"Before the Sun and Moon came into existence," the mysterious female voice began, her tone weaving magic into the air, "there was a star, brighter than any other. Its light drew the attention of beings beyond comprehension, entities of pure curiosity. One of these beings, drawn by curiosity, drifted closer to the star, their essence fluttering like leaves on a cosmic breeze, eager to understand its nature.
What it found was baffling - the stars majesty dwindled, revealing an ordinary condensed magma. Yet from afar, it is a swirling vortex of molten fire that seemed to pulse with a life of its own, but up close, it was utterly ordinary, disappointingly mundane.
Three other entities joined the first, each sharing the same bewildered reaction. They devised a plan: to make the star as beautiful up close as it was from a distance. Combining their powers, they conjured a single drop of water, which fell upon the stars fiery surface. The reaction was immediate. Water enveloped the star, and as if in self-defense, the heat formed a protective shell of rock. This rock, in a strange evolution, rose, pushing upwards until it shared space with the water. Then, the water began to boil, to evaporate. The rising moisture, drawn into the void we now call space, froze, crystallizing into water and wind – the birth of wind itself.
This transformation unfolded over eons, but time held no sway over these entities. They watched with fascination as the star evolved. After a great rain, life emerged, At first, it was formless, a simple existence. But as time continued its relentless march, this formless life divided, creating a myriad of creatures. They emerged in stages, first those of the water, then those of the rock, and finally, those of the sky, mirroring the very evolution of the star itself.
The entities were intrigued, observing this inexplicable transformation unfold before them. As life flourished, their interest waned. The star seemed to have reached a plateau. But just as they were about to turn their attention elsewhere, a new change began.
A soft, melodious voice whispered through the void, "And this change," the mysterious woman continued, a chuckle rumbling in her throat, "brought forth creatures we know as humans...us."
The voice, like a gentle breeze, soothed and calmed, yet with a hint of melancholy.
Loud, childish voices filled the room. "Tell us more, Miss!" they cried.
"Alright, listen closely," the mysterious woman said, her tone weaving a spell of enchantment. "This is where the story gets truly interesting."
As the woman's voice continued, the room grew quieter, the listeners entranced by the tale of the Sun and Moon's origins – a story of celestial wonder, of love, and of transformation.
Humans, she explained, were the most intelligent creatures the entities had ever encountered. They created languages, diverse foods, intricate clothing, sparking a renewed interest in the celestial observers. These beings, now perceived as gods, bestowed a gift upon humanity: religion. Humans were given the choice of which "god" to serve, for the entities' actions, performed in response to prayers, were more mysterious than anything humankind had ever witnessed. These acts, these miracles, cemented their divine status in the eyes of humanity. And so, the story of the Sun and Moon, intertwined with the story of humanity, began to unfold.
The four Gods—Taerh, Efir, Nwid, and Arewt— were pleased with the names bestowed upon them by humankind. In return, they blessed the earth with fertility and showered humanity with gifts beyond measure. They even crafted a smaller star, a miniature echo of the original, beautiful but incomparable, a reminiscent of the original, now known as Earth. This new star, radiating warmth the humans had never known, they named "Sun."
Though they cherished the Sun, a new challenge arose. Its constant light and heat were relentless. They yearned for shadows, for respite from the unending day. The oceans, too, were unruly, their tides unpredictable and dangerous. So, the gods created a companion for the Sun—a celestial being of unparalleled beauty. They named her "Moon."
When the Moon graced the sky, she brought darkness, a gentle coolness, and calmed the restless oceans. Her light was mesmerizing, a soft, ethereal glow that captivated the hearts of humankind. Some would sit for hours, lost in the Moon's serene beauty. Yet, even with the Moon's presence, something was missing. The humans sensed a loneliness about her, a quiet sorrow.
And so, the gods gifted the Moon with children, born from fragments of the Sun combined with her essence, giving birth to their children. These were the then called stars, and the Moon fell deeply in love with them, just as humanity fell in love with the night sky, a canvas painted with dreams. Some wished the Sun would never rise, while others longed to remain forever in the Moon's gentle embrace.
