I clawed my way into the light but the light is just as scary. I’d rather quit. I’d rather be sad. It’s too much work.
richard siken, war of the foxes
3the world flits by, in the color of blooming flowers and feathers falling from flying wings, in the sunset and the moonrise, golden rays and silver beams of light that shine down on the earth below. fire and leaves, zephyrs and tornadoes, all turn to dust in the passing of time.
0We’re introduced to John in these verses. Er.. John the Baptist. Not this book’s namesake, who is the Apostle John (one of Jesus’ original 12 disciples). There’s a lot of John’s in the first five gospels… Fun Fact: John the Baptist was actually Jesus’ cousin on his mom’s side… Where was I?
Whenever I read about this guy, I’m reminded of those doomsayers that accost random strangers on the street to warn them about the end of the world. They aren’t very effective because their behavior is upsetting. People usually give them the side eye and a wide berth.
But people didn’t avoid John the Baptist. Why? He was sent by God before Jesus came on the scene. It is my belief, that even if he was some hermit (who ate bugs and wore camel fur) he drew people to him by his teachings and works. One of those works was baptism. A holy rite where you are dunked under a body of water by an ordained minister who dedicates your life to the God.
While John was doing these works he was also waiting for Jesus to appear. He taught people about Christ before Christ made himself known to the people. What he taught was Light (Jesus) would come so that we’d all have light (salvation).
John the Baptist: Hey guys! God’s here. Our creator AND savior is finally here!
The World:
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Song by Jean Pederson
Jesus, you’re my sunshine on a dark and cloudy day; You told me that you love me, and you’ll never, never, never away.
Because you are the lily of the valley,
You are the apple of my Father’s eye,
You are the fairest of ten thousand
You are the only one that will not lie.Even when I’m lonely, And I don’t know what to do; Jesus you’re my best friend
And I know that I can always talk to you.Because you are the lily of the valley,
You are the apple of my Father’s eye,
You are the fairest of ten thousand
You are the only one that will not lie.This song reminds me about how Jesus is always ready to listen to rants and deep thoughts, no matter how dark they are. He knows us completely, yet loves us so deeply. That’s the God I serve! He is kind, compassionate and merciful. Sweet Jesus is available to anyone who is willing to invite Him into their business.
0Exodus.
I was once again finding myself fleeing Earth’s orbit, my stomach knotting and my eyes burning from the liquid fear pouring out.
The first time this had happened, Songbird had just resurrected me for the first time and, in my newly-risen confusion, I grabbed a gun, stole a ship and fled. Once I had crashed, burned, and earned my second rez, I had sufficiently tired myself out to where he could explain my new life.
The second time was when I reclaimed my light from the Shard of the Traveller, after Emperor Ghaul had stripped it from me and left Songbird and I for dead. It was not my proudest moment as a Guardian, however in those moments I felt the gravity of my duty, to carry the last sacred spark of the Traveller’s Light. It nearly crushed me. I had pushed this anxiety down before, when I confronted the likes of Atheon, Crota or Oryx. But then, I had my fireteam, and our Light shined brightly where the Darkness threatened to snuff it out. Now I was alone, and it was almost too much to bear. Songbird was there for me, and with his help I mustered up the courage to carry the Light through the encroaching Dark, and helped rekindle and reawaken the Traveller.
Now, I find myself again streaking through space, Songbird’s concerns fall flat on my ears, all I hear is white noise as I see the Darkness’ fleet cut a jagged path through Sol, tearing it like a serrated blade. I was the Traveller’s Chosen, it had just awoken, surely there must be something I could do! My Light is strong, bright! If there was a threat that my Light couldn’t stop, what would I do? Is the Light strong enough?
“That sort of thinking is what led Reyzl Azrir down the Path of Sorrow.” Songbird remarked.
I didn’t mind when Drifter called me Dredgen.
I raced through the stars, and as I approached the Dark Fleet, Light struggled to exist. Even bolstered by the Traveller’s healing, my Light began to falter as we approached. Songbird had to cut the engines.
“Don’t. Please” Songbird pleaded.
“I… have to stop them, Songbird. Or at the very least get Asher, Sloane, Vance and whoever else I can out of there. The Traveller’s reformation is our opportunity!” My light flared with foolish optimism, masking my deeply-rooted dread.
Even if my Light faded, if I could strike a blow, show the Darkness the Light is strong enough to defeat it, show the Guardians at home-
“Sol needs you alive, Althea! The Last City? The Vanguard? Zavala and Ikora? THey all need YOU. Alive!” Songbird snapped, then paused.
“I… need you.” Songbird eeked out, floating into my arms as we sat, motionless, just out of the Traveller’s light.
I watched, as on my director, the transmat signals, patrol beacons, and comms relay slowly blip out, one by one on the pyramid touched celestials. I wept loudly, clutching Songbird tight as Io, Titan, Mars and Mercury slowly were consumed by the Darkness. I tried the radios, each time the same pattern. First, calm. Then, a massive wave of energy, then I hear a violent storm sweep across the surface. And in this violent destruction, this Collapse. I know they are beyond the reach of my Light.
As I listened however, I thought I began to hear whispers in these broadcasted maelstroms. These whispers tell me of the Deep, of the power I lack, the innate inability for me to save. I looked at Songbird who was watching our mortal enemy scar our system. These whispers, I have heard before. Down below the surface of Luna, where the pyramid lay. If the Traveller will not save them, I must.
I turn the engines on, setting course for Saturn. I always hated the place, I never returned after Oryx, never found a reason to. Of course, I wasn’t going to Saturn, not the Dreadnaught either. No, where I am heading is a place of crypts and cold. Ice and ire. Darkness and Light.
“Where are we going?” Songbird asked, a bit perturbed by my sudden shift in demeanor.
I grimaced and showed him the icy moon of Saturn, I knew not what I am expected to find there, but to conquer my enemy I must know more about them, or at least, that’s what Commander Zavala would say. I have to fight fire with fire. For now though, all I know is:
It’s time for an exodus.
An ancient power awaits me on Europa.
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Wanted to take part in @destcember #destcember2020!!!!! Wrote this during my lunchbreak, my Awoken warlock Athena and her ghost Songbird right after the live event before Beyond Light!
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