There was a legend, it may be a lie but I like to think it was true.
A legend that told that darkness did not always surround the lands of Astar, my mother used to tell me that many, many years ago the whole world was illuminated by the light of a star.
People lived happily and without worry where all species had their place in the world. Men who believed in science warned the world that the light of several stars was disappearing as if they had never existed, however in a world of magic these people were seen as mad. Science was not necessary because magic simplified everything that science could do.
Perhaps people should have heeded the warning, for years later a small spot, where it seemed that light could not exist, appeared in the sky, far away, but getting closer every day.
At first, people showed fear and caution; some even listened to the crazy ramblings of those who had warned the world years ago. But since the catastrophe was not instantaneous, people ended up forgetting, as if that small spot, which grew little by little every day, did not exist.
But it did exist, and when it finally arrived, it was too late. If we had done something earlier, could we have changed anything?
One day, the spot filled the entire sky, the star that illuminated our world was consumed as if it had never existed, and the world was plunged into eternal darkness. Panic was instantaneous; the fragile peace that kept all species in harmony was broken. However, they were not alone; alongside the darkness, some humanoid creatures appeared. They were brutal and brought only carnage.
When the world thought it was the end, from the heavens came a call, a god who against all odds would march into the unknown, the God of night and blood.
All his followers answered the call, all the creatures of the night now shone brighter than ever as they prepared to fight in their element; the darkness did not frighten them, the darkness was their home.
The army consisted of vampires, werewolves, and a few other creatures that followed the god. Among them went a human clan that everyone respected, whether out of fear or reverence, the Eternals.
Magic and science, for the first time in history, joined forces to find a solution while the armies of the night marched. The war was not glorious; in fact, not even the echoes of it were heard in the rest of the world; all that existed was silence. For the first time, the world knew that gods can die.
When the world was completing the project that would save everyone, what remained of the army that marched against the unknown returned; their God fell, and the Eternals with him.
On that day, the world felt the light again, not across the whole world but over a small territory that would be divided among all. A runic sun was created; as fuel, it used stones that, although rare, contained a lot of energy: Astarium.
The land was divided into three kingdoms: the kingdom of Aurora, which borders the lands of darkness; the Holy Land, which is located at the center of all lands, where all the believers of the sun god call home and the kingdom of Elenora, surrounded by the sea of blood. Besides the three kingdoms, there is the eternal forest where all other races live to escape the repression of the Holy Land.
Current Era
Darkness
No matter where I look, the only thing ahead of me is a heavy, dull, and terrifying darkness.
Barefoot, I feel something liquid but viscous with each step I take towards the unknown. I hear whispers from beyond the darkness, grunts along with chilling screams to remind me that I am not alone.
I can't say how long I've been walking, but there is no more noise, only silence.
In the middle of the silence, I begin to hear footsteps approaching me, getting closer and closer. I stop and hold my breath until I feel something in front of me, the breath of whatever creature or person it is, hits my face. Then I hear a whisper close to my ear. "Nathaniel, do you still remember? Or are you going to keep running away!"
I don't answer and remain still like a statue until the thing starts to move away. I take a deep breath and start to move forward, until I notice a light in the distance. As I approach, I see a table and a chair; on the table, a candle struggles to ward off the darkness, but almost without effect.
Taking the candle, I try to look around, but only darkness surrounds me. I use the candle to see the ground and see a red, viscous liquid enveloping my feet, blood.
Now with a little light I move forward, thankfully the light doesn't seem to attract anything unwanted. I continue until I see a kneeling body,
dressed in blood-red armor with long black hair. I approach slowly and touch the body lightly, but nothing happens. Now with more confidence I approach the body and lift its head. Pale skin and closed eyes, around 30 years old, a man.
The moment I remove my hands, the body opens its eyes, also blood red, and then grabs me and begins to whisper. "Where the light doesn't reach,the dead do not rest and the faith of Men falters, I wait for you!" says the body as it begins to decompose until nothing remains.
I look at where the body was, now empty as if it had never existed.
I take another deep breath and move forward, without looking back as if that were never an option.
The darkness begins to fade and I see a throne made of bodies, a creature with long ears, morbid white skin and coal-black eyes stares at me without moving. The bodies that make up the throne begin to tremble and heads begin to look at my gaze with blood streaming from their eyes, some familiar, others unknown, begin to scream at me.
"NATHANIEL"
"NATHANIEL"
"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE US?"
"WHY?"
"NATHANIEL, WHY DID YOU ABANDON YOUR SISTER?"
"NATHANIEL"
"WHY?"
"WHY?"
The screams echo in my mind, with great pain I put my hands to my head and close my eyes, when I open them I am back in my room. Warm light streams in through the bedroom window and hits my skin; in the end, it was all a nightmare.
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Image in the comments.