"Yes, of course I want

it to end",

he said.

"We have had enough of eyeless children hiding in

cesspools,

of young wives turned to abstract art,

of mud-colored ratboys digging eagerly through

rotting discard,

of lifetimes of work reduced to exquisite falling ash,

of shredded limbs falling away

from disbelieving witnesses,

of shrieking, electric nightmare worlds of suffering,

and hopeless prayers for death.

All that has to happen

is for everyone to embrace our gods,

and give our people the first fruits,

and submit their trembling women to us,

and open their vaults,

and lie face down,

and eradicate all

trace

of that which is not us.

Once that has been done,

I will extend my love and compassion to all,

and healing hands can be laid upon the world.

The choice is all up to them."

He then turned his contented eyes toward

the iron-grey horizon.