Life begins Bittersweet

Before the beginning of time, there were once superior entities know as Spirits. They were considered perfect beings full of integrity and wisdom, whose job was to maintain balance amongst the Sacred Land. Years before, the Spirits were divided by their roles and power that they had in the Sacred Land. The Head Spirits, who were the leaders of each kind of Spirits, decided to join their powers, creating different artifacts that symbolized their union as they all became one. There was one artifact that the Spirits fawned over. It was a big, crimson red rose that they kept atop a pillar, inside a glass dome for safe keeping. To them, the rose signified beauty and perfection, so much so that if anything were to come into contact with it or destroy it, they would do anything in their power to protect it. There were seven diffent kinds of Spirits that lived within the Sacred Land, such as Water Spirits, Wind Spirits, Sky Spirits, Earth Spirits, Fire Spirits, Animal Spirits, but predominantly, Light Spirits. The Light Spirits were peaceful beings and lived among themselves. They were beings full of light and joy, but also known as curious to the other Spirits. All throughout the Light Spirits time came one familiar feeling, a feeling of emptiness. They were lonely beings, looking for a new way to bring upon the Sacred Land a new form of life. For years, these Light Spirits contemplated on what they could do to create a new being, but as more and more years went by they became desperate. One sunny evening, one of the younger Light Spirits sat by one of the trees. They watched as the leaves slowly fell, landing all around their body. They became curious, grabbing one of the fallen leaves of the tree. They placed it in the palm of their hands and began singing to it, their soft voice creating small waves of joy all throughout their body. The leaf slowly became wrapped in a bright, white light, blinding the Spirit for a second. Shortly after the light had subsided, it revealed a small little hummingbird. In the palm of their hands, the hummingbird began singing. The young Light Spirit became ecstatic with joy to have created a new being. Sadly, their joy was cut off shortly as they noticed that the hummingbird could only sing, but it couldn't talk. This upset the Spirit as the result wasn't much of what they had expected. With feelings of sadness, the Spirit had no other choice but to set the small hummingbird free. On another day, the young Light Spirit was walking throughout the Land, contemplating on what they could do. They stopped as a small droplet of water fell on their cheek. Looking up curiously, they watched the Sky turn from a soft, pastel blue, to a deep and ashy grey. They noticed some of the Water Spirits that were passing by them, assuming they had created the clouds of rain. They looked up as more and more rain started falling from the clouds, creating small pools of water beneath their feet. They got curious, sticking out their palms to catch some of the falling raindrops. They watched as the small amount of water danced in their palms as the rain kept on falling, their face brightening up in excitement as a new idea came to their mind. The young Light Spirit enclosed the water inside their hands, bringing it up to their chest. They closed their eyes, making a deep wish in hopes of a creation. The Spirit stood still for a while, waiting for something to happen when suddenly they felt movement inside their cupped hands, making them jump in surprise. The Spirit quickly opened their hands, revealing a small gold fish. As they opened their hands, the small fish dropped to the ground, flopping around until it found a small pool of water to live in. The Spirit got curious, kneeling beside the pool to look at their new creation. They watched in awe as they saw the small fish swimming in circles and occasionally blowing small bubbles. The Spirit giggled as they watched their new creation, but they noticed that the pool of water was far too small for the fish. In an attempt to help it, they grabbed the small fish and tried moving it to a bigger pond, only to be interrupted by some Spirits. "Young Spirit, may I ask what it is you're doing?" A strange voice asked. The young Light Spirit turned around in surprise, being met by one of the Elder Spirits looking down upon him. "I was trying to move my creation to a bigger space. That small pond seemed too uncomfortable for it.." The young Spirit responded, which didn't seem to satisfy the Elder. Nonetheless, the Elder didn't question them any further. With a heavy sigh, they left the young Spirit alone, but not without giving them a small warning, "I would be careful if I were you, young one. I understand you may be curious, but always remember that your actions have consequences.." The Elder warned him. "I understand, Elder. My apologies.." The young Spirit answered, the Elder giving them a small nod of approval before leaving. Even with the Elders warning, the young Light Spirit still wanted something more. They wanted something unique to their land, something different. They wanted something that could satisfy their curiousness, but nothing came to their mind. The Spirit spent days in the Land, looking for a new way to create a being. They tried asking other Spirits for their help, but all of them ended up refusing to help the poor young Spirit in their quest. Sat again by a tree, their thoughts were only focused on creating a new being. They thought and contemplated for a while, but slowly they started giving up. Their hope was slowly vanishing. They thought that maybe all of their efforts weren't worthy or that they should give up on that wish, that is, until they looked up. Their gaze locked itself upon the crimson red rose that stood in the middle of the Land. As they looked at the rose, their mind became a messy confusion. An idea popped into their head as they look ahead. They knew what they needed and