Game of Destiny, Book I: Willow

by J Seab

You have passed the first milestone and begun your journey.

  This, then, issues from the first and reveals the bodies of failure.

  It begins the story of suffering and death passed back to us by the specters of our doomed, unborn children. It is, therefore, a story that we tell before it ended. We speak our words from a time that is not yet for us, but is ancient for you. Nonetheless, these words are known to all, but denied by most. Ours is a story of failure—of destiny unfulfilled.

  In your ancient days, humankind spread thickly across the world. We amassed great knowledge of earth, fire, water, and air. And with that knowledge, we shaped many wondrous things that enabled comfort and peace throughout all lands. In our zeal, however, we sought to reach beyond comfort and peace into idolatry.

  It was not knowledge that we lacked, therefore, but wisdom.

  In our pursuit of the eternal gods of pleasure and gold, the few learned to wield the Sword of Deceit, cloaking the blood and suffering and surrounding it within shining veils that glittered and titillated.

  The Sword of Deceit, however, is a weapon of lies.

  It works well in the hands of those strong in greed and weak in compassion. Its keen edge of avarice slices easily through the weak minds of the willing with ploys of riches promised and physical desires fulfilled. Its sharp point of fear thrusts deep within the hearts of the self-delusional, binding them with tales of heroic praise, pride, and plunder. Its hardened blade of hatred and anger rips asunder the bounty of the diversity of life and environment, justifying rape and wanton destruction as the right of superiority of self, nation, race, and creed.

  The Sword of Deceit warps horror into heroism, greed into righteous conquest, ignorance and apathy into entitlements of desire. It is a weapon difficult to defeat with the brawn of power, but easily turned with the Staff of Truth.

  If you are worthy, seek next the Chambers of Radiance: from the first, travel 66 to the deeps below the 38th.