Journey fic initial

	I find myself standing in the middle of a desert, a dune of sand in front of me. On top of the dune of sand, three objects are stuck into the sand, like gravestones. I don't know how I got here. I don't know precisely where I am. All I know is that it has been my entire world for as long as I can remember.
	I climb the dune, knowing what I will see when I reach the top. My head draws even with the peak, then rises higher, and there it is. In the distance, I can see a mountain, a beam of light emanating from its peak. I don't really know what is making the light, but I feel irresistibly drawn to it. I take the first step off of the peak, and slide down the side of the dune.
	I come to a stop in a group of the gravestones, a shaft of light visible on a platform a small ways off. I walk through the gravestones, nodding at each as I pass by. I may not know if anyone is buried there, but I can at least pay my respects if there is. I reach the platform and climb up, finding a shining rune hovering in midair. Bits of red cloth swirl around it, inscribed with glowing symbols. I touch the rune, and it dissolves into a million specks of light, which streak toward me. I absorb the light, looking back to find a scarf embroidered with runes, confirmation of what just happened. That's when I realize – this time, I'm not alone.
	I spot someone else tumbling down the dune after me, landing flat on his face in front of a gravestone. I float into the air, the runes on my scarf fading, and fall gently to his side. I bend over him, realizing for the first time I am unable to speak. It was never important before. All I needed to do was sing and chirp. So I do what I can and chirp softly at this stranger. He chirps back happily and picks himself up. He immediately walks to where the rune was. I see a flash of a second rune, in the same place as the first, before he absorbs its power as well. I stand next to the swirling cloth, and they glow brighter, dipping down to touch me. With each touch, a rune fades back into luminescence on my scarf.