IRIDESCENT

Let the shackles be no more

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First Journey: The Black Wolf and the Golden Retriever

Chapter 0 - Prologue

the eyes spoke the truth

even when no words were uttered

"You're finally here."

The golden retriever grunted a little as the other fellow walked closer. There was a mix of playful tones to mask his displeasure. He did not want to sound rude, but Kin had been standing for a while in the middle of the crossroad... or so he thought. Cold and alone, accompanied only by the sound of chirping crickets and the wind blown. Faint dizziness lingered. He was rightfully irritated.

Everything was covered in fog as far as the sight could reach. Everything looked white as if they were bleached. Save for the glowing ember that was approaching. A small rusty lantern radiated inviting warmth even from meters away. Curiously, the orange-hued light was able to dispel the surrounding fog. Carried by a cloaked person, his figure became clearer with every step.

Not long after, a black wolf was standing ten steps ahead of the golden retriever. Kin had the shape of a fit lean man in his mid-twenties. Not too tall, not too short, with enough muscle to put into a brawl should he ever need to be. But that wolf was something else. He had a sturdy and towering physique. His body was coated with obsidian fur that looked darker than even his own shadow. His cloak was ragged, his boots were old-fashioned.

You should think at least three times before picking a fight with a man like him: who would help you when you get knocked out, how you would spend days in a hospital, and... the bills. Luckily, it was not the case. It was an intimidating sight yet somehow felt impressive. Especially when you look into his eyes....

"I'm sorry you had to wait."

Blue... strikingly blue. His whole eyes were blue, except for the black pupils. A tint of morning sky at the center, and deep ocean outwards. It was as if a thousand emotions were buried within. Some hint of tranquility, and a taste of melancholy. A mesmerizing sight to behold.

"You seem to be lost in thoughts," the wolf asked, trying to break the stillness.

"Eh? Ah, yes. My bad," the retriever snapped back into the present. Surprised and embarrassed.

"You sure?"

"I had to recollect my thoughts. I can put two and two together now."

He knew. The wolf glanced, hinting that he was aware that the retriever knew. The lupine looked a bit puzzled but gave a faint smile regardless.

The dog caught the grasp of the situation. Something tickled him off in the wrong place, but he put it on his calculation anyway.

Kin had always been brilliant and incredibly perceptive ever since he was a pup. Nobody could hide anything from him. It was not like he would exactly know what one is hiding. That would make him a psychic and he certainly was not one. But he was keen at reading faces and gestures. Finding the link between pieces of clues. He loved to read people.

But sometimes curiosity killed the cat. Or the dog. Oftentimes, his sense of wonder came to bite him on his tail. Like that one time in high school, he figured out his crush fell for somebody else. The retriever tried to pry around and wanted to know his chances, but got his heart crashed instead. Deep down he knew he should have just let the truth be revealed, but his brain was grinding more than it should be. Terrified of acting or babbling the wrong things. Terrified of what had yet to come. Trapped in ifs and maybes. Nothing ended up being done. The waggy tail hung low for weeks.

However, things could work to Kin's benefit. That is, after conquering the habit of needless thinking, at least to some degree. He knew when to act a certain way in front of a certain somebody. What to say and to not say on certain topics.

Only this time he was not sure how to behave. It was just a hunch, but he knew that the wolf could do what he was doing best much better. Apparently, it was not comfortable to be aware when you were being read like some book.

"My name is Kin. Kin Gushiken. I bet you know that already." The dog tried to confirm his thoughts. And the wolf nodded and gave another faint smile.

"And yes, it was a pretty obvious name for a golden retriever...." he shrugs, emphasizing the word golden. "It was not a very creative choice from my parents." The attempt to break the ice seemed futile, as the lupine was not too talkative. "What's your name?"

"It's not important..."

"Well, it is important then."

"Hmm. You can call me whatever you like."

In normal circumstances, that was a very suspicious response. But for some strange reason, Kin did not feel any worry. It was something about the wolf's voice. Deep and dry. One that was calming and might make you asleep with a tune of lullaby. And for that reason, the dog felt... safe. Things would be okay.

"Let's see. A black wolf. Kuro....okami... Kurokami then! Or maybe Kuro for short!" The dog turned into a mutt for a while. It was an incredibly stupid pun for those who knew. And he delivered it with too much enthusiasm, his tail swayed wildly.

"Well, that's... something." The wolf laughed. He laughed? Apparently, he could. He also knew a bit of the Eastern language. "Could be Noir, Svart... or straight up Black." Now he was just flexing.

"Maybe creativity isn't in your blood?"

"You did say I can call you whatever I like."

"Fair enough. Call me Kuro then."

Thankfully, the lupine was not as stern as the dog imagined. The tension gradually faded away. But the nervousness still lingered.

"I will be your guide for this journey."

Again, a train of thoughts passed. A cloud of doubts floated in Kin's mind.

"You must have a lot of questions to ask."

"Naturally. Can you tell me more about the journey?"

"I'm afraid I can't afford to say much."

The canine's brows furrowed after hearing such a response. His ears would flop down even more if only it was possible. Then, the lupine spoke with a slight hesitation, "Not just yet."

"That means you will let me know further eventually?"

"Eventually."

As much as this response relieved Kin's mind, uneasiness was still clearly seen all over his face.

"Don't worry too much. I will try my best to keep you company and help you along the way."

The dog reached out for something beneath his yellow shirt. It was a compass star pendant, a memento left by his father. Whenever Kin felt lost, he grabbed it firmly with his right paw. After all, a compass was meant to point a direction. Sometimes the direction came in the form of a conviction. With a loud sigh, the canine cast away the fog of confusion.

"Promise me?"

"Yes. I'm going to keep my promise... this time"

Gently, the big canine offered his right arm for Kin to grab. A gesture of warm welcome and a promise to be kept for the roads to come.

"Well... it's not like I have any other choice."

The ifs and maybes were overwhelming. But this time, the golden retriever refused to let his soul fret for the unknown. Once again, the dog stared into the wolf's eyes, trying to read his mind. A window of his soul - a bit hollow with a taint of sorrow. No sign of malice. The eyes spoke the truth even when no words were uttered. Finally, the golden retriever reached out the black wolf's warm hand.

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"The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness" - The National

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