The Song of a Starless Night🔊

Once upon a time, in the humble town of Illyria, nestled between snow-capped mountains and luscious green forests, lived a young farmer named Thaddeus. Thaddeus was not ordinary. He had the extraordinary ability to hear the whispers of the wind, the songs of the fields, and the tales penned by nature itself.

One evening, Thaddeus strolled towards the outskirts of Illyria, to immerse himself in the symphony that played only for him. However, tonight was different; the elements seemed agitated. The wind narrated tales of a starless night, of an impending darkness that would descend upon Illyria, casting its ominous shadow.

Horrified, Thaddeus rushed to alert the townsfolk. Unconvinced, they dismissed his warnings, saying, 'Stars can't extinguish! They're eternal.' Dejected but determined to save his town, Thaddeus set on a perilous journey to the highest peak of Mount Illaris, known only to the oldest residents as the dwelling of Celestina, the ancient star weaver.

He trekked through treacherous terrain, crossed stormy streams, wrestled ravenous beasts, and endured the torment of the frozen peaks. Upon reaching the summit, he found a quaint hut glowing with ethereal energy. Here dwelt Celestina, a lady as old as time itself, with eyes sparkling like the cosmos, weaving stars into the fabric of the night sky.

Thaddeus shared his fears of a starless night. Celestina explained a forgotten lore. Every millennium, a starless night descends when the Moon stands solitary. This was a time when the stars retreated and regained their energy from the celestial streams.

Understanding that there was nothing to fear from the darkness, just a part of the cosmic cycle, Thaddeus felt relieved but despondent. Now he needed to convince the town that the expected darkness was a chance for regeneration, not devastation.

Inspired, Thaddeus requested a fragment of starlight from Celestina. With this, he hoped to create a symbol that would inspire the people of Illyria. The kind star weaver obliged and gave him a small, fading star. 

Descending Mount Illaris, Thaddeus cradled the celestial fragment, guarding the beacon of hope he had been entrusted with. He returned to Illyria just as the stars began to flicker out, one by one, plunging the town into darkness. Panicked cries echoed through the streets bordered with homes plunged into darkness.

Thaddeus stood in the town square, cupping the fading star. To the frightened citizens, he recounted his journey to Celestina’s abode and the tale of the starless night. He then lifted the fading star over his head. Astonished, they watched it slowly rekindle, casting its gentle, soothing light over Illyria.

The terror of the starless night vanished as the people realized it wasn't a mark of extinction but a period when the stars refueled themselves for brighter days. Thaddeus’s courageous journey and the rediscovered lore transformed the panic-stricken town of Illyria into a town celebrating the night of regeneration.

Thus, the starless night passed in peace as the townsfolk gathered under the star’s gentle glow, sharing tales, songs, and hope. As dawn approached, the bravest of them climbed up their roofs, waiting for the first star to appear. And when it did, a cheer like none other rang across Illyria.

Thanks to Thaddeus, the starless night that was once a symbol of scare became a celebration of the cosmic cycle. From then on, every millennium, Illyria celebrated the starless night, awaiting the reinvigorated stars to grace the sky again, safe in the belief that darkness was just another beginning.