Kai

Anjur shook his head before coming over to Bard.

“You just focus on playing that fiddle with Father tree’s song while we do the rest.”

“Though, it would help if we could do a test, make sure it works,” Selene said, her hand against her chin as she looked thoughtful.

“How about Kai?” Father Tree spake. Bard looked up at Jay before his eyes were cast down at Kai’s shaded form at its base. He was watching them, steadily. “He’s been here the whole time, and he is halfway there.”

As Father continued his explanation why this was a good idea, Kai silently glided over. Bard’s eyes riveted to his. “But what if it doesn’t work?” he voiced. The others stopped talking. Kai came over and nudged him, comforting him. Bard hesitated before placing his head against that large head. A bit of dread built up. Her warnings of the unshaded loosing luster and life, the will to carry on and dying shortly after hit more personally now. Bard chided himself. It was easy to talk about the solution when it seemed like it was them, but now that it was personal, and he would have to play a part, it was a bit more terrifying. He felt Anjur’s hand on his shoulder and looked up to see him stroking Kai’s head, before smiling at him.

“He'd be fine. Perhaps a little rattled,” Anjur chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “But he would choose to unshade, no doubt about that, and since there is still some sense of him in there, it would be an easy test. Especially compared to some other grunt she could summon.”

Anjur’s gaze looked to Selene and Father Tree, who nodded in their own ways, agreeing with Anjur. Bard bit his lip.

“Fine. But can I make sure this is fully tuned?” Bard asked, feeling anxious. Selene smiled.

“You take what time you need. We want this to succeed just as much as you do,” Father answered. Bard thanked them and moved back before vigorously tuning that fiddle. The motions helped him to calm a bit, even if he knew this was redundant. He would give his best to make sure Kai returned. He would do this for anyone, but the nerves that ate at him came from personally knowing it was Kai they were doing.

After tuning as far as he could, Bard turned and saw them waiting patiently. Kai’s eyes staring at him, as if eager, hopeful. It was odd from a shade, but from Kai it made more sense.

He looked at the others, and they nodded in turn, ready when he was. He shifted into position and then began to draw the bow across the strings. Jay looked at Selene, who closed her eyes. When they opened they were glowing that purple color again, her mark on her forehead pulsed with power. Kai stood in the middle of them, and she reached out her hands.

A shadowy thread extended out, perhaps her hair, shimmering as it touched Kai. His red eyes flickered and he lowered his head. She looked to Bard and Anjur, and they nodded before beginning their parts.

Father’s song swelled and Bard pulled the bow, beginning to harmonize. The sounds of the music seemed to cause the wisps of shade to weave as grasses in the wind. Anjur quickly drew in moon light and then used his second hand to draw it thin, like a silky thread. He then spun it towards Kai. Selene then pulled back on her shadowy thread and the shadowy cloak rippled like a curtain being drawn. Then it began to drop to his feet and become a true shadow, one that Bard was familiar with.

Anjur’s moonlight quickly weaved to Kai’s heart, causing his massive chest to glow faintly. The light then rippled out, like roots threading through his form, parting the remaining shadows and bringing color to his fur.

Bard felt a humming in his head and he began to lose focus. Anjur’s voice steadied him, but he blinked as visions began to play in front of his eyes. Kai’s memories, most of which Bard was familiar with.

“We’re nearly done,” Anjur said over the growing noise. Bard focused on father’s melody and looked past those fleeting images. Tears filled his eyes as he saw little Kai, just as he had found him that day in the storm, whimpering, alone, and cold.

Kai’s eyes were still red, the shading still stubbornly clinging to parts of his head and frame. Then it was like the song manifested. With each note, Bard could see the moonlight shimmer from head to heart and back again. Each pulse and the shadows flaked off him.

As the last remains of black began to dissipate, Bard saw Kai’s ears twitch, before a deep huff escaped. Bard blinked back tears as he saw that first breath. Kai however, shook his massive frame, as if throwing off water. His tail raised in delight, swishing back and forth. The shadow at his feet was back to normal now. He was whole, his golden eyes shimmered once more, no longer red. His gaze turned to Bard, a joyful rumble in his chest. He bounded over and nuzzled Bard with a strong push, stopping his tune, nearly knocking him over. Bard laughed, a tear slipping down his cheek as he wrapped his arms around Kai’s neck, enjoying the warmth he thought he had lost.

Then Kai’s massive head raised and he looked back at the others. A knowing look passed between them and Kai hesitated, but Bard nodded his head and Kai happily padded over to Selene. His head nuzzled her side, pushing her a bit. Her eyes held surprise but softened as she moved her hands to rub at Kai’s fur. Her eyes returned to that night sky look.

A childlike giggle echoed from within her. Syrene’s voice, bright and delighted, echoed in the ravine.

“He’s so big and warm!” she said, her tone full of wonder. Kai hummed as he wagged his tail, his expression easy to understand. He was grateful. It was as if, he knew she would come around. Bard watched, his heart swelling. Kai, the best loyal friend a man could ask for, hope for, was softening the Empress of the night with his charm.