Darkness is not the overpowering of light, but rather the lack of it. When all sources of morality have run dry like a drained river, chaos will then arrive in waves. It floods over any original evidence of its counterpart, and thus darkness is the creation of light’s own destruction.

One does not exist when the other does. They will forever clash for their time in the metaphysical spotlight.

For centuries, the light had taken the darkness out of the competition, imprisoned and hidden like a criminal. A new age of peace began for the country of Aereth, and ancient mages that held back the darkness before could live their lives without worry.

Of course, social silence was never permanent.

The apprentice of light was driven by curiosity and discovery. Despite being warned against it, he was pulled closer and closer to the darkness’ prison until he was consumed… extinguishing the light with it. The ancient mages fled the rampage of darkness, but they knew that they couldn’t run forever. The mages would need to confront their fears and face the darkness. They needed a hero.

For the light, this is a battle to regain their world and avenge the apprentice they lost.

For the darkness, this is more than a game of revenge, but a game of survival. How long can he stay in control of the spotlight before the light returns to cover his reign like a tarp?

Aereth

Aereth had lost its beauty.

The land of legends was once a kingdom of gods, myths, and wonders for the proud people it contained. It was a happy place, where the sun’s light tickled the grass like the gentle breeze that followed.

Now, however, Aereth is a dying campfire. Villages, castles, and entire walls fall to the ground with a quickly spreading wildfire, covering the ground in a blanket of yellow and orange. Towers crumbled, and the hope given from the light was slowly pulled away from Aereth.

Amidst all the fire were a knight and a mage. A boy and a girl, the two trying to bring back the light.

The chosen one, and the summoned ancient.

As the boy - the chosen one - lie dead on the scorched red dirt, the soft sound of tears dropping to his body was heard over the chaotic clash between fire and grass.

With shaking hands, the girl dropped the chosen one’s limp body on the ground with an echoing thud, and she looked above at the sky.

“You do realize he’ll never be ready, right?” The girl heard someone say in the distance. She did not bother looking, because she knew how the darkness talked no matter what voice it came out of. Wiping her tears away, she silently nodded.

“I...” she trailed off, looking down at the ground.

“... You know,” he finished, “you know I’m right.”

She nodded, “Maybe you are, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try.”

In a jolt of movements, the girl ripped off a crimson glass bracelet and threw it to the ground.

He started to scream, realizing the spell she triggered. “No, stop-!”

Before he could finish, the world was blinded in a flash of crimson red light.