literature

how it all began

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Literature Text

       Along time ago, in an ancient land, stood a small village. Secluded by a mountain range, it was a simple society. Rich in history and culture, its people were happy and hardworking. They prayed to their gods and tended to their fields. They were a peaceful people and were not warmongers. However, this made no difference for they, unknowingly had a most sinister enemy.  A man who was: power hungry, corrupt and full of greed. He was a powerful vassal to the emperor of the outside lands.   This vassal grew envious of the emperor and wanted power to over throw him. And so he heard of an ancient race of people who lived in the mountains. A village for who possessed a treasured relic of un-foretold power.   He wanted it. He desired it. And he would stop at nothing to posses it.  So in the cold, dead of night, the vassal's legion of foot soldiers  slithered it's way like a  venomous snake up the mountain and while the villagers slept, and the army unleashed chaos upon the sleepy town.  They burned down the houses and barns and dragged the townsfolk and Elders, who were the governing officials of the town, out of their homes and interrogated them on the relic. To the vassal's dismay the elders would not give up any information on their precious artifact. And so they along with the townsfolk were slaughtered, and thus the strife began.

Not far from the chaos, an old, weary man desperately clutched his young granddaughter's hand as he feebly ran. Uriah was one of the four elders. He had escaped un-noticed. But time was running out for him and he knew it.   Quickly as fast as his old and tired legs could take him, he made his way to the temple shrine where something special resided.
"Grandfather, where are we going, what's going on??"
"Hush child, there is no time for an explanation. We must hurry; it won't be long until the fiends find this place." the pair rushed up the steps and fled inside. He led the young girl into a chamber that housed a pedestal.
"Gasp! Grandfather what is that?"
"Alas it has come to this."

The old man turned to his granddaughter and sighed.
"It was only a matter of time before the cruel men from the outside lands came. We; the Elders knew that this would happen someday. Men desire one thing above all else, and that, my dear, is power.  And they will not stop until they attain it, even if it means killing every man woman and child in this village.

"Why? What do we have that's so powerful? Surly we do not poses anything like that?"
" of course we do. Foolish girl, what do you think makes the lanterns' light up at night?  We have something that the outside world has only dreamed of.  It is our life source. It is what keeps us healthy and give us longevity.
How do u think I came to be 292 years old!! Such a thing is unimaginable!! It is an ancient relic almost as old as the earth herself.  We, were able to harness this miraculous power and use it for good. But if this power came into the wrong hands like those bad men out there it would be used for weapons of war so terrible that I dear not speak about it. "

Screams and shouts from outside filled the halls of the temple.

"Quickly now child, there is no time! You must listen to me now and head my words. You must take this
Gift the gods has bestowed us and protect it and keep it safe.  You must never open this box. Show it to no one. Leave this place and flee far from here.  Be strong child and be safe."
" what about you grandfather? Can't you come with me?"
" no child. I cannot go. I must stay here. I am too old and I would only hinder you." he smiled "I am needed here.  Go now; there is no time to waste. Go."
"But--"
"GO!"
And with that the young girl left her grandfather behind and fled out the back passage way.
  "God speed my child. May the gods smile down upon you. My dear sweet Satori" said the old man as he concealed the secret passage.
"In here!!" a soldier called from the hallway.
Soldiers armed with swords and spears entered the tiny room and surrounded the old man.
A man in a long dark hooded robe entered the room.  The old man swallowed hard.
" what is your name old man?"  He did not answer.
" you are an elder no? You must be, by the way you are dressed."  Still no reply.
" I pray for your sake that you are not as stubborn as your fellow colleagues. You see they refused to tell me what I wanted to know and I had to punish them for their insubordination."
"Now, where is your power source? Where is the relic?"
"…I destroyed it."
" I admire your courage old man but I will not ask you again"
"you and your inhumane kind will never possess the relic. I know what you want it for and I will NEVER allow that to happen. We lived in peace for centuries never have we used the divine power for such atrocities. "
"Last chance. Choose your words carefully old man"   the old man remained silent, and tilted his chin in defiance.
"Kill him."
And all at once the soldiers thrust their swords and spears into the aged body of the old man.
And as he lay dying on the cold stones of the temple floor he whispered to the atmosphere
"I pray the gods *cough* watch over her*cough cough*. My dear….. Sweet….. satori……….."
this is a revised version of my story. i have not come up with a title for said story yet.
© 2010 - 2024 alkaholly
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