| |
The train rumbled as it glided on its single-track railway. It might have seemed like an ordinary train, but there was nothing ordinary about it. For one thing, it was never-ending; its countless carriages followed a trail with no destination. For another, it separated the Spirits World into two: The Land of Light and the Land of Darkness.
Vanna gazed through her window. It was always morning in the Land of Light. The sun brightened the flawless sky and shone on lush trees and colorful houses. That was Vanna’s home; it had been for the past seventy-nine years. It was fair to say she looked good for her age.
The train lurched to a halt. From the door on the opposite side, two devils boarded. Vanna cringed when one of them shot her a glare. Unlike light spirits, dark spirits were incorporeal shadows in the shape of humans. Instead of eyes, they had whirling vortices that used to terrify Vanna. Void. They’re just void, she’d repeat to herself. Although she gave off an air of indifference, deep down, she had always feared the darkness.
***
The Spirits School had an outdoor campus, where students sat around their guru—a bald man with a white beard that reached his navel. "A student’s quest is to find their name," he taught. "It’s the one thing you need and the one thing you’ll be tested for."
"But how do we find it?" a student asked.
"You go out and see the world," the guru replied.
All students took notes, except Vanna, who watched in silence. Absurd. What’s there to see in this dull world?
After the class, the students scattered quickly, but Vanna took her time leaving. A redhead with a cheery smile approached her. "Let’s walk together," she said. Since the train moved in one direction, the students had to go home on foot. No one knew the wisdom behind the single-track railway, but most spirits learned not to question and just went along with the rules.
Vanna and the redhead strolled. Along their path, pampas grass swayed to the breeze in a choreographed movement. Although the air was crisp and chilly, the sun sent out just the right amount of warmth. The Land of Light was beautiful that way.
"And then my second brother slipped out, and my first brother’s face turned sour." The redhead laughed out loud. Vanna wondered how someone could be so happy.
"How about you, friend?" The redhead asked. "Does your brother drive you crazy?"
"Sometimes."
"You two should come over to our house. We always play games and stuff." The redhead grinned ear to ear.
Vanna offered a small smile.
A loud bell sounded. The two friends stopped mid-stride and looked up. In the sky rested a golden scale like that of justice. On one tray, a beam of light glowed. On the other sat a hefty bulk of charcoal, so sharp and coarse, it could tear through the skin. The spirits called it the heart of a devil.
"The dark side got heavier." The redhead frowned. "Again."
"A change is happening in the human world," Vanna concluded.
"Do you think we’ll lose?" the redhead asked with concern.
Vanna shrugged. "Not if we find our names."
The redhead tensed her shoulders. She chewed on her lips and scuffed one foot on the ground. It seemed to Vanna her friend had something to say, but she wouldn’t ask. She just continued to watch the golden scale in the sky.
"Can I tell you a secret?" The redhead asked, blowing a huff of air.
"You can."
The redhead looked around to make sure no one eavesdropped, then leaned forward to whisper in Vanna’s ears. "Sometimes on the train, I hear dark spirits calling me. They want me to join them."
The redhead pulled away and waited for a reaction, but Vanna’s expression never changed. "Let’s go," Vanna said as she advanced.
The redhead’s mouth crimped in annoyance. It wasn’t that Vanna didn’t care. She just hated to admit she too had the same fear—the fear of becoming void.
***
“It was the darkest moment before dawn
At the peak of gloom, a beam of light is born
In a world far away, where only spirits are allowed
He is brought to life to make his family proud
Determined and set for destiny to claim
But first things first, he has to find his name”
"What do you think, Aroob? Can I make it as a poet?" Kirby asked his robot toy. He had spent all day lying in the purple chair, staring at the ceiling of his all-purple house. "When is Sister coming home?" he asked with a yawn as he stretched his arms.
He jumped to his feet when the door opened and Vanna entered. "Welcome back, Sister. I—"
"You’ve been bored all day." Vanna sat on the purple couch. "It’s your fault for pulling another prank on the guru and getting suspended."
"Excuse me for wanting to have some fun," he said. "It’s not like I’m missing out on anything. It’s the same old lesson." He put his hand to his chin like a long beard and imitated the guru’s voice: "A student’s quest is to find their name. It’s the one thing you need and the one thing you’ll be tested for." He threw his hands out. "What does that even mean?"
