The object moved swiftly through space. Its cold blue colour lit up the skies of the worlds it passed. Eons it had travelled, thrown through the galaxy on a course that would finally end. No more than random chance had set its path, but some would say it was destined to crash into the planet.

#

On that planet, still half a million kilometres away, Jyak Wyk awoke with the buzz of excitement in the pit of his stomach. Today was market day. Any excuse to visit town was welcome to Jyak, but market day was special. People came from all over the county. Farmers and herders traded. Street musicians and magicians entertained. Merchants brought rare wares and tales from distant lands.

Jyak, the eldest son of a farmer, was a sturdy young lad with broad shoulders and dark skin. He helped his father fill the cart with barley and an assortment of vegetables. They had two strong owsen for ploughing, whom they now harnessed to pull the cart. It was an hour walk to the village, but so many people were walking the same path Jyak had a good morning chatting to his friends, and even a few strangers making their way to the market.

#

The object passed by the planet’s bright moon. From here the shape of the continents and the weather patterns could be spied. The side of the planet facing the object had six massive islands, clumped together. It was like a target. The object was aimed directly at them.

#

The county Jyak lived in was on the northern edge of the south-east island, Efka. To Jyak, someone who’d never been farther than the village, Efka seemed like the entire world. He was barely aware of the other five islands. Even on market day, Jyak would never expect to see someone from outside of Efka.

When they arrived in the village, the town-square was already a flurry of activity. Stalls were still being erected, and even this early in the morning some villagers were already out haggling and looking for deals. Besides helping his father today, Jyak was also on strict orders from his mother to fetch them enough wool to make new cloaks for the family, as well as olive oil and wine – delicacies which came from the north-eastern island, Oro.

“Good morning, Jyak!”

Jyak nearly dropped the sack of cowpeas he was unloading from the cart. He turned around to see Rini’s smiling face. They’d known each other their entire lives and she never missed an opportunity to hide behind a sack of grain and try to scare him.

Rini was taller than Jyak, which wasn’t a hard feat, and her skin was like polished onyx. She kept her hair cropped short since she spent so much time working in the fields, which also gave her strong arms and legs. There was no doubt in Jyak’s mind that she was the most beautiful woman in Efka.

“Rini, did I ever tell you about my grandfather who died from shock?”

“Sure, it was right after I told you about how good my grandma was at scaring him,” she laughed. “I’m glad you’re here early. My father was hoping to make our trade with you before all your best bundles of amaranth leaves were gone. Can you help me carry everything?”

“Run along Jyak, I can finish setting up while you two take care of that,” Jyak’s father said. The two farmers had had a regular trade set up from before Jyak was even born.

Rini helped Jyak load up a cart of amaranth and they made their way across the market to Rini’s father’s stall. Rini was the oldest of five girls, and since she had no brother it was understood she would inherit the farm. Jyak knew she worked twice as hard as he ever did, always having to prove herself. It was one of the things that made him admire her.

“I missed you,” Rini said once his father’s stall was out of sight. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

“Not here,” Jyak blushed and pulled away. Everyone knew they had a fondness for each other, and Jyak had told his father – or at least hinted to him – that he intended to marry Rini. But until the two were wed, it was unseemly to show affection like that in public.

“No one’s looking at us. Look, the fire-breather’s already set up.” There was a whoosh of light and a gasp of awe from the crowd. She took his hand in hers and helped him push the cart. For a moment he felt like they were already husband and wife, just enjoying the market day together.

#

The object hit the planet’s atmosphere, an invisible barrier that created so much friction a moment later the bright blue orb was engulfed in flames. It fought against the resistance, pushing through the fire, but the atmosphere was strong. The object began to crack and splinter. It broke apart into dozens and dozens of pieces.

Flaming crystal shards plummeted four times faster than the speed of sound. They would shower down on all six islands.

#

Jyak and Rini had just returned to his father’s stand when they heard the murmur ripple through the crowd. There was a bright light, and at first Jyak assumed it was the fire-breather doing another stunning display. But the light was too bright, and people were pointing up at the sky in shock.

The two looked up and saw what Jyak could only describe as a ball of fire falling from the sky. He had no comprehension of what he was looking at. The idea of a meteor or asteroid was foreign to him. But even the basest of minds can recognize that fire raining down on them was bad.

“Run!” someone in the crowd screamed, and a panic began in the marketplace. People rushed every which way, knocking over carts and each other in an attempt to flee the village.

Jyak’s father called to him and Jyak turned to grab Rini – but she was gone!

“Rini! Rini!” he screamed, but could barely hear his own voice over the panicked mob. Jyak’s father reached him, grabbed his arm, but Jyak pulled away. “I have to get Rini!”

He pushed into the crowd, continuing to scream her name, above him the sky grew blindingly bright.

“Jyak!” he heard her panicked voice and saw her. She’d been pushed down into the mud, trampled and was struggling to get up. He knocked over a man to reach her, quickly scooping her into his arms.

“It’s all right, I have you. Follow me!”

He took her hand. The crowds had thinned and it was easier to move. They turned to leave the market square, but it was too late.

A single shard from the object impacted in the marketplace, barely a cart length from where Jyak and Rini stood. The force of the collision knocked the two off their feet and into the air.

Jyak landed hard on his back, hitting his head. He was dazed and struggled to get up. He didn’t understand what had happened, why he was lying on the ground covered in mud, why his head felt fuzzy and the only thing he could hear was this piercing metallic tone in his ears. He made it to his feet, looked at the detritus and chaos around him. It looked like a storm had come through the marketplace.

There, cratered in the mud in the centre of the marketplace, he saw a bright sparkling blue stone. He couldn’t understand what was happening, but the object called to him. Its glimmer and shine were so beautiful. Without asking why he walked over and picked the object up.

And the world screamed.