"For the umpteenth time, let's celebrate the white night this year!" Said the mayor at the center of the bonfire.
"I know you have all been waiting for it, but we are not here for a celebration for its own sake. Today we will celebrate in honor of the fallen, especially in honor of the many courageous and courageous members of the Scout Corps who lost their lives during the missions of exploration."
There was a minute of silence.
"And we will also celebrate for all those who survived the scourge of the world, and who still mourn their comrades who they saw die!"
The mayor pointed to a line of bandaged and wounded scouts, supporting themselves on sticks, or in the worst cases sitting in a wheelchair.
"But it's not all bad news ... Thanks to two members of this city, who accomplished their missions and returned unscathed, we have a clean water supply, electricity again, and the merchants have started returning to our city."
Applause. These were headed for Dulkha and Oskah, who greeted them with indifference.
"And now, to smell the scent of the ancient night, we will celebrate ours, to remind us of the past, and hope for a-"
The White Night was a celebration that was held annually in the city of Anatolia. It was a way for citizens, along with the still-working large clock, to connect with a bygone era. A time when the sky was in motion, and darkness fell during the night every day. So said the ancient legends. A large bonfire stood in the center of the city. The women, dressed in white, danced around the fire. We roasted meat, drank alcohol and forgot everything for one night. Almost.
"I told you. The white night is our chance to investigate." Oskah said.
"It doesn't seem like a good opportunity. The city, although chaotic, always seems to be guarded."
Oskah shook his head. "Trust me, you'll see it soon."
The sky, as usual blocked in an eternal sunset, became dark. Millions of stars dazzled the city of Anatolia, and the astonished eyes of its citizens. There was a huge collective scream. Dulkha was incredulous about what he was seeing. The white night, in truth, was not white. It was the only day when the sky darkened for a few hours. It was the symbol, the proof, that citizens had to demonstrate the cyclicality of time, an imaginary hope.
Oskah stared at Dulkha as if to say, "Do you understand now?" Dulkha understood.
"Are you ready?!" Yelled the mayor.
A man above a tower activated a lever and dozens of lights went on throughout the city.
Feja approached the two adventurers. His white hair seemed to glow in the dark.
"Big brothers. You look off."
"Why, is it usually on?" Dulkha asked.
The child took on a bewildered expression. She stared at Dulkha. "Do you remember right?" Dulkha didn't understand, but he felt restless after that question.
Do you remember?
The sight of him blurred, and for a moment he was no longer there. He did not hear the enthusiastic cries of the people around him, nor the cold of that momentary night. It was somewhere else, in another time.
"Oy!" Oskah said, shrugging Dulkha's shoulder. The bandaged boy emerged from the dark mist.
"You went blackout for a few seconds ... are you okay?"
Dulkha thought for a moment. Was he okay? Later he nodded without thinking.
"Yes, I think I'm a little tired."
"Are you tired? At a time like this? Don't do this to me, please. If you go blackout now, we couldn't ..."
The lights went out. The city was dark. Feja's hair now glowed in a frightening way.
"Feja ... Your hair." The little girl touched her hair.
Screams. Screams of pain.
"What happen?" "THE RANCORIOUS! THE RANCOROUS ENTERED!"
Panic. People were running away from all sides; their nightmare had finally come true. One of the wounded scouts floated around the bonfire, his eyes glowing with a disturbing purple light. Her veins also glowed with that light. With her dead eyes she stared at the faces of the petrified people. She smiled. The smile widened, until it could turn into an impossible grimace, Her jaw dilated and her face became a mask. Long, immaterial arms made of darkness protruded from her back, which she used to grab a little boy who hadn't been careful enough to hide.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Cried a woman, who must have been the mother.
"DO SOMETHING, STOP IT!" She yelled at her man, who was paralyzed. "WHAT YOU ARE WAITING FOR?!" The man, partially awakening from his state of shock, took a few steps forward, threw a shoe at the creature, and then fled violently dodging anyone in front of him. The creature ignored him, by now it had almost completely devoured the boy's life energy. She threw him away as if it were a spent can. He smashed against a wall.
The woman screamed uncontrollably; the creature grabbed her too. Her eyes were lost in the void.
"BODY SCOUTS DO SOMETHING".
Dulkha and Oskah approached. The Bandaged Boy felt helpless. He tried to use the sacred bandages, but they didn't respond to his will.
"What happen?!" Oskah asked. "I ... I can't use them."
Feja stared at them in silence, expressionless. Her hair lit up all the surrounding area. Hardly anyone noticed it at that moment, given the situation. "I'll handle that." Oskah said firmly. He grabbed his iron club, activated the device. There was a dull sound of sparks. He lunged at the creature trying to hit it on her arms. Oskah hit the woman. The creature used her as a shield. Those who had noticed him shivered. The boy was dodged like a fly and flew for several meters landing on a wooden kiosk.
"MY SHOP!!!" Someone yelled.
Dulkha, for the first time since he had regained consciousness, was helpless, weak. He felt human, in his uselessness. He looked at Feja, who was still staring at him. His lips whispered something.
Do you remember now? Memories? Memories? Memories? Memories? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Do you remember? Memories? Memories?
"I-I don't remember ..."
The little girl fainted, the light in her hair faded. Suddenly, Dulkha felt full of power again. He walked over to the creature and pinned it. The sacred bandages worked again. Despite this, Dulkha still felt shaken, and therefore weak. The immobilization did not last long, and the boy covered in bandages was shunned too.
There was nothing anyone could do at this point. The end was near for Anatolia. The woman didn't even cry anymore, she didn't scream, didn't move. She had become a hollow doll. Her eyes met those of her little boy, who was also intent on becoming a rancorous one. Armed with those dark arms too, he approached the bonfire. His face scarred and twisted into a mask. It sounded like a blasphemous cry coming towards her.
"Mummy of shit, then it is true that you are useless!"
A strong wind, as in a storm, mowed down both creatures. A huge and blessed sword. They both fell to the ground. A figure stood on its knees for the effort made, the bonfire was full of light, like the eyes of the incredulous inhabitants. Zen was standing now, he put down his sword stained with dark blood and walked away.