Chapter 1: A New Start
The sun had just risen, coloring the sky orange and pink. The valley town of Weraithbrioke awoke.
Evelyn Harper was waking up in a cozy home outside of town. Her bedroom window faced east, where the sun rose. Evelyn adored mornings, particularly summer mornings, with fresh air and the promise of a new day. Her thick brown hair fell over her shoulders as she sat at the window seat with a hot cup of coffee, still messy from sleep.
Today was unique. The Sun Day event in Weraithbrioke has been held annually for as long as anybody can remember. The town celebrated the longest day of the year with laughter, music, and tales passed down through generations.
This Sun Day was distinctive for Evelyn. She couldn’t pinpoint it, but there was a sensation of expectation, not just exhilaration. She drank coffee to brush off the mood. Her soul suggested that today would alter everything, maybe due to a sleepless night.
“Evelyn! Are you awake? A voice from below interrupted her thoughts.
“Yes, Mom!” Evelyn put her cup down and stretched. She checked the time—6:15 AM.
Evelyn quickly donned her favorite yellow summer dress, grabbed her shoes, and rushed downstairs.
“Morning, honey,” Alice smiled.
“Thanks, Mom,” “Excited for Sun Day?”
“I Always am. Something about today feels… I don’t know, different?
“You feel it?”
Alice nodded slowly. “I do. Like the air is energized, right?
The kitchen clock and birds chirping were the only sounds as they became quiet. Evelyn breathed deeply and tried to ignore the weird sensation. Today was meant to be joyful and celebratory, not about bizarre premonitions.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” she answered, smiling. “Just excitement getting to us.”
Alice smiled, but it didn’t. “You’re probably right. We have a lot to accomplish today.”
Evelyn and Alice went to the town square, where festival preparations began. The square was packed with youngsters running about, sellers putting up booths, and people adorning everything with sunflowers and yellow streamers.
Evelyn assisted with the main stage, where the mayor would deliver his opening remarks. She looked up at the brilliant blue sky as she strung flower garlands. As the sun rose, it warmed the land and filled the air with floral perfume.
“Evelyn, please give me that banner.” a voice behind her called.
James, her childhood buddy, was on a ladder trying to tie a giant “Happy Sun Day!” banner over the stage. His sandy blond hair was ruffled, and his shirt was dirty.
“Sure,” she responded,
“You’d think after all these years, you’d know how to hang a banner without tangling.”
James laughed, stealing her flag. You’d think. But where’s the fun?
With festival preparations in the background, they worked quietly together. When the flag was fixed, James descended and admired their work.
“Looks good.” “I can feel it—this will be the best Sun Day ever.”
Evelyn looked at him, sensing the same discomfort in his voice as her mother’s. “You too?”
James gazed at her, his calmness fading. “Yeah. It seems like Something is about to happen.”
As they peered about, the town square’s liveliness seemed remote. The air was thick with expectancy, like a quiet before a storm.
Evelyn shook her head to calm the anxiety. Whatever it is, we’ll confront it together. Same as always.”
James grinned, confident again. You bet.”
Festival life began as the day progressed. The streets were packed with laughing, music, and excellent cuisine. Despite the holiday spirit, Evelyn’s peculiar expectation persisted. She kept thinking about it, reminding herself that today differed from any other Sun Day.
Evelyn sensed Something approaching, throwing sweeping shadows across the town. An event that changed Weraithbrioke forever.
-/-
Chapter 2: The Assembly Clouds
The enthusiasm in Weraithbrioke became evident as the day slid near noon. Vendors yelling their goods, kids laughing as they ran between booths, and the happy clinking of glasses as friends and neighbors hailed the brilliant day, the town square alive with color and music.
Evelyn moved over the crowd, her senses assaulted by the scent of fresh lemonade, toasted almonds, and caramel apples. She grinned and waved at known faces, but her mind was rooted by the discomfort that had followed her from daybreak. Pure blue, even the heavens had changed gently. At the horizon, a whirl of clouds collected like a whisper of something larger.
