Dragonworld: The Drive For Power

Part 7: World Born Of Fire

World born of fire

You could see the age etched into her face. The saggy skin, the wrinkles as deep as valleys, all revealed the relentless march of time, each crease a testament to the burdens of life. She had lived a long time, witnessed it all. There was now only one task left for her to accomplish.

That done, her soul could then safely pass onto the afterlife, to feast with the gods. As the head of the order of the Fire Sisters, she was the guiding light of a religious sect that had a direct connection to nature's primary elements. It was her duty to save the world. 

Her eyes, dulled by the years, settled on the ancient relic before her. This was her burden, her final test, one that would define her legacy and secure her place among the stars. The relic pulsed faintly, as though it too awaited its fate. With trembling hands, she reached for it, a deep, resonating hum filling the air around her.

Then, she heard steps approaching. Quickly hiding the object beneath her cloak, she turned towards the incoming intruders. 

"High Mother, we have brought news," said a women at the head of the group that was walking towards the old lady. They slowed down, and then stopped in front of the high priestess.

"Yes, my children. I have been awaiting your words," said the old lady, her gaze focused on the women standing in front of her. Dressed in white dresses with hints of orange, their heads were covered with headbands made of reeds. 

"The document you had instructed us to find, we found it," continued the woman standing at the head of the group.

"Sister Natalie, please tell me. What does it say?" The High Mother looked at the women.  

"Fire is coming," said Sister Natalie, her voice solemn. "Our era is coming to an end."

"Yes, my child. I had foreseen it."

"What does this mean?" The woman at the top had a frightened look, her eyes glancing at the High Mother, trying to find reassurance. She had served her for countless years, and knew the wisdom the old lady carried within her mind.  

"The passage of time is divided into eras, with each era divided by cataclysmic events, ones that change the world. Sometimes it is water. Sometimes air. This time, it will be fire," explained the old high priestess. The fate of the world was hanging in the balance, she could feel that in her heart. 

"Will the world burn?"

"It is foretold. When an era ends, it is subsumed by the element that reigns supreme. The fire is coming. It will eat us all," said the Revered Mother Superior, her eyes growing bright.

"Can we stop it?"

"No, we cannot," said the old lady. "Yet, it is not all bad. Each destruction also gives room for rebirth. It is up to us to shape it."

"How?"

"I can see it clearly. Among the sisterhood will arise one that will lead the rebirth. She will cleanse the world, and build a new one," she continued, her voice growing low. "The holy fire priestess she will be."

"Holy?" The other women seemed surprised, for holy means someone touched by the gods. Only rarely do individuals in the world have this power. People can sometimes see flashes of the divine, but almost never do they have a direct link of communication with the gods. 

"Yes, holy," said the old lady. "She will be guided by the gods themselves."

"How will we know who she is?"

"In time, she will reveal herself," said the high priestess, her ancient face glowing. "My task, my only task left before I pass on, is to prepare you for her coming."