God's Gift of Love prologue
Xelloss sat in the small, green courtyard of the small church. It was a rural church, serving a very small parish, so at this time of the week it was almost totally abandoned. The only people who resided were Xelloss himself, the elderly groundskeeper, and the priest of the church.
It was so strange to find such a noted priest, the great Rezo the Red, in such a setting. Xelloss would have expected him to live in the sterling city and give great lectures. But Rezo was a good priest, a good man, a humble man.. He was a kind man, so spiritual that he could even perform miracle healings. He was Xelloss's inspiration. Xelloss dreamed of the day when, from Rezo's stern yet caring guidance, he could perform miracles of his own. And then he would give Rezo the miracle of his own that he so desperately craved. Rezo was blind, and Xelloss wanted him to be able to see the world.
"Acolyte Xelloss, I see that you have completed your chores early today," said the wise man as he walked towards his student, emerging from the shadows. It was amazing how well the blind man did that. Rezo took a seat next to his student. The bench was a small one, so the two young men were very close together. The wise priest smiled.
Xelloss knew what that smile meant. He steeled his nerves. It was time for a test.
In a conversational tone, the older man asked, "What would you say is the greatest truth in our religion, Acolyte?"
Xelloss carefully combed over the words, looking for any deeper meanings. He finally, hesitantly said, "Wouldn't that be our God?"
Rezo's face showed that while that was not incorrect, it was not what he was looking for. He redirected his student with, "But what would you say is the greatest truth that we have been given by the higher power?"
Xelloss glanced around the well manicured lawn, looking for any ideas. His eyes were drawn to some beautiful flowers, climbing roses scaling the wall of the Children's Chapel, the church's daycare. Roses were alive. Was life the truth? No, that couldn't be what the great priest was looking for. But the roses were so beautiful. Beauty. Xelloss felt that he was on to something. Creations of beauty, created to be beautiful from...
"Love," Xelloss answered with confidence. "All of life is forged with our great God's love. It flows in every creature; it is the essence of life. And we, as His creations.. It is our duty to allow his love to flow freely from each of us to the next. That is why we are called to live peacefully. We must all love one another."
Rezo smiled, very pleased, and Xelloss knew that his answer was correct. "Impressive insight, young Acolyte. Yes, love is the fundamental truth to this world. Everyone needs love-never forget that. It is our one true key to heal people's souls with."
Rezo put one hand down on the bench, and the other grabbed his cane, so that he would rise without risk of falling. The hand placed on the bench brushed against Xelloss's leg. The touch was electric. 'God's love must surely burn bright within this great sage,' Xelloss thought.
"Enjoy a free afternoon, Acolyte Xelloss. I have Church matters to attend to," he said in a very friendly, giving tone, as he walked away. The exchange was forever burned into Xelloss's mind.
A/N: Xelloss might seem just a little OOC right now, but that will be explained in future chapters when his backstory is revealed! This is just the prologue, so none of the real meat of the story has been revealed, just setting the stage. Ideas are needed for cool things to have happen. Thank you for reading, Lots of Love!