She reached the center of the square, where a monument stood – the town fountain. The river sparkled in the sunlight as it flowed gracefully over the ancient stone sculptures that had stood guard over the town for thousands of years.
Greetings, Evelyn! A loud sound abruptly disrupted her fantasy. The mayor’s daughter, Claire Hastings, approached her swiftly, carrying a basket filled with sunflowers. Claire adorned herself with little blossoms like those in her basket and intricately intertwined her vibrant crimson hair into a regal circlet.
“Claire!” Despite experiencing chest discomfort, Evelyn smiled and said, “You appear stunning.”
“Thank you!” Do these blooms exhibit imperfections? Claire grasped a sunflower adorned with resplendent golden petals.
Evelyn acknowledged with a nod, accepting the flower and admiring its vibrant colors.
The overall appearance is excellent. This year, the whole town has surpassed its previous achievements.
Claire remarked, setting the basket on the fountain’s edge, “Everyone’s so excited. This Sun Day is particularly memorable. My father has been saying this all this week.”
Evelyn looked up at the heavens again, the clouds thickening so gently. “Special, indeed… I have also been experiencing it.”
Claire slanted her head, her green eyes intrigued. “What exactly do you mean?”
Evelyn paused, not knowing how to translate her emotions. “It’s just… something seems strange. We’re waiting for something significant to happen, and I’m still determining whether it’s good or awful.
Claire started to grin but stumbled. You are not alone among them. Few individuals have mentioned it but have yet to learn what it may be. It may come from nervousness. The event is, after all, a big affair.
“Maybe,” Evelyn answered, her voice still tinged with doubt.
Claire started to add more, but a loud applause from across the square cut her off. They both turned around to find the cause of the disturbance. The mayor went to the podium to give his speech. Claire’s father, the mayor, and the throng gathered fast.
Claire urged Evelyn to “come on,” taking her hand. ” lets go listen.”
“Welcome, everybody, to Sun Day! ” he started, his voice loud and unambiguous. The crowd burst into shouts and acclaim.
“Today is a celebration,” he said, his voice kind and welcoming. “A day when we come together to honor the sun, the source of life and light, and to give thanks for the blessings it brings to our town.”
Evelyn listened, the mayor’s words dancing over her like a familiar song. He spoke of custom, the town’s past, and the value of community. But Evelyn needed to catch up as the lecture progressed. Darker, heavier clouds above had thrown a shadow across the square that had not been there minutes before.
The mayor’s speech stammered a little as he, too, appeared to sense the abrupt shift in the environment. He looked up, his brow wrinkling just so slightly, then quickly recovered and carried on speaking.
Evelyn started to become uncomfortable, and her heart started racing. She could feel it now, more precisely than she had ever been able to, the weight of something invisible pushing down on them all. Glancing up at the heavens with curious eyes, she gazed about at the crowd and saw others beginning to move uneasily.
“Thus, let us make this Sun Day the most unforgettable!” The mayor said, broadening his arms to let the audience applaud again.
Still, the cheer was less loud than it had been. The town noticed the change in the air and the mounting weight. With his grin still in place, the mayor moved away from the microphone, but his eyes suggested some doubt.
Claire lowered her voice and leaned toward Evelyn. “Did you observe that?” The heavens seemed to diminish.
“I saw,” Evelyn said, her voice almost above a whisper. “I find this unpleasant, Claire.”
A piercing, unexpected crack rang over the square before Claire could reply. Heads turned in all directions to find the source of the sound, and the audience remained hushed. Another boom, louder this time, followed by a flash of light raced over the heavens, so brilliant Evelyn could see dots in her eyes.
Panic rising in their voice, someone in the crowd said, “What was that?”
Rising forward to attempt to soothe the mounting anxiety, the mayor “Everyone, please stay cool! It is likely a storm moving by.”
He did not, however, manage to complete it. Once a tapestry of thickening clouds, the heavens opened with an explosive blaze of light. Once so brilliant and consistent all day, the sun was suddenly hidden behind an odd, whirling vortex of clouds, black and frightening.