"It means we’re running out of time." Vanna gave him a glassy stare. "At least I am."
Kirby sat next to her and pulled her into a side hug. Everyone knew Vanna hated to be touched. No one dared to pat her on the head. But she had given up on trying to explain that to Kirby. Secretly, she started to like his brotherly affection.
"I’m sure you’ll find your name on time, Sister," he said.
"What if I don’t? For seventy-nine years, I have been watching our friends and relatives graduate. What if I’m not meant to follow them?"
"Don’t say this. You’ll find your name and graduate. I’ll do my best to help you," he said. "We’re in this together."
***
"We bless our friend for finding her name. Her path is now clear, and she shall be birthed into life." The guru stood on the park stage along with a graduating spirit. "Our friend’s name is Beauty. She shall live it and breathe it for as long as she shall live."
"So mote it be," the audience cheered.
Vanna and Kirby put their hands in a prayer position. They watched as the graduate dissolved into the air, transforming into a symbol of beauty: musical notes that floated high and disappeared behind the hazy clouds.
"A piece of music waiting to be played," Kirby said with a smile.
"I hope it’ll choose the right player." Vanna’s hair fluttered in the gentle wind.
The bell in the sky rang. With Beauty adding to its weight, the light side of the scale became a bit heavier.
In the Land of Light, the spirits wandered in search of their names. Each name carried a meaning the spirit would embody on Earth. Beauty manifested as a piece of art, a song, or a simple flower. Knowledge showed up as a scientific discovery or a book. Kindness could become a merciful animal, or a story teaching people the value of compassion. The possibilities were endless but equally valuable.
Before graduating, spirits were invincible and had swords that cut through steel. Their greatest impact, however, was what they brought to Earth after they found their names. Kindness, Forgiveness, Love, Justice— each spirit made the human world a little better and restored the balance between good and bad. Without the spirits of light, Earth would’ve dissolved into darkness.
***
"I was too scared to ride alone," The redhead said as she took a seat on the train. "Thank you for accompanying me, Friend."
Before spirits found their names, they would call each other ‘Friend ’or ‘Mate.’ Vanna and Kirby were only aliases they got after they moved to Earth.
"It’s okay," Vanna said. She watched from the window as the train hauled itself out of the station, passing by house after house and park after park. The light motion lulled Vanna into a sense of serenity. She reflected on her conversation with her brother. Perhaps it wasn’t too late for her to find her name. Perhaps there was wisdom behind her lag and a bigger purpose in the waiting.
"Look," the redhead drew Vanna’s attention to a group of dark spirits in the back. They eyed Vanna and her friend, replacing their serenity with agitation.
Vanna’s hand curled as though she gripped something. A heaviness settled on her chest.
"I can hear them," the redhead whispered. "They’re calling me."
"Hang on. Once we get to school, we’ll ask the guru for help."
The redhead shook her head rapidly. "I’m so scared." She fidgeted in her seat. Her eyes darted.
Vanna curled her fingers again. She knew it was against the law to fight on board, but what if she had to? "Just hang on," she repeated, hoping they’d arrive at school soon enough.
The train screeched as it came to a stop. Although it took only moments for the doors to open, it felt like a long time had passed.
"I can’t take this anymore," the redhead shouted as she started to her feet. "They’re calling me."
"Just wait—"
"I can’t." The redhead ran off through the wrong door.
"Wait." Vanna exploded out of her seat. What the hell just happened? If she gets lost, there’s no way to bring her back.
Vanna peered around, seeking help, but the passengers just watched. They might have sympathized with her, but what could they do? It was dangerous to jump into the Land of Darkness. Everyone knew that. "If she’s gone, she’s gone," someone said.
Vanna refused to believe that. My happy friend, she can’t be gone. She clutched her chest. I can’t let her go dark.
Vanna stared at the door. It wouldn’t be long before it closed. She had always feared the other side, but was she willing to take a risk for her friend?
There’s no other choice. She gritted her teeth. I must get her back.
***
Through the dimness, Vanna edged her way, crunching dead leaves under her shoes. It was always night in the Land of Darkness. There was no moon, no houses, and no colors.
