Illuminare

Prologue

   Slipping, sliding, skiving off the side, the creature sprinted as he cursed himself endlessly. Foolish, foolish boy he could almost hear the old women taunting him, and driving him on while he ran. It was pitch black as he launched himself down the mountain, his footing precarious. The creature regretted what he had done, what he had taken.

He knew the consequences would be severe for this theft. He had gone too far this time, pushed too hard, and finally tipped over the fates that had already been warning him of their fragile favor. He was aware there was no repentance that could possibly reprieve him of the punishment that was waiting. Oh but if only the creature realized just how ferociously the ax would fall for his crimes. He might perhaps hasten back to return the flames, and grovel for mercy. Alas it was far too late, so he continued on, descending in the pouring rain while shielding the flames with his body.

However, despite the nerves and the terror, another feeling seized him, quietly at the back of his mind. Excitement? Curiosity? A kind of childlike wonder possessed him. The possibilities were unlimited with what the disciples might do. What they might be able to create. The elders had for too long underestimated the ability of the small species roaming the earth below them. The creature himself had first only felt pity for them as well, but after a while, that pity was transformed into a gentle fascination. He discovered they were surprisingly resilient and equally resourceful, despite the eternal darkness they lived in.

It was that foolish hope and fixation that drove Prometheus* on as he ignited the human world, either towards an era of creation or destruction. 

*Prometheus is the titan in Greek mythology who stole fire from Olympus to give to the humans, doing so against the king of gods Zeus's wishes.