Part II

(Shuute)

Our morning star, Solai, burns brightly today as the villagers celebrate in their festival. I sit within the site of Solias as she enjoys her time with the others. They all sing and chant with their music along with many colors. It’s such a merry time when they praise Solai. That means we start a new cycle on Talius, and it also means 300 days of winter. This happens whenever a new cycles comes, the residents of Tribe Haluen start it by struggling for survival and once those 300 days pass they will live easier with fewer fuune rising from the white powder.

“Where’s Shuute?” A little girl asks Solias as she tugs on her blue kimono-skirt.

Solias looks down to her and then points in my direction. “He’s over there little one, he’s just being aloof as always.” She then bends her thick legs in a squat to be more at the girl’s height. “He’s a ghost right now, but if you wish, I can ask him to show. Would you like that?”

That’s Solias, she always asks me to be in my physical form for the children. I think she has a soft spot for them.

Solias walks up to me while holding the little girl’s hand. “Hey Shuute, little Mimi here wishes to see you. Could you please be in our realm, just for a little bit?” She stares at me with those big green eyes of hers as Mimi does the same with her brown ones.

I remember what I said to her last night, but I can’t say no to a child either. A soft smile curls up my lips and I nod to Solias.

A big smile grows onto her face and looks to Mimi for the message.

My body phases until I am able to be seen while staring at Mimi gently. “Hello there Mimi; how are you?”

Her eyes grow with joy and she tackles one of my legs. “Shuute, you are here!”

Both Solias and I chuckle as she clings to my pant leg that’s rather large compared to my actual limb.

“So you finally decide to show yourself?” The man who father’s Solias walks up to join our sodality. “I was wondering when you would.”

“Good morning to you as well Rakar.” I say with some sarcasm in my voice.

Rakar chuckles with me and comes closer to Solias.

Solias hugs him with warmth. “Good morning Father, and praise Solai!”

He chuckles with her and then takes her hands into his. “Indeed my child, we are blessed despite our curses. I have hope that we will survive through this new winter thanks to the power of Solai, Ariaus, and Kranos.”

A familiar sound makes my ears twitch and suddenly I’m bombarded by the children. They all grab onto me and say their greetings while I try to be attentive to each and every one of them.

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Araius sets into the sky and relieves Solai as Kranos accompanies him. Our planet, Talius, is now within the first night of this new cycle. The melted snow from the past days of warmth begin to solidify into ice as the atmosphere cools. The fuune are now more active. Solias and I stand on edge for any disturbances in the stillness…

A rustling in the distance catches our attention. Solias looks to my clear-sighted body and nods without a word. I nod back and follow her lead to the noise.

The light from both Araius and Kranos are too dim for sight on detail, but enough for Solias to gain a few feet. I, on the other hand, am able to see much further, at least in my ghost form.

In the distance I can see a fuune rising from the snow. “Solias, I see one, over there.” I point to it for her guidance.

She nods and sneaks in the correct direction. Once she sees it, Solias gets close enough and waits for the moment to attack.

Not too long in, the fuune turns to us and stares at Solias with its beaming red eyes.

“Solias!” I whisper to her concerned. I’m supposed to protect her…

She doesn’t answer me, but instead glares back at the monster.

The two charge after each other in a hurry. This is typical of her…

I then notice another fuune coming from behind. Seeing that she’s still occupied with the first one, I quickly become physical again and block the other one. I then feel a sudden shock to my entire being. Whatever it was, it sends my body into a complete shut-down. I can feel myself falling away. As my vision turns to blur from closing I can hear Solias call my name in the distance… What’s happening to me?