[i]"What troubles you?"
"Do you ever wonder?"
"About what?"
"About the choice that we made. If it was the right one. Since the night that we revealed ourselves to the mortals and gave them the gift of sentience."
"I admit that I, a Namaru, the Principality that Guides Those Without Light, have been having second thoughts about the path we chose."
"We dared to rebel against the Almighty, violating his second edict in order to obey the first. To love humans as we love Him. That was why we chose to teach them the wonders of the universe, to reveal ourselves to them. Yet, the situation has only become increasingly worse as the centuries have passed. The layers of reality have fragmented. Humans have been cursed with mortality. Thanks to Cain, murder entered creation and filled us with terrible blood lust, thus truly beginning the War of Wrath. We have battled for nearly a millennium now, across time, space, and reality. Yet, our condition continues to deteriorate. Today, I saw that some mortals were even beginning to consider rejecting that which we offer them."
"Ahrimal knew the effects of the Fall, but he couldn't foresee the cause. Like him, all of us are removed from the machine of fate. Who knows? Perhaps by rebelling, we brought about the disaster we tried to avert."
"I know. At the time, I rallied to the Morningstar's side when he raised the banners of rebellion. One reason was that you felt it was the right thing to do. And also, because I am an Asharu, a Guardian, deliverer of the breath of life. We of the Second House are connected to mortals in a way that few others are. They are the center of our existence. I thought that perhaps I could help the mortals become so much more. So I, the Virtue of Restful Healing, rebelled for their sake. Yet now, I am afflicted with fear that we set upon the wrong course, that we are all doomed by the sins of mortals. I am afraid of what is to follow. That the worst is yet to come. I have tried voicing my concerns, but many of the others mock my words. Some even tried to destroy me, denouncing me as a traitor to the Cause, and they are Asharu like me. Nazriel merely cautioned me against speaking too loudly about such things. It deeply troubles me. If Ahrimal could sense the Fall, surely the Almighty would have detected it long ago? Why did he allow this to pass? And why did he allow us to manifest such an imperfection as rebelling against His will? Unless, this is all a part of the Most High's plan. What will become of us?"
The Herald gave the Guardians's hand a light squeeze and pulled him into a gentle embrace, with the Asharu's head resting upon his shoulder.
"Don't worry. Regardless of what happens, we will face it together. As long as we are together, I would not even be afraid to face Oblivion."
"Promise me, that if we should ever be separated, we will find our way back to each other, no matter how long it takes."
"I promise. Even if we are separated by layers of reality and for millennia, I will find my way back to you."
Tomorrow would be a difficult campaign. They would probably have to retreat. But for now, the Namaru and Asharu rested their weary minds in one another's tenderness, enjoying a soft, gentle kiss.[/i]
Note: Want to take a guess as to who the two characters in the dream are? I hope you enjoy it.
"Do you ever wonder?"
"About what?"
"About the choice that we made. If it was the right one. Since the night that we revealed ourselves to the mortals and gave them the gift of sentience."
"I admit that I, a Namaru, the Principality that Guides Those Without Light, have been having second thoughts about the path we chose."
"We dared to rebel against the Almighty, violating his second edict in order to obey the first. To love humans as we love Him. That was why we chose to teach them the wonders of the universe, to reveal ourselves to them. Yet, the situation has only become increasingly worse as the centuries have passed. The layers of reality have fragmented. Humans have been cursed with mortality. Thanks to Cain, murder entered creation and filled us with terrible blood lust, thus truly beginning the War of Wrath. We have battled for nearly a millennium now, across time, space, and reality. Yet, our condition continues to deteriorate. Today, I saw that some mortals were even beginning to consider rejecting that which we offer them."
"Ahrimal knew the effects of the Fall, but he couldn't foresee the cause. Like him, all of us are removed from the machine of fate. Who knows? Perhaps by rebelling, we brought about the disaster we tried to avert."
"I know. At the time, I rallied to the Morningstar's side when he raised the banners of rebellion. One reason was that you felt it was the right thing to do. And also, because I am an Asharu, a Guardian, deliverer of the breath of life. We of the Second House are connected to mortals in a way that few others are. They are the center of our existence. I thought that perhaps I could help the mortals become so much more. So I, the Virtue of Restful Healing, rebelled for their sake. Yet now, I am afflicted with fear that we set upon the wrong course, that we are all doomed by the sins of mortals. I am afraid of what is to follow. That the worst is yet to come. I have tried voicing my concerns, but many of the others mock my words. Some even tried to destroy me, denouncing me as a traitor to the Cause, and they are Asharu like me. Nazriel merely cautioned me against speaking too loudly about such things. It deeply troubles me. If Ahrimal could sense the Fall, surely the Almighty would have detected it long ago? Why did he allow this to pass? And why did he allow us to manifest such an imperfection as rebelling against His will? Unless, this is all a part of the Most High's plan. What will become of us?"
The Herald gave the Guardians's hand a light squeeze and pulled him into a gentle embrace, with the Asharu's head resting upon his shoulder.
"Don't worry. Regardless of what happens, we will face it together. As long as we are together, I would not even be afraid to face Oblivion."
"Promise me, that if we should ever be separated, we will find our way back to each other, no matter how long it takes."
"I promise. Even if we are separated by layers of reality and for millennia, I will find my way back to you."
Tomorrow would be a difficult campaign. They would probably have to retreat. But for now, the Namaru and Asharu rested their weary minds in one another's tenderness, enjoying a soft, gentle kiss.[/i]
Note: Want to take a guess as to who the two characters in the dream are? I hope you enjoy it.