章 11: Judgement Day [P1]
The azure dawn, that's what we called it. What we, the Eruba perceive as the beginning of existence.
With a brilliant flash of azure light, the world came to be. We had been given life, our existence confirmed by our own thoughts.
Countless of our people were born fully grown at the same time on this beautiful lush world we call Telos, named by the first king Orion.
The first people already had basic knowledge ingrained into their brains. Language, free thought, knowledge on how to hunt for food, how to build shelter and how to form communities and even treat the sick and injured.
Along with the newly gained knowledge was single message which resounded in the minds of all who came and their children 3 generations after. "Live in bliss my creations for on the first day of the 3000th year exactly, on the 12th hour, the test will begin for the chosen who will ascend, the rest shall perish."
This is the creation myth recorded in the holy book "Erubus" written by the 1st pope, Orion's son Orpheus. An ancient text held in the deepest vaults of the azure god church, a religion which was founded after Orion's death.
As it has been confirmed by many archaeologists, evidence suggests that the Eruba didn't exist 2999 years ago and that has been a major point of contention over the years. Most scholars would rather blame aliens than some mythical godlike figure thus the influence of the azure god church has waned.
Of course over the years, there have been many skeptics doubting the origin of the Eruba even before the archeological findings and that has caused far too many holy wars in response but times have changed.
Science and logic are now rampant in Eruba society, no longer do the churches hold sway over our lives like they did in the past.
We've already colonized our moon and the nearby planet, Mudala. We have amazing technological achievements, grand cities that stretch for thousands of miles and buildings higher than the tallest mountains.
But.. it's only days away from the fated 3000th year. Will this truly be the end of us all as is said? Riots have exploded all across Telos and chaos is prevalent.
Many have already died and the rich have already fled the planet for Mudala. Governments have come crashing down and all it would take for an all out world war is a mere spark.
I truly hope this isn't the end of days but if it is.. Orion save us all.
President of the Allied States, Morteus Willard, 12.28.2999
........
//On planet Telos, 7th continent~//
Away from the bustling cities there lay a small town surrounded by farms that quietly nestled in the shadow of a tall mountain.
Standing at the edge of a field which was full of harvestable crop, a man stood quietly. He was tall, around 30 years old, had brown tanned skin, rugged features, black hair, oak colored eyes and a formidable physique.
Grim sighed dispiritedly. "With the recent riots and fanatics causing terror, the route to the city has been cut off. I'm never gonna sell the crop in time.. "
*crack!* *puff!* *boom!*
To the side of the crop, beyond a wooden fence was a dirt road. A loud sound was coming from down the old road that sounded like a vehicle on it's last legs.
Grim turned his head towards and saw an old rusty truck coming, black smoke spurting from it's rear muffler.
It stopped by the side of Grim's field and a head popped out of the window.
It was a middle aged man around 48 years of age, he had a few wrinkles, grey hair, a dark tan and a strong appearance from years of backbreaking work.
"Grim my boy! Not able to sell yer crop?" Asked the man.
Grim shook his head and replied. "No Rick, with all the chaos going on I couldn't get in touch with my usual buyer now that the phone lines are down; not to mention routes to the city have been blocked off. It's hopeless."
"Ahh what a shame, yer crops looking nice and healthy. Would have made a decent profit." Rick sighed as he swept his gaze over Grim's crop.
"Where are you off to?" Grim asked curiously.
"I'm off to the church my boy, these two youngsters in the back want to get married before the 'supposed' end of the world. Quite the match don't you think?" Rick laughed while pointing towards the back of his truck.
In the back were two blushing teenagers around 18-19 years old, they had a certain naivete about them. The boy a was a bit thin but his eyes were bright and endearing, the girl was like a blossoming flower in the spring. Her hair was copper brown and tied up in a pony tail.
The girl slapped the back of Rick's head. "Dad, you're embarrassing me!"
"Aiya! Girl, don't hit yer old man like that!" Rick grumbled.
"Well I'd better get going, if you've got some time, bring yer family along to the afterparty! We rented Tracy's diner for the night and the foods free." Rick smiled and waved before driving off down the dirt road in his rickety truck.
Grim nodded while watching the truck leave and then looked towards the sky, the sun was nearing it's zenith and only a few white clouds were in sight. "End of the world huh...," He shook his head and mumbled. "I don't believe it."
As a gentle breeze brushed against his face, Grim stroked his neck in frustration, his eyes wandering to the distant farm across from his. From what he could see, their crop hadn't been harvested either. [So the Thompson's are having the same problem?] He thought helplessly.
"Daddy!" A young tender voice shouted out from behind him.
Grim spirits seemed to lift slightly, he turned around with a big grin. "Haha! My son, finished playing with Beansprout?"
A playful barking could be heard behind the boy, a dog with brown shaggy fur and floppy ears chased after him.
The boy ran into the father's arms and giggled. "Dad come play! Play with me and beansprout!"
Grim petted the dog's head and looked towards the field full of vegetables and sighed again. "Might as well, this damn field isn't gonna get sold anyway."
In the distance a woman's shout was heard. "Husband! Jyn! Come inside, lunch is ready!"
Looking towards the direction of the shout, Grim spotted a woman waving who was poking out of a farmhouse in the distance. It was situated on a hill and looked fairly old but sturdy.
"We'll have to play later son, lunch is ready." Grim looked at his son with a smile.
