Darkening Dread

Prologue

The dry wind of summer swept over the barely grassy field, occasionally shaking stalks as wild animals slithered through the green terrain. As the sun drifted along the clear sky, a sudden rumbling made all noise still. No longer did the crickets chirp. No longer did the birds sing their merry tunes. No longer did the grass tremble. 

Not a single sound was made.

Then came the darkness with a deafening roar.

Wild animals ran away blindly, fear dancing through each and every one. It was so overpowering that many of them ran till they perished from exhaustion, and those that did stop had starved or been eaten by predators.

The apex predators soon followed after having no food to succumb to in their time of need. Leaving other creatures of origin to rise.. shadows spread quickly around the world, sparing no mercy to living creatures at all.

This was the last time, humankind bathed in light.

The last time.

They ruled the world.

The last time.

They were the leaders.

Humans shied away to the corners of the world, the very center a death wish to anybody who steps near it as the creature who brought the darkness nestled in the raging storm, attacking any living thing in its path.

The world wasn't always in darkness, though whatever light was produced was nothing compared to the former sun. Centuries passed as humans slowly forgot their culture, Earth was forgotten, causing another name to arise, Herkliet, in favor of the brave hero who died trying to slay the beast, and the Moon, Celia, in favor of Herkliet's wife who was slain along with him.

Overtime the humans forgot their civilized way, no longer did they need jobs, buildings or etcetera. They needed protection. Three important roles were created, all humans needing to have one, children and elders alike.

The first were the Emryds, they were the first to be formed as they brought up the suggestion. They learnt witchcraft and magical spells to help the weak and in need.

Second were the Kiarlus, archers, they protected their villages with bows of grace and arrows of death, they are the protectors of all people they know and love.

Lastly, the Miarkls, they foster all who are sick and injured with care and dignity, they do not stay in one place as they are very few, and in order to help all villages they must keep rotating.

Now, for those who do not have any of these roles you wonder? They are pushed aside by society, unless they train themselves to fit in with any of these roles. And those who do not..

Are punished to fend for themselves, alone in the darkness.