Evelyn felt her heart skip to her throat as the earth started to shake underfoot. At first, the sensations were faint, like a far-off rumbling of thunder, but they soon got louder until the ground appeared trembling.
“Claire!…” Evelyn grabbed the elbow of her buddy and pulled her close as the crowd started to lose it. As the earth kept shaking, people yelled and fled in all directions.”
“What’s happening?” Claire sobbed; her voice was almost heard over the rising din.
“I don’t know!” Evelyn yelled back, wide with terror. She saw the mayor attempting to take charge, shouting commands to the residents, but the tumult drowned out his voice.
The shaking ended as quickly as it had started. The quiet followed was terrible, disturbed only by short, terrified gasps. Frozen in place, the crowd searched in bewilderment for whatever would come next.
Evelyn turned her gaze back to the heavens, where the vortex of clouds kept whirlingly menacing. The sun was almost hidden, its light hardly visible through the heavy, black clouds.
And suddenly, in the middle of that whirlpool of mass, a form started to develop. At first, weak, almost like a trick of the light, but it became increasingly clear with every second. It was rising from the center of the vortex, a towering and commanding figure clothed in an odd, ethereal light.
Evelyn’s breath seized in her throat as the man moved forward, hovering just above the town center. It was unlike anything she had ever seen: a creature of pure light whose shape moved and changed like a flame caught in the breeze. Though it lacked face and evident characteristics, its enormous presence sent waves of force and wonder across the air.
Staring at the ghost, the crowd stood in shocked stillness, their terror temporarily forgotten. His mouth is gaping as he stares at the apparition; even the mayor appears at a loss for words.
Nothing occurred for a minute. The image just hovered above them, its brightness pulsating with their pulse beats. Then, it spoke in a voice that appeared to come from the ground.
“People of Weraithbrioke,” the voice bellowed over the square. “For centuries, you have basked in the warmth and brightness of the sun. You have overlooked the balance, the darkness that must be respected.”
Evelyn’s blood came cold as the words of the stranger set in. Her eyes were wide with terror, and she turned to see Claire looking as pale as a ghost.
“What does it mean?” Claire murmured, but Evelyn said nothing.
The number went on, its voice becoming louder and more forceful. “Today, you will remember. The darkness will dawn, and the brightness you love will vanish. Those who grasp the actual balance will survive only.”
The figure lifted its arms, and the vortex above enlarged, whirling faster until it seemed to swallow the whole heavens. Further dimming, the sun’s light cast the town into a spooky dusk.
Once again, the throng started to fear, but there was nowhere to go. Once again, the ground shook, more fiercely this time, as if it were disintegrating.
With her heart thumping in her chest, Evelyn grasped Claire. She knew one thing for sure: nothing would be the same again, but she was unsure what was occurring.
-/-
Chapter 3: Eclipse
People ran everywhere in the town square to escape the unfathomable occurrences above them. The sun had almost totally disappeared, replaced by an awful glow.
Twilight that threw lengthy, strange shadows on the ground.
Evelyn felt like she was going slowly, her pulse beating in her ears. In a storm, Claire’s hand gripped hers like a lifeline. The apparition in the sky hovered over them, menacing.
“We must leave!” James spoke over the clamor, taking Evelyn’s shoulder and pulling her and Claire away from the mob. He gasped, his eyes wide with dread and resolve.
“Where can we go?” Claire asked nervously. It’s everywhere!
“Anywhere but here,” James pleaded. Follow me!
They hid in an alleyway off the area, the terror subsiding as they distanced themselves from the square. The alley was tiny and dark but offered a momentary escape from the commotion outside.
It was what? Claire questioned, shivering, as she leaned against the brick wall to regain her breath. “What’s up?”
James rubbed his sweaty hair and said, “I don’t know.” But whatever it is, it isn’t good. We must find safety.”
Evelyn leaned against the wall, thinking fast. She heard the apparition say, “The light you cherish will fade, and the darkness will rise.” It meant what? Was the town at risk? How would they grasp this “balance” with the number mentioned?
