The Message

The residents of the village of Nod had finished supper. They lounged around the fire pit, listening to the tales of their ancestors. At the end of the last tale, a star appeared above their village.

All stared in wonder as the star expanded into a sphere of soft blue light, then filled with static. The static transformed into a translucent man with dark hair, eyes, and skin. He wore the garb of an ancient warrior and wielded a flaming sword. A hush fell over the village.

The angelic being spoke. "Hear me, people of Nod. You have been poor and downtrodden for long enough. A miracle is due."

The angel raised his sword and sent a pillar of fire into the sky. The crowd gasped. The angel said, "Go to the capital city of Azulan on the eve of the new year to witness the birth of a new kingdom and era."

Silence reigned for a moment. An elder of the village spoke up. "Who are you? What are you?"

"A friend," said Gabriel. "I am a friend to men and women everywhere, and a herald of the prophet Zebulun Koh."

Gabriel flew up into the sky and winked out. After a moment of quiet, the entire village broke out in excited conversation.

This scene repeated, in different villages and with other star folk, all over the land.