Teintes changeantes (Changing Shades)

There was nothing at the start. Nothing to feel, smell, touch, etc. Light is a mysterious phenomenon. Apparently, God was the one who introduced it into the universe. "Let there be light" was the phrase uttered, and just like that, the ability to see was obtained. Light is not alive. Yes. That was a fact. Is it true, though? The sun. A thing of immense heat. A burning ball of death and life. Amazing beyond words, and yet that is all it is. A flaming sphere. It's not alive, so it is of no importance to anyone other than those who study it in the name of science. There were those who prayed to it, revered it, and worshipped it as a god, but it is no god. Right?

The 21st century, and this is the idea that is common amongst humankind. We are thankful for the sun, but we are not going to pray to it, offer it anything, or thank it. We are the only sentient creatures in existence gifted with creativity and abilities no other thing has. Yes. That is what makes us special. Our uniqueness and individuality

2:57 p.m.—that's when it happened. The heat that was once bearable suddenly increased to the point of pain. Red skin and screams erupted. The sound of people dropping onto the floor as their consciousness dissipated That was merely the start, as the shadows we once controlled as if we were puppet masters cut their strings and left the 2D realm, becoming 3D just like the humans they imitated.

Their forms consisted entirely of darkness, and the light of the sun did nothing to hinder them. They had what could only be seen as fur on their hunched backs and arms that extended down from the shoulders, which included four fingers extending from their hands that could only be described as sharp. Their heads were animal-like in design, yet they had no facial features, or at least nothing human-like.

The humans in the midst of these baffling and frankly terrifying events made the mistake of not moving, as in those few seconds of confusion the shadowy beings swiped and landed large incisions that tore through fabric down to the flesh as blood spewed out the unfortunate souls that were attacked as they slumped to the ground dead.

That day marked the invasion. Was this God's judgement? Was this alien? Or maybe the sun had finally had enough?