The bells rang, and mother had gotten up. "Children! get up this instant and finish doing your chores before we all head to the temple." she yelled, all the children got up and made their beds. the shuffling and soft sounds of laying the blankets on the bed. Nyra had made her bed and went to mother before the other children. Mother always needed affirmations before father wakes up and does something unholy.
Nyra had eyebags tired of hearing, and seeing her mother walk in circles yelling her daily affirmations. "i am pretty…i am sweet." she yelled, and then..father came out.
the life from her face faded away, he grabbed mothers arm as she yelled "no! no!!" the sounds of slaps makes the children flinch. Nyra washed the dishes and when mother came out crying, mother wiped her tears and yelled. "off to the temple!!"
the children listened and walked behind father and mother. Nyra was in the far back because the oldests go in the back, the youngest in the front. they all went in the temple and circled around, they all went into their praying positions and repeated after father. "dearest to our gods, we give devotion before we find our prey and sacrifice them for the sake of the gods. we pray and praise. amen." they all repeated. Nyra didn't say anything, just syncing her lips to the tone. as they all standed up to leave the temple and find prey. they all sat against the wall and waited for their parents to bring the prey there. a few hours later…they had a man and a woman in their hands. the sight of blood felt unsettling and the children all looked away. "back into the temple." their father said. the oldest, Lior lighted a torch and all went into praying position again. "to the dear gods, we bring our prey and prayer all the way to you. for your glory we may torch these two glorious souls as a offering. we obey every word and worship you forever. amen." they all praised, after the sacrifice they went back to the house, all the children did their work. "mother..i am tired may i take a nap?" orin said. mother looked at him and smiled.."everyone needs a nap now and then…" she said sickly and softly..this is one of the moments that should be cherished. she loves her kids…but cant control her feelings. "children! gather up!" she yelled and sat down. "i have a story to tell." she said and smiled, ""Long ago," she began, "there was a god who walked among humans, not as a ruler or tyrant, but as a friend. He saw every child who wept, every parent who struggled, every soul that felt forgotten.
He whispered to the stars, 'Let no one suffer unseen, let no one's heart be broken without comfort.'
And so, he gave humans a gift: the ability to dream beyond pain, to hold hope even when darkness was near.
Those who worship him are not strong because they hurt, but because they protect — because they carry that light for others.
He is not cruel. He is not distant. He is the hand that reaches out when no one else will, the warmth in the cold, the promise that tomorrow can be better.
And when you pray, children, you do not ask for power or riches. You ask to be worthy of that light, so you can share it with someone else who needs it." she said.
"so remember kids…always be kind and loving." she said and smiled. then her expression turned into a cold face. "now..get back to work this instant."