Saints: It Begins

PROLOGUE

The day had come. The day that would end the many days and nights of the most devastating war ever known anywhere in the known worlds. A war that lasted so long, no one could remember how it began in the first place. A war so fierce, all parties involved lost countless lives and resources.

This was a war between two extremely gifted species of intelligent life forms. These were, in fact, the only two intelligent life forms among the vast zoo of life on planet Gana or more accurately the ‘moon’ Gana. The two races that gathered on this day to seek a peaceful redress for all the damages caused the Legba and Motia, the two warring factions in this dispute.

The leaders of both sides had met earlier and had come to a decision on a solution to this life-threatening problem. This is why this strip of land, a no-man’s land between the domains of the two races, the site of many sanguinary battles between these two, its’ very fabric screaming with the blood of both Motia and Legba, was crowded this dawn. Legba and Motia stood shoulder to shoulder, all hostilities lost and forgotten.

By looking at both races, one could clearly see that they were entirely different. Though both races were humanoid, the Legba were generally much taller than their counterparts, the Motia, were. The Motia, mostly covered in thick layers of hair, did not require the even close to the amount of layers the Legba covered themselves in to be able to endure life on the frozen, snowy tundra of Gana. Where the males were heavily muscled, their females were relatively slenderer. The Legba were essentially ‘skin-and-bones’ by comparison.

Where a Legba’s face was flat and heart-shaped, a Motia’s was snouted and nearly wolf-like. Where a Legba was feline and graceful, a Motia was canine and primal. Where a Legba was very swift, a Motia was not quite as fast. In addition, where a Motia was brawny with almost limitless stamina, a Legba did not quite measure.

The Legba were a very scientific and practical race whereas their Motia brethren were very magical and superstitious. One would say the only thing both races had in common was their huge almond shaped eyes but even with that, the Legba had slit, cat-like pupils whilst the Motia had lupine ones.

The chief priest of the Motia rose to speak, his priestly robes, made of the same light fabric as those of the other members of his race, gave the illusion of him gliding over to the podium mounted on the eastern-most side of the vast but greatly crowded field.

“People of the Motia, people of the Legba, people of Gana. You do not need me or any other to remind you of the great war we’ve just come out of. You do not need to be reminded of the great sorrows we have all experienced and the loved ones we’ve lost over the millennia. You do not need to be reminded of the well of Legba and Motia blood pooled at the bed of this field we are standing on.

“You don’t even need to be reminded of the reason why we’re all gathered here but I’ll say it any way; we are here to seek peace. This is a peace that will last for eons to come. A peace which will symbolize the rebirth and strength of a UNITED GANA!!” the chief priest said, his voice rising and ringing with excitement to a jubilant roar from the gathered who shared the chief priest’s fervour.

The head scientist of the Legba also rose to approach the podium, the chief priest stood aside to give him room. His heavy robe and cloak were clearly meant to protect his frail looking body from the cold in the atmosphere.

“Yes,” he began as the gathering quieted down, “like my Motia brother said earlier, we’re here to seek peace. The leaders of both our races have come to a decision to accept a world where magic and science can live side-by-side and work hand-in-hand for a common goal.” He took the hand of the chief priest and lifted it to the sky, which brought about another round of cheers from the crowd.

“Preliminary arrangements have been made to facilitate the sealing of the pact which will bind our two races forever.” He went on, “But for now, let’s have the vows.” With that said, the chief priest and the head scientist both turned away from the podium and walked to the leader of the other’s race. They put a hand on each other’s head and held the other hands in air. The leader of the Legba began:

“I, Lord Anasti, leader and lawmaker of the Legba, stand before you, the gathered races of Gana and the powers and forces that may or may not be, swearing myself and my entire race in commitment to the terms of the peace pact. Let who ever blatantly disregards and violates these terms be punished in accordance with the rules and regulations set by the united races of Gana.”

King Botin, ruler and lawmaker of the Motia, said the same words. The sun began to peek over the hills and mountain ranges behind the raised platform where these oaths were being taken and shone its warm early morning light on the assembled and as it did, the head scientist and the chief priest raised their voices and said in unison:

“Let it be so. Just as the rising of this sun ushers in a new day, so let it be for our pact of peace. Let these sworn words usher in a new age- A PEACEFUL AGE.”