"I don't know," Riku admitted. "It looks like we need more information. We're completely in the dark."
"The shadows in the north lengthen," Sherry muttered, her arms crossed tightly. "He looked at me when he said that."
Before anyone could respond, a low, deep tremor shook the entire longhouse. Mugs rattled on the table. The wooden beams groaned.
Barou burst through the door. "Riku! Outside! Look at the sky!"
They rushed out into the village square. Every villager was standing still, their faces turned upwards in fear and confusion.
The clear blue sky was gone. A thick, unnatural bank of grey fog and swirling black clouds had descended upon Elowen, shrouding the entire valley in a dim, eerie twilight. The air grew cold and heavy.
"What is this?" Lila asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Sherry's face was pale. "This magic... it feels familiar," she whispered, a look of dawning horror on her face. "It feels like home."
