The night air grew frigid, a sudden chill that permeated the atmosphere. A blanket of black clouds engulfed the once-illuminated sky, shrouding the world in an eerie darkness. The slow, deliberate steps of weary individuals echoed through the desolate streets, burdened by an unseen force, a weighty energy that made it impossible to see beyond a few paces. Raindrops cascaded down, adding a melancholic rhythm to the faces of those who had just concluded their day’s toil.
In the fading light, as people sought solace in the sanctuary of their homes, an unexpected phenomenon began to unfold. Creatures, unimaginable and otherworldly, descended from the heavens above. It was as if colossal stones were hurtling through the void, penetrating the very fabric of reality. Each creature made contact with the ground, leaving behind a trail of destruction, their impact craters marring the once-familiar sidewalks around the world.
These creatures, now revealed in their true form, stood an imposing seven feet tall, their alien structures impervious to all manner of conventional weaponry. Bombs had proven futile against them, leaving humanity with no viable options for defense. Only a scant few remained, a collective known as the Marauders, the survivors of this decaying world. Once, life had been defined by economic oppression, a system that traded sustenance for labor, but now the creatures stalked relentlessly, intent on obliterating every last vestige of human existence.
Gil, a scientist among the Marauders, had dedicated decades to finding a means to penetrate the creatures’ impenetrable skin. Countless attempts had yielded no results until now.
“I’ve made a breakthrough,” Gil declared, extending a hand in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“In my curiosity, I pondered how Alexander the Great would have confronted these creatures had he been in my position. Then, a possibility emerged—a certain spectrum of light might possess the capability to pass through the creatures’ defenses. I’ve since devised a team that has been tracking the creatures for months.”
“Hundreds of hours of experimentation led to the discovery of a laser beam that can disrupt the particles comprising the creatures’ skin. However, the real marvel lies in the artifact I’ve invented—a sword adorned with precisely positioned mirrors at its hilt, delicate yet formidable. This design allows for the militarization of the light spectrum I discovered.”
“Allow me to demonstrate.”
With a subtle twist, the lasers embedded within the sword emitted a sinister black glow, gradually engulfing the entire blade. It became a sword of obsidian flames, emanating a trail of smoke as it sliced through the air. Gil deftly wielded the weapon, moving it with a fluidity that left onlookers awestruck.
“There are still a few adjustments to be made,” he stated before extinguishing the blade. “Auralia the Burning Star is now ready for testing.”
That day felt surreal, like stepping into a realm beyond reality itself. I ventured out onto an open field, surrounded by the touch of vegetation on either side, anticipation coursing through my veins. I knew that one of those relentless creatures would come, charging at me like an enraged bull, seeking to fulfill its purpose of exterminating humanity.
And there it was—a creature hurtling towards me with ferocious intent. I stood my ground, unyielding, clutching the blazing sword in my hands. Activating the mechanism, the black light coursed through the intricate arrangement of mirrors, its vibrations reverberating through my hand. I felt empowered, invincible in the face of the creature’s impending assault.
The creature lunged, propelled by its relentless fury, and with a single swing of the blazing sword, I witnessed its form cleave in two. Even dismembered, the creature persisted in its mission to erase my existence. Undeterred, I approached it, drawing nearer, and with another mighty stroke, I severed its head.
Thus, the prologue of our story unfolded—a prelude to the grand adventure that lay ahead, a quest to reclaim our ravaged planet from the clutches of destruction.
Wow! I enjoyed this read.