David James Sandquist

Sparkfire – By David James Sandquist

Chapter one

(Darkness)

                There are places in the unknown Universe that should not be disturbed; places hidden in space that are dark and barren. Such space may go on further than the imagination can permit. The very thought of life existing in these places seems impossible; however, truth maintains just the opposite. Creatures of darkness seek out these realms in pursuit of seclusion from the light of the universe—entities of great evil and crushing power that should never be provoked.

                A long time ago, a dark and evil entity slept. Its size exceeded the largest of planets. Its dark smoldering mass roiled like a black cloud in space, creeping through the cold darkness, hidden—until the comet appeared.

                As the comet rocketed through the dreary space, brilliant rays of color refracted off its icy surface, igniting the dark and illuminating its arrival with multifaceted beauty. Giving off a life source of great strength, the comet’s rays danced in all directions, shooting out as far as the eye could see.

Star gazers spread throughout the universe have dreamed of seeing a rogue comet like this. Few have, and their descriptions pale in comparison to the truth.

                As the comet passed into the black abyss, the great and evil entity awoke, stirred to life by the intruding light and power. The entity pulsed with rage. Billowing tendrils of ancient dust shot out in all directions, seeking the source of competing power. The entity felt the comet continue its plunge into its territory. Pain sliced through the entity as light from the comet cut through the fringe of its dark matter and the luminous colors danced off its undulating surface.

                With malignant hatred, the entity swarmed the comet, engulfing the light with its colossal mass, smothering it, killing it. The entity quaked in triumph as it squeezed and snuffed out the radiant life of the comet, drowning each flickering color into darkness and despair.

                With its enemy destroyed, the entity relaxed and sent its form rumbling back out into the vast darkness of space to once again claim its territory. As the entity let its consciousness wander down the edge of victorious sleep, a bolt of white light burst from its center, burning through the blackness and filling the surrounding space with magnificent glory. Another shard of light tore through the entity in the opposite direction, then another. Pain ripped through the entity as beacon after beacon tore through it. It constricted against the comet, trying again to smother and destroy it. The beams of light seemed to weaken under the entity’s great pressure, but not enough. The entity crushed against the comet with all its remaining strength, determined to win. Desperate to win. The shoots of light continued to diminish under the entity’s effort until, once again, its lair was cast into solitary darkness.

                As the entity relaxed its winning grip, exhausted, the comet detonated within. Light erupted through the entity in all directions. The great explosion tore through its frame as five large fragments from the comet’s explosion ripped their way through its shadowy form. Light filled the darkness as each of the remaining parts of the comet shot out into space, each in a different direction. The entity cowered beneath the life and power emanating from each of the shards. Weakened, it fled, its form ebbing out into the stars, seeking a place to heal and reclaim its once great power.