At the entrance to the tower was a single large wooden door with black metal fastenings. Michael had to reach up on his tip toes to grasp the giant ring and he pulled on the door half expecting it to not even so much as budge. To his surprise the door opened easily as if it were a mechanism designed to defy the laws of physics.
As the door opened, a brilliant light filled the darkness that had encompassed them. This light was warm and Michael was pretty sure it was like staring into the sun. Lucas stumbled forward with his hands over his eyes.
Before them sitting on a simple chair was the kindest looking person they had ever seen. Dressed in a simple white garment the angelic figure rose to greet them. “The wheel turns and we meet again, I greet you as friends. Come, there is much to discuss”. Confused the boys allowed themselves to be seated at a small table below a winding staircase.
Their host brought a clay bowl full of steaming water. Then after dipping a cloth into the bowl she began to wash the dirt off of the boys. His curiosity overflowing, Michael began “What do you mean we meet again? Who are you? What is this place?” But the figure said not a word until the boys’ hands, arms and faces were completely cleaned and refreshed.
Then after putting away the bowl she sat in her chair, her kind eyes warming them both. “We are never the same. Yet every cycle we meet. The people may change, the places may change but in the end it is always thus. I am she who guides the way. We are at journeys end before the decision is made.”
If the guide’s answers were supposed to clear things up they had the opposite effect. “I want mama” Lucas whispered to the guide in hope his little lip trembling, only courage keeping him composed.
“What is a cycle” Michael asked seeking clarity. “You perceive much young one” the guide began. “A cycle is a thousand of your years”.
“Why are we here?” Michael asked his heart pounding in his chest.
“But you know why you are here Michael. Was it not you who decided to tempt fate by entering the holy temple? Was it not you who decided this quest must be undertook to find Sunrise 5ive and the Mace of many facets? Was it not you who overcame much and sacrificed all on a slim hope? Now tell me…why you are here!”
“I am here to make a decision” was Michael’s strong answer. The guide laughed and her laughter was like the singing of many birds. “Bravo Michael, yes you are here to make a decision. But will you be strong enough to endure? Within your veins lies the blood of the holy priesthood. Are you pure of heart?”
Feeling overwhelmed Michael considered carefully before asking his next question.
“Before I give you an answer to the decision, would you tell me the true question?” The guide clapped her hands and a vision filled Michael and Lucas’s minds. The vision was very simple, very general but it conveyed a subtle message.
There was a great good that created all that is good. The great good set up a law and a people to follow it. To counter the good there is a great evil that does everything to make the people leave the true path. Rising and falling like waves upon the beach, the boys saw this pattern rinse and repeat.
“What restores balance?” Michael asked the guide. “The decision!” answered the guide earnestly and then she concluded “Art thou ready for the question?” “I am” resolved Michael.
The guide leaned forward and put her hand on Michael’s shoulder. Her eyes looked deep into Michael’s as if to read his very soul. “Will you sacrifice yourself to save those you love?”
