DarkWinter3

You stumbled upon the Vault of Knowledge, cape ripped and mangled from the attacks of the krills that had suddenly appeared near the gate to the temple of Wasteland.

You had not expected those beasts to appear again after meeting their kind at the start of the Golden Wasteland. Traumatized by your harrowing encounter, you are comforted by the soft and quiet atmosphere which the Vault brings to you.

There are rows and rows of unlit lanterns on the shelves of Vault that reached to the ceiling, forgotten by time and its passing. You believed that these objects used to collect the lights of spirits who used to live in Sky. They recorded every moment of their life in detail, their knowledge and their wisdom. Yet without the proper care from a living being, these lanterns could only sit on the shelves, waiting for someone to summon them again.

Finding safe haven within such a vast and empty place, you decided to explore. You also made a mental note to retrieve your lost wing lights at the other realms once you have found the Vault Elder’s tomb.

After absorbing a few more wing lights to strengthen your flight power, you suddenly found a book lying on the second floor of Vault.

It was sneakily hiding behind a ladder and you would have missed it had your light emitted from your body not found it. Years of neglect had left the brown leather-bound book covered in a thick layer of dust which you blew it off to read the cover clearly.

With gold cursive lettering embossed on the bold cover, it reads as “The Lone Traveler’s Diary and other Short Stories”.

Curious to find out more, you found a cozy spot within the room before slowly peeling the cover off from the pages to read.

The Lone Traveler’s Diary and other Short Stories

It didn't seem long ago when I was a moth.


As a youngling, I would go every inch of the place to explore and not understand the unspoken rules set by the older Sky kids. 


In Golden Wasteland, I would get myself krilled so many times by Mike the krill because of that one spirit (little did I know, it was a season spirit). Mike wasn't alone in that area because there was George, the manta. That fearless little creature who keeps getting impaled when you enter the first temple (actually, George is fine all this while but new moths don't know about that). They are such great buddies to hang around with but Mike sometimes takes the fun too far, impaling me before I can get the spirit wisp to a certain spirit checkpoint. I would even activate the switch in battlefield without checking for the presence of other kids. I remember panicking and getting clueless of where to go when someone I befriended just grabbed my hand. 


Even as I write and recall these experiences, I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped from me. It was simply… too adorable and foolish at the same time.


Yet, there are times when I am the smartest moth you would ever find. 


I knew instinctively when I first appeared in Isle that I had to collect the stars and relieve the memories. I knew that relieving the memories of spirits within each realm had something to do with the barriers to the special areas. At that time, I guess I didn't need an experienced Sky kid to take me everywhere.


The point is… As a moth, I didn't yet fully understand the value of friendship as I get accustomed to Sky. 


For me, I was more into exploration and admiring the sceneries of Sky.


While it may seem embarrassing to remember our moments as a moth, I believed those moments do not mean that it defined us. It is all a natural part of our growth as a Sky kid. 


So, there is simply nothing to be ashamed about as a moth.


Yet, there are some who looked down on moths, specifically discriminating them and making their life unpleasant. There are accounts of moths who aired their grievances in the global communication webs of their encounters of nasty kids who lure krills to them or refused their candles and laughed at them when they get sad. There is nothing I can possible say that can justify such undesirable actions. This world was meant for everyone to enjoy. Clearly, such kids did not understand that point.


However, it is understandable there will be a fair few that choose not to accept candles from new moths. It is tiring to try to teach them the ways of being a Sky kid when their curiosity would often get the best of them. Other reasons would be that their constellations of friends are filled up. My few personal accounts of guiding moths after my long slumber were exactly filled with all of that. 


I guess I wasn't much of a guider material as I hope to be, which was why I retreated back to my traveling days. It was much easier for a free bird like me.


Just keep trying. Keep reaching out because there are many, so many kids out there who are willing to gift a candle to be your friend. So many kind souls, like the star-filled sky at Home, who will help you when you stumble along the way. Never stop wandering around, because there is beauty in that process. You will find yourself in new, strange and dark places that will scare you. But you don't have to be scared, just one honk, a little patience and who knows? You may find your forever friend to explore Sky.


But, always remember to be kind and humble.


Sky Log #2: Once a Moth, Always a Moth