Knowledge of the Shadows

by Parariillusion

In an alternate world, Isis is not the heir of ancient tradition she is the rebel, bringing in a new era to her people. She will rise up against tradition and bring forth a new kingdom with a new ruler. She is the harbinger of doom and the angel of truth.

1. Prologue: Knowing

Knowledge of the Shadows

Parariillusion

Prologue

"We live in a doomed world. Within us exist the curse of mankind; the breath of life and the conscious giving of it. All that we embody is death. This is why we are outcast from the rest of creation. We wear these masks to remain a mystery to ourselves, for death's door must never be opened with man's will. This is our defiance to the false creator," the leader of my tribe intoned. Long ago, an ancestor wrote the truths he repeats every day at the awakening of the sun and the gathering of my people. These truths are what lead to our practice of wearing masks to prevent the knowledge of one's self.

There are special people ordained to handle the passage from birth to death. They are the ones who are special, but scorned with more passion because they are not pure. They have been exposed to the border between life and death, which none but the people that are to-be and have-been are allowed to walk. The waters of life have lapped onto their hands, as have the death-drops of blood. There is no way of telling who will become one of them; it is a purely voluntary task that those who have felt the calling have taken up on their shoulders, carrying the burden of our people.

While they are outcast from us, they are closer to nature than the rest of us will ever be. That is why I will become one of them: so that I may be accepted by the rest of the world and know myself.

AN: Tell me what you think; I have been imagining this story for two years now. I hope that this is a fitting prologue.