As Robert regained his senses he could feel something watching him. He tried to open his eyes but the rush of color disoriented him. He took a few breaths and then stood up taking in the lush vivid color of his surroundings.
"Where am I?" he said allowed to himself.
"You are between the Spirit and the Real World," said a mysterious voice.
Robert tried to see where the voice was coming from, but could not make anything out. Everything appeared to be coming in and out of focus. Suddenly a blue colored creature began to approach him. Quickly Robert took a defensive stance.
"Do not be frightened I am not here to hurt you," said the creature. It had finally come close enough to show itself. It was the most beautiful iridescent blue wolf Robert had ever seen.
Its coat shimmered a thousand shades of blue as it walked closer to him. However, what caught Roberts gaze was the wolf's eyes, they were the deepest shade of gold. As they stared at each other, Robert could feel the animal's gaze go right through him, as if he were taking him all in with a single glance.
"Follow me," said the wolf without opening its. It was as if he could hear the wolf inside his head.
He began to follow the wolf through the thick vegetation. The colors grew dimmer the deeper into the forest they went. It wasn't until all the color around them was gone that Robert spoke to the wolf.
"Where are you taking me?" asked Robert as he refused to take another step.
"My master has ordered me to bring you to the sanctuary," said the wolf without turning around.
"Wait, are you saying there is a master here?" asked Robert again.
"My master can be anywhere he chooses to be," said the wolf as his gaze fell back onto Robert again.
They continued walking. Soon the light had also begun to diminish. By the time they were out of the forest, the only light that seemed to repel the darkness was coming from the wolf's blue coat. Every step it took left a print of light on the ground for Robert to follow. A few more minutes and they were at the edge of a garden illuminated by iridescent glowing trees and plants. In the center stood a man with his back turned to Robert. The wolf crept quietly behind the man and bowed his head beneath his hand. The man scratched the top of the wolf's head and turned to look at Robert.
"I see you made it safely through the forest," said Billy with a smile. "Many who travel without a companion go missing in the ether and are lost forever in the Spirit World." "Thank you Rogan," said Billy as he continued to pet the larger than life wolf.
"Is that where we are? The Spirit World?" asked Robert as he stared at Billy and his wolf companion.
"Not necessarily. You can call this the in between. If we were in the spirit world, we most definitely be dead. One cannot go into the spirit world and come back out alive," finished Billy as he pointed up to the heavens. " Look." Quickly the sky began to fill with stars of every brightness and color.
"What is that?" asked Robert as a few of the stars began to fall from the sky and hover just slightly above their heads.
"Those are all the spirit animals that have ever connected with a sentient life. After their master or companions have died they fill the sky here to guide others on their way. Those six bright stars you see just above the horizon are the Galactabeasts, they are returning back to this place after along and grueling battle against the evil in our world," said Billy as six rays of light shot across the sky and settled near the horizon.
"Wait aren't those the same animals that the rangers used out in space. I heard about them from the news," said Robert
"Yes, the same ones," answered the wolf. It howled out the new stars. A few seconds later another howl came roaring back. It was quickly followed by a bright yellow light charging across the heavens towards them. It burst into life as it hit the rim of the garden and dashed towards us. It was a majestic sight to see light turn into a large yellow wolf. It's eyes glowed a deep crimson as it looked straight at Robert and Billy.
"Welcome Verick. I am glad you came to join us," said Billy as he bowed his head slightly. The wolf stayed a few feet away. It would not tare its gaze away from Robert. It growled and was met with an equal growl from Rogan.
"I see," was all that the wolf said. Its voice was mixed between a grown and young woman.
"I still don't understand what I'm doing here," said Robert as he turned to face Billy.
"I'm sorry, I should have warned you about what Rogan was planning," began Billy. "When we first met we felt something within you. I didn't know what it was, but Rogan seemed to know. He asked me if it was alright to bring you here. I gave my permission and he acted faster than I expected."
Robert then turned to Rogan and noticed that he was beginning to move through the garden cutting a path through the plants and shrubs.
"He wants you to follow his moves," said Billy. "I'll help you interpret them if you get stuck."
All Robert could do was stare at the large wolf stretching its body on the grass. It then turned around and bowed it heads to Robert and then took off in a sprint. Verick followed and soon Billy and Robert were giving chase. Rogan leapt into the air and maneuvered his entire body into a barrel roll. The three mimicked him perfectly. Rogan quickly recovered and continued his sprint. Robert didn't know if he could keep up this speed much longer. His body knew that it would give out soon, but yet it was not tired. It felt as if he was almost flying through the air. As they continued to run Rogan commanded Billy and Verick to change course. Without a word they veered off in different directions. Rogan then without missing a beat turned and lunged at Robert. Robert deflected the attack and was met by a sharp jab from Rogan's snout. Robert didn't understand what was happening.
Rogan charged again and this time Robert caught the wolf by the snout and flipped him over. The continued like this for a few more moments before Verick appeared next to Rogan. They moved together as if they could communicated without words. They both attacked Robert who was then defended by Billy.
"Do as I do," said Billy as he took up a fighting stance.
Robert mimicked Billy's moves as the wolves charged and attacked. Each time preventing them from landing a single hit. As they continued Billy's moves started to become intuitive to Robert. Every block became easier, every counter more fluid and consistent. It almost felt as if he and Billy were working as one, each picking up where the other left off in the sequence of moves. It wasn't until Robert notice that he was single handedly fending off both wolves that something inside him stirred. The ferocity of their attacks continued to escalate.
Robert let out a deafening howl and blasted both wolves with a purple energy that came from his body. The wolves recovered and were about to charge again when a purple light shot down from the sky and stood between them and Robert. It was a large a purple wolf with green emerald eyes. It stood there growling at the other two wolves, who just turned around and returned to Billy's side.
Robert stood there in awe. He didn't know where the new wolf had come from. The wolf then approached him and sniffed him. Robert stood still. Then it licked him and went to greet the other two wolves.
"I am Geki," said the new wolf telepathically. Robert just stared as the new wolf bowed his head to Rogan and Verick. They returned his bow and then looked at Billy for acknowledgment.
"Welcome Geki," said Billy as he bowed his head and turned to Robert.
The wolf then began to spring towards Robert at full speed, and right as Robert lifted his arms to defend himself Geki turned into pure purple energy and entered Robert's body. Which cause Robert to collapse on the floor.