Chapter 44: 4.28 - Tyranny of the Sun
Kallis, Land of Eternal Night, had died. It had been 12 years since the catastrophe of the birth of a nearby star. Normally light shining on a planet's surface was the catalyst for growth and life, however, in this land of perpetual darkness, it was doom.
Kallis as a planet was unique to the heavens. Its entire ecosystem had been borne of darkness. The core of the planet being unusually large led to a rather mild climate throughout the world, warmed not from the rays of an external star but by the volcanic heat of the earth. The lack of sunlight and increased volcanic activity lead to unusual plant growth from there. Forests of Fungi, fields of lichen, and seas filled with phosphorous plankton made up the plant life of the world. After that, the ecosystem continued like normal, with grazers and predators, except that most creatures were blind. In fact, there was only one species on the planet to develop vision, nestled near the top of the food chain, a carnivore. Not an apex hunter, but highly intelligent. Having a form of sight, the Dhamphir had progressed like most normal civilizations: Farming and Foraging, Reading and writing, math and philosophy, science and magic. And because of the dangerous world that was Kallis, long before the star had birthed causing calamity, the Dhamphir had built large sustaining underground shelters. Kallis was known for year long volcanic clouds, their peoples had used these tunnels as a way to escape the choking fog.
It was due to these tunnels that the Dhamphir were spared the initial destruction of the star's birth. The dhamphir, peaceful and co-existent among the various tribes and colonies, learned of the impending doom only from those first hit, and with their last moments sending out an emergency message, 'The sky is on fire'. Of the Colony nations of Kallis, 4 colonies had survived the initial wave of fire.
Without the world's plant life, the ecosystem had begun to collapse.
Each nation took up a different method for attempting their survival. One nation tried to morph their bodies to absorb the light of the sun as food. They had perished in their attempts. Another attempted to create a biosphere underground, but they had not brought enough plantlife as base materials for their population size, so they had also perished. Another tried to create magical plant life that could convert the energy of the star into nutrients. Although this was successful, they were not able to do it in time to save their colony. It had been 10 years since the 3rd colony went forever dark.
The last was Danika colony. Their colony had chosen a different route. The exodus project was a means for leaving. The top three mages of their colony had focused on a method for finding a new home. One, a master in Astronomy, mapped star charts to find where a planet could be found in the infinite darkness of the heavens above. Another, a master in divination, scryed every day a new location found by the first to determine if it was viable for the Dhamphir to survive. The third, an aging master of Abjuration, had been meditating to ensure his life force continued, as he was the only one capable of opening a gate to another place in space.
After that, the colony's hardest choice was made, one of great sacrifice. Other than the three masters who were exempt, a lottery was decided. Starting from those who were newly plated to no more than 25 years of age, 160 people were chosen. These were the young who had the highest viability for survival of the species, none from the same family to ensure genetic diversity. It was the youngest generation that was functioning members of society. It was the traditional number for a Dhampir colony.
The remaining members of Danika Colony were euthanized. The old, the very young, and those that did not make the lottery were reprocessed into food for the livestock that had kept the colony alive for 10 years past the expected lifetime of the colony.
But now, Danika Colony was running out of time. The three masters worked vehemently to find a new home, as food supplies had run their course. When the food supplies had run out, in an effort to stave off panic, the Masters had called all of the colonists to the exodus room, a large chamber with an etched portal simply awaiting activation for a new home.
The masters knew of the failsafe. Should they not find a home before their life gave out, they would ensure that their people peacefully passed into the final darkness. That future, however, would not come to pass. Just as their discussion on preparing for their people's demise, the room began to shake. The smell of atmosphere, the tingling of mana, and the whisps of fog were all telltale signs of high magic.
And just as the three masters prepared themselves, a gate opened. They looked at Master Tyber, the grand abjuration mage, who shook his head, indicating this was not his gate. As the gate opened, a dim light came through. On the other side of the waving gate they could see dim light and moving figures. Although the Dhamphir were creatures of darkness, they could survive in low light environments without much issue. However the smell of fresh cooked meat beckoned them, as it had been days since the last of their packed meat supplies ran its course.
Master Cellic, the grandmaster of astronomy, looked at the other masters. His look showed that this was their best bet, as the countless days he spent looking through star charts and astrolabes had not borne fruit. With that the three masters stood. Master Restin smiled at the group "It is time. Gather your packs."
The colonists had all stood before them, anxious for the future. Thousands had died to ensure their people's future. They would not waste this opportunity. As the colonists stood in their traditional expedition uniform and pack, the Dhamphir marched through, following the masters into their last unknown.
***
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Srinlife
Srinlife Not all people faced catastrophe because of their own ill-fated actions or those of their neighbors. Some were destined for greatness all on their own when the calamity of change struck.
Just like life.
Hello Readers! another chapter for the books (giggle) and another chance for everyone to like, comment, and review.
To those of you that reached out and reviewed the book, Thank you! Leave a comment on this chapter and if you aren't already in my book you will get, at the very least, a cameo appearance. Some people, simply due to the nature of the story become pivotal characters by chance.
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As Always
Stay boundless friends.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone