Chapter 2
The trip Nights and Reala were about to take had been organized and planed out for at least a year, but when the fateful day came, they still didn't feel ready.
Nights stretches his legs again. He had been having some difficulties flying lately; it wasn't uncommon, but it was very bothersome.
"Nights," Reala opened Nights' door, "you were supposed to be outside an hour ago."
"I'm sorry," Nights apologized, "I overslept."
"Well get your stuff, and put on your coat, you know how slow you are when you fly with your cloak on."
"But my coat is so dreary," Nights whined.
"Just put it on."
Nights took off his cloak and put on his purple colored coat. He actually liked his coat; it kept him warmer then his cloak did, but he was still overly attached to his cloak.
"See," Reala smiled, "it wasn't that hard was it?"
"Oh shut up," Nights picked up his large backpack, and slung it over his shoulder.
"Did you make sure to pack everything I told you to?"
"How could I not?" Nights teased, "You told me what to pack twice in one day, everyday, and gave me a list."
"Shame on me for being prepared," Reala shrugged.
"Yeah," Nights giggled, "over prepared."
Nights and Reala walked out onto the beach where, what looked like half the Main Island was waiting to see them off.
"Be careful Throw pillow," Adia gave Reala a goodbye kiss.
"Don't stay away for too long dad," Echo hugged her father.
"Good bye daddy," Baby hooked her arms around Nights' neck.
"Don't do anything stupid," William smiled and hugged his father.
"Ha ha," Elijah jumped in front of Nights, grinning, "I finally get to kick you out."
"I'll be back Liy," Nights hugged Elijah tightly.
"I'm going to miss you, Nightlight," Elijah tugged lightly on Nights' purple horn, "try not to get yourself killed."
"By what?" Nights laughed.
"Oh the usual; giant squids, krakens, angry mobs, wild animals-"
"Okay, okay," Nights smiled.
"And bring me back a souvenir," Elijah winked, "see you Re," he waved to Reala.
"Right," Reala cleared his throat, "let's be off then Nights."
Nights followed Reala into the air.
"Nights wait!" Nights landed Next to E.C. Matsu, and Reginald.
"We just wanted to tell you that, no matter where you are, you can count on us," E.C. said kindly.
"We'll be with you in spirit," Reginald gave Nights a thumbs up.
"Keep your head up, sir," Matsu inclined his head.
"Always," Nights lifted into the air.
"And don't forget to call," E.C. called out.
The crowd chorused their goodbyes, and come home soon's, until Nights and Reala disappeared over the horizon.
Nights and Reala flew past the islands that had already been mapped out, their inhabitants, waving as they went by.
By nightfall they had come to the first uncharted island. They landed.
"This place doesn't seem inhabited," Reala mused, "and it's to dark to analyze and map it out, lets set up camp and-"
"Hello," Reala yelped and fell over as the man popped out from behind a berry bush, "welcome to my island travelers," the man said, walking out from behind the berry bush, "would you like a berry?" he held out his hand full of berries.
"Would I ever," Nights dropped his pack and went over to the man, "I'm starving."
Reala scrambled up, "Nights wait, you don't know if those are poisonous or not."
"They're not poisonous," the man said reassuringly.
"See," Nights smiled, "they're not poisonous."
"H-how do you know that?"
The man looked at Reala thoughtfully, "there is something troubling you."
"What?" Reala laughed, "Why would you think that?"
The man gave his hand full of berries to Nights and walked over to Reala, "let me see what's troubling you," he touched his pointer finger to Reala's forehead.
"Hey, what are you?" Reala's mind went blank.
Reala stood in a place that was all white.
There is anger in your heart; Reala heard the man's voice in his head, Elijah.
Elijah appeared in front of him, why do you hate him?
Reala felt compelled to answer, "He tried to kill my brother."
As did you, Elijah disappeared and was replaced by Nights, bruised and defeated.
"That was different."
How was it so different?
Reala looked into the whitewashed sky, "I don't understand."
Your brother forgave you; after all you did to him. Isn't it time you did the same for Elijah?
Reala looked at his feet.
Do you understand?
"Yeah," Reala was suddenly pulled back into reality. He stumbled, and held his head.
"Welcome to my home," the man stretched out his hand to showcase his house.
"Hey Re," Nights waved to his brother, where he was sitting cross-legged on a cushion by a low table.
"Come," the man coxed, "sit with us."
Reala complied, head too hazy to analyze the situation.
"Have some tea," the man poured Reala a cup of tea.
"I'm sorry," Reala said tiredly, "what exactly happened?"
"well," Nights explained, "the Guru, that's him," Nights indicated the man, with the biscuit in his hand, "he poked your head, and you went into a weird trance thing, and we walked here, you still in a trance, and when we got here, he poked you forehead again and you snapped out of it, and now we're here."
Reala held his head, "I don't feel too good."
"Drink the tea," the Guru said, "it will help."
Reala drank his cup of tea, the cobwebs cleared from his head. He stood, "thank you, but I and my brother have to go."
"Aw," Nights whined, "can't we stay a little longer?"
"We really shouldn't overstay our welcome," Reala helped Nights to his feet.
"Thank you, mister Guru," Nights bowed.
"Sleep well my friends; you have a long journey ahead of you."