She glanced at James and Claire, who were waiting for instruction and a response. Evelyn had none. Her only knowledge was that they must go.
“We need to get to higher ground,” Evelyn replied eventually, her voice steady despite her dread. “We need to see what’s happening if the sun is setting. Maybe then we’ll know what to do.”
James nodded grimly. “The ancient watchtower is on the town’s highest peak. From there, we can see clearly.”
Claire paused, nodded, and looked pale but determined. Let’s go.”
Using the alleys, they swiftly avoided the significant streets where people were still rushing in all directions. The surrounding buildings silenced the town’s terror, yet the gloomy dusk threw a peculiar, muted light on everything.
Evelyn felt chills when they neared the ancient watchtower’s base. The tower, a remnant from Weraithbrioke’s past, stood for centuries. Though abandoned for years and its stone walls collapsing, it was still the highest building.
They climbed the tiny spiral staircase with James leading, their footfall bouncing off the stone walls. Ascending lowered the air temperature.
Last, they reached the summit. The watchtower’s open top offered a panoramic view of the town and sky. But what they saw chilled them.
Cloud vortex had developed to envelop Weraithbrioke’s whole sky. The sun shone dimly, flickering. Still floating above the town square, the figure was joined by others.
Dozens of smaller individuals emerged from the vortex, each as odd and horrifying as the first. They seemed to stretch out and drop toward the town like shadows.
“This can’t be real,” Claire muttered, barely vocal. “This is a nightmare.”
“It’s real,” Evelyn murmured hollowly. “But we must determine why. This is occurring. Why?
James stood near her with a harsh expression. “The figure mentioned balance. Perhaps the municipality needs to be more fixated on the light, which is causing this issue.
Evelyn frowned, contemplating his comments. Do you mean we disregarded the darkness? But how could it cause this?
“I don’t know,” James said. But it’s the only plausible explanation. We may have overlooked something necessary to maintain equilibrium.
Fear turned to desperate hope as Claire stared between them. If that’s true, we may repair it. It may not be too late.”
Evelyn became determined. Claire right. They could restore equilibrium if this were about it.
“We need to find out more,” Evelyn added, her voice firmer. “There must be something in the town’s history that can tell us what to do.”
James nodded. “The old library. Everything from local history books to historical documents is there. Whatever might aid us is there.”
Evelyn responded, “Then let’s go,” moving to the stairs.
But a harsh, rumbling growl came from below as they descended. As the sound became louder and closer, they froze in horror.
It was what? Claire shakily murmured.
The growl’s source arrived before anybody could respond. An eerie apparition emerged from the stairs, writhing like smoke. Suffocating, its icy, malicious force filled the air despite its lack of eyes and features.
Her thoughts begged her to flee as Evelyn backed away, her heart racing. But there was no escape. At the tower’s summit, the shadow thing blocked their sole escape.
As it approached, the beast growled again, lower and more frightening. Evelyn felt it was chilly, chilling her.
A part of her snapped. Anger and resolve replaced her paralyzing dread. They had gone this far, and she wouldn’t let this thing stop them.
“We have to fight it,” Evelyn replied, shivering but determined. Let’s not let anything stop us.”
James stared at her, fearful yet admiring. He nodded and joined her. Though afraid, Claire grabbed her arm and stepped to Evelyn’s opposite side.
The three faced the shadow thing as it advanced. With no weapons or defense, they refused to back down.
As the monster approached, Evelyn felt an incredible warmth and light that seemed to get more outstanding. She didn’t grasp it but knew this light was their last chance.
“Focus,” Evelyn said, shutting her eyes and focusing on her warmth. Pay attention to the light.
She encouraged James and Claire to close their eyes and concentrate. The warmth flowed through them, and they felt like they were in a brilliant, protecting bubble.
As it approached the light, the shadow monster halted, flickering. It snarled but stopped.
Evelyn opened her eyes, feeling her brightness. She saw a faint, golden light around them, fighting the darkness.
