The calm before
An aura of seriousness pervaded the skies as they turned from azure to dusk over Veridia, a kingdom rich in legend and history. The very land seemed to recall the legends of the ancestors—stories of majesty and judgment, of magic once danced as freely as the wind—stories of grandeur and reckoning.
A force known as magic once shone brightly over the country, shaping destiny and illuminating it with wonders beyond all comprehension. But "The Calamity," an incident, tore that period of enchantment apart.
Every stone bore the echoes of that tragic day, which continued to reverberate throughout the region. Everyone anticipated the occurrence of this event, which was foretold in whispered talks and hidden prophecies. The residents of the village exchanged dreams and worries for a future that seemed both certain and unknowable in whispered conversations.
The kingdom had endured years of awaiting a day which was both feared and curiously desired, living in a pall of expectation. People would assemble around hearths to share the stories of The Calamity that had been passed down to them by their ancestors. These stories described the world being eternally altered, with the ground convulsing in symphonic tremors and the skies pouring with color.
The remembrance of the past continued to hang over the communal psyche as the generations advanced. The land had recovered from The Calamity's wounds, the magicians who had formerly used their incantations to influence reality had disappeared, and magic itself had mostly reduced to whispered lore.
However, those in Veridia couldn't avoid the approaching shadow of fate as the horizon blackened with the promise of another dawn. A young orphan named Eira found herself pulled to the old scrolls that spoke of a destiny she couldn't ignore in the midst of the kingdom's heart throbbing with the weight of what was to come
The orphanage, an oasis tucked away on the outer edge of a tranquil village, was built around Eira's days. She stood out among the other kids like a flare of flame in the darkness with her wild mop of auburn hair and eyes that conveyed the spark of insatiable curiosity.
Within the confines of the orphanage, there was a mix of friendship and work, joy and longing. The fire's stories of heroes and villains, magic and mayhem, and other tales were some of Eira's first memories. But among the strange tales, one story—the tale of The Calamity—held an odd attraction.
She frequently made secret visits to the town library, a space full of stale books and lost scrolls that mumbled long-forgotten secrets. The words on those old books were traced by Eira's fingertips like they were the secrets to otherworldly mysteries. She first encountered the phrases that would lead her down a road she could hardly have imagined there.
The book was worn under the touch of numerous readers who had read it before her. It was ancient and faded. Her pulse accelerated as she read through its pages because they included the lines that described The Calamity, a time that the earth would tremble and the skies would weep. Eira's passion developed into an obsession with learning about the foundations of herself.
Eira's mind was filled with inquiries as the sun fell below the horizon, bathing the library in shades of blue and gold. What was the catastrophe's cause? Why did it dwell in every part of Veridia like a ghost? And for her, a foster child with a fervent desire to be a part of something bigger than herself, what did it mean?
In the faint light of that library, Eira vowed in silence to find the truth concealed in those old books, a truth that would provide explanations for both The Calamity and her own position in this world. Unbeknownst to her, the echoes of the past were soon to follow her, leading her to a fate she could never have imagined.
Eira's unwavering quest for information brought her to a startling discovery on a clear fall afternoon as leaves covered the ground with hues of gold. She was drawn to the library's shelves as if she were being led to a book that had been waiting patiently for her touch.
Eira's fingers brushed against a leather-bound book that had the wear of time amid volumes whose names alluded to lost myths and mysterious spells. When she saw the words "Prophecies of Old: Visions of a Shifting World" inscribed on the cover, her heart began to accelerate as she lifted the book from its resting place.
As she unsealed the book, Eira's hands shook with a mix of excitement and apprehension. The parchment and ink on the pages murmured long-buried secrets. She discovered herself engrossed in the visions of seers who had seen a glimpse of a future laced with strands of uncertainty and fate within the book's pages.
The prophecy that seemed to reflect the dreams that had connected her with the others was there, among the verses and puzzles, that Eira discovered. Each line of the lyrics resonated with an eerie familiarity that burned them into her head like fire and sent chills up her spine.
"The day of reckoning is drawing near, a day that is both dreaded and prophesied, when the earth will tremble and the skies will weep, an ancient narrative will be revealed.
Five souls, bound by dreams and intertwined in destiny, will serve as time's keepers where magic and fate met.
As Eira read the words repeatedly, her heart rate increased as the prophecy's weight covered her like a mantle. She kept hearing the phrase "five souls" in her head, the five dreamers who had gathered together, each bringing their own gifts and secrets.
She put the book down, her thoughts racing with inquiries that pleaded to be addressed. Unavoidable parallels existed between the prophecy and their shared dreams, and Veridia itself appeared to be holding its breath in anticipation of the words on those pages coming true.
Eira's trip had only just begun as she was clutching the old prophecy. She had no idea that the road ahead would be paved with hardships, revelations, and a decision that would determine Veridia's future in and of itself.
With the old prophecy gripped to her chest like a prized possession and a heart full of eagerness, Eira crept back into the orphanage. The last of the sun's rays bathed the sky in golden tones and danced lengthy shadows on the walls.
Aunty Sally and Mama Dale, as Eira referred to her fondly, were there to welcome her as if on cue. Aunty Sally saw her little charge and noticed that Eira's face had the telltale marks of an adventure. Mama Dale, the calmer and elder of the two, interrupted her as she was ready to ask a question with a knowing glance.
Hey, Eira, from whence are you returning? Aunty Sally asked a question after becoming overly curious.
Aunty Sally received a subtle indication to put the situation to rest from Mama Dale's kind hand resting on her arm. She muttered, "Don't worry about it, you know how she is. Her compass is curiosity.
