Under The Moon's Glow
In a world that hadn't seen the light of the sun in many years, the people learned to live by the silver glow of the moon. This world, folded onto itself by a wicked sorcerer, was trapped in an endless night. The night encapsulated the land, the mind, the heart, and the inhabitants had adjusted their lives according to this eternal nocturne. Yet, the tale that I am about to narrate revolves around a tiny spark of hope in the endless darkness, a girl named Luna.
Born under the first moon of the year, Luna had the unusual attribute of lupine eyes that glistened with moonlit iridescence. As if reflecting the planet above, her eyes served as a constant reminder of what surrounded them - the never-ending night.
Luna was the daughter of a humble bookbinder who lived at the edge of the village. Their hamlet held centuries of stories passed down from one generation to another, and these tales often spoke of a forgotten sun. Every night, Luna's father would scripts the tales of their ancestors and bound them into hefty volumes. Luna spent countless nights pouring over the stories of a warm, golden sun that once brightened their world.
Driven by curiosity and the fervor of youth, Luna decided to embark on a journey to find the lost sun. She packed her small cloth bag with her favorite books, some moonberries, and a couple of blankets. Before setting off, she kissed her father’s forehead and promised to return with the sun.
The chronicles Luna brought along suggested that the sun was hidden in the heart of the forgotten forest that supposedly lay just outside their world, swallowed by the heavy veil of night. Braving whimsical winds and dismal darkness, Luna eventually found herself in front of a gargantuan ancient door. The door was etched with magical runes, pulsating with untouched energy, whispering secrets in the wind.
With brave determination, Luna pushed the ginormous door open and found herself standing on the edge of a sensationally ancient yet ethereal forest. Moonlight slithered through the clusters of the century-old trees, casting long shadows that danced on the mossy floor like phantoms.
It was a far darker night within the forest. The path in front led to an ancient and long-standing tower that reached high up into the night sky. The tower was made of black stone, giving off an eerie feeling. With no other options available, Luna mustered all her might and made a move to climb the tower.
By the time she reached the top of the tower, Luna was panting, pushing against the wind and exhaustion, but the glimmering sight of an enormous celestial sphere her eyes fell upon made the exhausting climb worthwhile.
The sphere was stippled with countless shimmering spots, a captive sun indeed.
Elementary astronomy from her father’s texts helped Luna to identify an enchanted old oak tree standing guard over the sphere. The very oak spoke of in legends that beheld the power to summon beings from the astral plane. Luna, kindled with her fervor and hope, decided to ask for the ancient oak's assistance in freeing the sun.
To Luna’s surprise, the oak responded. It agreed to help Luna, but in return, she would have to promise to take care of the forest, nurture it, and help it grow more than ever before. Luna agreed without a second thought. The mighty oak extended a branch towards the sphere, chanted a few sounds in an ancient tongue, and a bright streak of celestial energy flowed from the tree to the sphere.
A sudden surge, a moment of silence, and then golden warmth began to seep out of the cracks and spread into every corner of the eternal night. The world came alive with colors no one had seen for centuries. The darkness disappeared and gave way to a new dawn, bringing forth the first sunrise.
Luna, filled with both awe and gratitude, thanked the ancient oak tree and promised to uphold her end of the deal. The radiant sun illuminated Luna's face as she returned home, celebrated as a heroine, a carrier of light, a bringer of dawn. Tales of her bravery and courage were written, she became immortal in the village's chronicles, and every time Luna looked into the books, she could see her reflection in the luminous tales of auspicious sunrise. Under her care, the forest flourished and expanded. The sun shone brightly each day, but the night, though devoid of its endless reign, became more magical under the silvery glow of the moon.