Should I go back? Vanna hesitated. She spent years fearing that place, yet here she was, choosing to be there to save a friend.
"Hello." Her voice echoed. She curled her fingers and a sword appeared in her grip. It had a purple hilt and a light blade that illuminated the area, showing the remains of trees that jutted out of the ground like bones jutting out of the skin.
From a distance, Vanna glimpsed another glow disturbing the stillness of the night. It must be her. She dashed forward, swiftly jumping over stumps and fallen branches. When she finally caught up with the redhead, she grabbed her by the arm.
"You?" the redhead cried. "Why did you come here? Go back or you’ll get lost."
"What about you?" Vanna asked.
"I’m already done." The redhead rolled her sleeve up to show Vanna the dark shadows flowing in her veins. "One of us, one of us," they whispered.
"Don’t give up," Vanna said. "You have time."
The redhead shook her head. "They’re taking over me."
"Then fight them."
"I’m not strong enough."
"Have faith in yourself." Vanna could no longer hold back her pent-up frustration.
The redhead stopped crying and froze, her gaze widened, and her head jerked back. "What did you just say?" she asked in confusion.
"I said have faith in yourself."
"Faith?" The redhead looked like she was learning a new word, amazed and baffled at the same time.
"Yes, faith." Vanna scowled.
"No, you don’t get it." The redhead waved her hands. "Faith," she said. "I think it’s my name."
"It is?" Vanna’s eyes softened. "This is great. Let’s get out of here so you can graduate and go to the human world."
Vanna extended her hand to her friend, but as their hands met, Faith grunted. Tree roots stretched out of the ground and wrapped themselves around her legs.
"Help," she cried out, trying to free herself. "I’m stuck."
Vanna raised her sword and swung at the roots, chopping one after the other. But no matter how many she cut, more grew out of the soil, trapping Faith’s body.
"Hurry up," Faith shrieked. "Why are you holding back?"
"If I use more power, I’ll hurt you," Vanna said.
"Then hurt me." Faith wept.
"What would be the point then?" Vanna let her sword go and tried to free her friend barehanded, letting her hands get injured. While doing so, she realized the lesson the guru had been trying to teach them. That situation they faced was Faith’s test, and the only way for her to pass was to have faith in herself.
"Hold on to your faith," Vanna said, crushing a root with her fingers.
"To what?" Faith gaped mindlessly.
"Faith. Your name is Faith," Vanna reminded her.
"Oh, right." She nodded. "I’m Faith."
Vanna worried about time. She knew Faith didn’t have much, so she tried to go faster, ripping the roots out of the soil, despite her now bleeding hands.
A sudden gust snatched at her hair.
"Oh, no," Faith screamed. "A portal."
Behind them, a beam of light penetrated the sky. It swirled and roared and lifted Vanna off her feet.
"Nooo!" Vanna groped after Faith’s hand, but she couldn’t resist the portal hauling her into the light.
"I’ll be back for you, Faith," Vanna cried as she faded away.
"Don’t forget me." Tears descended from Faith’s eyes as they turned into a void.
***
"What am I doing here?" Vanna found herself back in her living room. Kirby hurried to help her off the floor and wipe the blood off her hands. "My friend needs me."
"She will have to wait." The guru came into sight. "We received a message from the human world. A Blackwood woman requires assistance, and I chose you to help her."
"I can’t—" Vanna’s breath quickened.
"Listen to me," the guru interrupted. "You do not have much time left. This mission might help you find your name."
"But I have to save her," Vanna cried out.
"You have to obey. The sooner you are done with your mission, the sooner you will be back for your friend."
Kirby clenched his fists. "Please, Guru. Let me go with her. I can help."
"No, no, Brother." Vanna shook her head. "I don’t want to put you in danger."
"I won’t let you go alone," Kirby said in a determined tone. "You’re my sister. It’s our destiny to serve together."
"Do as you wish," the guru said. "But remember, unless you find your name, you cannot save your friend, and time is not on your side."
Before Vanna came to the human world, she had made a promise to a friend. That promise stayed with her as a calling, a driving force that kept her moving forward. On her wrist, she carved the word ‘Faith’ in ink. She knew as long as she remembered Faith, she’d never be lost.
