Above the valley, higher than a commercial jet airliner could fly, where the air was so thin it could no longer support the weight of the cloud, it formed a massive dome that shone pearly white in the moonlight.

Like a great octopus, it pulled smaller clouds into its mass in legs that were miles long.

Lightning stuttered in its mass, chasing away the foolhardy that might fly a man made craft near.

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The dome swirled and ebbed to inner currents until a dimple sank in the center of the cloud and all the currents seemed to find direction and flow to the vortex.

The vortex grew as air descended at a stunning rate, the top of the cloud rolling in and flowing down the hole.

From the safety of his town, Father Doran watched the cloud collapse in on itself and knew the end had come for the people in the valley.

He prayed for their souls while members of his congregation cried out in shock.