The Light is born yet again
This is the 39 times joining @flashfictionfridayofficial ! Thanks for the interesting prompt. It’s been quite hard to concentrating on writing these days due to the situation we are facing. But managed to write this one.
Have you ever been to the deepest of the Verdigris Forest? And heard the song which is resembling the wind travelling between the ancient trees? It is unpredictable, brutal, yet so beautiful that even the one with the coldest heart cannot hold back tears. But alas, nobody outside of the sacred Verdigris Forest can sing it now. The song has been passed from generation to generation. People say that it was born in the First Void, before the world came into shape. The song is like an amber, keeping all screams, whispers and crises from the beginning of the world. It’s a prayer, you see? The desperate prayer of thousands of voiceless souls.
And we need this song. We must sing it so that we can revive its very spirit. Only then can we retrieve the light to the world.
Emet has heard this so many times. So as their parents and grandparents.
Emet glances at the capital beneath their feet - lanterns of thousands of colours adorn every single street, and in the middle is the great castle standing like a graceful queen dressed in a shining garment.
The world lost light and day many, many years ago. This view has not changed for several centuries. It could have been depressing at the beginning, yet, Emet’s ancestors managed to build a city like a flower blooming in the dark, flourishing in the lightless world.
Emet smiles at the feast of lights and colours and turns their back.
Now, they have to make the way to the Verdigris Forest along with other mages gathered from every corner of the world.
Indeed, the world lost light - but the legend says that it will return after two thousands years. Something called ‘season,’ which is unfamiliar to all of them will return, too. And there will be spring…
Emet read the ancient book describing ‘spring’ countless times. But, they cannot imagine anything like that - ‘spring,’ whose brightness can easily surpass that of the castle. ‘Spring,’ whose warmth can melt the thick ice walls. There is no doubt that ‘spring’ and ‘season’ existed in the past, as it was written by the hands of people who witnessed it two thousands years ago.
And today, Emet is going to witness the return of light. Or maybe not. It has been whispered among the mages that everything written in the ancient books could be just an illusion. Needless to say, many folks in the city do not take it seriously, believing that it is just a fairy-tale, beautiful yet unreal. Emet pulls down their hood and keeps walking in silence. True or not, they have to be there. If the old legend is true, the mages must control the light so that it won’t devour the entire world in a blink of an eye. It can be harmful for everyone as none of them has ever experienced something so intensely bright. It can damage the trees and other creatures, too. Yet, what will happen if nothing changes? Emet has dedicated their entire life, re-constructing and reviving the ancient song. Was it just a vain effort, a meaningless attempt? Either way, Emet is ready to face whatever comes next.
Emet and other mages reach the deepest part of the forest, then proceed into the hidden cave. Emet feels chilly air stinging their face and bare hands. In the heavy, lifeless darkness, the archmage’s torch is the only thing guiding them. Eventually the archmage extinguishes the torch, as strange light begins to fill the area.
There, in the middle of the crystal lake, is a huge iridescent bubble. And inside was a silver cocoon, moving subtly.
Izana, the archmage slowly raises her slender arm. Then, she starts chanting an enchanting melody. It spreads among the mages, calmly at first, eventually gaining more power. As the song fills the entire cold cave, the cocoon in the bubble begins to crack.
Suddenly, the crystal bubble shakes violently.
Emet finds themselves in the shower of silver lights that they have never seen. It is so strong, so pure, and painful. In the blinding light, Emet nearly loses their balance, but a strong arm of Izana catches them.
‘Now, calmer, everyone! We must tone down the song otherwise we give the Light too much energy!’
Izana’s clear voice pierces through the roars and echoes.
Emet opens their eyes slowly - the first thing they see is Izana, kneeling next to them, still singing.
Then… a marvellous dragon with shimmering wings sitting in the middle of the shards of crystal. Gentle shower of rainbows fills the cave, and Emet feels the sensation they’ve never experienced - maybe it is the thing called ‘warmth.’ Izana gently looks at Emet, urging them to join the chorus of tender lullaby.
After hundreds and thousands of dark nights, the Light is born yet again.
@flashfictionfridayofficial
