XXXII. Beacon in the Dark

Darkness had always engulfed the manor and the surrounding areas once the world’s sun had gone down. The tenants of the Purgatory had been used to being locked up in their rooms once the inky black shades of night had taken over. Tonight was no different. Most residents were asleep, locked away behind closed doors,  while a few courageous (or foolish) beings were out running from or challenging the crypt servants that patrolled the halls once night fell.

That is… until a light, bright and intense, flashed throughout the hotel’s windows. It was as if the sun itself had crawled as close as possible and peeked into the building, like a child peeking into a dollhouse. The crypt servants hissed and snarled under its bright and blazing gaze. They would have continued their pursuits, had it not yet returned seconds later. And again… and again. An undulating and unrelenting wave of light filled the manor. The tenants were awoken from their slumber, only to be blinded by the flashing. It was so bright, they could see their rooms as if all lights were on and the day had come, yet they were afraid to come out of their rooms to investigate as they knew the sun was still slumbered. Come morning, the flashing would be… gone. Could it be one of the weird phenomena the manor suddenly portrayed like the arrival of its heartbeat that led them to its heart? Or could it have been a glimpse at the ever elusive Watcher; His blinking but ever-watching eyes, glaring down at the manor and its sinful residents. Whatever it was, it seemed to be gone now..

Until it came back the next night, and the next night. The blinding flash of light kept the crypt servants at bay. The tenants were excited to finally enjoy the freedom of being out after dark… But the punishment of sleepless nights was taking its toll. Fights between tenants escalated. Violence due to fatigue was at a high. While the flickering light had died down in intensity as the nights went by, the damage it had done was quite apparent. A massacre seemed imminent until they all heard the call of a familiar voice to order.

“Attention everyone. I need your full attention. It seems the Lightkeeper has finally returned from his adventure. However, it seems I ‘failed’ to keep the lighthouse attended to, heheheh…” Weston started, now having the attention of the tenants present. Lightkeeper? Lighthouse?

“We’ll need some help getting the lighthouse and beach in order for him to dock so if anyone would like to help, volunteers would be greatly appreciated. Do take note though. The fog that has overtaken the beach is thick and impenetrable during the day, so your best bet is to get there at night.” The rat grinned as he spoke, as if he was silently containing his excitement at the new event unfolding.

“And do be careful. Seems the crypt servants are in a frenzy over the lights and have taken to the forest to escape them. You must have noticed the flashing has dimmed some, so the lights may not save you from them as you travel beyond the forest to reach the beaches… heheheh~” 

And with that, Weston walked off leaving everyone to stare at each other in confusion. What… was out there?

Welcome to the Beacon in the Dark event! Will you fall to the dark, or shine bright through the night?

This event will be active between January 1st to February 28th!

All art submissions must include at least one lined(or lineless) half-body, with either color or shading to be counted for the prompt bonuses.

All literature submissions must include at least 750 words to be counted for the prompt bonuses.

Each piece can only complete one prompt!

Make sure to tell us what prompt you are completing in the description of your art or literature so we can reward you correctly!  

Prompts

And with that all said... have fun in PKMN-WOE and beware The Watcher...