face. The fireball did not die out; fortunately, the fireball was warm enough to give heat to both of them.

In addition to the cold, the atmosphere felt heavy because Nova and he hadn’t spoken since they walked. It was an awkward feeling. He wasn’t much of a conversation starter to begin with. However, he decided to muster up the courage to speak up.

“I saw an insignia on my earring. Did you grant Kori’s wish?”

“You were aware he was still alive?”

“I’ve lived with a Shiftie for several years. I do know about how they only die when their earring is broken. If it’s removed, they’re immobile and cannot function because they need a vessel to be complete.”

“I see…”

“If…it’s possible, what was it that Kori wished for?”

Nova stopped and he turned around. “I cannot reveal what other people wished for. Wishes are a kept secret between the contractor and me; think of it as a privacy policy.”

Arcturus nodded. “I understand.”

They resumed walking. Knowing that his wish wouldn’t be revealed made Arcturus rather relieved. It would mean people wouldn’t be aware that wishes coming back into the world was his doing and that he wouldn’t bear a burden on his shoulders if word had gotten out.

Nova was next to initiate a conversation. “How much do you know about Shifties?”

“Just the basics, functionality-wise. Every other piece of knowledge comes from the Shiftie themself.”

“Remember when you said that Shifties had reminded you of me in a way?”

“Yes…?”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“You were right. They are like me in a way. Do you want to know how?”

Arcturus was nervous. “How?”

“They’re powered up by human souls.” Those words caused Arcturus to stop. The sentence resonated in his thoughts.

Nova continued, “I don’t know how they are taken out from the Spirit Realm, but I’ve got my theories.” He stopped when he noticed Arcturus wasn’t following him. “Arcturus?”

“Human souls?”

“It sounds unbelievable, right? Late human souls are taken out from the Spirit Realm and are placed into the earrings in a method I do not know of at the moment. All I can theorize is that someone I am acquainted with is doing this.”

“And that is…?”

“The Invader. I do not know her actual name, but that’s the name Souhait and I refer to her as. She’s able to take souls out of the Spirit Realm because she’s from another world, meaning she doesn’t abide by the rules of this planet.”

“Another world?”

“There are many different worlds out there. Souhait and his dragon brethren are from an entirely different planet than Terrenter.”

“I know that…” A sense of excitement came to him. He was happy to know that the dragons were real and that everything he had read about them were true. He couldn’t believe he had a treasure trove of precious information with him now.

A thought came to him suddenly. He wondered why the Invader came to this world and why she didn’t leave. If she’s still here and making Shifities from breaking all the world’s logic, she must have some sort of grand scheme.

He turned around to look at the direction where Castle Lavender once was. He had remembered there were Shifties that had earrings. He had recalled destroying an earring and also assumed that the destruction had destroyed the remaining Shifties and their earrings.

“If an earring is destroyed, does the soul trapped inside return to the Spirit Realm?”

“Yes, alongside the Shiftie’s soul if it was created.”

Arcturus had found it a relief that they returned. It lifted any upcoming guilt that he could have felt in the future; he was glad Nova had told this to him right now. He could tell Nova wanted to trust him hence why he was open to answering all of his questions.

Nova tilted his head. “Why are you smiling?”

“I’m glad you trust me.”

“I…no, we have to trust you. You promised, after all.”

Arcturus felt as if he could smile at him even if he hadn’t promised or made conditions. Nova looked away; it made him wonder if he had made Nova feel awkward.

“Let’s continue, Arcturus.” Nova resumed walking.

Arcturus couldn’t contain this happy feeling; he was still smiling from ear to ear. With this overwhelming happiness, he called out Nova’s name. Nova stopped and turned to look at him, wondering what he wanted.

“Call me Arc. It’s a special privilege that people close to me have.”

Nova’s eyes widened, his face contorting into one full of surprise. It quickly changed into a happy countenance as he too smiled from ear to ear.

“Alright, Arc.”