Seed Crystal

Heresy

Disclaimer: Not in any way meant to be an accurate retelling. Just another story if you will.

Part 1

Let me tell you the story of a young woman.

She lived in a time when the latest technology was how to store meats and wines in the arid desert, when the only things that flew in the sky were birds, when animals pulled the carts, and when everything, no exceptions, were made by hand.

She also lived in a place where there was a constant struggle for land and the glory of one's God.

But, I guess, there isn't much difference in any time or any place, is there?

She and her brother are trying to blend in the marketplace of her people's enemy.

Not like it's that hard to do during the festival season. People from around the world flock to sell their wares. There were even some who visited solely to join the celebrations. Everyone's priority was on something positive for the day.

And a day to remember it shall be.

Some may say that it is destiny and some will say that it is by the design of a divine architect. But whatever it is the future holds, the young woman in our story has more pressing concerns.

"Young lass," a man approaches our main character as she frantically scans the crowded streets, "I cannot help but notice your distress. Maybe I can help?"

He looks young, perhaps only a few years older than her. His long hair is braided in small sections and tied together in a low ponytail. He has a fairly large build but not too muscular that he stands out from the average person.

"I am looking for my brother," the young woman answers tentatively. "He is about this tall, and he is wearing a white scarf the last I saw him. We are not from around here and I have checked all the places we have been and cannot find him."

"Your brother is young, yes?"

"He is but a child and we have to make our way home before the dark catches us."

"I think I may have an idea," he says a smile on his face.

The young woman follows him through the crowds. He has a spring in his step as he greets almost everyone he meets with the holiday. He politely refuses any distractions without drawing any attention to her.

Does he know who she is?

Soon, the crowd becomes thinner and they are almost at the edge of the marketplace and the city.

She stops, "Where are you taking me?"

He tilts his head in confusion.

"We are going away from the city. I dearly appreciate your help but I cannot help but be suspicious."

"Oh," he scratches the back of his head. "The children do get bored of watching their parents after a while, so they have found an open space to play together."

"It's not far off, I promise," he adds.

"You know this to be true?"

"As much as any local who has grown up with this festival does."

She follows him, tugging her scarf closer to herself.

As soon as they pass the city gates, the young man sidesteps.

In front of her is a clearing, where children play despite the sun. Several adults watch over them under the sparse trees scattered at the edges of the field.

Running around with the other children, the young woman finds what she is looking for.

"Hanun!"

Her brother answers her call, covered in sweat and dirt, a smile on his face.

"Sister!" he shouts, running over to her. "Do we have to go now? Alona says the festivities last until dark."

The young woman looks at the other boys behind her brother.

They seem to be sincere enough but-

"We really should be going. Father and mother would be worried."

"Just a while longer?"

"Hanun," she warns.

"Just until we finish this game? Please?"

Another boy tugs Hanun away. Both of them ran towards the far end of the field before she could grab her brother.

She lets out a loud groan that makes the young man beside her laugh.

She directs her worst glare at him.

He stops, or at least tries to, resting one hand on his chest and the thumb of the other wiping at the corner of his eye.

"Alona gets impulsive like that. Forgive the boy, he doesn't make many friends except during the festival."

She spares a glance at the waning afternoon sun.

"My brother and I should really get going."

"I will try to reason with them. Wait here," he makes his way towards where the boys have gone off to.

Then, a frantic man runs from the tall grasses beyond the field.

"A lion!"

The large beast jumps from the tall grasses. Upon making it to the field, the lion makes its way towards the nearest target.

Her brother.

"Hanun!"

The young man runs. Then, he body-slams the lion. Allowing the boys enough time to run to safety.

She catches her brother, embracing him for all he's worth. But she's frozen in place, attention at the scene before her.

The lion regains its senses and lunges towards the young man. It immediately turns into a brawl between man and beast.

The people around them were chaotic. Some are running around asking, screaming for help. Others are paralyzed just like her. Archers and other warriors have arrived at the scene, but are unable to do anything because of the proximity of the young man to the beast.

A man can only hold his own for too long. Soon, the lion's open jaw was inches away from the man's face. Blood was dripping from where he had grabbed the jaw to keep it from his neck.

In a split second, there was a large splattering of blood.

The young woman closes her eyes. Her knees buckle underneath her, the sharp rocks on the ground dig into her knees but she doesn't move. She presses her brother's head against her chest, hiding him from the gruesome sight.

It was silent for a while. The lion was satisfied with its kill. It won't attack them now, that is not the way of beasts.

But thinking about the helpful young man, now being torn to pieces... she can't. It was all the more reason to keep her eyes closed.

But the sound that breaks the silence is cheering.

People were clapping and screaming from around her. They were chanting a name she could barely discern.

When she opens her eyes, the young man who had helped her find her brother is in front of her, kneeling to get at her eye level.

"You're safe now."

His hands are clasped behind his back as he gives her a shaky smile. Blood stains the front of his attire. He's still panting from the fight but he gives her a shaky smile, nonetheless.

"Thank you for saving my brother," she finally says. "I do not know how we could ever repay your kindness."

"It is not kindness as much as it is a responsibility for the strength bestowed upon me." He looks sheepish as if he hadn't bested a grown lion just minutes ago. "But if I may, can I ask for your name?"

"My name is Delilah."

"Delilah," the young man whispers under his breath, whether to commit her name to memory or to test it on his tongue she does not know. Then, he squares his shoulders and smiles, "I am Samson."