Eclipse: Origin

Haela is the Sun, Dalia the moon. They are the two sisters that reign upon the Earthen sky, peacefully taking turns sitting vigil over all that happens beneath the sky.

***

“Dal hasn’t been the same lately,” Haela protested to anyone who would listen as she ascended the marble steps of the Sky Temple, escorted by a chariot of clouds. She stopped at the entrance, standing right before the Line of Horizon and the Guider of Time. “Has she mentioned why?”

The clouds seemed to avoid answering her. The Guider of Time, quite aged now, around 4 billion years of endless ticking having made a tremendous mark upon him, looked uncomfortable.

“Fifteen seconds to go, my lady,” was all he said.

“You haven’t answered my question,” Haela said, but still, she received no clarity.

“Ten seconds.”

Haela closed her eyes. Fine, she thought. I’ll find out one day.

“Five seconds.”

“Two.”

“And one.”

The Guider of Time stepped aside. On cue, Haela stepped over the Line of Horizon, and at once, a breathtaking inundation of light filled the world. Inside the temple, there was a large semicircle, a vast curtain blocking the view to the other half. On the opposite end of the semicircle was Dalia, exiting to the opposite side of the world.

“Dalia!” Haela called out, but all she could see was her sister’s dark expression before she vanished behind the curtain and out of sight.

“Focus, my lady,” warned the Guider of Time, for Haela had momentarily stood still.

Knowing that straying off the promised time path could wreak havoc upon the world, Haela quickly regained her senses and began to walk along the line of her side of the semicircle, slowly, matching her steps with the Guider of Time.

“That’s it,” the Guider of Time said. “One step at a time. You’re doing fine. Just fine.”

As she walked, Haela became one with the world, and she could see everything that happened in the world beneath.

“These new beings,” she said. “What are they, again?”

“Human beings, my lady. They are intelligent creatures. The most creative of all that I have witnessed in my life.”

“Human beings…”

This new form of life was quite interesting to watch. The way they communicated with each other, used tools, formed communities – it lifted her heart to be able to see creatures that were exceptionally different from all other species.

“I see a group of these human beings placing a lamb upon an altar. Why is that?”

“They are offering it as a sacrifice to you.”

“To me? Why?”

“So that you may pour blessings upon them.”

“But all I do is walk the circle. What blessing can I give them?”

“It is a matter of belief, my lady, and nothing more. But to these intelligent creatures, belief and faith – these are what provide purpose. And to them, you are the one who can give them blessings. They believe this, and it fills their heart with comfort to think that they are doing things to appease you.”

“Well, that’s not so bad,” Haela said, stunned at the idea but not at all displeased. She continued to walk, all the while unable to take her eyes off this particular group of human beings. After offering the lamb to her, the human beings now returned to the village. It was around noon.

“It is quite a large group of human beings,” she observed. “What are they doing now? They are sharpening sticks and making tools I have never seen before.”

“They are making weapons, my lady.”

“Weapons?”

“Human beings use weapons to hunt other animals. It is another feature of their intelligence.”

“I see. They are rather frail compared to other creatures, so they have to use weapons to survive. Smart.”

“You sound impressed.”

“How can I not be?”

She watched as the human beings finished manufacturing dozens of weapons and distributed the weapons to every member. It was around three o’clock now.

“They are heading somewhere,” Haela watched. “Are they going on a hunt?”

“I believe so, my lady.” Then, “Perhaps it would be better to turn to a different scene. Far to the east, there is another group of human beings that may grab your interest.”

“No, I want to see this group. I want to see them hunt.”

The group entered a forest. But as they progressed, they passed by animal after animal without offering any of them a single glance.

“Why won’t they hunt the animals?” Haela asked. “Are they not delicious enough?”

The Guider of Time cleared his throat. “They are looking for something different to hunt,” he said. He sounded extremely uncomfortable.

“What are they searching for?”

The group now exited the forest and came across a wide plain, one covered with tall grass. It was six o’clock now. Haela was nearly at the edge of the semicircle, almost time for her to make her exit from the world. She wished the human beings would hurry up and do what they meant to do.

“We’re almost there, my lady,” the Guider of Time said.

