24

The chief's hand trembled on the windowsill as he gazed at the vast, unknowing sky. Fear gnawed at him, twisting his insides. He had sworn an oath to keep this knowledge buried, hidden away from the world. But tonight, with the weight of his own experiences and those of his guests pressing down on him, he was forced to break his vow. What he had always considered blasphemous was, in fact, the chilling truth. What he had dismissed as myth, a mere story whispered in the dark, was now painfully real. He understood, finally, why his ancestors, the chiefs before him, had entrusted this knowledge only to him. The world wasn't ready for its end, and he doubted it ever would be.

"What I am about to tell you," he began, his voice low and heavy, "is forbidden knowledge."

He could feel Rezak shifting uncomfortably on the stool, his brow furrowed. But it was Sera's gaze, burning into his back, that sent shivers down his spine.

"When The Creator was weakened," he continued, his voice barely a whisper, "His Sons and Daughters forged an elemental circle, binding it to him. It was their final attempt to tap into the power of Destruction. The Creator, broken but still immensely powerful, managed to escape their grasp and vanish. Yet, the corruption remained."

"The circlet changed metals when I was talking to him," Rezak interjected, his voice tight. "Like it reflected his mood."

The chief turned, his gaze flickering between Rezak and Sera, who silently nodded in agreement.

"It wasn't reflecting his mood," the chief clarified. "Each metal resonated with his emotions, for it is desire that fuels Destruction."

Rezak's eyes narrowed. "So, the metal was… fighting back against his power?"

The chief, impressed by Rezak's deduction, offered a hesitant nod. "When The Creator disappeared, Destruction had already seeped into the hearts of his Sons and Daughters. But they were more evolved than their predecessor, and so they pleaded with Time to intervene. Though reluctant, Time, bound by duty, agreed to lull them into a slumber, effectively halting the spread of Destruction."

Rezak opened his mouth to ask a question, then thought better of it, dismissing it as nonsense. As if reading his mind, the chief answered, "The Creator made his Sons and Daughters in his own image. With the power of Creation came a sliver of Destruction, passed down through their lineage. One text written by my great-great-grandfather posits that it was this inherent Destruction that ultimately led the Sons and Daughters to rebel against The Creator. But my father… he believed the reason ran deeper than that." He paused, catching himself. "Forgive me, I sometimes forget that not everyone shares my fascination with such… theological matters."

This time, Rezak couldn't hold back. "Why did they need to sleep?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine curiosity.

"They knew they could never truly kill The Creator," the chief explained, his voice heavy with the weight of ages. "Their powers were bound to his, and his to the Divine. Time, while neutral, possessed an unparalleled power of her own. And if they remained awake, the Destruction within them would consume them whole."

Rezak seemed to accept this explanation, nodding slowly.

But Sera's voice, sharp and focused, cut through the silence. "The red moon and the starless sky?" she queried, her gaze never leaving the chief.

"It is said that when Time began her lullaby," the chief began, his voice taking on a somber tone, "she made a declaration, knowing she could not keep them asleep forever. One day, she too would age, her song would fade, and The Creator would rise again, unleashing his vengeance upon the world. This prophecy, witnessed by our ancestors, was eventually deemed blasphemous and buried deep within our lore."

"When the sky will bleed and the moon will rise crimson," Rezak murmured, recalling the chilling words verbatim. "Sleep my dear one, for The Creator is dead, and the end is about to come."

"I confess, I'm still grappling with this," Rezak admitted, his brow furrowed in confusion. "If the red moon and the starless sky mark The Creator's return, then why are we still here? And if it's his omen, why did Sera see it?"

Rezak's questions were astute. The chief, burdened by knowledge he barely understood, pondered them deeply. Creation and Destruction, passed down from the Divine to The Creator, then to his Sons and Daughters, who became their gods and goddesses. And then, humanity, created in their image, wielding their borrowed power to create and destroy, often unknowingly. A wry smile touched the chief's lips. It was both amusing and terrifying how humans…

A sudden jolt ran through the chief, connecting the dots in his mind like lightning sparking a forgotten memory. His eyes widened, and he blurted out, "The Creator is not whole! His destruction is not complete!"

Rezak scratched his beard, bewildered. "What does that mean?"

Sera's voice, hollow and heavy, filled the room. "He shared his power with me. He wants me to be the instrument of his final destruction."

A stunned silence descended upon the hut. The revelation hung in the air, thick and suffocating. Rezak's face paled, and a tremor ran through his hands. Sera clutched her daughter closer, the warmth of the sleeping child a stark contrast to the chilling truth they now faced.

"But… why you?" Rezak finally managed to ask, his voice barely above a whisper.

The chief shook his head, confusion battling with fear in his eyes. "I don't know. Perhaps because you saw the vision, a connection formed… or maybe The Creator sensed your desperation, your willingness to do anything to protect your family. He is a master manipulator, after all."

He turned to Sera, his gaze filled with a mixture of sympathy and dread. "But why, Sera? Why would you…"

She cut him off, her voice steely with resolve. "I did it to save us. I thought… I don't know what I thought. I was desperate, blinded by fear. But no more. I won't be his pawn."

Determination flickered in her eyes, but beneath it simmered a tremor of uncertainty. The weight of her actions, the potential consequences, threatened to overwhelm her.

Rezak, sensing her struggle, squeezed her hand. "We'll face this together," he said, his voice firm despite the fear gnawing at him. "Whatever comes, we'll face it as a family."

A fragile hope bloomed in the oppressive atmosphere. The chief, relieved to see their strength, offered them a small smile. "We need a plan," he said, his voice regaining its authority. "The red moon may not be upon us yet, but time is no longer a luxury. We must understand why you saw the vision, Sera. It may hold the key to stopping The Creator's return."