Jyn nodded vigorously. He was young, around 8 years old with a few similar features to Grim. His butterscotch hair was shoulder length and his facial features soft and chubby. His little eyes eyes were a bright shade of hazel.
Carrying his son, Grim walked towards the rustic farmhouse up a winding dirt road that had tufts of grass bordering it.
After reaching the house, he entered and was greeted by a fragrant smell that tingled his nose and made his stomach grumble. Grim put his son down and they both walked down a hallway decorated in paintings of the sea.
His wife had quite the fondness for the ocean, however since they lived in the rural country, they rarely if ever got to see it.
Reaching the end of the hallway, they entered an open door that lead directly towards dining room.
Inside the dining room was a simple table and chairs enough for three people. The surrounding decor was quite modern considering how old the house looked, it gave a homey feeling with the vibrant yellow wallpaper and the polished wooden floor below.
Sitting at the table waiting patiently was Grim's wife, Laura. She had a gentle smile, mature aura and looked to be in her late 20's. Her eyes were vibrant blue, skin fair with a few freckles and her dirty blonde hair was tied into a bun with a few loose strands covering her face.
"Come and sit, I've made some roast chicken!" Laura said happily as she gestured at the two to come sit at the table.
On the table was something resembling a roast turkey that had already been cut in several places, surrounding it were several colorful vegetables.
Their plates were neatly set before their seats and were already filled to the brim and covered in gravy.
"We could have had this for dinner honey, why did you cook it for lunch?" Grim asked curiously as he took some salt and pepper and thoroughly coated his meal.
Laura chuckled. "Husband, when the clock strikes 12, apparently the world might end. This might be our last meal and I want it to be as grand and lovely as possible."
"Bah! End of world my ass, don't tell you me you actually believe that nonsense?" Grim replied while he wolfed down on his meal, the chicken lightly coated in gravy, salt and pepper was particularly appetizing.
Laura shook her head and replied. "Of course not, but it is still quite the historic day today and considering that we can't sell the crop, I thought I might cheer you up with a nice lunch."
Grim looked at Laura warmly, he leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Thank you honey."
Laura blushed with an enchanting smile.
"Mama, what does the end of the world mean?" Jyn asked curiously, he'd already started nibbling at his delicious meal but was clearly not as hungry as his father.
"Nothing, Jyn, hurry up and eat your lunch before it gets cold." Laura said softly.
Jyn nodded obediently.
"I had a run in with old man Rick, turns out his daughter is getting married today."
"Oh? Isn't she only turning 19 this year? A bit too young if you ask me-"
Conversation continued between the two with the odd remark from Jyn until their lunch was nearly finished.
*Ding!* *Ding!*
A loud bell like ring interrupted the family, Grim and Laura turned their heads towards the antique clock on the yellow wall.
It had struck 12!
Although Grim didn't believe in the nonsense the azure god church had been preaching for thousands of years, a cold sweat ran down his back as his heartbeat sped up.
Laura had gripped her fork tightly, her hand slightly shaking.
The seconds that passed felt like an eternity to both Laura and Grim as they both knew what this moment in time signified, even country bumpkins like them not to mention the rest of the world.
Jyn noticed his parents silence and instinctively felt the tense atmosphere.
*Gulp* He swallowed nervously while worriedly looking at his parents.
After a few minutes of nothing happening both Grim and Laura looked at each other with joy in their eyes, nothing had happened!
"Ahaha! I knew it, those azure god freaks were spouting bullshit all along!" Grim laughed loudly, he was a bit worried there for a second.
The doomsday prophecy written in the Azure God Church's bible was something that had been ingrained deeply on every Erubian for thousands of years, even for Grim himself after hearing old tales from his parents and grandparents.
Laura laughed happily then immediately scolded Grim. "Watch your language husband, I don't want Jyn learning your foul habits!"
Grim grabbed his Laura's waist and pulled her into his embrace, he kissed her cheek. "It's truly a day for celebration, I've gotta an old bottle of spirits left so how about we have a drink?"
With surprise on her face Laura looked at Grim smiled. "You're talking about your grandfathers collection, the one from 2922?"
Grim nodded smilingly.
"Ooh I can't wait!" Laura couldn't help but take a second glance at her husband for he was especially handsome at the moment. Biting her lip, she leaned towards his ear and whispered. "Husband.. how about we have another child, I've always wanted a girl."
Grim's smiley face went ecstatic, he roared with laughter before kissing his wife eagerly.
"S-stop silly, not here! Jyn's watching!" Laura managed to get out of Grim's embrace before reminding him that Jyn was still around.
"Jyn? Oh I forgot" Grim looked around and noticed his son standing next to the window.
Grim walked up to Jyn and tapped his little shoulder. "Boy what's wrong?"
"Daddy...why is the sky so dark?"
Grim looked out the window and was shocked silly and soon he was trembling, a deep foreboding welling up in his gut. Laura was now beside him, she held onto his arm tightly and she too was shaking relentlessly.
The sky outside which had been blue as the sea before had now gone completely dark, it wasn't clouds but just pitch black darkness that stretched beyond the horizon.
"Impossible.. How could it.." Grim uttered as he stared into the dark skies as if hypnotized, his pupils contracting into pinpoints. "Those fuckers were right.. "
That day, an abyssal black curtian covered the world of Telos in darkness.
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