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By the gods what have I witnessed?
July 10th, 539 BC
In Babylon, I was but a humble Shepard selling off some cattle for coin just to buy food. It was a warm day, the suns gaze was scorching and unbarring. I had lost Three of my cattle because of this blaze, it was only natural for me to try and get what I can. I had noticed Urhamsi during my walk and noticed that seldom look that was etched upon his face. It was a look that I could never wipe out of my mind.
His daughter was sent to the temple of Shamesh to appease the Goddess. He had my sympathy, for the Gods can be cruel when it comes to prayer. Though we are thankful for what they have given us, and for the life we have— at times the cost is too great. How many of our children had to enter the temple only to never be seen again? I have lost count, I’m afraid that one day I may have to bid my son Pache.
I hope that they will never come.
August 4th, 539 BC
The sun has become more unbearable to even walk under. I have lost two of my sheep from this unforgiving heat. The Goddess must have been angered by the peoples unrest. I heard rumors; fools who wish to destroy the temple belonging to Babylon the Great. To do such a thing is blasphemy, though I may not be a Babylonian like my fellow kin I know that to disrespect someone with authority shall lead to unchangeable consequences. What could they possibly gain for doing such a thing?
I told Pache to stay in doors, I don’t want him to get in involved in this madness. I almost forgot to prepare for his birthday tomorrow. I was lucky enough to get a few silver from the last cattle. I’m sorry Pache, life here is not what I expected- but one day things will change—I pray that day will soon come.
August 10th, 539 BC
Pache was gone, he left during the night. All he left was a note and some flowers from the hanging garden. I told him to not get involved and he went against my wishes. If I had known his intentions I would have tried harder to convince him to stay. I want to search for him, but i fear it will only do more harm than good.
Owe Pache, how strong minded you are. You must known too didn’t you, that they were going to send you to the Temple of Babylon. It was as I feared as well, and as your father you knew how I would be torn between you and the Gods. As a follower I must condemn you for your betrayal and sins…but as a Father I could not be ever proud that you have chosen your path on your own.
Owe Pache….please be safe.
October 1st, 539 BC
A month has passed since Pache left, the food has become unbearable. The sun begun to change into a fiery red, the Sun God frowns upon us. I have noticed unrest on n the streets of Babylon, people becoming enraged and driven to madness. They were violent, and attacked the guards when they did their patrols. I fear that this was only the beginning of what is to come to Babylon.
When I went to the town center this morning, my horse died during my travel due to dehydration. There I saw a hooded man dressed in white, face cloaked under his hood. A strange glow almost seemed to illuminate him. A group of people surrounded him, ravenous and filled with hatred and fear. But they did not attack him, nor get too close as if the glow kept them at bay.
I can remember his speech, as if it were a knife cutting away imaginary strings that hold this entire kingdom together. “Repent, The fall of Babylon is nigh. This land has been plagued with false deities. Babylon the Great has deceived you, she has taken your children…she slain them, butchered them like livestock…and those who were deemed fruitful her …concubines for her and her so called God. She is no Great nor greater than you nor I, she is nothing but a harlot…a whore of Babylon! Heed me brothers and sisters, leave Babylon, and never look back…for the end of Babylon nigh!”
Those words shook me where I stand, to hear such things from one who hides his face behind a hood were blasphemous on its own. But in my heart, I felt there be truth to the man’s words. But before I do anything to bring attention toward myself, I ran home with these new thoughts in my head. Pache, as the days go by I understand more and more…this land isn’t home.
October 10th, 539 BC
The hooded man came to me, told me that someone was waiting to see me. For a moment of hesitation I considered to close the door on him. But with pure curiosity I was driven to listen. He told me to go to the Hanging Garden close to the walls of Babylon. That place. Pache’s place, I dared not hope that it was him for I believed that he is safe and far away from here.
When I arrived I found another hooded figure who looked younger and slim as if he had been eating small amounts but managed to keep his body firm. When he removed the hood I could only drop down to my knees and stare in awe. He came home, Pache has finally came back to me. My dear child, how ragged he was with lips as pale and his eyes red from the stains of tears. Owe what glorious day, praise the true god to give me this chance to see my son.
After a moment of silence and affection we finally spoke father to son, he told me his journey. How he ran away before the Acolytes of Babylon could take him to the Temple. Meeting with fellow run-aways and falling in love. He told me that Babylon the Great had sent hunters after them, killed them if they flee away from the embrace of the Goddess. How he starved in a cell with nothing to eat but vermin that were unlucky enough to scrounge around looking for food.
When I asked him how he escaped he told me that he had a vision: A woman veiled in black came to him. She told him that Babylon will fall and a new era would come. When the time comes he will be called for a higher purpose but first he must submit himself to this higher purpose and serve the new Gods. What choice did he have, everything felt so far to him…so he accepted his fate. Once the vision, the doors to his cell were miraculously opened and no guard in sight, so he ran but not before releasing his fellow companions.
I was shocked by this tale, I could not believe what my son had to endure in order to survive. My son told me another thing, before he met with me he had another vision but did not give me any details. He warned me that this will be the last time I ever see him. That I must leave Babylon and never look back. I wanted to go against his wish, but I could see how torn he was by the look in his eyes.
I could not refuse him, he had no reason to fear. For Babylon is no longer my home. But I cannot help but feel cheated; to finally see my son again only to watch him leave my arms. Gods, why must you be so cruel?
October 11th, 539 BC
As the Sun rose I write in this very parchment of what I am witnessing. I stand outside of Babylon as the sky burns and covered the land with its hellish hue. The sky rains fire as it scorers the city until everything was aflame. People flee in terror only the be chased down by locusts with human faces that would bite pick at their skins. Some have gone to the Temple of Babylon for sanctuary only to be met with silence for the doors remained shut.
The ground shook as it parts revealing fire and ash. It was at this point that I may have considered that I am going mad. For what I see is something that no man could believe. Creatures began to come out from the cracks of the earth, legions of beasts, insects and those that seem to be made of pure stock started to slaughter every one on sight. Out of all these beasts only one stood out to me.
He stood on his hind legs, taller than the statue of The Great Babylon. Every step it took caused the ground to shake. His head was the shape of a lion, his hands like talons, body covered in brown fur that was bathed in blood, but what disturbs me more is the wings on his back that brings sand storms with each flap, along with the snake that’s between his legs which seems to devour anything on sight. I could not look away, my eyes wide as crimson flooded my vision. The last I saw, was that of pure hysteria and fear.
The Temple would crumble in a puff of smoke the screams of the Great Babylon can be heard as she thrashes and tries to escape the teeth of a large beast. But all her struggles were for not, the beast closes its jaw with a loud bone chilling crunch; Babylon the Great was no more. It happened so fast, when my mind finally processed what occurred…the smoke had cleared.
The large beast had the head of a serpant, no not just one…it had Seven Heads, with Ten Horns and 7 diadems made of gold it wings were large and can form a hurricane. Its skin was hellish red as if it came from the bowels of the Underworld. When I gazed upon this…dragon, it gazed upon me. It was at this point I knew, Babylon is lost.
By the Gods….what have I witnessed?
