A Light in the Night
Every living entity in the small coastal town of Lighthouse Bay, knew about its solitary lighthouse. It stood tall, a silent sentinel guarding the town from dangers lurking in the vast expanses of the sea. Nevertheless, this legend was not spun around the towering lighthouse, but rather the enigmatic lighthouse keeper, old Thomas.
Thomas was a man of few words, living in solitude within his monolithic dwellings. Despite the isolation, he fulfilled his duties earnestly, casting a warm glow over the bay every night with no fail. The beloved lighthouse with its panoramic view of the echoing sea betwixt the fading horizon seemed more like an ethereal sanctuary to him, than just a simple structure of rocks and bricks.
One ominous night, while a raging storm howled, the townsfolk noticed the lighthouse light to mysteriously falter and sputter out. Although terrified of what the murky darkness could bring, it was the uncharacteristic anomaly of the lighthouse that ignited a wave of worry around town. Disregarding the ominous weather, a group of brave men set forth to check on old Thomas.
They found the lighthouse deserted and desolate; Thomas was nowhere to be found. Inside, a hastily scribbled note rested on the stone table. The content of which deepened the mystery further. It didn't speak regards of Thomas's sudden disappearance, but instead, was a story reminiscent of an ancient fable which his grandmother used to narrate; A tale about a mythical creature dwelling in the deep sea, known as the 'Light Leech,' which feeds on the brightness of anything radiant.
Overwhelmed by this revelation, the folk decided to keep vigil on the lighthouse to ensure the town’s safety. That night, under the dim gleam of the moon, they lit up the lantern again. To their horror, out from the pitch-dark sea, a corporeal shadow emerged. It spiraled upwards towards the lighthouse, whose light was akin to a moth drawn, and extinguished it. Taking in the breathtaking horror of the scene, the people realised the tale of the ‘Light Leech’ was indeed true, and perhaps that's what took Thomas.
The entire town grew desperate. The lighthouse was rendered incapable by this ancient curse, thus leaving the sailors vulnerable to the threats of the dark sea. The villagers attempted every strategy and logical scenario they could conceive; yet, the Light Leech always succeeded in plunging the town into darkness every night.
In a last desperate attempt, the townsfolk decided to consult the oldest living resident, Mrs. Goldwin, who was rumored to have magical powers. After hearing their woes, Mrs. Goldwin suggested using a magical artifact - The Star of Eindelan, known to glow eternally without falter.
With newfound hope, the town searched relentlessly and recovered the Star from an ancient ruin nearby. Placing it in the lighthouse, they held their breaths as dusk enveloped Lighthouse Bay. Yet to their delight, the lighthouse illuminated even brighter. The mythical beast emerged again but failed to extinguish the eternal flare of the Star. It retreated helplessly back into the sea.
The town of Lighthouse Bay was glowing once again; its light even more radiant, vanquishing the sea’s darkness, guiding lost sailors home safely. From that day, the Light Leech never returned, and the charm of the Star of Eindelan kept the lighthouse eternally ablaze. Though the mystery of Thomas remained, he was remembered as the one whose story led them to discovery, liberation, and an eternal light, protecting and making the town stronger than it ever was.