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THE SOUL GUIDE
This is a story I wrote about a soul guide in a mysterious, lonely afterlife world. She helps spirits cross the River of the Dead and slowly realizes the importance of her work. Her journey changes when she meets her twins Jin, a small lamb, whose awakening teaches her the value of human emotions. In the end, the soul guide learns that light is not just for guiding souls—it also shines in her connections with others.
Human memories and heritage are the most precious sources of light.
media: watercolor, gouche
In the mists of the River of Souls, the guides use their light to guide wandering souls and help them find their way to reincarnation. The work of the soul guides is silent and solitary, so they often read the memories of the souls, trying to find in them a touch of companionship and comfort.
When a soul guide is about to fade, a new one is born from the Light to take on the task.
When I was born of the Light, I was not alone - in fact, I had a twin companion. By my side was a half-transparent lamb whom I named "Jin". The Light that guides the soul is sealed in Jin's fragile body, but due to lack of nourishment, it is as weak as a rag doll.
Every time I guided the soul, I would hang Jin on a rope by its side and use its weak light to illuminate the path of the dead.
I had always believed that guiding the dead on their journey was a sacred and noble mission. But deep down, I couldn't suppress a wave of resentment. Why can't I have my own light like those who came before me? Why did I have to rely on that weak, frail Jin, whose light was so faint that it could barely illuminate anything, and why couldn't I have a strong light from the beginning to take on this great duty?
I am clearly stronger and nobler than it, so why do I have to rely on its for even the most basic light? Yes, I am different from Jin. It is just my appendage, my tool. I was born to be superior, to belong to a higher being.
I have a quirky hobby - fishing in the Sea of the Dead with Jin, watching the lustful souls scramble for the light. I like to tease them in this way, for I know deep down that it is only through my light that they can find their way. These souls were nothing more than confused beings longing for salvation and I, the great power that controlled their destiny.
One day, however, the unexpected happened. A certain soul touched the Light at the same time as Jin, and in an instant, a radiant Light erupted. Jin awoke.
She was more than just a being of light; she was originally part of the soul of a certain former Guide, created to be my companion, my friend, my kin. When she took human form, the guiding light on her chest disappeared and was replaced by something even more precious - the ability to express emotions and memories.
As I looked at her, unprecedented waves rose in my heart. I used to think I was transcendent, always clinging to the sacred duty of being a guide, but through this day I finally understood the preciousness of emotions, the beauty of love, and the greatness of courage.
I think back to the souls I have guided and begin to really think about their stories, their struggles, and their unique light. I finally realized that every soul has its own light.
In the end, Jin chose the path of reincarnation. I sent her off with my own hands and watched as she moved on to a new life. And in that moment I realized that I no longer needed to rely on an external light, for a new light had awakened within me. It no longer came from duty, but from a deep understanding of life and reincarnation.
From that day on, I was more than a guide. I became a lighthouse in the midst of the river of souls, illuminating not only the path of those who had passed on, but also my own.