Once...

"Once upon a time.."

"Mama, Are you going to tell me that story?" A little girl sat in her mother's lap, turquoise eyes reflecting the light of the fire. She looked up at her kind face, ever so youthful. A pair of warm blue eyes looked into her daughter's. She smiled.

"Yes, Hannah."

The mother sat back, and held bright-eyed Hannah. She began, her voice warm and young, yet full of wisdom.

"Once, A long, long time ago, when the earth was young and humankind was pure, there was a village. In that village, there were a group of men. Men of knowledge and high status. They were the ones who were high enough to see the angels..."

"They could see angels , Mama?"

"Yes, Dear. Angels. They were very good men. Holy men. They would, every dawn, pray to God for the entire village's safety throughout the day, and thank Him every night."

"But one of their sons, Anguis, wouldn't settle for the high knowledge they were given. He sought out higher, more divine knowledge. The Knowledge of God Himself."

The little girl gasped. Even she knew that Anguis had gone too far.

" He told his father, the leader and eldest Sage of the village," Father, why should we settle for the knowledge God has given us, when we can reach higher levels? We could be gods on earth, ruling all we see!""

"No, my son. We are given our limits. we know our places. Know your own, my son, before a grave punishment befalls this temporary paradise..."

"Anguis gathered a few friends, and ascended the Blessed Tower, daring to face God."

"They never made it. They had incited God's wrath. He had taken The Nine Blessings, the Blessings used to create the Earth, and locked them in the Blessed Tower, causing the world to slowly crumble."

"The Wise men Knew it was Anguis' doing. So they journeyed to the Tower, and prayed to God, for nine days and a night. On the tenth day, they heard a voice--the voice of the Almighty."

"God spoke to them! "

"Yes ,Hannah. They were very devout men. Now, where were we? Ah, yes..."

" O Obedient Servants, Was it not He that gave Ye the earth, So Ye may prosper?Was It not He that gave Ye knowledge, So ye may live?" Said He.

Anguis' father raised his head to the heavens, and replied, "O Almighty! Our offspring have strayed from Your path, But we have not! Have mercy on our obedient souls, for we are weak!"

"Take The Blessing of Holy Light I shall bestow to Ye. Set a torch alight with this Holy Light, For the Earth rests on its existence. For every indiction, A Chosen one will be reborn to replenish this Holy Light. This Is for those who surely believe..." The voice faded.

"Since then, a person from the village would be chosen to re-light the Holy Light."

"Oh! We learned that at school. The Oracle would send a messenger to the Chosen one, right?"

"Yes, Hannah. You have been taught well. Now off to bed with you."

"Okay, Mama. Do you think I can be a Chosen one?"

"yes, Hannah. But I would rather have you here. Who would help me eat all the sweets on Chrysallis' Eve?"

"oh yeah! Good night , Mama."

"Goodnight, Hannah."