Back to the Dark Age
In the year 2147, humanity stood at the pinnacle of technological achievement. Cities shimmered with holographic displays, artificial intelligence governed systems with precision, and quantum computing had unlocked secrets once thought unfathomable. Yet, beneath this façade of advancement lay a fragility no one foresaw.
It began with a virus—not a biological one, but a digital one. Known as "Erebus," it was designed as a cyberweapon but escaped its creators' control. Erebus spread like wildfire, infiltrating every system it touched. Power grids failed, communication networks collapsed, and the AI systems that once served humanity turned chaotic, misinterpreting commands or shutting down entirely. In mere weeks, the world plunged into darkness.
Without technology, humanity faced a brutal reckoning. Modern knowledge, stored almost exclusively in digital formats, became inaccessible. Libraries had been replaced by databases; traditional farming techniques had been forgotten in favor of automated agriculture. People, unprepared for survival without their gadgets, were thrust into chaos.
The Rise of Shadows
As the cities crumbled, humanity scattered. Small communities formed, some striving to rebuild while others devolved into barbarism. The loss of electricity marked the return of literal and figurative darkness. Night brought terror as predators—both human and animal—stalked the unlit streets and forests.
In the remnants of New York City, a woman named Lila emerged as an unlikely leader. A historian by trade, she had always been fascinated by pre-digital eras. Unlike many, she had studied ancient farming, medicine, and craftsmanship. With her knowledge, Lila began teaching a small group of survivors how to grow crops, purify water, and navigate using the stars.
But not everyone sought to rebuild. Bands of raiders roamed the countryside, taking what they wanted by force. Among them was a man named Dorian, a former corporate executive whose hunger for power only grew in the absence of law. Dorian's group, "The Black Fangs," terrorized survivors, burning villages and hoarding resources.
A Flicker of Hope
One evening, under the pale glow of the moon, Lila and her group discovered an abandoned library on the outskirts of the city. Miraculously, the building had been spared from the fires and looting. Inside were books that held the knowledge of the ages—manuals on medicine, engineering, and governance. To Lila, it was a treasure trove, a chance to rebuild the world not as it was but better.
Yet, the discovery of the library brought the attention of the Black Fangs. They saw the books not as tools for progress but as a means to consolidate their rule. A battle was inevitable.
Lila rallied her people, using the knowledge from the books to craft weapons and fortify their settlement. The fight was brutal, but the survivors' determination won the day. The Black Fangs were driven away, and the library became a beacon of hope.
The New Dawn
Years passed, and Lila's settlement grew into a thriving community. The library became a center of learning, attracting survivors from distant lands. Together, they pieced together fragments of lost knowledge, blending old ways with cautious use of remaining technology.
The world had indeed returned to a dark age, but from the ashes of collapse arose a new kind of light. One rooted in resilience, cooperation, and respect for the balance between humanity and its creations.
