3000AD - The New World

by Hwackroyd

With the end of the age and destruction of the world, a new dawn falls upon the earth. From the shadows a being is born, the Bearer, climbing out from the void and moving across the face of the waters. With the Bearer comes life, with the Bearer comes a second hope.

3. Chapter 3

From the suffering rose the greatest city of all, Superbia, towering up over the lands. And it came to pass, when the Liberi began to find comfort in their hollow achievements, that the darkness grew angry, for their pride multiplied with every day. For what good was suffering if it had become an accepted part of their existence? The wickedness of the Liberi was great in the earth but matched not that of the darkness.

And the darkness said, "It must be shown to them what pain truly is, for they have grown content in their lives". Casting throughout Superbia a young child was found, Ariana, whose face gleamed with the joy of life.

And the darkness said unto Ariana, "Walk out through the gates and into the wastelands, for the end of all flesh is come before me. Bring back the shape which holds the suns power within and place it amongst your family". Thus did Ariana, according to all the the darkness commanded her, so did she.

And it came to pass after seven years, that Ariana returned to Superbia, bearing the darknesses wishes. In the sixteenth year of her life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, she placed the shape amongst her family and released the power within. That day, a bright flash of light erupted from Superbia, consuming all in fire; the skies opening up and acid falling across the land.

And the light prevailed for all to see, increasing greatly upon the earth, burning the Liberi's eyes who stood across the land. And all flesh died that moved throughout Superbia, both child and grown, falling into the earth. And the light prevailed for a thousand years.

The darkness watched as the other cities saw what had been done, fearful of the light which lit up the night sky. They once again found pain and it clung onto their skin, causing them anguish as they tried to move on. Those who ventured too close to the light dropped dead to the ground, and the darkness was glad.

And the darkness said, "go forth across the land and breed abundantly, be fruitful, but never forget". And with that they fled from around Superbia, never looking back. The wounded and dying were left to whither in the dust, and all that once was crumbled. Nothing would be learnt by the pain of the past, and nothing could hoped to have been gained. Their achievements stood as reminders to the weakness of their plight.

A curse was placed on the unborn children of future, a plague of deformities would cripple them, causing pain with every step. And as they left the darkness spoke again, "while the earth remaineth, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall come and go, but the darkness shall never cease".