Divine

And so, our world was made from a ball of dust and gas by his hand. WE were placed upon it when it was all ready and we were given prophets, that gave us the words of Creator: his wishes and rules. Those rules we must follow, for we owe this existence to Him:′ Alida took a breath after finishing her lecture to students. “Any questions?“,. But the order keeper called the end of class and children cleared their tables and went towards the door, each politely saying, “Thank you, teacher;′ before exiting the room. Alida nodded and packed her things too. “Why do you teach them things you hardly believe yourself? You often show contradicting things...It’ll get them confused one day, you know.“. “Do I look like I’m in the mood, Rai?” She sighed, looking weary for a moment.

“No, but I am addressing the issue, aren’t I?“.

She looked down, “I should just tell them to go without believing it all, you know, I think that a lot. But I’ve seen the lectures of others, and trust me, they are far more strict. The book I read to them, is one of many. I read to them the contradicting authors. They will make something of it, and hopefully, conclude that none can be trusted and search for themselves. Much better than to just leave this and let the others feed to them lies, I mean, we have ordinary people writing about creation, citing prophets none even knows about. Nice system, no?” Rai sighed and moved out of the way for Alida to pass. He was taller than

her and had to bend to pass through the door. Alida tossed her long red hair and tied it into a tail. She put on a hat to protect from the heat of their stars and started walking towards the entrance of the building. It was cone-shaped, made of heated pressed sand, in the form of thin slices. The local school, of town Abath Fal. Alida was the teacher or religion, although in years she always felt something wrong about their beliefs and books on religion. There was something unknown there, too idealized.

Rai was her friend and he knew her opinions. He also knew that she was on the verge of quitting her job, frustrated by new events. Now that, was a hell.

Their world was breaking, and finally, everyone realized that. Life was dying - crops wilting, turning to powder. Animal forms were weakening, becoming dull and finally dying. There were less and less. The people themselves were feeling weak, without the will for anything.

But the worst came from the special ones. People with high spirituality, those who could extend their mind - those with telepathic powers. They spoke of many restless nights, plagued by nightmares of blur and screams. Blur, screams and agonizing pain, crashing at them in waves, unlike anything they ever felt. Every single one was affected, and they faded even quicker than the others.

People have gone mad. They did not know what to think - some

thought this was a punishment of some sort, some said that their God turned his back on them. They started praying, even more, the false prophets of doom or salvation arisen and children were pressured in schools.

Alida could not take it. Her great-grandfather, dead for years now, has openly detested the common religion. He spoke of something that had him labeled as a madman. She remembered the words of the man who took him to the institution: “You can never find God, Anan. He is not shown to us in physical form and we are mere mortals.”

Well, he clearly believed different. She thought him strange, too, until a certain time when she realized that the common knowledge was faulty, contradicting. That evidence showed otherwise. She was confused and angry. When she inquired further, she was met with disapproving looks. Never would she abandon the thought of God, as there were too many unexplainable, magical almost things happening. But people were wrong.

She stood there, watching the light of stars fading out. The golden rays danced on the surface of the sand, reflecting off glass and water. Alida closed her eyes, letting the last warmth of the day sink in. Rai was by her side, sadly observing the town. There was nobody on the streets when just a few years ago everyone would gather and celebrate yet another day. Now, people were in the praying alley, singing along with the

priests.

Alida returned her gaze to the desert and the sky. Their planet.

Zahal was a medium-sized planet, it’s energy coming from twin stars. And life formed on this planet, lucky to be placed on the right distance from both stars. Zahal was covered in desert and plains mostly, with rare mountains. Two giant oceans gave the planet a blue detail and water.

They could never determine when did life form here, because it all seemed to have formed at once, advancing at the same time. They called themselves Zal Kami - Zahal’s people. They were a young race but prospered so well. They learned tools, language, and farming. They built cities and created civilization.

For a thousand years, they have lived in joy. They knew not war, poverty or destruction. Their children woke up with their faces smiling, bathed in golden rays of two sunrises. They believed in their Creator and taught their children to praise him. They invented devices to enhance their lives.

And then it happened. She sighed, leaning on Rai’s shoulder. “Rai...I have to go.” “Go? Where?” “I have to look for the answer. I need to know what is happening. I can’t

lose my head here, I just don’t believe them..!′ She stated, determination flashing in her eyes.

“Alida, they removed him for doing that. In these times, is it wise?” He referred to her great-grandfather.

“We are dying, Rai! I want to die knowing what am I dying from!” I

“I will help you!” He stated, putting his arm around her shoulder.

Alida did not answer. She just stared and knew that tomorrow the resignation will be signed. She felt a little insecure, stupid maybe. Where would she even start? How does she find an answer to a massive extinction? She did not know that, but she would try to find out. However that is.

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