The Parallel

Cover by raven

*A fantasy series by RavenPurrs1, if you have any questions please contact me on my fandom message wall.*

### The Colorless Realm description:

A split between a completely white plane and a completely black void. Each have features of white trees and cloud like floors, while the black void has crumbling walls a flat echoing floor and the caged captive areas, the given wall houses, and the watchers cave roofs. A white line with a black outline splits the two worlds apart.

## Prologue

*In these chains I reside*

*To these rules I abide*

*The nights get colder and colder*

*As I get ever older*

*The darkness drags on*

*Its like a poison on my tongue*

*Soon ill see the beauty of color*

*But will I die before than I wonder...*

## Chapter 1

Hello? Is anyone hearing this? Oh right, it’s just myself. I wonder sometimes if the saying ‘friend’ is real anymore. I travel through these dark grounds alone. I am bound by long white chains tethered to the center.

What’s this? You don’t know what I’m talking about? Well, I’m talking to myself, in my head, so of course you do, but I’ll explain anyway. I have nothing better to do.

\*Number 52 stretched where it stood, still wrapped in its thoughts, in the black abyss around it.\*

Welcome to the stasis void, a long stretch of inky black as far as the soulless white eye can see.

Wait this- creativity is stupid. I was told not to do that.

They told me not to…

\*52 stopped in its tracks, not realizing it had started walking. They were still just black, even as it walked forward.

It twitched it’s thin black tail, examining its feet peculiarly. It is a tall black creature but it had a darker frame around it so it stood out, in the void. It had no visible mouth, just wide white eyes and tall ears.

It’s extraordinary to say the least, yet in its home it was as insignificant as a speck of dust.

A unknown amount of time passed before a thought popped into the creature's head. No matter how hard it tried, it couldn’t stop thinking of new things.

As a captive before it's wandering status, it was told over and over that it was nothing and creativity and thoughts weren't aloud.

It is nothing.

It should say nothing.

And it should do its job.\*

Hey again mind- I know I shouldn't be thinking right now but I feel I should give you context, even though you uh already know.

Is it okay if I call you shadow? Yeah, alright cool.

So, in the stasis void, each purrvion(aka me and my species) has four roles throughout our existence.

We start as captives. When we are formed we are taken to the canyons of barred black cages. It's called the happy place, which is ironic because it's not happy at all. It basically teaches us to not have emotions.

Then captives become wanderers, which is what I am. Wanderers must walk through the void and collect white orbs and bring them to the center, though we are tethered to chains to make sure we comply. Once we do our job perfectly, we can either become a given, or a watcher.

\*A shiver ran down its spine as it thought of the creepy white stare of the watchers\*

The givens are free. Or so they say. Then there are the watchers. They grow feathery white wings. And their job is to well- watch us, keep us in line.

\*It glanced around, relieved, to find no watchers near him\*

It's rumored that the watchers can read minds. I hope I never get caught thinking these emotional thoughts. But sometimes you gotta take risks to find meaning in this life, yknow?

Well, shadow, that's all you need to know. It's basically everything here anyway.

Oh what's that? Why am I a wanderer if I'm so old? Well, slow down their, I'm not that old! (I mean I am, but shush), and we'll, uh- that's because I haven't done my job correctly, seeing as we are speaking right now.

A loud ding went off the chain tugging back on its feet.

"Sleep time-" \*it said aloud robotically, not wanting to show its emotions aloud, then it laid carefully down and its body went still as it shut down for sleep\*

\*then a flurry of white wings flashed away\*

## Chapter 2

\*A flock of withered white wings all swooped down to quite a different area, compared to the usual black nothingness.

There was a black platform rising a little bit from the ground. A clear glass cylinder, more like a tube, shot straight  up from the platform into the black sky.

Then a group of square platforms, with indented half circles into them, surrounded the base of the platform, curving into a circle position around it. Chains wrapped around the base of the tube, leading away in all directions out of eye shot.

Some rigid black wanderers were carrying white orbs, by the strap around their shoulders. They formed lines in front of the square platforms, placing the orbs into the indent, where they fit perfectly, then marching away.

The orbs phases through the bottom of the indent and floats up the main tube. It was a curious sight to an outsider, but here this was the purrvions life purpose.

This was the center.

A slim framed, slightly short, watcher flew upwards along the tube. After a while, it halted at a black platform stretching across the top of the tube. It flipped over, suctioning its feet to the bottom of the platform. Gleaming white claws slid out from its feet, seemingly from nowhere, and it tapped the platform rhythmically 5 times.

