Greybeard Sr.

I agree that this story cries out for a sequel. At the same time, I dread seeing one. Too often a sequel overexplains the ambiguities of an original tale to that stories detriment. If you write more you are setting yourself a major challenge.

That opening line for me was not only biblical but brought to mind Duke Ellington's first sacred concert which he told drummer Louie Belson was based on the words "in the beginning". Belson was to be the thunder and the lightning. In some weird synthesis your fire, the thunder and lightning of the void and the sound of drums and clashing cymbals all came together for me.

It would appear that the censors (the prudes who pressured Google) have won. The stories I was reading have all suddenly been labeled "mature". It did force me to register but if I was a completely new reader I'd just not bother with this site as 3/4's of the material is not available to non-members.