The Introduction. I've been altering this on and off, though I think it'll generally remain like this. ^^" It's not the most original, and it's very vague (my old teachers would HATE this for being so vague), but it'll eventually make sense. ^^

Enjoy it, and PLEASE offer any criticism you can. I honestly need it XD

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Eliazar speaks…

It is a story that everyone knows. It’s the way the world ended.
You must understand, my Son, that these are mere myths crumbled through time that we study yet cannot decipher, no matter how hard we try. I can only tell it the way my father told me, the way his father told him.
Nobody can fully remember how or even why it happened. The elders older than I could only tell stories of the world that was before, the way their elders had told them. They spoke of great and terrible machines. Some of which could destroy a city in a breath and some which gave life to infants destined for burial. Some which brought life, and an infinite amount more which wrought nothing but despair and death. These inventions were war, and the children of this world loved themselves, yet hated each other. They had forgotten their Fathers.
Then, in a single day, before night had even fallen, the world lay in ruins. Mankind allowed themselves their sinful treasures, and in return their world exacted its due. Exacted with hatred and greed in a handful of ash.
Some speak of fire, while others speak of nothing but roaring winds and unforgiving screams. It consumed the world taking the lives of everyone it touched. But these people were not abandoned. No, with the destruction of their lives and world, the people finally remembered who their Fathers were.
Legend has it that they called upon the Gods. They are said to be divine beings who were forgotten throughout the entirety of the previous world, only recognized as Gods when the world lay in ruins. How many of them, I am not certain, but only six can be confirmed. You’ve heard of these Gods through the Elements that occasionally birth in Hollow. You are one of them, gifted with Fire. There is Fire, Lightning, Ice, Water, Earth and Wind, you know of these. It is rumored to extend farther than that, but only these six can I be certain of.
These six Gods bestowed mercy to the people who probably didn’t deserve it. This is how the Elements became a new trait to humans. Gifted by a God, a child may be given the power to manipulate a part of the world for their own doings. They are few in Hollow, but their gifts are evidence to such Gods possibly existing somewhere in Heaven.
As for me, I believe them to be gone. Maybe not from the world, but definitely from Hollow. I want to trust that there is hope in this world, that we are not alone. For that is a depressing thought, and I cannot afford it. Not for my people…
After such Gods blessed the world with ‘Angels’, humanity was able to thrive. And through the generations eventually lead to today. We were able to finally to grow food and build houses, and find water suitable for drinking. We established our laws and remembered how to take care of ourselves. That, I think, is a miracle. How else should I describe it? I cannot bring myself to say it was mere chance.

But these are all myths and rumors, my Son. I do not know how true they are. I only know it as a story. For that’s all life is, don’t you think? Just our chance to tell a story to the best we know how. Some tell it better than others. Some tell it, only to be ignored. Some get famous for telling it. Some lie to create suspense. Some tell the truth, and are ostracized. Some tell the truth, unaware that they are lying. Some tell the stories only to themselves. And some only tell the parts they like, leaving out the darkest parts they can’t understand. Or refuse to understand.
I just wanted you to know, my Son. Our world is much older than us, yet our lifestyle is young again. Our knowledge is lost.
It is a sad story, I know my Son. But do not lose hope! Do not give into despair! When that darkness approaches and you see it, remember it. Do not close your eyes to it, and do not pretend you’ve never seen it. Let it impression itself into your memory, and outlive it.
You will always outlive hope.