The Darklings - 081203 Pegan

The moment that Dusk re-entered the Jungle long, dark slivers of shadows crossed the moons golden eye. It was a bad omen. The Jungle floor trembled beneath her feet and what began as a loud whispering in the trees soon became a fearsome roaring high above the sheltering canopy. Dusk knew that the sky gods were fighting once more. Soon there would fall huge tears and terrible wailing and bushes and branches would thrash and twist against the angry breath of the gods.

Still she moved on filling the vine basket her shadow mother had given her. She quickly gathered the strange colorful fruits that the trees had thrown down. Suddenly there was a terrible crashing and a light so bright she covered her eyes and crouched down before it. Her small body trembled with fear. Was it the fiery eye of the sun opening so soon? But no. She remembered a tale told by the old ones. She knew what it was.

FIRE, she cried out in wonderment. The jewel of all earthly gifts. A jewel so rare and precious. The Shadows had found it only once in the long ago times and had taken it to Mother. Mother had been so pleased that she had blessed them for many moons.

Dusk stood in the now silent Jungle and watched FIRE devour the tall tree. How to gather it? How to carry it to Mother? A small branch of the burning tree fell to the Jungle floor spraying stars at her feet. Only one end of the branch was being devoured. She reached down for the uneaten part only to see the hand of another being reach down beside hers. The small hand and skin of this female being was black. Dusk looked into night black eyes and screamed. A Darkling ... a Darkling! The small Darkling smiled and handed Dusk the burning branch.