The Power of Man

© Brian Barnett

Rudra stared at the vast city from the sandy oceanfront. His ethereal presence went unnoticed by the scores of vacationers. He prepared to do his work.

He had taken a long rest so his work was long overdue. It was past time to bring another storm and destroy another city. The world had grown more bitter and evil than ever in his absence. Large scale destruction always frightened people into order, albeit temporary. Occasional large-scale destruction was a necessity for their survival.

In his absence, mankind grew too comfortable. Cruelty and evil crept into their conscious. They have gone unchecked for far too long. This was to be a big job, hence the decision to destroy one of their largest cities.

Rudra summoned his power and channeled it through himself. People stopped playing on the beach when the storm clouds rolled in. They knew something was amiss. They would not be spared.

Suddenly a bright flash and a wave of energy blistered the land. The sand turned to glass and the water boiled and steamed. After several minutes the debris settled and above Rudra towered a growing mushroom cloud.

He stopped his flow of his energy. He was too late. It was the unthinkable. The humans had devised a magnificently destructive catastrophe even more powerful than he could summon. The humans had begun their final war.