Void had hoped and prayed the whole way across the water that he would be able to see the stars when they got to where they were going. That was the worst part, not being able to look up and take comfort in the vastness of the universe above. Now it was all smoke and ash, and the boy’s mood reflected that. He didn’t hate the island, it might have been a nice place, but he hated that the stars were blocked from him.

He didn’t like the bite of the cold either, he didn’t want to leave their temporary den with how cold it was outside. The poor boy shivered softly as he walked under the usually tropical trees. Dark ears fell to his skull as he looked up towards the darkness above. Smoke and ash hid the sky, but he could almost make out the moon from behind it all. He sighed heavily and rocked back onto his haunches, he hoped the disaster didn’t last forever.

Winter’s bite was almost unbearable, even in the den the youth shivered. He took comfort that he had his siblings and mother with him to snuggle with to help stay warm, but tonight…one was missing leaving part of him chilled. Yawning, Spirit would stir, eventually untangling himself and escaping the relative warmth of the den. Ears came forward as he looked around, he didn’t see his brother- not at first- but he could smell him and Spirit followed that invisible trail until it led him to his sibling. The brother splashed by stars himself was doing what he normally did at night- looking at the sky. Grinning, Spirit came up alongside Void and nudged him. “Come on, I wanna show you something.” He took a few steps back, wondering if his brother would follow him.

"Speech"

Void didn’t miss the sound of paws behind him in the quiet of the night. The far gazed boy turned his head to find his brother standing nearby. There was no secret that Void liked to be underneath the stars, and often didn’t sleep near the rest of his litter. He slept the day away instead. He leaned into the gentle nudge as his attention was quickly grasped by the smaller pup. He tilted his head curiously, having thought he’d explored the whole of the little island already. What could his brother possibly have?

He remained silent, but stood up and looked to his sibling expectantly. Void was willing to follow and be shown whatever it was Spirit had worth looking at. Large black paws carried him after his brother, ears perked with blue and lavender gaze searching.

Void wasn’t like Desolate, he was nice. He listened to Spirit. Grinning at the expectant look from his much larger brother, Spirit turned and took off at a quick trot. They weren’t too far from where he wanted to go. “I was esplorin’ and found it. I been wanting to show it to you for days”. There was clear excitement in his voice and a pep in his step as he led his brother to somewhere truly cool. “But you can’t tell Desolate, promise?” He paused, looking back at his brother. He loved his other brother but…this was his place to escape and well…Void would understand why he didn’t want Desolate sneaking around the place once he saw it. There were too many hiding holes for him to use to scare Spirit, it was the only place he had where he could relax and not be afraid. He was willing to share with Void though.

He continued winding through the foliage until they got to a large tree trunk that had fallen. Giggling, Spirit approached it with a confidence he didn’t typically have. If one could see and looked close, they would see a slightly worn path next to it where he had travelled. Crouching down, Spirit slipped under the trunk with ease. He had to crawl a few feet but was then standing once more. “Coming?” He called as he waited for Void to come through the hole next. The trunk was thick enough to block the entrance from view for the most part, but with it already being night the cave was in complete darkness.

"Speech"

Void honestly preferred to explore the stars than the ground below, but he’d certainly taken time to go over the island curiously. His brother was quick to explain himself, saying enough words for the both of them. The star marked boy was naturally quiet, and seemed to only speak when the need truly arose. Body language, little gestures, were usually plenty of communication.

Spirit paused for effect as he told Void that he was to be sworn to secrecy, the Nightingale descendant nodded. ”Promise.” He answered softly, truth sparkling in his blue and lavender stare. Spirit seemed satisfied and continued to lead them forward. The leggy pup followed behind, ivory tail swinging behind him amusedly as they walked. He watched as Spirit rushed up to a log giggling, with only a bit of wiggling his disappeared beneath it.

Void tilted his head curiously as his brother called out to him. The Nightingale descendant didn’t even enjoy being in the den, this was an even smaller space. He shifted his weight from foot to foot nervously before plunging forward and following after Spirit. The entrance was not comfortable, and Void felt relief as he pushed through to the other side.

