A colossal, ominous cloud loomed above Duka village. A foreboding presence that sent shivers down the spines of its inhabitants. Flashes of lightning danced within its depths, and its eerie hum filled the air as it slowly descended upon the village. Panic seized the villagers, who scurried into the safety of their huts. Darkness descended upon the entire village, despite it being well past midday, as the cloud settled over the communal playfield.
Inside his hut, the village chief cowered in silence with his wife and three children. However, his sense of duty eventually overcame his fear, and he ventured outside to investigate the strange phenomenon, despite his family’s protests. The village was shrouded in an eerie hush as he made his way to the playfield, with curious eyes peeking through their hut’s windows.
Arriving at the playfield, the chief stood at a cautious distance from the colossal cloud, unsure of his next move. His mind raced for a plan, but he found himself overwhelmed by the magnitude of the situation. In a sudden, heart-stopping moment, a small section of the cloud began to part. Fear gripped him, and he instinctively wanted to flee, yet his legs refused to obey.
Two humanoid figures emerged from the cloud, walking in perfect synchrony. Clad in kilts and coats fashioned from what appeared to be animal hide and adorned with peculiar creature-shaped necklaces, they wielded staffs in their right hands and shields in their left. Thick, black hair cascaded from their heads, and their bodies exuded strength and vitality. Their eyes, obscured by swirling, circular flames, held an otherworldly allure. Their feet seemed to meld with the cloud’s surface, adding to their ethereal presence.
Identifying themselves as messengers from the gods, they spoke in deep, echoing voices, each word accompanied by a small flame that flickered from their mouths. They instructed the chief to gather all the villagers for an important message, warning of dire consequences for those who refused to attend. Reluctantly, the chief returned to the huts, instructing his fellow villagers to assemble at the playfield. Fear and trepidation spread through the community as they reluctantly complied.
With the entire village gathered, the messengers began to speak in unison, as though their words had been rehearsed for millennia. They conveyed the gods’ wrath at the villagers’ waywardness, listing their sins and emphasizing the need for human sacrifice to appease the divine anger. Those willing to sacrifice themselves were called upon to step forward, and the messengers made it clear that without enough volunteers, the entire village would be consumed by a devastating fire.
Intrigued and fearful, the villagers exchanged puzzled glances. Then, an elderly woman took a determined step towards the portal created by the messenger’s staff. Her family tried to dissuade her, but she pressed on, pausing at the threshold to wave at her loved ones before disappearing into the darkness. A spine-chilling scream pierced the air, followed by an eerie silence, as if she had been swallowed by an abyss. Panic and sorrow engulfed the villagers as they watched in horror.
The messengers remained impassive, their expressions unchanged. Eventually, the chief, along with his wife and children, walked toward the portal, attempting to persuade others to stay back. Yet, they too entered willingly. Soon, more villagers followed suit, and in the chaos, families were torn apart.
After a quarter of the villagers had entered the portal, no one else moved. The messengers inquired again, but there was no response. A few more brave souls ventured in before the messengers closed the portal with a mere raise of a staff-bearing hand. The messengers commended those who chose selflessness and sacrifice, sparing them as the righteous. They announced their intention to establish a new village founded on principles of humanity and virtue.
In the blink of an eye, panic spread among the remaining villagers, and they rushed toward the portal, desperate to gain entry. Yet, an invisible force repelled their efforts. Desperation and hopelessness overwhelmed them as the messengers now turned away, entered the cloud portal from whence they came. The portal was sealed shut, and the dark cloud ascended into the sky.
The villagers left behind watched in despair as a colossal fireball erupted from beneath the cloud, consuming them in a blaze of unforgiving fury.
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