the soul of that life is released from its fleshy prison.

When a life fades, the soul of that life is released from its fleshy prison. For most souls they are able to cross over to the afterlife, but there are a few that do not. Due to regret in life, or a tragic death, those souls are trapped between the two worlds, forced to wander the world not even realizing what has happened to them. Ever heard a bump in the night, or seen a figure out the side of your eye that is never there when you turn around? Those are the souls of the lost. Trapped forever in nothingness, until they can find peace…

transpired

It's not my place to tell those who have passed what has transpired in their untimely deaths. They must seek out the truth for themselves. It is only after they find that has which passed, and correct that which has been wronged, that they may find in peace. I am only a carrier; a guardian of souls. It is my duty to watch over that soul until he or she can be carried over to the other side whether it be heaven or hell. But… this soul was different. The moment he passed on into my watch, he realized what had come to pass. Though if he realized the events that led to his untimely fate… I do not know. But to you my friend, I can tell his tail to understand how this soul came to be and why he travels the path he now walks

Many years have passed since that day but those memories will never leave me. Those of the living world can not see or hear our whispers as we watch those who about to die. My presence remained unknown to those around him. But his blue eyes seemed to see me to the end as if knowing why I was there. His name was Acardis, A hansom young Draik in the prime of his life. It was in that prime that he would be struck down. He was a member of a prosperous clan that lived high in the mountains. A few years ago his mate had died in an accident leaving him with his only son. He loved this child very much and promised always to protect him for he was all that was left of his beloved. It was in the middle of a terrible winter that an epidemic broke out in the clan. A ravenous fever began to spread causing them to become ill and die within a few days. I saw many brethren come to carry the souls of the dead. The clan knew there was one way to save themselves. The canyon guardian draik that lived past the mountains in the lost desert were expert medicine makers. But the trip was dangerous in these winter storms and none were bold enough to go.

Twas not long before the fever took hold of the child. Acardis knew there was only one way to save him. It was on that day that he volunteered for the journey that he first saw me. As he took flight he glanced back and looked right at me. He never wavered or showed any fear as he looked into my eyes but instead took flight and began his long journey east. I knew his time was drawing near. For two days I followed him across the peaks and icy cliffs never stopping even to rest. Every now and then he would look back at me. As the sun began to set we reached the desert and saw the canyon where the draiks dwelled. The draiks were fast and provided him with an antidote. With the antidote in hand he took off more determined then ever. But that determination would only lead to disaster.

Within a day's flight of reaching the settlement a storm to rival all storms hit the mountains in his path. Blinding snow and whirling winds would have caused any other to land until it had passed. But with love and worry in his heart he continued on desperate to reach his sick child. He pressed on weakening from exhaustion never loosing focuses of his goal. The wind whipped around his wings causing him to strain all his strength to keep from being thrown around. But it was in that blinding snow that he failed to see how close to the ground he was. Before he had time to react a tree appeared out of the storm and smacked his wing in the branched causing him to spiral down to the snow covered ground. He laid there unmoving as Landed in the tree. Twas not yet time. Finally he lifted his head and slowly got to his feet. The wing that hit the tree lay limp to his side. He looked up to me as if expecting me to come for him. Without a word he turned and began to walk; his wing dragged in the snow. Even crippled he was not to give up so easy.

It was five days afterwards on a moon lit night that he reached his clan. But there were no warm welcome, no happy faces. The bodies of his clan members littered the ground. The air smelled of death. I watched from afar as he took off at a run with little strength left to where his son last lay. The child lay limp on his bed. Acardis horrified cries filled the night air. In desperation he gave the body the antidote but it was far too late for the child. He laid by the bed holding his sons hand until he succumbed to the fever. As he reached his end he looked to me and let out a weak laugh and took his final breath.

That my friend is how this poor soul came into my watch. Whether grief or regret that prevents him from finding peace I shall keep watch over him until that day comes.