There was fear in the room. The unrest that had built up after centuries of wait was visible on their faces. The statues of the great heroes that had brought salvation to the people of our realm now seemed all too insignificant. The previous wars that we had fought, especially the wars that I had experienced in my lifetime, felt a practice in excess, a way to exercise pride. Even the gods that we had once put our faiths in, and the devotion that we had put towards wisdom and knowledge, felt needless. I knew this feeling very well. It has been documented well in the human texts. The feeling of an insignifncant past, the denial of one’s possessions and status, and most importantly, a desire for more. We had truly become…

Greedy.

“According to ancient texts…” Rosett’s voice came from the front, as he began reciting his report. He had asked me to review his report before the meeting, and it was well done, even though I did not agree with the content. I slowly opened my eyes, and looked at the diary that I had kept on the table. I had barely written anything on it. It was too late to write something on it now, so I closed it, bookmarking the latest page filled with my scribblings. I carefully caressed the cover, analyzing the emblem of Knowledge on it. The key to paradise in the middle, and the white snake flowing through it, said to represent the end of an age. Creation, destruction, and recreation. I slowly dragged my finger on the snake. We are not worthy to hold the Key to Paradise, I thought.

“Weissman!” I darted my eyes towards Eldrick, as I stood from my chair. It was my turn to speak. I grabbed my hat, which was kept besides my diary, and wore it neatly, adjusting the hair that was poking out. Steadily, I started walking towards the front, evading the round table.

I adjusted my robe, straightening it, and pulled up my pant. Whatever must be said, shall be said here I thought, sweat flowing down my face. I patiently faced towards the flame burning on the chalice. And, I put it out.

“Weissman, what are you doing?!” Eldrick arose from his chair suddenly, his voice darting hastily towards me, as if an heresy were to have occurred. The other Elders started talking amongst themselves, their panic clearly visible in their manuever. I knew what I had done. I showed my right hand, signaling silence.

“Silence!” The Elders slowly stopped their chatter, and looked towards me. Eldrick halted in his follious march, as he understood my intent.

My right hand had the white snake embed on it, after all.

I slowly lowered my right hand. “It is time that we find our Great Lord.” My eyes fixated on the emblem drawn on the door behind the table, luminated by the two torches attached on the wall besides it.

The emblem of knowledge represents the truth that governs all worlds: Creation, Destruction and Recreation. It is a truth that any hero has not defied in the long-standing history of our realm. To defy this truth means to go against the Creator’s wish, and to commit the greatest heresy possible. However, for people who are obsessed with living, it is the only option. In times of great evil, the tides change. The white snake consumes the demon realm leaving not a single demon behind. Except the one that holds the key to paradise, stored in this very chamber from generations to generations. It becomes the responsibility of the key holder to pass on the previous eras’ values and teachings to the next generation and so on. To circumvent this truth, for an era to prolong its stay, must be considered a much more greater sin than the sins for which the white snake wrecks havoc.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“This era that we live in must not end!” I raised my voice, focusing my eyes on the Elders. I slammed my right hand on the table, wishing that they would listen to me. I paused for a moment, observing the Elders who were surprisingly calm, listen to my ordeal.

“The white snake will keep wrecking havoc until sin is extinguished from this realm. As everyone is aware, we are currently in the 8th era of the demon realm. I am sure everyone is also aware that I have been selected as the key holder for all 8 times.” I paused for a moment, swallowing my memories, and guilt. I recalled the amount of times I had given this same speech. But this time, I won’t let them die.

“In those same ancient texts that write of our demise, they write of a way to evade it. The white snake will only destroy when there is sin. But, what if what we call sin is redefined? The Great Lord, has been said in ancient legends, to destroy the difference between good and evil.” I halted, straightening my back, as I removed my hands from the table.

“In the first era, known as the mythical age, I had sent one of my disciples to find the great lord.” The Elders started talking amongst themselves again, surprised of the revelation.

“So, are you saying that we should trust that disciple of yours, this time, even though that person has failed for the last eight times?” It was the same question this time as well.

“No.” Everyone started laughing as they heard the flaw in the logic. I looked at the emblem again, trying to discern the righteousness of the next words that I was about to say.

“But, if it fails this time, then there shall be no key holder.”

The room became rampant as they started throwing one insult after the other.

“Have you grown senile, old man?” Nihilade stood up from his chair, his eyebrows bent towards his nose as if he was accusing me of a crime.

“We all want to live here, and we are ready to commit the greatest heresy in the demon realm, but to not have a key holder when we are not certain whether that disciple of yours will find our Lord or not is just crazy!” His mouth was opening in a ferocious way, extending more than his face.

“We are not worthy of the key of paradise.” I had a calm expression on my face, I believed, as I tried to hold the anger in myself. “Can you all be sure to lead a life of no more greater sin than now when you are alone?” I opened my eyes, watching the Elders perplexed as they sat defeated.

“The key to paradise is the power of the King. It is the power of a parent to the realm. In times of great solitude, can you pass on the right teachings and values as you are now? Can any one of you do that?” I looked at the Elders, waiting for their answer.

“If this continues, then the demon realm will only become a place of more greater sin.” I paused, judging their intent. This time, I felt, they had agreed with me. I accidentally let out a smile.

“If we would be given a chance to live, we shall not let that go to waste. I cannot guarantee that the demon realm would become devoid of sin. However, I can guarantee you that we will become better. Even though the process may be slow at first, I want to believe in our people. We shall not let some faceless god decide our fate!” I slammed my right hand on the table. The Elders stood up from their chair as they applauded in favor.

I looked at the emblem again.

This time, I won’t let them die.