Chapter VII, Reading 1

"The Spirit is benevolent," Flindra noted during one of her lessons. "How then can the Ansu exist? They embody Evil and Darkness. How can they exist within the universe that Good created?"

Kewero sighed. "This is a question I've pondered for many years and I confess I don't have an easy answer. I think it all comes down to a discussion of free will. The Spirit gave us free will. We have the option to live within the direction and goodness of Spirit or to reject Him entirely. We can live in the Light or turn our backs, so to speak, and see into the shadows of Darkness and be corrupted by the Darkness. It's all within our choice. We can submit our wills to the Spirit and thus become instruments of the Spirit's Goodness or we can reject the Spirit and become instruments of the Darkness."

"What if we choose not to choose?" Flindra asked. "What then?"

"The Spirit offers," Kewero answered. "Our Beloved Spirit desires voluntary submission and a willingness to serve. Darkness, however, commands, enslaves, seduces and corrupts. That is why Darkness seems to spread so easily. If we don't choose to become part of Spirit - and that choice is not always easy - we will become a target of Darkness."

"So a null decision becomes the same as a decision to reject."

"Not always, but frequently that is the end result."

"I see."

Flindra's eyes grew distant as she thought and Kewero gave her this moment to ponder their discussion. It was a difficult subject and needed a great deal of reflection to understand.

"So we can choose to be instruments of the Spirit's Will or by choice or default become tools of the Ansu," Flindra finally summarized.

Kewero nodded. "It's my belief that is the case."

"Who or what exactly are the Ansu?"

"I don't truly know, Flindra, but I suspect that they are beings or entities that chose Darkness over Spirit at or near the beginning of time. They've had unfathomable ages to grow in their evil powers. For this I do know, ours is not the only world the Beloved Spirit has created. Perhaps the Ansu were some of the first children of our Spirit. I don't really know."

"I see." She frowned. "The Spirit made us all, even the Ansu. He has the power to destroy the Ansu and weaken Evil and Darkness. Why does He tolerate all the pain the Ansu bring to His creation? Why doesn't He destroy them? It's clearly within His power to do so."

Kewero took a deep breath. "I don't really know the answer to that question for the ways of the Spirit are far beyond our comprehension. Would you accept my personal opinion?"

"Of course."