She responded, “We can do this,” with renewed confidence. “We can fight it.”
The brightness surrounding her intensified as she moved ahead. The shadow monster retreated, flashing more wildly. Evelyn could feel the light pulsating inside her, reacting to her commitment to preserve the community she loved.
James and Claire also advanced, joining Evelyn’s light to block the beast.
The beast let forth one last angry roar before dissolving like smoke in the wind. It vanished quickly, leaving the three of them at the top of the tower in their quiet light.
They stood in quiet for a long time, processing what had transpired.
“We did it,” Claire muttered, astonished. “We did it.”
Even though her thoughts were racing, Evelyn nodded. They defeated one beast, but there were many more. The sky figure remained, observing and waiting.
“This is just the beginning,” Evelyn replied, facing the town below. “We must go to the library to discover the truth. Stop this before it’s too late.”
James and Claire nodded, glum but resolute. The little light inside them glowed as they down the tower, giving hope amid the darkness.
-/-
Chapter 4: Forgotten Ritual
They walked to the ancient library via strangely silent Weraithbrioke streets. The town’s regular busy noises were replaced by an oppressive quiet, broken only by the sky’s distant rumble and occasional shadow movement.
Evelyn led the way, her pulse racing as she surveyed the black buildings. The town that had always been so lively seemed ghostly every day.
Claire whispered, “This place gives me the creeps,” clutching Evelyn’s arm.
“It’s like the whole town is holding its breath,” James said, examining the shadows for danger. “We must move quickly.”
They approached the library, its old stone façade guarding them. On the walls of Weraithbrioke’s oldest structure were literature about the town’s history, mysteries, and, presumably, the answers they sought.
When Evelyn opened the massive wooden doors, the hinges creaked. The inside smelled like old paper and dust. Outside, light barely pierced the gloom, casting shadows on the bookcases.
“Where do we begin?” Claire questioned, terrified, as they entered.
“We’re looking for anything that mentions balance, rituals, or the sun and moon,” Evelyn replied, attempting to speak clearly. “There must be something here that can help us.”
They divided and searched each part of the library for hints on the book spines. Evelyn shivered slightly as she grabbed book after book off the shelf and flipped through the pages quickly.
After minutes and hours, they discovered nothing, increasing Evelyn’s irritation and desperation. The sky figure, shadow creatures—everything was happening too quickly, and they were running out of time.
“Anything?” James shouted from across the room, tense.
“Nothing,” Claire said, frustratedly closing a book. It’s like the town’s history ends. Nothing about ceremonies or anything.”
Evelyn was ready to speak when she saw a small, leather-bound book on a high shelf. She was drawn to its aged and faded cover, which was unusual compared to the others.
She pulled it down, the leather soft and silky in her palms. The book had no title or markings, yet opening it made her tremble.
Scribbled notes, doodles, and symbols that appeared old and forgotten were on the pages. Evelyn could see by the worn text and ink that this was what they were looking for.
“Guys, I think I found something,” she said, excited and scared.
James and Claire rushed over, widening their eyes at Evelyn holding the book.
What’s it? James questioned, leaning in for a closer look.
“It looks like an old journal,” Evelyn commented, scrolling over the pages. “Whoever wrote this understood light-dark balance. Notes about the sun, moon, and ritual are included.
Claire’s eyes widened. “A ritual? Is that the key to ending this?
“Maybe,” Evelyn answered, hopeful. “There’s a lot, but it’s hard to read. Some parts are in a foreign language, while the remainder is fading.
James showed a crude drawing of a circle with symbols on a piece of paper. Look at this—it looks like a ceremonial circle. Maybe this is what the figure meant—something to restore balance.”
Evelyn nodded, frenetic. “We must master this ritual. It may be the only way to halt it.”
“But how?” Claire inquired nervously. “We have no idea what this means.”
“We’ll have to piece it together,” Evelyn remarked, determined. Although ancient, this diary is our best lead. We need to make it work.”
They searched the notebook for an hour, attempting to read the fading writing and symbols. The terminology was antiquated, referencing ancient ideas and traditions.
