Hey, all! I got this chapter out pretty quickly. I kinda think I'm gonna be getting out a chapter every one to three days, since Journey is a pretty short game. At least, that's my goal. Enjoy!
Threshold
I emerge at last from the dark tunnel and find myself in a canyon standing on a cliff high above the ground. Sand pours out from the cliff faces on both sides in a strange waterfall-like phenomenon, and the wind is kicking up a powerful sandstorm. It's actually quite beautiful, but my focus is elsewhere. My eyes are drawn to the three tall spires in the land in front of me, each one spaced about a hundred or so feet from the others and balancing a platform of sorts atop of it. (pieces of a bridge, perhaps?) Just looking at them makes my mind reel. Who could have built it? How are they still standing after so much time? Am I supposed to cross? How?
Putting that aside for a moment, I strain my eyes and see a light on the canyon wall opposite this one. If it's another shrine, and I believe it is, then my destination is clear. I tentatively hop down (it is a long fall), and as soon as I make contact with the ground the wind begins battering at me. It's not hard to keep my balance, but it is something of an annoyance. Scanning the plain around me, I can see two long, thick ribbons trailing out of an ancient, rusting heap of metal, just to the left of the "bridge." As I draw close to them, my scarf lights up once more and the aged ribbons begin to mend, so once more I let out a deep, resonating cry and the strips of fabric repair themselves completely.
The ancient machine begins to tremble, and a storm of red fabric scraps streams out of it before splitting into two sets and flying toward the ruined spires. To my amazement, the scraps come together and form a pair of long reams of fabric, each one connecting two segments of the bridge to create a path that I can traverse. It seems that I've found the solution.
Then...
A quiet chirping sound echoes through the air. At first I dismiss it as an echo, but then I realize it sounds completely different than the song I sing. Could it be...? Electrified, I sweep the area around me, and soon enough...
Is that—yes!
Standing a safe distance away is a small humanoid being. Dressed in a blood red cloak identical to mine, it stares up at me with an expression I can only call wonder. Excitedly, I leap down to greet it, but in response it backs away from me, chittering in what I believe is fear. My mind fills in the blanks.
You...Who are you? Don't hurt me!
I pause in surprise, just staring at the other being for a little while. Careful to keep myself under control, I chirp back.
It's alright, it's alright. I'm your friend. I won't hurt you.
At this, the other being seems to loosen up slightly, and it slowly begins to walk toward me.
I thought I was alone. I was so scared...What's your name? It chirps. I pause. My name? I hadn't had time to think about that...no, that's a lie. I've had all the time in the world to think about it, but what is it?
...I have no idea. I finally respond. The words feel strange to me. I have no idea what my name is. That can't be normal. Is...is something wrong with me? What's your name? I'm almost afraid to hear the response.
I don't remember either. It tells me almost instantly. I breathe an internal sigh of relief. Whatever's going on with me, it seems I'm not the only victim. I'm not entirely sure how that makes me feel.
Excuse me, but how did you make that bridge? The other being chirps, pulling me out of my reverie. I don't answer right away, instead pulling myself into my thoughts. Should I trust this other figure? He (She? It?) doesn't seem dangerous, but then again, I don't know a thing about this place, so maybe I shouldn't take that risk. But on the other hand, if this turns out to be him...
That settles it. Of course I'll help.
Here, I'll show you. Follow me.
We did it! The other one sings with joy and excitement, and I laugh happily at seeing him so jubilant. After I showed him how to repair the ribbons, he went to work without a second thought, soaring through the air and cheering in his bell-like voice, mending all of the ribbons he could find. It was only a matter of minutes before the bridge was complete. Even though I barely know him, I feel a sort of pride, like an older sibling watching a younger one do something amazing. It seems almost familiar.
Ready? I ask after he calms down. He nods vigorously, and I can feel his enthusiasm spreading into me. Then let's go! I catapult myself toward the bridge, gliding effortlessly over the red ribbon as it lights up beneath me with unknown but beautiful symbols. Each time I reach the end of a strip I push off, sending myself flying over the stone platform to the next strip. Adrenaline surges through my veins and I feel so...so alive, and I never want it to end, but it does. I soar off of the final ribbon and land gracefully on the other end of the bridge. Right in front of me, just as I predicted, is a shrine, and behind it white sand pours down the cliffside in a kind of ironic waterfall.
I turn around briefly to check for my new friend, and to my amusement he's lying next to me in a heap; he'd lost control while crossing.
Are you alright? If I could speak properly, I'd be choking down laughter.
Ungh...yeah, yeah I'm fine. He rises to his feet slowly, then leaps back in surprise at the sight of the shrine. Oh wow! That thing looks so cool! What is it?
I'm actually not entirely sure. I reply. But we can use it. Watch. I stride forward and to the right and let out a cry, lighting up the small pillars to the right, and then do the same for the other side. Just like before, the light coalesces into a pool on the ground at my feet. I turn to my friend.
Come on. He nervously walks forward to join me, and side by side we kneel before the shrine.
I emerge again in the white void, and a quick spot check shows me that my companion is not with me. As much as I try to worry about him, my mind is repeatedly drawn back to the tall silhouette that once again looms ahead of me. This time I step toward it, and without warning it bends down to examine me. To my surprise, the figure looks quite a bit like me, but its cloak is a beautiful snow white with regal gold trimming as opposed to my plain, deep red one. I can't help but feel the wisdom and power this being (a spirit, perhaps?) is exuding.
The spirit straightens back up to its full, great height and lets out another melodious shout...
I see more white-cloaked creatures, and all around them magnificent buildings begin to construct themselves. Another red ribbon appears in a sparkle of light and begins to feed itself inside and out of the architecture, and each time the ribbon runs through a building that building begins to light up, creating a dazzling sight.
Could that ribbon be powering the city?
I'm drawn back to reality, and before me the waterfall parts to the left and right, revealing a deep hidden corridor behind it. I rise determined to my feet when I'm tackled by-
Oh God, oh God where were you?! I thought you'd left me! I was so scared! I pull my head up to see my friend lying on top of me, chirping furiously. He sounds so scared. He seriously must have thought I'd abandoned him.
No, no it's alright. I console him. I don't know what just happened either, but I'm not going anywhere without you.
He seems calmer now. Hey, did you see anything? He chirps out questioningly. Like a big glowy mountain and a really tall guy and a red ribbon and buildings and-
Yes, yes, I did. I reply before he can really start to pick up momentum. He's such a little kid.
What do you think that was?
I think it was some kind of vision. I respond carefully. A vision of the past. I actually saw something similar just a little while ago, but...I really have no idea what's going on.
We stand in silence for a few minutes after that before he talks again. Do you think if we get to the mountain, it'll all make sense?
I sigh and start to plod down the newly-revealed passageway, the other one trotting along behind me. My friend, that's all I'm hoping for.
