The week progressed in the City of Fintan. It was the last week of the Long Night, and the entire city was anxiously waiting, speaking and chatting about the first things they'll do as soon as the Long Night ends. Of course, most of it was just, go to sleep to fix their sleep schedules.
The end of the Long Night also signalled the start of the new year.
The anticipated day kept them working as best they could. They all waited eagerly as they tried to remember what the sun looked like.
All night, they worked and slept, counting down the days to the new year.
And then, with a few minutes left of nighttime, on the final day, Fishy gathered everyone in the city and led them up the steep hill that trapped the city to the north.
Through the cold darkness, young and old, all the residents carefully stepped across the dark field, including Clara. The pink-haired girl stepped out of her room as requested by Fishy.
As it was the first sunrise.
At the top of the hill, they all sat with anxious smiles on their faces. They stared into the dark starry sky as they looked behind them, wondering where the double moon was, and it was gone. It was already hidden, far away from them as if it was to never show up again.
They faced back forward, noticing a warm gentle glow slowly peek over the distant trees in the far forest. The sound of birds started to echo around as it felt as though time had finally resumed.
Slowly, but surely, the large orange fireball in the sky was becoming visible again.
The period that tested the world's leaders was finally ending.
Each city and kingdom was met with casualties, it was difficult to avoid them all. Throughout the entire history of the world, only one city was consistently surviving the Long Night with no deaths. That was the city of Birth.
It was unknown if it was because they were hiding their deaths, or if the city was just as luxurious and wealthy as the rumours say.
But that's a story for another time.
The city couldn't look away from the sun, almost burning their eyes as they stared for far too long.
"It's pretty, huh?" Fishy walked over to Clara who still wasn't smiling. She looked into the distance in her warm clothes as she shoved her hands deep into her coat pockets, keeping to herself.
"I just wish he was here…"
"He is…" Fishy replied as he sat down beside her on the grass, caring little about Clara's presence or mood. He patted the grass beside him, the cold damp area that Clara reluctantly sat on.
They stayed in silence as the world around them moved. The world continued to spin as it always did. Day returned to the world as Fishy looked off into the distance, with Clara looking at him out of the corner of her eye. Her chest felt tight. She wasn't sure if it was her missing her grandad or if it was something. But she could see through Fishy's smile. The smile he wore seemed flimsier than before. His confidence at the start of the night slowly diminished, and finally dropped off when The Elder passed.
"What do we do now?" Clara asked.
"I don't know… We gotta think about that," Fishy said, "We'll host a meeting later, for now, we clean up the mess."
Fishy didn't say anything more as he pushed himself off the ground. He turned around after looking one last time at the sun and moving back down the hill.
Clara watched as he did. Looking at the developing city, one filled with brick houses, large multistory buildings and shops, something she thought the village would never experience. The city had a constant supply of food and livestock with running and healthy water, even a school, prison and town hall.
It was all there.
Everything she had her grandfather had ever dreamt of.
It was right in front of her.
Thanks to one man.
Fishy had no plans to slow down. His greed wanted more.
He wanted a theatre and a university.
He wanted freedom and peace.
He wanted a kingdom.