‘You have to do this for us.’
‘Yes, you must.’
‘It’s the right thing to do. He said so.’
‘I-I-I don’t know.’
‘You must trust us.’
‘Believe in us.’
‘And more importantly Him.’
‘Ok. I’ll do it. But what about the others? It’s not –’
‘Do not worry about the others.’
‘They will be our concern.’
‘It has to be this way. We gave many warnings. All ignored.’
‘But…’

The three figures disintegrated before the middle-aged man’s tired eyes. The shining white light that once filled the small wooden room was quickly taken from every corner with a brisk wind. Darkness crept back into the bedroom as the gust was stilled. The weary man leant over to look at his wife who was beside him, deep in sleep. He kissed her softly on her head.

‘Forgive me.’ A strong tone of resentment echoed through his words. He didn’t get much sleep for the rest of the night. Thoughts of despair raced through his mind. Every time he closed his eyes he heard the Three’s voices, then he pictured what the consequences of the words they uttered would be, this soon broke his sleep.

***

Morning broke with the crow of a cockerel. Sunlight pierced into the house through cracks in the wooden beams. Dust danced in the radiant light, it never tired.

‘Noah, breakfast!’

His eyes opened quickly, and then snapped shut again as the bright light of the sun hit him. They flickered for a moment as they adjusted. Then they were open, brilliantly blue with a silver fleck. Around the pupil was bloodshot, the eyes appeared like storms, with maroon lightning coming out from the eye of the storm.

‘Noah? Are you alright?’ the voice of his wife was softer than the initial shriek.
‘I’m fine. Breakfast? Please, but make it quick. I’ve got a lot to do.’ A bead of sweat rolled from his neck down his spine and sent a shiver through his body.
‘Are you sure you’re alright? You seem a little… flushed.’
‘Honestly, I’m fine.’ Noah held her hand and looked deep into her eyes, he felt a warmth radiate from her. He knew she would be saved.
‘What are you going to be busy with anyway?’
Her husband reluctantly didn’t respond, but just smiled at her. She didn’t ask any further questions.

Noah soon got to work with the task that The Three had set him. He had been told it was of the utmost importance. It seemed odd to him but the glowing figures had been adamant that it had to be this way. Noah still questioned why it had to be like it was going to be, but his questions were replied with the same answer of ‘It has to be this way: they were warned.’

***

Rain gently patted onto the dusty ground, soon great puddles of murky water formed in holes in the earth’s surface. The wind pushed a firm hand into the fields of grass and sent their blades in the same direction to the East. Dark clouds consumed the sky. Thunder rolled around the plains. Lightning gave little light underneath the blanket of imposing clouds.

‘It is a terrible thing. I never imagined or wanted it to be like this. I had such great plans.’
‘I know, but those ideals can become a reality again, of that I am sure. We just need to start again.’
‘I have a feeling you are right, my old friend. You Three have done a good job. I know they do not feel the same, but for the greater good it must be so.’
‘They will call us an angry mob, Lord, I know it.’
‘It is hard to be angry, even when the ones who you love go against you. It is hard.’
‘Agreed.’
‘And how is Noah’s task going?’
‘Very well, he is on schedule.’
‘Good.’ He sighed as the words were spoken as if there was a great resentment in His heart. ‘It is time very soon then.’

***

Several days passed, the charcoal-black clouds still loomed above the Earth. Only a little rain had fallen though. The people below were confused greatly by the exotic weather. Priests had tried to offer many various explanations, but each contradicted one and other. A few were fearful of what was to come. Most, however, just continued with their daily routine. The markets still opened as per usual. Bartering for the best price was of greater concern than the potential of a little rain was what they believed.

Another day was completed as the sun tucked its face, which was plagued by clouds, beneath towering, snow-capped mountains far on the horizon. It glowed brightly, shining crimson rays across the land. The sky turned a purple colour as lightning shots scuttled across the soft surface of the clouds. Thunder reverberated around a few moments after lightning. It was like a drum roll before a great show.

The performance by the elements was soon under way as rain fell more furiously onto the ground and carved itself deep into the face of the ground. The storm continued for many days, the people helpless in their defence.

Meanwhile the Three looked on from above in silence. The people looked up and for a few seconds caught a glimpse of their faces. They became terrified as they saw nothing but what appeared to be anger expressed towards them. The Three weren’t angry towards the people though, they felt annoyance towards themselves: they felt as if they had failed in their duty.