The Fallen Night

The calm before Storm

It was a typical day in the bustling city of Luminara. Students filed into the grand academy, chatting excitedly about their plans for the weekend. Steren, a spirited young girl, hurried through the ornate archways, her long auburn hair bouncing as she rushed to her first class.

"Hey, Steren! Wait up!" called her best friend Gale, a talented young swordsman. He fell into step beside her, flashing her a bright smile.

"Did you finish the assignment for Professor Adara's class?" Steren asked, slightly out of breath.

Gale grimaced. "Ugh, no, I was up late training with my father. You know how he is." He shook his head ruefully.

Steren giggled. "Well, lucky for you, I took extra notes. I'll make sure you copy them before class."

"You're the best, Steren," Gale said, bumping her shoulder affectionately.

The two friends continued chatting as they made their way to their first period, blissfully unaware of the impending disaster that would soon rock their world.

The school day passed in a blur of lectures, sparring sessions, and rushed lunches. By the time the final bell rang, Steren was more than ready to head home and relax. She and Gale parted ways, promising to meet up later for dinner.

As Steren strolled through the bustling city streets, she couldn't help but admire the beauty of Luminara. The towering spires of the academy gleamed in the fading sunlight, and the fountains in the central square sparkled. A soft breeze carried the scent of freshly baked bread from the local bakery.

Just as Steren was about to turn the corner to her family's modest home, a sudden commotion caught her attention. People were rushing through the streets, their faces etched with panic.

"What's going on?" Steren asked a frantic-looking woman.

"The moon! It's shattered!" the woman cried, before hurrying on.

Steren's blood ran cold. The moon was the very foundation of their world - if it was broken, everything they knew could be in jeopardy. Without a moment's hesitation, she raced home, her heart pounding.

"Mother! Father!" she called, bursting through the door. "Have you heard the news?"

Her parents, faces ashen, nodded solemnly. "Yes, my dear," her father said, pulling her into a tight embrace. "The world as we know it may be coming to an end."

Steren felt a knot of fear form in the pit of her stomach. Whatever was to come, she knew her life would never be the same.