The city of Balana shone in many colours, with crackers bursting in every side and lights lit up in every corner of the streets. Not only the land, but the sky too was luminated with cloud-reaching fireworks of every kind of colour. Because today, we people of the country celebrated the second day of the second moon. A day which we Balanians believed to be the most sacred day of the year. The day in which the country called Solace was created by the seven great Gods, it was exactly 500 years ago, on this exact day.

It was believed to be a day for celebration for all, no matter who they were, where they belonged or where they came from, if you see the night lights today, then you celebrate with whatever you have.

This was the story that my grandma used to tell me. The stories about how all the Gods came together, kept their differences away and fought the Timeless to bring back our country from the depths of the fire. And for the same reason, we people too forget all our differences and celebrate this day.

When I heard it for the first time as a kid, it filled my mind with all sorts of wild imagination. But hearing it now, it sounded less astonishing. However, the everlasting cries and chatter of the Balanians had the same amaze on their eyes that I had when I was kid. It was hope filled in their faces. I could hear them from here, on the top of the watchtower, which was at least 50 feets from the ground.

And seeing it all from this height made it even more spectacular.

“The grounds and borders are clear. No signs of any issues.” Henry, one of my trustworthy guards, reported.

“Good, keep an eye on the darker streets. The day of Reclaim turns out to be the most conflicted day of the year, even though it should be the day of peace.”

Henry grinned at my words and walked up to me.

“There are people who finds celebration even in conflicts, and we make sure their fetish ends today.”

It was my first time watching Reclaim day from the top of the watchtower. I dreamed of this day ever since I joined the Academy. As the General of the city, people expected me to do so.

“I will take my leave, sir” he nodded at him as he walked down the tower.

Now, it was just me and the cold winds, observing the ever growing cheers of my people.

Soon, a flash of light caught my eyes. It was not from the city, but from the sky. From the horizon, the yellow light seemed like the sun was about to rise. But there were hours left before dusk began. It was not the sun, but something else.

The lights of the city made it harder to notice, but the horizon was definitely beaming with some kind of light.

“Guards, bring the glasses.”

A man brought a telescope with him.

But before I could use it, the light was bright enough for the citizens to notice. Some stuck their gaze to it, followed by others, and soon the entire crowd glued their eyes towards the abnormal sky.

The light began to split into many vertical lines, each headed by a bright ball at the top.

These are no mere lights, they are rock, molten rocks.

The scriptures told us about the red hot rocks falling from the sky. But these were not from the sky.

And the sounds made by the festive mood died as people just observed them. Many eyes were mesmerised, some in shock but none feared them. They possibly never have seen something like this and something as beautiful as this seemed no harm to them.

But they were wrong.

“Guards, inform the army. Arrange possible defence. Alert the castle.” I called out the guard who was also stunned by the show.

“Defence? From what sir?”

“Falling rocks, size varies from 10-50 feets. Make it as quick as possible.” He looked confused, but followed my order.

However, anything we do against it wouldn’t be enough to stop it.

It was not something that mere humans could withstand.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

But it is my duty to protect my city anyhow.

Reminding myself, I ran down the tower to prepare the shields against an indefensible danger.

After 1000 years…

“And that’s what happened 500 years ago, which caused the destruction of the historic city, Solace.”

Ms Daina closed the book after explaining the final verses of the page.

“That’s all for today’s lecture. Also, remember to complete the assignment before my next lecture.” She reminded us and left the class.

“Shain,” a call came from back, “What’s your plan for the weekend?”

It was Rame, who was peeking his eager eyes towards me.

“Studying” I replied, what else would you do on the weekend before the exams?

“Ah, boring. Lets to the new building. Victor and his friends are planning to go there. We should join them.” Here we go again. It was always the exam time that he made plans like that, mainly because he didn’t want to study. I could try to resist, but..

“But why should we go? Remember, we have exams coming next week. I have to study.”

“What, no! We have enough time for studying. Just come with us. It would be fine.” He said with the brightest of eyes. He never cared about my opinion to begin with. He didn’t ask me, but just stated that I should go.

“NO. Unlike you, I don’t have the ability to read the book once and score perfect in the exams.”

Rame’s darting eyes told he understood I was referring to the countless times he got the best scores and I barely passed the exams. But just as I stood from the seat,

“Ok, I will help you for the exams. You can be rest assured.” He spoke in confidence, only to be broken by my next words.

“Rame, both of us know how bad your teaching skill was. Last time you taught someone, she failed even in the exam she was already good at.”

“No, that’s because she was stupid.”

“WHO are you calling stupid,?” A scream came from behind, then a thud sound. As I processed what happened, Heena’s hands were already sticking to Rame’s head.

“Hell Heena, who summoned you here?”

“Summoned! What do you mean by summoned? I came to talk with Shian and heard you bad mouthing me.”

“You know it's a bad habit to place your ears between others' conversation.”

“Is that so?” she casually added and moved on, “You guys are planning something this weekend, right? Count me in.”

“Wait, no. Listen, no one invited you. It's just Shain and me having some private time.”

“Shut the hell Rame, why are you phrasing it like that?” Listening to his words, you can see Heena making a disgusted face.

“But am I lying?” Rame asked.

“Yes, you told me Victor's gang is also going with us.”

Oops.

Hearing that, Heena’s eyes turned to a sharp gaze. Rame winced and looked at me with the eyes of betrayal. But why brother? His eyes asked.

“No mister, you are not.” Heena turned towards him and started her lecture.

“Not with Vicky, the last time when all of you were together, you three got suspended for a week. And you even dragged poor Shain into your wild plan.”

As she continued her lecture, I quietly prepared to leave, but was caught by Rame pleading eyes. Don’t leave me alone. It begged.

But what could I do in a situation like this? So I did what I could do the best, remaining silent.

Minutes passed and all Rame did was to listen to her with his head bent, with occasional nods.

“I know you are going there anyway, no matter what I say, so I have decided.”

“Decided?”Rame rose his head.

“I will be with you guys for the entire weekend.”

We both gasped, and Rame was the first one to protest.

“What? No, you have exams coming next week.”

“Exactly, So we have to study for that.” I added.

“Then we can study together. Not like it's our first group session.”

Rame and I looked at each other. We knew something should be done or she is going to destroy our weekend.

“How about this, I guarantee you that me and Rame will be studying in our rooms.” I made an offer, but she knew it was a hopeless one.

“Huh, do you really think you can do that, contain an excited Rame inside a room?” Her question brought some hesitation in me, but soon Rame recovered.

“Yes, of course, he can. In fact he is the only one who can do that in this academy.”

Shit, here we go.

Hearing that, I could see fumes releasing from her eyes.

“Is that so? Then I will definitely be with you for the entire weekend.” She seethed and left.

Rame kept staring at her with confused eyes until she left the class.

“What’s wrong with her?” He pondered.

I know exactly the answer to that. Mostly because of jealousy. They two were together from the very beginning in the Academy. I only joined them after a year. But he acted like he cared more about me than her. Of course it sounds childish, but everything feels wrong when love gets involved. She is jealous of me because she loves Rame.

It was not something she allowed me to disclose, so all I could do was to maintain a baffled face like him.

“Sometimes, she is just plain annoying.” He exclaimed and left, with my bag.

“Hey, give me my bag, you idiot.”