The total darkness used to unnerve the cowardly boy. The first time he had set paw into the cavern it had taken him hours to get to their destination. It didn't occur to the youth just how dangerous the total darkness of a cavern could be, too young and innocent to consider there being holes in the floor, or fast moving streams of water that could suck him under. Spirit wasn't one to really explore the darkness, he stayed up against the wall where it was safe and he couldn't lose his way.

He was happy that Void was willing to keep his secret, it made him feel better about sharing the spot with his star gazing brother. It took Void longer to get into the cave but once he was next to him Spirit nodded in the darkness, poking his brother with his nose. "We have to be really quiet...or they will go away. Stay against the wall so we dont get lost." He whispered quietly, even more softly than Void normally spoke. He didn't have any doubt that Void could be silent, he was a quiet, soft spoken pup. With that, Spirit moved along the wall at a slower pace than before, his paws occasionally dipping into cold, shallow water, as he travelled along the cave wall.

Several bends and turns later, the cavern opened up-but it was not completely dark. All around there were tiny, glowing specks of various sizes. The pool in the center of the opened cave room reflected the dots, almost as if they were surrounded by stars. They gave off enough light that one could see the end of the stone floor and where the water began. Quietly, Spirit walked up to the edge and sat down, head turned to look at Void with a grin.

Void had no fear of the darkness, but he hated that he couldn’t see the stars. The cave was slightly unnerving with its unnatural darkness. Spirit was confident though and instructed him thusly. The star splattered Destruction nodded back, his dark nose in Spirit’s white fur. He followed quietly, a task which came naturally to the tall puppy. Void continued along softly, the water wetted his paws and he wondered how much water was out in the reaches of darkness.

He was a patient pup, and the short walk didn’t drag on him like it might a more impatient puppy. Of course the wait was more than worth it as Spirit finally led him out into a larger cavern. With his vision adjusted to the pitch black of their surroundings the glow on the cavern ceiling was even more intense. Blue and lavender gaze stared in wonder and his little jaw hung open. ”Oh” He said in wonder as Spirit trotted up to the edge of the water. Void was somewhat stunned, but his large paws carried him much more slowly after his brother. ”You found the stars, Spirit.”
The words were said with great relief, the boy hadn’t felt completely whole since the last time he’d looked up and found comfort in the sky above. Now he leaned his head back and felt a weight lifted off his young shoulders. A grin spread across his features and there would be no way to express his gratitude for this gift.

His brother was stunned into an even deeper silence after one soft word. Spirit grinned at the faint outline of his darker costed brother, waiting patiently as he slowly wandered up to the edge of the water. He knew his brother had a fascination with the stars and while these were most definitely not stars...they looked like it. He bobbed his head as his brother spoke, eyes shifting to the little lights as they dimmed for a moment before brightening up once again. "They scare easily...like me..." He answered in a soft whisper, shifting uncomfortably on his paws at the statement. "I thought maybe they'd do until the stars in the sky came back..." He trailed off, hoping his brother made the connection and realized they weren't real stars..just a substitute.

After a moment he nodded to the water where the lights were reflected, the Galaxy like specks seemingly swallowing them up in the darkness. Almost as if they were among the stars.

The pup felt his breath catch at the dimness that resulted in their voices. He sighed softly in relief as they returned and it seemed the whole of the galaxy swallowed them up. ”Why are you scared, Spirit?” He asked in hushed tones as he put his lips to his brother’s ear so the sound might not stray. Void held little fear, and didn’t hesitate very often. The pup leaned more heavily into his brother’s shoulder, happy to have been shown the wonder around them. The stars were everywhere. ”I hope the stars come back soon.” He offered absently as he stared out into the seeming abyss. He didn’t want to feel tremors beneath his feet anymore, he wanted to go home. ”Do you think we’ll ever go back?” It was uncomfortable to utter the question, what if they couldn’t return?