The blazing hot sun shone on the arena. Crowds of people cheered as we were pushed into the arena. Sweat trickled down my back. The sun blinded me as we walked in.
"Open the cages!" Someone yelled. Probably the Emperor.
And multiple cages opened, and lions, jaguars, bears, and hyenas, all came running toward us.
I look up in the sky and see Jesus standing on the right side of God.
You might be wondering what I and my friends did to deserve such a terrible death. What horrible crime did we commit? Following Jesus, that's the crime according to them.
~
I was an ordinary noble.
My father was a priest in the temple of Apollo. He worked in the temple and sacrificed animals to Apollo.
One day, my mother became very ill. My father, being a priest, tried to do everything to please Apollo and heal my mother, but each day, my mother became worse. My mother would lay in pain on her bed, her life slowly draining from her. Eventually, she couldn't hold on to life and passed away. My father didn't even mourn for her. I resented him for that. I hated him for not even mourning my mother. He didn't care.
"Why didn't Apollo heal my mother? You prayed!" I sobbed.
"Apollo was displeased by your mother. She must have committed a terrible sin for Apollo to turn away from her." My father would explain in a stern voice. His cold eyes pierced through me. Hope shattered to pieces. Tears filled my eyes. The tears and hurt stung me.
"Why didn't Apollo forgive her?! Why let her suffer?! How are you calm about this?? She was my mother, your wife! Why? Apollo should have forgiven her."I yelled. My hatred against my father and Apollo seethed from me.
Once I said that, my father snapped. He raised his hands and slapped me hard.
"Are you out of your mind?! Show me some respect for me and Apollo, Ayshia! It is by Apollo you are alive and well! Show some respect to your father!" He shouted.
...
I didn't care. I resented my father. I ran into the nearby forest and let my tears and frustrations out. I would scream and let out curses that I need not mention. I threw my family brooch far from me to try to get rid of my father's blood in my veins.
I then heard footsteps and leaves rustling. A stick cracked. I freeze.
"Who's there?"I called out. My dark blue gown is a little dirty from the forest so I sit on the bench in the forest. I grab the nearest stick to protect myself.
"Come out whoever you are!" I command.
A handsome commoner emerges and picks up my brooch. He locks eyes with me and smiles playfully. I knew him, he was my childhood friend and I had developed feelings for him. His name was Henry.
"That stick won't protect you that much." He jokes but stops once he sees my tear-stained eyes. He narrows his eyebrows.
"Who hurt you?" He asked.
"No one really. I just miss my mother and father, well, you know how he is. Always forcing Apollo down my throat. Apollo this, Apollo that... Respect him. But I know better, Apollo's not even a living god and he didn't save my mom so why should I worship him?" I vent out.
Henry nods and clears my throat.
"I know a real God and he gives you peace. He always loves you and he answers prayers every single time. No sacrifice needed, just pray to him." Henry says.
Curiosity overtakes me and I ask about this living God, and for the first time I hear about Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God. He talks and I believe.
With this faith, I knew Henry was right this God was alive.
THREE MONTHS LATER...
In three months I became a Christian. Being a Christian was illegal but I didn't care.
One day soldiers broke into the place where I was worshiping with other Christians. They take us through the square where a crowd forms and heavy sharp rocks fly towards us. When we reach the Emperor, my father stands beside him, and he orders us.
My father had malice and hate in his eyes. It seems he never did love me.
"Either bring a sacrifice to Apollo or you will know how it feels to be ripped apart by hungry animals!" The emperor orders but none of us falter. We stay steadfast to God.
We answer that we would never disobey God Almighty, which angers my father and the Emperor. He orders our immediate execution from the animals.
When we come into the blazing hot arena we worship God.
I was exited that I would see God today! I held Henry's hand and smile as the sun beat down on us. I was ready. Sweat forms at the back of my neck from the heat but I still smiled.
Many cages opened and the food-deprived animals rushed at us. I looked up to see Jesus.
"Look! I see Jesus Christ, at the right-hand side of God! Forever be praised God Almighty!" I shout. My father looks at me and tears break his angry face.
At the last seconds of my life, I forgive him for all the hurt he caused. I hold Henry close as we get torn from wild animals.
"Thank you...Jesus." I say as I fall dead. I open my eyes in heaven with a new body and I see Henry too. We praise God for eternity.