Chapter 21: The Weight of Shadows
Dustfall woke that morning under a silent sky too silent, as if the air itself waited for something to go wrong. The sun rose pale and weak behind a thin grey haze, spreading a dim light across the village. Birds didn't sing. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Mia stood at the doorway of Mike's small home, staring at the fields. The new crops the ones the villagers had planted with such hope lay still, their leaves barely moving. Something felt wrong, but she couldn't yet see what.
Mike came out behind her, rubbing his eyes.
"You feel it too?" he asked softly.
Mia nodded. "Yes. It's like something is watching the land… waiting."
They began their walk to the field. The early morning cold touched their skin, but neither complained. Jaro joined them halfway, carrying a wooden tools bag over his shoulder.
"You two look like ghosts," he joked lightly, trying to break the tension.
Even he felt the strange heaviness in the air.
Lina met them at the field fence. Her face held worry. "Mia… look."
She pointed to the far end of the field where a strange circle of dead crops formed a perfect ring. Everything inside it was brown, dry, drained of life. Around it, the soil looked as if something had pressed down on it but nothing natural could make a mark that perfect.
Mia walked into the ring slowly. She knelt and touched the soil.
It was cold. Much colder than soil should ever be under the sun.
"It's not natural," Mia whispered. "Something did this."
Jaro swallowed. "Something… or someone?"
Mia didn't answer. She didn't need to. They all felt the truth.
The Village Turns Uneasy....
As the day passed, villagers gathered around the field, murmuring.
Some pointed fingers.
"It happened near Mia's crops."
"She said she can help the land but look!"
"What if the girl is losing her gift?"
"What if she brought a curse?"
Mia felt the words sting, but she stayed silent. She had learned long ago that speaking while emotions burned only made flames worse.
Mike stepped in front of her protectively.
"Enough," he said sharply. "We all saw her save this village countless times."
But doubt is a quiet poison. It spreads quick.
And Luna watched from afar, hidden in the trees, her eyes cold and unreadable.
A Quiet Conversation....
That evening, Mia sat alone by the river. She threw small stones into the water, one by one, watching the ripples fade.
Lina approached and sat beside her without speaking. For a moment they both listened to the soft movement of the water.
"You're not the cause of this," Lina said gently.
"You don't need to carry all of it alone."
Mia's voice was soft. "But they depend on me. If the crops fail… they'll blame each other, blame me, blame the world. I don't want more pain."
Lina placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You're strong. But strength doesn't mean you must stand alone."
Mia looked at her friend and smiled faintly. "Thank you, Lina."
Behind them, hidden in the tall grass, Luna clenched her fists.
Luna's Growing Darkness...
Luna's voice shook with jealousy as she whispered,
"She listens to you… trusts you… but not me."
The Witch's voice echoed in her mind like smoke.
Because you were not chosen by fate. But I see your power, Luna. And I can make you greater than all of them.
Luna lowered her eyes.
"Tell me what to do…"
Patience, the Witch hissed softly. Let doubt grow. Let shadows settle. When their hearts break, they will turn to the one who understands the dark… you.
Luna breathed out slowly.
She felt important. She felt powerful.
A dangerous feeling for a young girl filled with hurt.
Hope, Even in Shadows....
Mia returned home to find Mike sitting outside, sharpening tools.
"You disappeared," he said. "I got worried."
"I needed to think," Mia answered.
Mike looked at her, and though he didn't say the words, his eyes spoke:
You aren't alone. I'm here. I always will be.
Mia sat beside him, leaning her head lightly on the wall.
"We'll fix it," she said finally.
"No matter what tries to stop us… we'll fix it."
And Mike nodded.
Because he believed it.
Because he believed in her.
But far in the distance, Luna watched the light around Mia and felt her heart fill with cracks.
The Witch's whispers grew stronger.
The shadows grew heavier.
And Dustfall itself seemed to wait for something to break.