As the Sun Falls

Prologue

Shadows are a disease to the cursed. If a demon can find an unsuspecting child, they can possess their shadow until they are strong enough for the demon to consume them when the moon comes out. The moon is an enemy to the cursed. It is still not known why or how the cursed are chosen. All that is known is that they slaughter, and kill, without mercy.

This is the knowledge that Ida was raised on. Her father made it his mission to educate her on the cursed, and to keep her from becoming one of them. She was taught that wells were off limits, seeing as demons liked to hide there. Cellars and caves were forbidden, too, for the same reason.

Ida was trained by a master swordsman named Olin ever since she could talk. She was gifted a black blade at the young age of twelve, that was enchanted to be able to kill one of the cursed. It wasn't until she was fourteen that she understood the reason for her father's rules and regulations.

A festival at the town was being held. Her father had allowed Ida to go, under the condition that she take Olin with her. She had been reluctant to accept her father's request, but did so anyway.

That night at the festival, Ida experienced the first feeling of pure joy. She danced all night, and under Olin's watchful gaze, had a wonderful time at the festival. She met many other young girls. She made friends, and wished to return the next time a festival was held.

One girl she met in particular was named Tallie. She was older than the rest of the girls, but she was kind. Tallie had made sure to include Ida in the dances, though she barely knew any of them. Ida quickly began to like her.

"I think the Duke should let you come into town more often," Tallie had said. "He shouldn't worry as much as he does."

"I wish he would believe that he didn't have to worry," Ida pouted, ceasing dancing and stepping aside for a moment. "But he believes it's much too dangerous."

"I thought you said that you've been trained. Can't you fight off any danger that presents itself to you?"

"I think so," Ida confirmed, still slightly disheartened by the reminder of her father's stubbornness. "I know how to fight pretty well, but my father doesn't think I'm ready. I don't presume he ever will."

"Well, I suppose it doesn't help to think about it too much, my lady. This is a night to forget about your worries! Your father has allowed you to come out here tonight. I suppose we should be grateful for that!"

"You're right, Tallie," agreed Ida. "My father has allowed me one night of happiness. Perhaps there are many more to come!"

"Perhaps!" Tallie had shouted.

Ida stopped for a moment, still holding onto Tallie's hand. She rubbed a finger over the girl's ring, admiring its craftsmanship.

"This ring is almost as magnificent as one of mine. Where did you get it?" Ida asked, her eyes glued to the beautiful emerald gem sitting on the girl's finger.

Tallie smiled and slowly pulled her hand away, admiring the ring for herself. "It was my mother's. Her family had been very wealthy when she was young, but when she married my father, she was thrown out. This was all that was left of her life."

"She sounds brave," Ida said, her eyes now focused on Tallie, her first friend. "It makes me wish I knew my mother."

"Oh," Tallie said sadly. "Is she...passed on?"

"Yes," Ida answered. "A demon killed her."

Tallie went silent, and then grabbed Ida's other hand. "I'm sorry, my lady," she whispered, her tone full of worry and sadness.

Ida forced a smile and shook herself, laughing it off. She squeezed Tallie's hand and blinked away the tears threatening to pour from her eyes. Then, she rushed back into the circle of dancer, Tallie following close behind her.

Ida began to slowly forget about her life in the manor, and the tragedy of losing her mother. She had been held there like a prisoner for her whole life, and now she was dancing at a festival in a nearby town. It was more than she could have ever hoped for and dreamed of.

Then the sun fell. The festival continued, and Ida couldn't stop dancing. She laughed, and laughed until her voice gave out. Her feet ached with each step, and after a while, Ida realized this, and left the circle once again.

Looking for some place to rest, she found a place behind one of the houses. She leaned against the wall and took a few deep breaths, a smile still on her lips.

Then, in the distance, she saw a dark figure. It was familiar to Ida, so the girl stepped closer to it. She noticed the long hair on the girl, and the shining ring on her finger. It was Tallie.

"Tallie!" Ida yelled, moving from her spot against the house. She began to walk to her friend, but then stopped suddenly.

Tallie's head was down, her hair falling over her face. She hadn't said anything, and as Ida got closer, she noticed her long nails, and her slimmer figure.

Before Ida could process what she saw, the girl Tallie looked up, her eyes glowing a bright and venomess green. She growled, and launched herself at Ida. Ida jumped out of the way, barely dodging the girl's nails.

"Tallie!" Ida shouted, this time her voice much more urgent and frightened. Tallie continued to attack, going for Ida's legs and throat.

"Olin!" Ida screamed as she pinned Tallie to the ground. Her friend continued thrashing, biting and scratching.

In moments, Olin was there. Without a moment's hesitation, he drove his black blade through Tallie's chest. She gasped, and began to shake uncontrollably. After more thrashing, she fell to the ground, the shadow leaking off of her like black paint. It faded away, until only her body was left.

Ida collapsed next to the shriveled corpse of her friend. Ida wanted to touch her, but was afraid. Even though she knew that the demon was dead, considering they can only ever inhabit one host, Ida still stayed a few inches away.

Olin kneeled beside his apprentice, putting a hand on her shoulder. Ida turned towards him and buried her face into his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. For the first time, she had made a friend.

And then, that friend was dead.

Olin stayed beside Ida until her tears dried. They both stood, but Ida found it hard to stand. She began to wobble, and so Olin picked her up and carried her back towards the town square.

Ida had never been faced with what her father had warned her about for her entire childhood. The cursed were always stories, never reality. Then, she watched one die. She watched a friend turn into a monster, determined to kill her.

Olin took her back to the palace. Her father became even more paranoid than he had been before, and he locked her in her room for the rest of the night.

Ida watched the festival disperse from her bedroom window. Her eyes drifted to the bright moon hanging in the starlit sky. She understood. She understood everything. The demons were a plague, and those that they infected were dangerous, even life threatening.