Storm Preparations

Miles away, another storm’s shadow loomed over the village, an amalgamation of blistering winds, acidic rain, and lightning that lashed the ground like an unrestrained beast. The Creche, glimmering and otherworldly, worked tirelessly.

Massive crystalline structures were growing in the heart of the village, each one forming a shimmering dome over key communal areas. These weren’t walls in the traditional sense but refractive barriers that deflected the storm’s worst effects. The Creche moved with purpose, their forms flickering between visible and invisible spectrums as they adjusted the structures to counteract new data from the approaching storm.

Villagers, though awed, were also involved, hauling supplies into the protected zones and helping fortify areas outside the barriers with whatever materials they had. Some noticed patterns in the Creche’s movements—subtle gestures that hinted at what needed to be done next. A raised limb here, a streak of light there. Slowly, they were learning to read the Creche’s silent guidance.