Nothing happened for a bit before a part of the platform slid away, letting the watcher fly into the room. As it did so, the entrance slid back into place.

The room was pitch black and large. The watcher curled its tail around its feet, waiting for something.

That something soon arrived in the form of a clear cold voice ringing from somewhere in the shadows. "What do you need 307" the cold voice echoed against the slimy walls. The voice sounded almost feminine, despite the purrvions being genderless.

"Its 52 again master", the watcher known as number 307, bowed its head.

"Call me ma'am", it said unexpectedly. "I still remember the old pronouns of the golden times" she said wistfully.

"Oh, yes, of course, ma'am", it bowed its head again mechanically.

She seemed pleased by this response and spoke again "so the pesky 52 is causing issues again, what is it this time?"

It cleared its throat "its being imaginative again ma'am"\*

I might get more praise. Oh, I love her praise, the one who has united us is great.

\*"I see." she pondered this for a awhile, then said "send it to watch the captives for a while. I know that seems like a promotion, but based on its mindset, it hates going near the captives." The voice boomed dismissively. Soon after, a gust of wind blew into 307's face as it sensed her presence leaving the room.

It did as it was told and left the platform, flying off to find number 52.\*

She will be so proud of me now.

## Chapter 3

\*Number 52 gingerly placed a foot on a fresh scratch on its side. The watchers' claws were as sharp as swords, or it felt like that at times. Gray blood sluggishly oozed out of the wound and number 52 carefully placed a foot over all of it to act as a bandage. \*

Hello shadow, I’m as you can see- uh- oh shoot their coming back?!

\*A watcher flew down behind it, nudging it sharply to a gray pathway, seemingly taking it somewhere.

”Where are you taking me”, it tried to sound blank to create an illusion of no emotion. Yet the buzzing of its mind was too loud for its tone to be convincing.

”To the happy place.”\*

No no no no no! I can’t be a captive again!

\*it couldn’t help but think in it's panic.

”Stop your thinking, your just going to watch them” the watcher growled folding it’s gray wings.

52 suddenly recognized the watcher's scarred eye and grizzled appearance, and knew this watcher instantly. Sarge 56 was not one to mess with. They were one of the first to become watchers, or so its rumored. They were at the top of their training, being the most cold and loyal of them all. This in fact surprised 52 that it was being escorted by such high power\*

I must have done something really bad... I know I have.

\*The two suddenly halted at a gray gate after some time of walking. There was a heavy lock strung around it with a wing mold on it. The watcher known as sarge 56 then put their wing through the lock, and it clicked open.

The looming black canyon walls of the happy place were dreary and daunting. There were many holes, with bars over the entrances, that were carved into the walls. Small purrvions were fidgeting in the confined space.

They had collars attached to a chain round their necks. Their white pupils were darting around the place in their black sockets.

52 passed by a captive that was biting at the bars. They were soon after shocked by the electricity coming from their collar. It promptly stopped its attempts at escaping the cage and sat up looking longingly at 52.

52 averted its eyes walking on. It gasped as the chain around its paws was yanked back and it fell on its chin.

“Your guard post is here.” Sargent said, dropping the chain carelessly and diving into the sky, giving 52 one last scathing look. It shuddered, glancing around.\*

I hate this place shadow, I really do. There's all these dreadful memories… the pit is the worst.

\*But 52 did not elaborate on the thought and instead shut the thoughts down, as watchers' eyes were everywhere.

”H- hello what are you doing here” a small voice whispered from the bottom most cage. A short poofy captive resided in the confines. It had a heavily enforced shock collar, it had huge black and white eyes and it’s mouth quivered, unsure if it could trust the wanderer.

”Don’t be scared please… I’m 52 and I’ve been sent to guard this place as a- as a punishment” it gulped, sitting rigid.

”Oh hello, I’m number 25” it chirped nervously, which soon turned into a hiss of pain as it was zapped by the wretched collar.

”Be careful, don’t show emotion.” 52 said dully, trying not to move.

”It’s so hard” 25 whimpered, crouching low. “Why aren't you like the others?”

It didn’t answer for a while, wincing. “I guess I wasn’t taught enough…”

” Oh…” 25 trailed away, tucking its legs underneath it.

A few hours passed in silence as 52 tried to block out all the yowls for help and hisses of pain.

A loud speaker in the canyon went off, suddenly a cold chilling voice omitting from it, saying a all to familiar sentence for 52.

”Remember you are nothing!” The voice echoed through the dark canyon, sending shivers down its spine.