But joy is often fleeting. One fateful day, the Moon met the Sun, a celestial rendezvous known as a solar eclipse. In that instant, the Moon was captivated by the Sun's dazzling brilliance, and the Sun was drawn to the Moon's gentle luminescence. They were consumed by a mutual love, a passion that transcended the heavens.
But their love was a consuming fire. As the Moon and Sun's thoughts became one, the Moon began to wane, losing pieces of herself. Some days, she would be at her zenith, her full form radiating grace. Other days, she would be a sliver, or even vanish entirely from the sky. Her love for the Sun was so powerful, it was devouring her. She couldn't contain it, couldn't control it, and so, she was losing herself in the attempt. It was a painful, yet mesmerizing spectacle, a testament to a love that was both beautiful and destructive.
Unfortunately, wherever there is longing, pain always follows. The moon's celestial heart ached with an unbearable desire to behold her beloved sun. Against the ancient laws of the cosmos, she poured her luminous essence into creating a fleeting, transcendent body – a human form – so she could finally see him. These two beings were never meant to touch, their very natures in opposition, the sun's power mirroring the destructive brilliance of its cosmic ancestor. The sun, sensing her approach, had warned her with solar flares that danced like desperate pleas across the void: Stay away, my light will consume you! But love, as it often does, deafened her to reason.
She ran into his incandescent embrace, a meeting both longed for and fatally forbidden. For the first and last time, their forms intertwined. He held her close, his warmth a dangerous caress against her newly formed skin. Almost instantly, delicate crimson lines, like fiery cracks, began to bloom across her body. She was burning from within, her white hair flickering with streaks of red that deepened with every stolen moment. Agony seared through her, yet her gaze remained fixed on the sun's radiant face. Please hold me, her voice, a fragile whisper, pleaded. Just one last time. He tightened his embrace as her form began to shimmer and break apart, dissolving into a breathtaking shower of silver butterflies that vanished into the stardust of her being.
That day, the moon wept tears of blood across the sky, staining its surface crimson. A scarlet rain fell upon the earth, and the oceans, sensing their celestial guardian's demise, raged in uncontrolled fury. Every creature, from the smallest insect to the largest leviathan, felt a primal fear grip their hearts. But the four gods, witnessing this cosmic tragedy, intervened. With sorrowful grace, they gathered the fragments of the shattered Moon and scattered them across the Earth, a promise whispered on the winds: Sleep now, beloved child. When the time is right, you will awaken, gather your scattered power, and return to your rightful place in the heavens.
The woman's voice softened as the last echoes of the tale faded. "That was so sad," a small voice choked out, followed by a hiccuping sob. "Why did the Moon have to die? Just because she loved the Sun?" another child asked, tears streaming down their face. Soon, the room was filled with the heartbroken cries of the young listeners.
With a gentle sigh, the woman calmed them. "But the gods promised her return," she said, her voice imbued with a comforting certainty and a warm smile. "So, perhaps it is not a tragedy, but a slumber. Though I pity the Sun, forever marked by the destruction of his beloved. But she will return." A glimmer of unwavering hope shone in her eyes.
"I know she will come back!" a girl with striking white hair, the ends tipped with vibrant purple, declared, her voice ringing with conviction.
A chorus of disbelieving stares turned towards her. "How do you even know that?" a boy with a snotty nose asked, his face crumpled with annoyance.
"I know," the girl stated proudly, rising to her feet, the afternoon sun illuminating her brown skin with a golden glow, "because I am the Moon!" She crossed her arms, a smug expression settling on her face. "And I will return to the sky! You'll see!"
The other children erupted in laughter, but the woman simply watched the girl with a knowing, gentle smile. The girl's face flushed with anger at their mockery, just as the school bell shrilled, its sharp sound cutting through the tension.
"Now, now, little ones," the woman said, her voice regaining its soothing melody. "As you've heard, the bell calls. Time for lunch and dreams. I hope you enjoyed today's story. And I eagerly await the wonders of your magic tomorrow." Her smile held a hint of anticipation.
"Yes, Miss!" the children chorused, their sadness momentarily forgotten as they gathered their things, the promise of food and the mystery of their own abilities filling the air.