Aunty Sally huffed, evidently perplexed but prepared to absolve Eira for the time being. She's a rather obstinate person, isn't she? What is she up to, exactly?
Mama Dale smiled softly, her eyes reflecting a mix of love and concern. She finds the stories told by the wind and the unspoken words to be fascinating. Wait you mean The legends of antiquity, "Konujar," also referred to as "The Calamity." Aunty sally replied
Mama Dale's comments were met with a silence as if even the walls could hear them. She glanced towards Aunt sally, who appeared to be deep in contemplation. What? She supposedly believes in magic and such? Aunty Sally spoke with a tone of skepticism.
You don't believe. Mama dale asks. Why would I believe in something that's not logically possible. What now you gonna tell me that unicorn are real and they poop world peace
Mama Dale's smile was beguiling. "Eira thinks that there may be possibilities for things that go beyond what we can see and what we have been told. And occasionally, Aunty, those who have the greatest faith in the unseen are the ones who see the most.
Aunty Sally sneered, evidently unpersuaded, yet there was a glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes. Mama Dale's laughter resounded softly as they.
As she started to leave with Aunty Sally in tow,
Sofia's voice broke the stillness of the room, causing Eira's feet to stop mid-step. With her shoes in hand, she cautiously turned to face her roommates as her heart began to rush. They were all awake and aware and staring at her in the soft glimmer of the room's light, she observed.
Sofia said, a tinge of worry in her voice, "If you keep creeping through and out like this, they're going to send you to the outhouse."
Eira blushed from a combination of remorse and shock. She had considered herself to be discreet, but it seems that her covert nighttime escapades had been discovered. She carried her shoes to her bed and laid them down with a dejected sigh.
The group's youngest member, Isabella, who is also maybe its cutest member, was unable to control her curiosity. With her eyes wide with awe, she inquired, "Where are you coming from?"
"Did you see any monsters?" chimed in Narah, who was the one who always saw adventure in everything. Her expression was one of sincere worry for her friend.
Sofia, who was among them and the voice of reason, interjected, "Seriously, Eira. We're here to help. You can't just enter and exit the orphanage covertly as you like. I don't think we can survive if something happens to you.
Knowing that her pals were concerned about her, Eira grinned slyly at them. She retorted in a humorous tone, "Don't worry, fellas. I'll sneak out with you guys the next time. It was obviously intended as a joke as she winked.
Her roommates looked at each other with a mixture of irritated and warm smiles. They were familiar with Eira's adventurous nature and fearless spirit. Most importantly, they understood that she had a golden heart below all of her bluster.
With her eyes concentrated on the book that had suddenly materialized in her hand, Eira climbed into her bunk. She experienced a shiver of excitement as well as dread in the dimly illuminated space. What spell did these pages contain? How did she get it in her possession?
Her roommates hurried to her side, showing concern in their features, as she leaped down from her bunk in shock. The one who frequently found humor in everything was Narah, who spoke first. She asked, a smile tugging at her lips, "What's wrong?"
With her voice quivering in a strange mix of dread and wonder, Eira surveyed their faces. She asked, "Wait, did you guys see me come in here with a book?"
Sofia responded, "Yeah, I saw you standing at the doorway with a book," being as practical and astute as she is. just as you always do.
Eira's eyes grew wide. "Never! Never! You folks just don't get it. This book evaded my attention. I only glanced at it in the library, skimmed a few pages, then put it away. It is currently on my bed. As she said, her voice shook.
Narah couldn't help but make fun of the circumstance. She grinned jokingly and added, "Well, I guess you found the magic you've been looking for."
The group's youngest and most innocent member, Isabella, raised an innocent gaze at Eira. She laughed and replied, "You're insane, Eira.
Eira made the decision to put the book on hold for the time being and tucked it under her pillow. By alone, Sofia turned out the lights and said good night to everyone.
The girls made themselves comfortable in their beds and prepared to drift off to sleep as the room fell silent. But after a while, Narah, who was always restless, again turned on the lights. Guys, I can't sleep," she said with a frustrated tone in her voice.
As Sofia awoke from her slumber, she sighed in frustration since she detested sleeping with the lights on. She questioned, "Now what do you want?"
Narah appeared bashful. She asked, "Can you tell me a story?"
Sofia responded, "I don't know if I have a story to tell," sounding unenthusiastic about the notion. Just count the sheep, then retire to bed. She then turned the light out once more.
But counting sheep didn't bring any comfort to Narah. She turned the lights back on, "But I can't count sheep," she said.
Sofia softly screamed in frustration. "Ahhh!" She looked to Isabella and Eira for assistance.
Please tell her a story, Isabella begged Eira as her innocent eyes glistened in her direction.
Isabella's puppy-dog eyes and round face were too much for Eira to resist. She gave in and said, "Okay, fine. I'll just tell you guys one story, and after that, it's time to go back to bed. Narah and Isabella joined in the chorus of enthusiastic cheers for her.
Sofia asked as Eira started her story. She jumped in, "Guys, can you do this with the lights off?"
Isabella gently reprimanded her, and Eira carried on, spinning a narrative of a town during a time when magic was all they had. Eira's remarks transported the space into the regions of fantasy, temporarily erasing the problems of the waking world in the warm glow of the room's light.
Eira was once more dragged into a vision similar to the ones that had been troubling her lately while they conversed at the dinner table. The same enigmatic book she had hidden beneath her pillow was in her hand this time. The book was attempted to be taken from her by a hand, but she clung to it with an unexplainable power.
Eira noticed herself nearing a distant individual in her dream. It was as if she had no influence over her own motions, which shocked her. Her legs propelled her towards the direction of the object, which was revealed to be a woman. They proceeded deeper into the forested area as the lady took Eira's hand and held it lovingly.