What would happen if the sun no longer existed in this world?
That question once occupied the minds of ancient people. Many theories emerged. Some believed total darkness would engulf the world. Temperatures would fall. Plants would slowly wither and die, followed by animals, and eventually mankind itself.
Yet not all of those beliefs were true.
Even without the sun, mankind would adapt and struggle to survive. Whether shrouded in eternal darkness or trapped in extreme cold, humanity would always seek a path forward.
Long ago, when the sun still shone, life across the continent was peaceful and abundant. Food and water were plentiful. Harvests were rich. Vast grasslands stretched endlessly, signs of fertile and prosperous land. All races lived in harmony. There were no wars anywhere. Justice stood firm throughout the world.
But everything changed.
One day, the sun never rose again.
The moon hung motionless in the sky, as if time itself had stopped. That was the beginning of all chaos. Temperatures dropped drastically. Crops such as rice, flowers, and trees slowly withered. Food became scarce, and the way mankind lived was forced to change.
And it was not only mankind that changed.
Monsters began to appear. Withered trees evolved and grew again, but no longer as they once were. Their leaves, once green, turned purple. Animals that had once been tame became savage. With the absence of the sun, the world itself seemed to be turned upside down.
Speculation spread among the people.
Some believed the sun had died and lost its light forever. Religious groups claimed the sun had committed a grave sin against the gods and was now imprisoned. But the most popular and widely believed tale spoke of an eternal black dragon that had swallowed the sun and now rested atop the highest mountain at the center of the continent.
That mountain was called Unseen Peak.
It was named so because it stood tall in the heart of the continent, its summit piercing the clouds and vanishing beyond sight. Legends claimed that no one had ever reached its peak.
Most people accepted their fate, choosing to live beneath the blanket of eternal darkness.
But not everyone did.
A group of five individuals refused to accept a life without light. They journeyed to the center of the continent and began climbing Unseen Peak, seeking the truth and hoping to restore the sun to the world.
They were the first to attempt the ascent.
And they never returned.
Some said they died. Others believed they were cursed by the gods for defying fate. Some whispered that they had been devoured by the eternal black dragon.
Though their fate remained unknown, their actions ignited something within mankind.
From all corners of the continent, people slowly gathered at the mountain's base. Death and curses no longer frightened them. Their motivations differed. Some sought glory. Some wished to have their names written in history. Others were simply tired of living beneath endless darkness.
Many motives. One destination.
The peak of Unseen Mountain.
These people came to be known as the Sun Seekers.
With spirits burning like fire, they proved that mankind had not surrendered to fate. Small lights climbed the mountain, reaching for a far greater light beyond.
"Even if a small light is extinguished, a new one will be born. That is the Sun Seeker."
Those words were spoken by an old man with white hair and a long white beard. He sat beside a campfire inside an old house, accompanied by a small boy of eight years, with black hair and blue eyes. The room felt ancient, filled with old decorations and relics of the past.
"Grandfather," the boy asked, "how long has the sun been gone from this continent?"
"More than ninety years," the old man replied. "The last time I saw the sun, I was seven years old."
"What was it like back then?"
"In those days, there were two cycles: day and night. During the day, the sun ruled the sky, warming the land and nourishing all life. Crops thrived, and food was abundant. At night, the moon rose, darkness fell, and we relied on fire for light. People worked during the day and slept at night. But now, with the sun gone, we live and rest beneath the moon."
"Do you miss the sun, Grandfather?"
"Of course. The sun is a blessing to all living beings. I consider myself fortunate to have known its warmth."
"Do you think the sun will return?"
"Yes. As long as the Sun Seekers exist, hope will never fade."
Ash's eyes sparkled as he listened. He had always been fascinated by the sun. His favorite stories were about the birth of the Sun Seekers and their defiance of fate to bring the sun back. Those stories had carved themselves deep into his heart.
"Grandfather, I will become a Sun Seeker when I grow up."
"Hm? Are you sure?" the old man asked quietly. "Even your parents have never returned, and no one knows what became of them."
"That's alright," Ash replied. "I want to be part of those who fight against a life beneath eternal darkness."
"Is that so, Ash?" the old man said softly. "Then train yourself well. Become a worthy Sun Seeker, and bring the sun back."
"Of course!!"
Ash ran outside, gripping a wooden sword, and began practicing in the yard. As he left, the old man's warm smile slowly faded into sorrow as he watched from the window.
"How long will this everlasting night continue?" the old man murmured. "It seems another small light has been born. I hope you will one day witness the majesty of the sun, Ash."
Beyond the window, eternal darkness loomed, as if ready to swallow the innocent child swinging his wooden sword beneath the everlasting night.