Resurgence of the Dark
Inspired by Susan Cooper's novel: The Dark Is Rising
Standing there, shivering in the chilly wind, Will Stanton needed no one to tell him that danger was near. He was now the last of the Old Ones, protectors of the Light against the rising Dark. He had always known it would come to this. The prophecy in Susan Cooper's 'The Dark Is Rising' had promised so much more. 'When the Dark comes rising, six shall turn them back,' it had said. But now, it was only him.
His thoughts then drifted back to Merriman Lyon, the most ancient and wise of the Old Ones. Merriman, who had taught him the signs, the lore, and the songs of old. Now he was gone, along with all the other Old Ones. Everyone except Will.
A bitter wind howled around him, rattling the bare branches of the great oaks that stood sentinel around him. The Dark was close. They were watching him, waiting for the moment to strike.
He remembered the final words of Merriman Lyon, 'Remember the signs, Will. They are your strength, they are your hope. In their light, the Dark can find no shelter.'
And so, he reached into his pocket, retrieving the six signs - the Circle of Iron, the Circle of Bronze, the Wood, the Fire, the Water, and the Stone. As he held them high and chanted the ancient words, a golden glow emanated from the signs. His voice echoed through the desolate woods, reaching up to the very heavens.
Suddenly, the atmosphere around him changed. The biting cold retreated and a soft, warm glow took hold, pushing the shadows back. The Dark retreated, howling in rage and frustration as the Light held strong. It wasn't defeated, but it was held at bay, pushed back into the shadows once again.
Breathing hard, Will lowered the signs. For now, the fight was done. The Light had held, and he had fulfilled his duty as an Old One.
'When the Dark comes rising,' he thought, a grim smile playing on his lips. 'Six will indeed turn them back.' He had always known it would come to this; always known it was his destiny. He was an Old One, the last of the protectors. And while he still had breath in his body, the Dark would never conquer.