The human beings were barely visible as they mingled with the field of tall grass. They were going more slowly now, careful as not to be spotted. And then, finally, Haela could see where they were headed to: a cluster of huts by the river, where the field ended.

“There is another group of human beings,” she said. “Will they be joining in the hunt?”

The Guider of Time did not respond. He seemed to quicken his pace, as though he wanted the time of sunset to come quickly. Of course, there was no way he could do that; he was a mere counter of time, not time itself. If he went against the laws of the universe, he would be punished with nonexistence, and replaced with another Guider of Time.

Half past six. There weren’t that many steps left now. Already, the world was colored in orange as Haela approached the other Line of Horizon.

Just a few steps away from the line, Haela gasped as the group hidden in the tall grass suddenly gave an exhilarating cry and leapt forward, weapons raised hihg, and charged at the other group of human beings, who had no idea what was going on.

“My lady, it’s time.”

The last thing Haela saw as she crossed the Line of Horizon was a weapon being drilled into the chest of a human being.

***

“What is the meaning of this?” she demanded.

“You have asked why Lady Dalia has become so depressed of late.”

“Yes?”

“This is the reason, my lady. Human beings. They are intelligent creatures, yes, but their intelligence is not only being used for progress; it is also being used to fulfill their greed and desire. Normally, cruel and violent acts occur at nighttime, and your sister has seen them all. Now, on your watch, you have finally seen what they are capable of doing.”

“But – why would they kill each other? For what purpose?”

“That is the thing, my lady. I do not know.”

***

The massacre carried on well into the night. Bodies piled up by the riverside. Men were murdered, the women taken.

***

The next morning, Haela was once again escorted by a chariot of clouds. Once again, she approached the Guider of Time and the Line of Horizon as it reached time for sunrise.

“Perhaps you should see something… happier today,” the Guider of Time proposed.

But Haela had to see for herself the results of the previous day. So she shook her head adamantly, and the Guider of Time did not press.

On cue, Haela crossed the Line of Horizon. Immediately, she shifted her gaze to the riverside huts, and she nearly collapsed at the sight of the corpses, many of them headless, the heads stuck upon pikes. And…

She cried out in shock as she saw the bodies of children.

“My lady, we must keep going,” the Guider of Time said urgently, but Haela could not hear him.

“How could they do this!” she cried. “How could they do something so horrible, and just for sport? There is nothing to be gained! Nothing!”

All thoughts of her role was no longer there. Remaining still where she was, she felt tears and anger fill up in her heart. As she stayed there, she began to glow red upon the world.

“Please!” the Guider of Time pleaded. “You must walk! It is not right! You will destroy the world if you stay like this!”

But Haela couldn’t walk. She could not move.

"And to think they sacrificed a lamb so that I could bless them in their quest for blood. They'll think their success is all thanks to me... They'll think I was the one who aided in their victory... Curse them. Curse them all! May these creatures never see another day again!"

Her voice shook, and as she screeched out her final words, she unleashed a terrifying heat upon the world, so powerful that forests began to burn, bodies of water began to dry.

Then, upon hearing her sister’s cry, Dalia came running from beyond the curtain. She embraced Haela, holding Haela in her arms.

“What – you shouldn’t be here!” cried the Guider of Time, but it was too late.

“I’m here, Haela,” Dalia said softly. “I’m here for you. I won’t let the world see you like this. I’ll be with you whenever you need me. Understand? I’ll be here for you, Haela.”

Darkness befell the world as Dalia stood between the world and her sister, taking all the scorching energy emanating from Haela with her own body. Dalia stood there, biting her lips at the pain. Slowly, steadily, the forests stopped burning, the waters stopped evaporating.

"I have seen it all myself, Haela. I have seen them murder, rape, and steal. But there is good in the world. Those who fight for what is right. Those who strive to be better. They don't deserve to burn. They don't deserve your wrath."

Dalia could feel the intensity of the heat lessen.

"I'm going to let you go now. When I do, keep walking, dear sister. And I, too, shall keep watch over the night, with a brighter face. I promise."

Once she was sure her sister had returned to her original state, Dalia let Haela go.

The world became bright once again, and Haela resumed her walk.

***

The world had seen its first eclipse.