”I am nothing…” 25 repeated softly, staring at the floor.

”I can’t take this!” 52 hissed quietly, its feet digging into the ground. “25 we have to escape this place…”\*

\*Watchers circled above aimlessly as 52 crouched low to blend in with the ground.

”But- but theirs there is nowhere to go. Just wait for we can be givens soon, right?” 25 said hesitantly, shuffling their feet.

”We don’t even know if they are really free- I can’t wait that long anyway.” 52 whispered fiercely, keeping its ears pricked.

”Shh… we at least need to find a way of communicating in private.” 25 whispered flat to the ground.

”Ill- I’ll figure something out. Just hold tight” it said, hurriedly, sprinting away, leaving 25 to look on with worry.\*

## Chapter 4

Oi there! I'm Ryder, DO NOT call me that stupid number 101 name, it's so boring. Hey! Yeah, that's right. I have emotion, creativity, and spunk, and I'm proud dude.

\*A very tall black purrvion, with white paws and tufted head fur, grinned at himself\*

I'm very glad I got that wretched chain off; the wanderer's life isn't for this guy! A lot of times I dream of the rumored golden time, where purrvions had names, pronouns, and a dang personality! And that is why I changed my name and got myself some pronouns. Call me he/him, thank you very much.

\*The purrvion chuckle, a satchel swaying from his neck. Then the flapping of watcher's wings came into earshot and that was Ryder's cue to go. So, it dived into a rabbit warren like tunnel disappearing into the shadows.\*

I really want to be a given! But being a stupid wanderer for so long is very boring, I just want to be free!

\*He thought fiercely as he crawled along the dark tunnel, they turned left on a forked path and tumbled into a spacious dug out cave. Glowing white lichen hung from the ceiling and fascinating gray-looking objects were scattered around the place. \*

I dug out this place myself! I call it the Ryder den; I know it is very creative thank you.

\*It picked up a sharp object striking an X on an old clay tablet that acted as a map\*

I’ve been almost everywhere, except the east. I’m certain freedom valley is over there so that’s where I’m heading.

\*He rummaged through his battered gray satchel for a while before pulling out a sort of makeshift compass. A small white orb shaped into a point stuck atop a flat gray object. As a sticky goo substance held it all together.

Orbs always pointed curiously towards the center, which was north, so that’s how it makes a good directional device. \*

I’m pretty sure I am the first to invent something like this, I’ve always been fascinated by the art of creation.

\*He hummed softly as he packed up his things and crept his way out of the tunnel. He glanced at the compass-like contraption that he dubbed Mr. Pointer, and made his way east as he got out of the tunnel. He made sure to keep low on the flat black ground as he crept along it, so he was undetectable.

He slipped into a cluster of gray, tall, tree trunks. They weren’t entirely like trees, because the texture of the trunks was smooth and solid, but close enough, nonetheless. \*

I love the forbidden lands! They are so unique and fun to explore, which is why they were probably forbidden in the first place.

Oh, and the best part is, no watchers in sight, ha!

\*Its paws splashed through a sluggish white stream, as he exited the forest. He soon came upon a wide-open valley, with high walls and slow, glittering, streams. “It’s the freedom valleys”, he breathed, looking down at the bird-house-like structures peeking out of the valley walls. Ryder found their appearance very amusing.

But theirs was one problem in his plan. The place was teaming with watchers on the outskirts of the valley, presumably keeping the other purrvions out.

Ryder gave out a sigh of anger, pacing up and down the hill. \*

Why can’t I just be free already! It’s paradise in there I just-

\*But he stopped in his tracks, as at that very moment a rustling could be heard from the outskirts of the previous forest.

” Who’s there!” Ryder called out boldly.

His jaw dropped at what he saw.

It was a given, but hardly resembled one. Givens usually had a permanent, closed eye smile and a flower pin on their chests.

 But in sharp contrast, this one’s face was a look of terror. Its ears were flat against its head and a long crack was across its chest where the ~~follower~~ flower pin should be. ” Just me… I’ve been following you” it admitted shyly.

“What why! Are you going to tell the watchers, cause if so, I’ll stop you” he said fiercely.

” No! Uniters ( a stand in for heaven or another religious place) no! I’ve come to warn you” it trailed away, taking a deep breath as Ryder’s face went from a scowl to a puzzled look. “You’re… heading for freedom valley, right?” It asked quietly.

” Yeah why? I want to be a given!” He affirmed.

It spoke up louder now, its eyes wide “you do not want to be a given.”