They felt more urgency as they worked. The darkness grew as the light outside faded. Evelyn thought it was coming in like an unstoppable flood.
They completed the ceremony after what seemed like a lifetime. It needed a particular series of movements, symbols drawn in exact patterns, and, most crucially, using sunlight and moonlight to balance the two forces.
“This is it,” Evelyn murmured, relieved and anxious. “We must do this. However, we must locate a site with a clear sky to create the symbols.
James offered “the clearing in the woods.” “It’s far enough from town and has a sky view. We could do it there.”
Evelyn murmured, “Let’s go,” shutting and tucking the diary under her arm. “We have little time.”
Evelyn held the diary carefully as they left the library and headed to town. The blackness was nearly oppressive, and the sky above was a whirling mass of clouds with a developing vortex.
Evelyn felt dreadful as they reached the clearing. The area was quiet, with long, eerie shadows from the trees. But the sky above was clear, with whirling clouds parting to expose the sun’s feeble glimmer and the moon’s crescent.
“This is it,” Evelyn remarked, her voice firm despite her terror. “We must follow the journal instructions. Mistakes are unacceptable.”
Using library tools, they swiftly drew symbols on the ground. Evelyn meticulously followed the diary directions, perfecting each sign and line.
The ceremonial circle formed as the symbols dimly lit up, creating a pattern that appeared to pulse with energy. The sun and moon’s radiance intensified, uniting in the circle’s center to balance light and dark.
The earth shook as they completed the final sign, and a faint hum filled the air. The circle’s central light pulsed, brightening each second.
Is it working? Claire questioned, her voice shaking with hope and terror.
“I think so,” Evelyn murmured, staring at the shimmering circle. “But we must concentrate. Balance is key.”
As the light increased, the hum pitched up. Evelyn felt the ritual’s power link her to light and dark as the air around them crackled with electricity.
However, just as they were about to succeed, something went wrong. The circle’s center light flashed, drastically changing the equilibrium.
“No!” Evelyn shouted, her heart racing as she watched the symbols shift and the light contort to preserve equilibrium.
“We’re losing!” James screamed with fear.
Evelyn’s thoughts rushed to find out what happened. The diary contained clear procedures and symbols—everything was perfect. But the balance was shifting as darkness overcame light.
She understood it wasn’t the ceremony that needed to be corrected. It was them.
“We must focus!” Evelyn yelled amid the noise. “We’re part of the balance, too! Stay calm and concentrated, or it won’t work!”
Claire and James stared at her, scared and determined. They nodded, closed their eyes, and focused on their light like the watchtower.
Evelyn followed, feeling the rays warm her. She concentrated on warmth and balance, wanting light and dark to cohabit.
As equilibrium was restored, the central light steadied, and the symbols brightened. The earth underneath them stilled while the air hummed steadily.
The rite ended with a last light explosion. The symbols dissolved, blending into a peaceful glow in the clearing.
Everything became quiet for a time. Then, the light faded into the sky as the sun and moon returned to normal. The blackness receded as the clouds above them broke apart, revealing the warm glow of the setting sun and rising moon.
Evelyn let out a weary but relieved sigh. They carried out it. Equilibrium has been rebuilt.
Behind her, victorious but pale, James and Claire stood. They conquered darkness.
As they gazed above, Evelyn sensed this was not the end. The man in the heavens helped them recall darkness and light and strike equilibrium.
They had to maintain balance after it had been restored. Stop forgetting.
Claire said, stunned: “We did it.”
James agreed, seeming fascinated. However, we have to stop this from occurring once again.
Evelyn pointed over the horizon to the precisely balanced sun and moon. “We will,” she said, soft yet strong. We will remind the community to” maintain equilibrium. “
Evelyn turned back to the clearing where they had tried to restore balance once she came to the brink of the trees. There were light and darkness, not enemies.
When Evelyn got back to Weraithbrioke, she knew they had permanently changed the community rather than brought about balance restoration.
The End
