Sgrios Mass: Monastery of Light & Dark

There were two sisters who grew up in Undine, raised, as it were, by their grandfather. When the girls came of age the grandfather sent

 

Along the Undine waterfront, two girls were raised, as it were, by their grandfather. It was a humble yet fulfilling life of quiet joys, but when the girls came of age they were sent away to study so as to create better lives for themselves.

 

In the mountains that pull the halves of Temuair together are two twin peaks, the highest in the entire range. On the crest of each mountain was built a monastery; the monks of the eastern peak dedicated themselves to the worship of the light, whereas the western monastery was populated by those who find solace in the darkness. The sisters were separated from one another and sent to study at either peak.

 

After five years had passed both girls came down from the mountains and spent a week with their grandfather. He asked: what have you learned, my girls? The sister whom had studied in the eastern monastery paused a moment, thinking carefully. She responded “I have learned that we are eternal beings of light. Every passing day purifies our souls more; one day we will become nothing more than the light with which the world flourishes.” Turning to the other sister, he posited the same question: And you, dear, what have you learned? The other sister responded in turn as such, “I have learned that we are of darkness and with every passing night our sparks lose their lustre. Eventually we will be naught but fibers in the blanket of night that shelters us as we sleep”. The man nodded at their wisdom, and noted that all were in agreement.

 

The girls returned to their monasteries after a week at home and for another five years studied with the monks. Each day was spent in relentless pursuit of knowledge and quiet contemplation. The sisters, though separated by a chasm, grew into fine young women. There was a respite in their training and once again the two returned to their home for a week. Again, their grandfather asked of them: what have you learned, my girls? Again the sister from the eastern monastery spoke first when she said “I have learned that there are two forces in this world - that of light and that of darkness. I was taught that, while balance is desired, light is the dominant force.” The man nodded and turned to the other girl. She spoke, “I have learned that there are two forces, the light and the darkness. I was taught that balance is a myth and that darkness outweighs the light.” The old man nodded at their wisdom, and noted that all were in agreement.

 

Another five years passed within the walls of the monastery. By now the women had learned all that the monks had to teach them, and they were ready to join society with their new understandings. Before they sought their new paths, the sisters once more met in the home of their grandfather, who had grown old and weary. Once more he asked: what have you learned, my girls? The sister who studied the eastern philosophy spoke first, as was the custom, “I have learned that we are all inherently good, and are only coerced into evil deeds through corruption and lies.” The old man nodded and turned to the other sister whom had studied the western philosophy. She cast her eyes down at the table around which they sat. “I have learned that we are born neither good nor evil, and that we are the masters of our own fate.” The old man sighed, shaking his head. “My girls, you are both wise beyond my comprehension, though I can plainly see that we are no longer in agreement”.