The Pit of Raeben: The Final Lie of Gelon

The Pit of Raeben is a tale told in turn by three enlightened trees. This is the first of three parts describing how the oldest of them was laid to rest. The Pit itself was dug by the Clan Destined being known as Raeben; an entity with a penchant for naming things. Drawn by the beauty of a quietly spinning planet, Raeben reaches out and touching it he declares, "I will call you Earth." The touch of Raeben though slight is not without consequence as it initiates the evolution of Man. Earth suffers and Raeben looks for a means by which he might tame Man's reckless behavior. Unwilling to touch earth a second time, Raeben creates a sister planet on the opposing side of Sol upon which he might better study Man. Besides the enlightened trees, Raeben populates his new world with three human-like species of mentors: the determined Mekhali warriors; the gifted, though humble, Kessl; and the very social elves of Zarust. Tarot, a wiser being of the Clandestine, obliges Raeben to cease his meddling once he has finished populating his world. Tarot makes Raeben swear he will not make even a single change after his world is complete... unless he does it as a man and with his own two hands. The greatest secret amongst the universe is that a Clandestine can never refuse an oath. This is the First Law of the Clan Destined; the second being: one is as one asks of another. Raeben then digs the Womb of Areth with his own two hands and leaves. Unfortunately, treachery has been unleashed upon Areth; his designs fall awry and it does not take long for the womb to turn into a pit of seething chaos.