Eclipsia has no sun, no stars. It is always dark. Yet, the plants there don’t need light to grow.
People can survive for several days without food. Still, they have powerful, strong bodies.
Like Edison in our world, a man in Eclipsia once discovered a glowing bulb - not powered by electricity, no wires, no stand. Just a small box-like structure that could attach to anything and glow ??.
People of Eclipsia believe they are the only beings in existence and that the world was created only for them. They live in societies, just like us.
But they see fire and light as gods - the only truth, the only divine force meant only for the chosen ones.
Every bulb they create is seen as a gift from their god, and it is sacred. These bulbs define social status.
Those who own large bulbs are considered highly blessed, while those with small bulbs or none are seen as cursed, undeserving of god’s kindness. They are forced to live separately. Society calls them "Darkness."
Among them is a boy Awin - from the "Darkness" society, who dreams big.
He faces daily discrimination. He begins to hate his world, and the god they worship.
People in Eclipsia believe the world ends far away in all directions, a place their god forbade them from reaching. So, they never dared to explore. Awin believed the same.
During a festival, people from the higher society made sure those from Darkness couldn’t participate. The privileged had access to tools and knowledge, thanks to the lights in their regions. Sometimes, the people of Darkness received discarded bulbs as a “reward.”
One day, Awin told his mother,
I’m going to steal all the bulbs from the higher society and give them to our people.
His mother replied,
That’s not the right way. Every time I look up, I wonder—why doesn’t god give light to the whole world at once? If that happens, everyone will be equal. No more higher or lower.
That thought lit a spark in his heart.
Awin decided to fulfill his mother’s dream. He believed - if the world has an end, he could go there, climb to the top, place a giant bulb, and bring light to everyone.
He didn’t tell anyone. He stole a large bulb from a temple of the higher society and began his journey.
He walked endlessly, never letting go of his dream.
Using the bulb for navigation, he pushed through pain and bleeding feet. He refused to give up.
At one point, he paused.
What if I’m wrong? What if there is no end to this world? Will I ever see my mom again?
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A small voice inside told him to return. But another voice told him to keep going. He chose to run, faster than ever even with broken feet until he hit something hard.
It was a wall.
He looked up. It went on forever.
Is this it?” he thought.> “Everything they believed was true. I reached the edge of the world.
Tears filled his eyes.
After resting, he began to climb with the bulb.
The wall stretched endlessly, but he now had belief. That belief gave him strength.
After several days, his head bumped into a ceiling. It was the roof of their world.
Overwhelmed, he crawled into the ceiling.
After many more days, he reached a point where he could see Eclipsia below.
He couldn’t see his home clearly, but the line dividing the rich and poor was clearly visible.
He took the bulb from his bag and placed it on the ceiling.
The bulb began to glow.
As the light spread, memories flooded back. Silently, he cried. He wanted his people to know. But he didn’t want to walk all those miles again. Without hesitation, he jumped.
As he fell, he shouted:
I did it! Everyone is the same! No bulb decides my worth!
He landed without injury. But he had no time to process, he saw a crowd gathered. Many people from his society were being punished, hanged, beaten.
He ran toward them. He saw his mother, near the execution site, begging for mercy.
Without a word, they threw her into the fire.
Awin froze.
A voice shouted from the crowd:
If no one tells us who stole the temple bulb, we’ll burn everyone!
Awin stood up, eyes burning with rage.
I did it. I stole it!
The crowd turned toward him. A mob attacked him, punching and kicking.
Where’s the bulb?
How dare you steal god’s light?
Awin began to laugh.
That bulb is now in a place you can never reach. Not even your god can touch it.
They hit him harder.
He looked up.
Look closely. You’ll see your god’s bulb.
The crowd looked up.
A small glow faint, but visible shone from above.
They stared in disbelief.
Awin said,
Now everyone has one common bulb. And it's not given by your god. It was given by me. You see bulbs as gods. Then now I am your god.
The people were stunned.
He continued:
This place is not worthy of such people. Even your god regrets creating this world. That’s why he stopped afraid he'd create more like you. I can hear his voice. He says: ‘I will burn this place.'
Suddenly, fire started raining down from all directions.
Panic spread.
People ran everywhere but the fire was in every corner. No escape.
Awin didn’t run. He closed his eyes.
He waited.
And then
A strange voice echoed…
Honey, this box hasn’t been opened in years… let’s burn it for some winter warmth.