The Day They Came

It started with a discovery in the 2040s, a groundbreaking discovery in the field of quantum theory; the answer that we had been searching for since the birth of the discipline. What followed was an unprecedented leap in technology, which would make those born in the 20th Century feel uneasy. Well, I say technology, it’s unlike anything we had seen before, or even considered, in the world of autonomous vehicles and complete virtual reality.

Such vistas into and understanding of previously inconceivable planes was desired by many, even revered, particularly by those in scientific fields at this point. But then came the fanatics, those who could not reconcile their own beliefs with what was now considered the true explanation of reality.

What directly caused them to come was the application of this new technology. These non-mechanical machines allowed for an unforeseen window into the world that had been long gone, that which had been hidden from us for many generations. In addition, our new technology shed light on the sophistication of our most ancient ancestors. They were not as perceived by those in the 21st Century, but had an understanding of natural laws and sciences that, while interpreted differently, allowed for the development of technologies beyond what was considered possible.

Use of this new technology allowed for a far greater understanding of our past, and helped the general public relate to their once distant ancestors.

On a nondescript archaeological dig just beyond the shores of the Aegean Sea, there appeared to be devices, well what we would now consider devices at our current level of technology. Prior to this, generations had considered these artefacts to be idols with mindless carvings that merely were for religious expression or perhaps even a primitive attempt at writing; this new level of technology allowed us to interface directly with these carvings. However, this was not common knowledge it appeared. Their purpose remains shrouded in mystery.

Lacey was working for a conglomerate, funded by a government agency, that specialised in documenting ancient texts and artefacts. She had wanted to be an archaeologist since we were in school together, we both did. We were so excited after leaving university to find out we had been scouted by the very same company to take part in a project just off the coast of Greece. My speciality was in administration, and I had fallen into this opportunity almost by accident. Lacey, while extremely excited, seemed to have an air of melancholy about her. It was something that I would’ve liked to have broached had I had the opportunity to do so; however, everything was taken before we could really catch up. I could see it in her sharp green eyes, an air of sadness that may have been there all along, but seemed to catch me by surprise when I saw her at the induction. We made soft plans to get a coffee before being shipped out to the continent, though they never materialised.

On the first day on the site, a group of us were dispatched to scout the area and ensure that it is safe for work. I was sent out with others in the department, in order to ensure that everything was in-line with the expectations of the managers, and certainly the agency. After managing to use a water displacement field in order to make the area accessible, my team scouted the site for objects of interest, there were many strangely organised buildings, of a style that was not typical of the Greeks, or even any culture of antiquity. Debris carried by sea currents lied amongst the ruins, strange underwater growths lingered in the cracks between ancient bricks. All corners worn down by years of erosion. Despite these blemishes, I could see that it had a similar architectural style to that of Gobekli Tepe in Kurdistan, which was destroyed by religious fanatics in the 2050’s believing it to be a gateway to hell.

What stuck out to me in particular was a stone pillar that came out of the sand with strange glyphs that converged and diverged in chaotic patterns; however, the way in which these lines and symbols intersected seemed deliberate. The shape of the pillar was peculiar too, with multiple nubs protruding from the top, it’s width varying down its length. Its feature sharp and defined, not smooth and withered like other structures in the area. Painted in a indescribable hue; the precision of the curves caused it to shimmer and phase unnaturally, faded like that of film photography of the last century. An aura seemed to emanate from it, that drew me in and caused me to lose my breath as I stood by it; it glowed a colour that I would struggle to describe.

Once my field notes were completed, we returned to our small outpost just on the shore, a group of tents centred around a magnetic force generator provided by the agency, which provided power wirelessly to the tools and computers that we would need for the project. Just outside the limits of the campsite were a couple of unmarked transportation units, they looked different to the ones that brought us here.

The next day we were to start on our excavations and analysis, and it would be what started off as a normal day in the field that would cause a disaster of unprecedented proportions; that would change the course of history.

During the night the generator went down, causing the site to be flooded, after a few minutes of confusion and panic during which I awoke in a daze, the generator suddenly rebooted and cleared the site once again. By the outer edges of the campsite, I saw Lacey speaking in hushed tones with a man I didn’t recognise, his uniform looks unfamiliar. The pillar loomed eerily in the middle, as if to taunt us. Its aura seemingly interacting with the magnetic force generator, there was a barely perceptible worm of energy that gravitated towards the generator from the tip of the pillar. There was a strange mood over the site that night, and into the next day; a sort of fog that got in the way of all decision making and social interactions. People were snappy, impatient, but not Lacey, she remained her pleasant self, always friendly and willing to help others.

The sun rose, peering over the horizon in curiosity, and soon work started on the site, with many members of our team exploring the various buildings and areas of interest that we had outlined in our screening of the site. Kris went straight for one of the smaller huts on the outer area of the settlement, his interests lying in the ancient art and imagery. The walls and floors were adorned with wondrous mosaics showing majestic scenes of chariots flying over intricately designed castles and temples on the ground. A dark stain covered an area in the middle, with tendrils that seemed to spread out from a blackened centre, though it was ascertained to be some growth due to being underwater for so long. It was during my casual inspection of this art that I heard an ear-splitting scream from the middle of the settlement, from the pillar; I knew that voice too. Fearing for the worst, I ran to the source of the terrible shriek.

Having barely made contact with the terribly uncanny pillar, Lacey’s body was contorted and twisted in unnatural ways; a strange light spilled from her eyes and mouth that caused me to feel nauseous at merely the sight of it. Her team stunned by such a display, unable to react. Her shrieking slowly increased in pitch, to a point where her cries were inaudible; the cries of animals were heard in the distance. It was almost as if her voice was coming from somewhere else, somewhere different.

For what felt like an eternity, the rest of the staff on site gazed in wonder, amazement and fear at this strange sight that beheld us; and before we had even comprehended what was even happening, her body, well the perception of her body, distorted as if an image were stretched and expanded in all directions, and then in an instant, she compressed into in a minuscule point, sending a shockwave out as her being disappeared before our eyes. Her locket fell to the floor, slower than would be natural, as if it was sinking in water. A moment of palpable silence lingered over the site.

I ran to collect the locket, the one I gave her when we were young. Suddenly, the ground started violently trembling, the very earth that once felt so sturdy was beginning to give way under an immense pressure that was unprecedented. An earthquake, it seemed, was brewing. What it was in reality was much worse. There was barely enough time to clear the equipment before these beings, of light; of an intense dark hatred; spewed forth from the opening that had been torn through the fabric of the earth; ripped away into reality by the accidental evocation of beings long forgotten, long imprisoned by our ancient relatives. We were quickly ushered out of the area by members of the agency, who appeared to be prepared for such an occasion. Taken to shelters, which would become our new homes; our tombs.

The world changed quickly, for the worse. Governments tried to control, to reason with these beings; all attempts of contact, of subservience, were in vain. These beings sought not to enslave humanity, but to obliterate it.

We live in fear, underground in bunkers that the government had built. They controlled every aspect of our lives; and then there were them. The beings that spilled forth from beyond, bringing death and decay with each of their breaths. We know not whence they came, only that they had been foretold of in ancient texts. Travelling on the surface was at first difficult, and then became impossible as the darkness continued to flow into our realm. Land became barren, we had to use what resources were left to continue the mere survival of humanity, the memory of flourishing was just that.

We simply lie in wait for our inevitable end.