Hello -Shadowlou POV-

Fuck this.

I got up, still weak from the sickness and ran towards the nearest exit. My weak, nimble bones ached but I just pushed myself forwards faster, faster, faster. I had to get out of there. I couldn't take it anymore.

My father, Captain, had decided he was to marry that..that witch! How could he!? How could someone I've looked up to for so long, make a decision so..so STUPID!? Tears streamed down my face as the clouds built up overhead. I could hear one of my brothers..Cryn..laughing and yelling at me from a distance to go run off of a cliff. What does he know..he'll probably die soon anyways. Narcissistic asshole..

I could hear my father scream at me in the background, looking for me. Huh. I guess Cryn didn't tell him where I went. My stomach clenched. Deep in my mind..I could see that..that monster of his smiling. She would be happy that I've left. She probably wanted me dead anyways. My eyes grew a little blurry as the salty liquids leaked from them. Why? Why was I so worthless to her? Why did my father choose someone that mean..that abusive..that..cruel?

I grit my teeth, coughing faintly as my heart beat rapidly. My stomach tossed and turned. Why was I even alive? Why did they keep me around? Why..why..why..

I plowed through the now moist soil, trying to get as far away as possible. My small paws left smeared prints sprinkled with tears and rain. The area around me grew dark. I heard faint thunder in the background. I didn't care. Why would I care? I didn't matter anyways..did I?

The minutes dragged on and I soon felt like my heart were to burst. With my sickness..that would have been very likely. I slowed down to let my legs rest a little and looked back, still trotting ahead. What was once my home was now clouds. A large crack of thunder signaled the downpour and within seconds..I was soaking wet. That's when I let loose.

I dropped to the muddy ground, my limbs going numb and I cried. I don't believe I've ever cried so hard before. My soul screamed as my tears mixed with the water falling from above me. I clawed at the ground, snarling and cursing at myself. Why!? Why did I deserve this bullshit!? What have I ever done!? I've always been good! I've been nothing but patient and kind! What do I get?? Sickness and disrespect!
I remained there..contemplating on whether or not I should just end it altogether. I was going to die anyways..wasn't I?

I lay there..in the mud..just waiting. Death would come and take me away from this horrible place. I wasn't worth sharing this world with others anyways..

That's when I saw it.

The thunder roared and my soaked eyes wandered up. A faint glow was in the distance. It seemed to approach me. What..what was it? It didn't concern me until it got closer..closer still. I managed to lift my head and wipe my eyes on my foreleg. I squinted. The faint, cyan light was more vivid now. My ears perked, eyes wide. When it was visible enough to see clearly..I..I couldn't believe it. It was..a butterfly. What? Butterflies don't glow..

It fluttered around my head, urging me to stand up and follow it with my swollen eyes. I weakly turned around, spiraling a little just to follow it. Something weird was happening. I wasn't..sad anymore. I just focused on this little creature. It landed on my nose. I know it did..but I felt nothing. I stared at it for a few seconds..my heart just melting as it caused a smile to appear. It launched itself off of me and began to take off, deeper into the woods. Weak words escaped my lips. “..Wait...Wait!” I shouted. The creature stopped, fluttered in place and turned towards me before turning back and continuing its journey. I took a step forward, wanting to follow it. A large snarl from the sky startled me and caused me to jump, my tail instantly cowering in between my frail, back legs. I looked around me, before trotting after the small creature. The closer I got to it..the happier I became. This was weird. I watched it as I continued after it. It seemed like whatever it passed by, I could see through it. Was this a ghost of some sort? My tail remained hidden as the storm carried on.

The drenching, cold water didn't bother me at this point. My pelt was completely drenched and I had to shake my head a few times every so often to keep the fur from covering my eyes. I looked ahead towards where we were going and slowed down..

Up ahead was a grey wolf. She stood in a clearing where she seemed to be waiting. Her tail wasn't completely up so at least she wasn't going to attack me. I slowed down to a complete stop and watched as the butterfly headed right for her and fluttered around her head. She watched it before it landed on her shoulder. Then she looked at me.

Her smile was warm..kind..

She tilted her head to the side as if to say 'follow me' and turned around, drenched as well and heading deeper into the wood. I hesitated for a minute but I soon felt my negative emotions approaching so I decided..to hell with it..and followed her.

I didn't stay close to her at all. She was rather large. Larger than any regular wolf I've ever seen before. She was easily twice my height. Was she a threat? Would she trap me? Torture me? Kill me? Who knew?

