Amaranth

The town was silent, the buildings dim shadows in the faint moonlight. Fresh snow covered the ground, its pristine surface marred only by the tracks of a deer. Although the clouds in the sky promised another storm, all was calm within the town.
Until an agonized, inhuman cry from high in the sky broke the silence.
Woken by the sound, a girl rose from her bed and peered out her window. Her eyes widened as the clouds shone a brilliant amaranth, revealing two winged silhouettes locked in battle. The amaranth light brightened as it engulfed one of the silhouettes. The girl lifted a hand and squinted against the suddenly harsh light.
Another cry pierced the silence, and the light went out. Blinking rapidly, the girl thought she had seen something start to fall before the light had disappeared. Listening as she pressed her hands against the cold window, she waited for another sound.
But all was quiet.
Rubbing her hands, the girl turned and climbed back into her bed.
While just outside of town, a herd of deer fled from the newly formed crater. Within the crater was a strange creature whose flesh rippled as it slowly transformed. Snow began to fall as the night grew old. Finally, as the first hints of dawn appeared, a human hand reached out of the crater. Climbing out of the crater, the creature was now a human boy. Looking from the crater to the sky, his shaking hands became fists as the boy let released an anguished sob.
After a moment, he shivered and turned toward the town. Inhaling, the boy crossed his arms over his bare chest and began walking.