[ WP ] A group of people worship a small , plain , clear glass marble . You touch it , and realise why .

Malachi did not realize how weak the fire had become until he could no longer tell the difference between the night air and his blood-soaked dagger. The bottom of his crudely-forged blade still flickered a faint orange, but most of it had vanished in front of his eyes in the preceding minutes. Everyone else in the tribe had long since retired to their tents, resting in preparation of tomorrow's ceremony. Snapping out of his trance, he placed two logs into the fire and pulled a deerskin rag from his pouch. If this dagger were to continue to serve him as well as it did tonight, he could not spare any effort in keeping it clean. Besides, how could he neglect the one item in the world that he could call his own? 
 
 -- 
 *'' Since you last laid your eyes on this stone, you have further devoted yourself to living as it wants us to. How great that our earth would bless us with such a reminder. We take our wisdom from this simple wonder of nature. At once both perfect and nothing, only those fully committed can ever be trusted to guard it. Are you worthy, brother Malachi? `` * 
 
 *'' I am not worthy. I am nothing. `` * 
 
 *'' You speak like a man who is ready to hold the stone in the palm of his hand. `` * 
 
 *'' It is not my hand, brother. `` * 
 
 *The brother reached into his cloak and pulled out a small pouch. He leaned across the fire and placed it into Malachi's hands. `` You have given up so much. Just a little more. `` * 
 
 -- 
 `` Here is an example, my brothers and sisters, of a man who has embraced nothing. Through his deeds he has shown himself to be a worthy guardian of our sacred symbol. Strive towards his example as he strives to become an even better one. Brother Malachi, stand and hold our stone for the first time.'' 
 
 The brother held the small stone over his head for the rest of the tribe to see. Most would only ever glimpse the clear object in this setting; few would ever be so committed that they would be allowed to touch it. He placed the stone in Malachi's hands. 
 
 Malachi gazed at it for a second before realizing that he now had the capability to lift it towards his eyes and inspect it closer. How much had he gone through for such a simple honor? Rolling it between his thumb and finger, he set it in front of his nose and used the light of the fire to see it more clearly. The rest of the tribe looked on in silent awe, wondering if they could ever become as strong as Malachi. An ember cracked and burst from inside the fire, illuminating what Malachi thought to be a small blemish on the stone. Looking closer, he cracked a thin smile as the words `` Made in China'' flickered out of focus just as quickly as they appeared. 
 
 -- 
 *'' Breaking news out of Woodward at this hour. Police there are reporting that they have found six bodies inside a home, ranging in age from four to fifty-three. All were pronounced dead on the scene, and all are said to come from the same family. While police have not yet confirmed it, anonymous reports say that the it has all of the markings of yet another Brothers of the Void attack. If true, this would mark the ninth such attack in the state this month as the mysterious anti-modern group continues to gain followers throughout the country...'' * 
 
 -- 
 Read more of my stories and subscribe at /r/highpothetically.
