V. L. Witt

The humans of ancient had not fire.

Their food could not be cooked; they oft got ill with parasites and disease. In the cold night, they shivered no matter the furs they stacked. Huddled together to gather warmth from one another, they prayed to their gods. In winter, the sun did little to warm them, and food became scarce. The cold and starvation made them too weak to hunt nor to forage, so they sat in their caves desperately praying for the spring goddess to be returned to her mother.

One god sat with his brethren, watching the suffering of the short living humans, wishing to help. The King of Gods had but one rule: do not give the humans fire from the mountain. The lack of fire ensured the humans’ suffering, thus giving the gods their bountiful choice in sacrifices to devour. With fire, the humans would have no reason to pray to the gods, thus the gods would starve. Yet, they would not die, only wither to useless husks.

The god watching the humans knew of the King’s rule, and yet, he could not help but think how their infinitesimal lives were suffering enough. Need they truly live in agony for the benefit of the gods?

No, the god decided, and so stole the fire from the mountain, and with haste took it to the humans, shivering and huddled to stave off the icy wind of winter.

The god found the humans, and offered the fire. In addition to the fire, he bestowed the knowledge to use it. Cooking, warmth, ceremony. The humans were gracious for their prayers had been answered. The gods had listened, and they were ever indebted. “Light Bringer,” the humans called him.

~~~

Dark and cold the mountain of the gods became without the now stolen fire, and the King raged at the indiscretion. It did not take long to discover the Light Bringer was the only god not present, so the King declared to the others: there must be punishment, for now they would surely starve. A council of the eldest gods was at once assembled, and the council discussed while the Light Bringer was still absent. A punishment of suffering, equal to the suffering of the gods soon starvation.

~~~

The Light Bringer snuck carefully back to the mountain, unsure if his theft had been noticed. To his dismay, he found the mountain dark, save for the glow of the ambrosia river casting the path and trees in a sickly, quiet gold. He knew that moment the others had noticed, for how would they not?

Still, he crept, hoping to approach his home without notice. He had no luck, and the fabric of fate had already begun to weave itself – his tapestry nearing completion, only a few more frames to seal his eternity. A deafening crack of a stick – just a deer, perhaps – yet his heart betrays him, quickening at the sudden sound. He tries to spy the deer that stepped on the stick, but it is much too dark without the fire.

He is seized.

~~~

The King creates new fire for the mountain, the sudden light blinding the Light Bringer for a breath. The council looks on, behind the King, and the Light Bringer thinks of the suffering humans once again. How could he let himself fall to such folly?

“The gods will starve”, the council reiterates before explaining the Light Bringer’s punishment – equal to their impending suffering. He then is taken to a cage, much too small for him. He is left for weeks, perhaps months before food is offered. When food is finally presented, it is rotten. The meat is foul, the fruit engorged with maggots. Despite himself, he eats. Starved, and desperate, he thinks again of the humans. How he wishes for their quick deaths.

He soon finishes the slop, and his stomach turns. Despite his immortality, he still finds foods that disagree. His gut cramps, and he turns in his too small cage before his meal escapes him, the following acid burning his esophagus.

Once again, he is left for a time he cannot determine before more spoiled food is brought. His tapestry has finished, and this is his eternal punishment.

~~~

Centuries pass, and the King knows the punishment they gave the Light Bringer was not befitting the crime. The humans were so grateful for the fire, they held annual sacrifices to celebrate the gifted fire. The gods did not know suffering. The gods did not know starvation. Despite this, the King does not lift the punishment from the Light Bringer.

Disrespect and disobedience must be punished so none others question the King’s authority again.