The young man entered the temple slowly and reverently. Taking a deep inhale and letting the smell of the incense fill and surround him. He bowed and continued forward, each step measured and careful. He halted before the holy waters and performed the sacred rites, stopped again at the shrine and made his offerings. He was focused, being sure to avoid any glance or sacrilegious eye contact with her holiness- though he knew she watched him. Finally, having completed the necessary steps to be deemed righteous, he approached her alcove. He lithely went down onto both knees, sat on his heels and leaned forward- arms outstretched. A perfectly executed genuflection - she knew he must have practiced it many times.

"Arise, son of God, and tell me what you seek." He rose his arms and chest from the floor, but remained in the meditative posture, sitting on his heels staring at his knees- never daring to look within even an arms length of her feet.

"Your holiness- I seek to know what you may tell me of my destiny. I am aware that it may be difficult for me to decipher what you share, but I pray to learn whatever you will grant me."

"Ah, yes, child. I will grant you this insight. Close your eyes, and do not open them."

He obediently closed his eyes and held so still, she was sure he was holding his breath. She reached out from her altar and placed her palm on his head, holding it for a few moments before removing it and returning to her seat. He exhaled in relief and kept his eyes closed, waiting in deferential silence.

"Your destiny is...that you will die." The young man slumped a little and fought to keep his eyes closed. He remained silent, waiting for more... waiting... waiting....

"Is...is that it?" He finally blurted, rocking slightly with discomfort.

"Yes."

To his credit his eyes stayed closed as he badgered on,

"Wha- what? But...but everyone dies! Is my death significant? Do I die in battle?"

When there was no reply, his eyes finally opened, staring angrily at the place in front of his knees, his hands no longer delicately layered in his lap but now clenched.

"I did everything right!" He argued, "I have lived my whole life to be worthy enough to receive a destiny and to be noble enough to perform the sacred tasks and come to the temple of promise and discover what it would be!"

"And now you have discovered, young man, your destiny is to die."

He did not take this well.

"No!" He yelled, jumping up to stand, his eyes daring to look at her feet in insolence. "There must be more, you must tell me more!"

"I have told you all there is to tell." Her voice was scolding now, filling the temple with its disapproving echo. "If you wish for more explanation, perhaps ask yourself what it has cost you to make yourself so noble? What arrogance have you suffered upon others in your quest for worthiness?"

The young man blanched and reddened, and defied to raise his eyes to her knees. His once careful breath now huffing with ruined pride.

"I... I... " he stammered.

"And now you dare to gaze upon my holy person with blatant hubris?" Her voice boomed over his stuttering protests. When he did not apologize and prostrate himself on the floor in shame she spoke again, this time very softly.

"Look at me." He moved to back away and found he could not move his legs. From the knees down he was frozen in place. He knew suddenly that if he looked up at her the rest of his body would stiffen in suit.

"P-please!" He begged. It was too late. She reached out and grabbed his chin and forced his head to lift and his eyes to meet hers. His body petrified and he was still- shock and horror forever etched on his face. She pushed his chin away from her and his body teetered and fell- smashing into dust on the temple floor.

"I told him it was his destiny." She said to herself, clapping the dust from her hands, and turning to go see what he had left on the shrine for her.