She approached a small cave. I hesitated for a longer period of time..staring into the blackness of the cavern, worried if this would be my last day. I looked up at the sky, rain still heavily pouring down. I closed my eyes, took a deep inhale through my sensitive nose and out my foul tasting mouth. I lowered my head and opened my eyes again before heading for the cave.

I entered, the smooth, cold ground sending shivers up my legs.

“H-Hello?” I whispered as I kept going. It was dark and continued getting darker. “Where are you?” I asked, extremely uneasy and shaking a little. That's when I saw it again. The little glowing creature. It fluttered in the distance and as if by instinct, I ran towards it. As I ran, it fluttered deeper into the cave. I didn't expect it to continue going the way it did. The only things I could see were the walls around where the small creature was.

After a short while, I slowed down. There was a rather large exit that led into a giant clearing deep inside the mountain. It seemed to glow everywhere. Stalagmites and stalactites offering light throughout the massive area. Small pools of crystal clear water filled the place, almost glowing from the reflection of the lights around them.

“Wow..” was all I was able to say.

I stepped down a little and stared in amazement. I've never seen anything like this in my life. This place was untouched. So quiet..so peaceful. I kept walking, looking around at the small bio luminescent plants that surrounded the pools. I had no idea these existed. When I touched them, they glowed lighter, and that caused me to smile only out of amusement. I sat down, batting at a leaf before my ear turned to the right. Someone was walking towards me. My head whipped in the direction of the sound and my ears shot back as I saw the large wolf head towards me again. I froze. She smiled and took soft, almost silent steps towards me.

“So..you're the one my messenger told me about.” she said softly. Her voice was lively and gentle. I started to shake and found words unable to make form. She sat a few feet in front of me and smiled.

“Not to worry kiddo, I'm not gonna hurt you. My name is Kat. What might yours be?”

I opened my mouth and poke faintly. “Lou...Shadowlou..”

Kat smiled warmly and giggled softly. “Lovely name. Now..mind telling me how you got he-”
“-What are they?” I bluntly asked. I didn't even expect the question to escape. I just..said it.

I looked behind her and butterflies surrounded the area, playing with the ripples in the water and flashing along with the plant life. These cyan little beings looked so..happy.

Kat looked back and smiled. “They're spirits. Happy spirits.”

I stared at her as if she was crazy.
“How the-..what?” I asked.

She giggled again. “Let me formerly introduce myself. My name is Kat Spearheart. I am the goddess of spirits. These here are my messengers. They notify me of any other goddess' or gods around and let me know when spirits take their first travel into this world.”

“You mean..they tell you when other people die?..”

She nodded and winked playfully. A small messenger hovered around me..gently landing on my nose and causing a gentle giggle to escape my lips before my lungs cramped and I began to cough..drastically.

Kat looked at me with concern this time and took a step forward. I scrambled back a step in fear as I continued to hack my lungs out.

“Shhh..don't worry little one. I will not harm you.” she promised.

I stood still, trying to hold back my cough as she stood up, approaching me. She stood right in front of me. Her eyes stared deeply into mine. They were calming, yet intimidating. She slowly moved her huge head towards mine, resting her forehead against mine which caused us both to face the ground. She was warm and soothing. I closed my eyes and didn't notice her blue iris' glow cyan. I felt my lungs relax, my muscles loosen and my bones stop aching. I couldn't bring it to myself to open my eyes again. My body..was starting to feel better. I've never felt this sensation before.
I felt her gentle body detach from mine and I felt..healthy.

I opened my eyes and looked at her. I noticed a faint cyan flicker in her eyes before she stumbled to the side a little, shaking her head. That didn't seem good.

“Whoa whoa-” I exclaimed, lunging forward and trying to keep her from falling over. She smiled and chuckled weakly.

“I have healing powers, sweet child, but whatever pain I heal, I feel myself. Don't worry. I'll be fine eventually.” she smiled.

I stared at her and sat down, just watching her as she lay down in front of me with a smile on her face. Then it dawned on me.

“Did..did you say the messengers tell you..where new gods are?” I asked, quietly.

She smiled and nodded. “That's what I said.” She giggled afterwards.
“But I'm no-”
“Oh yes you are, kiddo.” She winked.

I found my head looking down as I lost my balance for a second even though I was sitting down. Me? A goddess? No. No way that was possible.

She laughed, catching her strength back already. “So, kid. Tell me where you're from.”

I looked back up at her, smiled and began my story.