Invasion
The hordes approached, filling up the vast expanse with their steely grey formations, a formidable gathering. A hush descended, and the air had an expectant, almost electric taste to it. The lone crow spread its sooty wings in a lazy glide that belied its nervousness at the sudden calm and the dimming light.
They had been expecting this for days. There were omens and portents enough. The heat. The frayed tempers. The welling resentment, and the feeling that something just had to give. Anything. So when the day came, unheralded it may have been, unexpected it was not. Precautions were taken; windows shuttered and bolted, doors fastened. Those who didn't have an 'indoors' to call home, found shelter under borrowed roofs, away from the onslaught that was sure to comTe. All except Reaz, and now he ran, arms and legs pumping up and down like pistons, sweat rolling down his back, breath gusting forward from his mouth. Just a little further, and he'd be home, and safe.
Too late! There was a rumbling drumroll of warning, a blast of hot air like the exhalation from the maw of a great beast, and then it really began. Flashes of colour lit up the roiling darkness, followed by the boom! Boom! BOOM! of explosions that shook you to your bones. The great masses collided and clashed, bursting forth and releasing the silver pellets and arrows that pounded the ground they landed on, reducing the hard, unyielding earth into soft dampness. The rich fragrance of wet soil rose in soft clouds, a stark contrast to the violence of the surroundings. Another blast and the trees bent backwards, even as the low moaning sound echoed through the empty alleyways.
Reaz had almost made it home when he was caught. He'd felt the chase so close, it ruffled his hair. There was another flash and crack above him, and he had to leap forward to dodge the tree branch that came down, sheared by an ill-aimed blast. The tiny silver missiles hit his skin, pricking him in a thousand places, and his shirt went from damp to soaking in an eyeblink. Doggedly, with staggering steps, he pressed on until he reached his doorstep.
Rita had been waiting by the window, and flew to the door, ushering her wet and bedraggled brother in.
"Caught you, eh?" she enquired with a resigned smile. They turned back for a moment to stare through the open door at the thunderstorm outside. Kalboishakhi season had officially begun.
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