wanted to do, but knew the prize they had to pay in order for it to become true. The young Light Spirit stood up, looking for something they could use in their wish. As they did, they spotted a beehive by a tree, full of live bees. They walked towards the beehive, noticing small drops of honey dripping down the hiv, remembering that to the Spirits, fresh honey signified the bittersweet aspect of new life and creation. Coming close, they cupped their hands underneath the hive. They smiled, watching as the golden-brown honey dripped slowly onto their hands. As they had accumulated enough honey, they left the tree. They moved quick, as to not be noticed by any Spirits that might be near by. They looked around for something they could use to pour the honey into. Their eyes locked with those of a Water Spirit, noticing the small silver chalice they were using to drink from. "Water Spirit! May I please borrow your chalice?" The young Spirit asked as they approached them. The Water Spirit looked at them confused but handed them the chalice nonetheless. The young Spirit lowered their head, sending them a small thank you as they went on their way. Some of the honey was already beginning to drip down their hands, making them rush even faster to the rose. With their hands full of honey, they arrived at their destination. They slowly poured the honey back into the small silver chalice. With their hands now cleared, they removed the glass dome that covered the red rose, feelings of anxiousness running through them. The rose gave off a strong, flowery smell, so potent that it entranced the young Spirit. As he uncovered it, the rose began glowing a deep red. They grabbed the chalice full of honey and closed their eyes. With a deep wish at heart, they slowly poured the honey over the rose. Their feelings were mixed as they knew and understood what they were doing, only to open their eyes wide at the sudden realization but it was already too late. As they finished pouring the honey, they heard some commotion from behind them. They turned around, being met by the now angry and hostile Spirits. They glared at the young spirit, "You've upset the balance of the Sacred Land, young one!" One of the Elders exclaimed. The young Spirit coward at their intense gazes. The Spirits started approaching the young one, reaching their hands out to grab them, when suddenly a bright, white light blinded their gazes. They all covered their eyes, the light settling after a brief second. They all opened their eyes hesitantly, only to be surprised at what had appeared. Gasps of shock erupted all throughout the Land as they looked on. The young Light Spirit had created new life. A little girl with big brown eyes and golden blonde hair appeared. They created human life. This new being creates an uproar among the Spirits, looking at eachother in confusion. The young Light Spirit looked on, happy that their wish became true. They smiled, small tears of joy pricking the corners of their eyes. That smile quickly turned into tears of anger and sadness as the Spirits grabbed the young one and dragged them farther and farther away from their creation until they couldn't see her small figure anymore. "No! Please don't do anything to it!" The young Light Spirit exclaimed as they watched the Spirits grab the little girl, taking her somewhere away from the Land. The Spirits took the young one to a Temple secluded from the rest of the Land, followed by the elders. "Do you understand what is going to happen to you, correct?", The older spirit asked. "Yes, I understand. Even if I get punished for my actions, I do not regret a single choice I have made." The younger spirit stated as the others slowly dragged him into the Temple. Going in, they were all met by the Seven Head Spirits of the Sacred Land. They shoved the young Spirit on the ground, making them stumble over their feet and falling. The Heads all looked down upon the young Spirit, scowling harshly at the inferior being. "Head Light Spirit, we'll let you handle this since they are one of your kind." The Head Fire Spirit spoke up. The rest of the Heads nodded, leaving the young one alone with their superior. "Young one," the Head Spirit spoke up, his voice vibrating across the entire Temple, sending waves of fear all throughout the young ones body. "Why have you decided to interfere with the Sacred Lands rose? I suppose you understand the consequences of interfering with it. Have you no heard of the tale and value it contained?" The Head Light Spirit called out to the young one. The young Light Spirit could only nod in his superiors strong presence. The Head Spirit came closer, standing before the young one. "As your punishment, I have decided I shall remove ever single peace of light that your body contains. There's no telling what else you could do having such a strong power within your reach." They said, inching closer and closer towards the young ones body. "Do you have a final wish before I continue?" He called out to the young one. They raised their head slightly, streaks of tears staining their face as new ones pricked the corners of their eyes. "Please, please don't get rid of her..." The young Light Spirit cried out. Their immese pain causing the Head Spirit to open their eyes wide in shock. "Unbelievable, even in this situation you still wish to protect that creature.. But, if it is your wish, then I'll make sure that it follows.." The young Light Spirit smiled at the Head Spirits words. The Head Spirit placed their hand on their head, "Rest, your time has come.." And with those final words, the young Light Spirit slowly colapsed onto themselves, crying out in pain as they felt the light slowly being ripped out of their body. Even while in pain, their smile never banished as they understood that their sacrifice was one that mattered more to them than anything else. The beginning of human life wasn't one made as a poor accident, it was made with hope and a purpose.