The Nephilim by Jose Diaz

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In the distance a village nestled in the middle of a canyon-like valley emerged through the veil of eternally swirling sands. It seemed that only the rock walls that rose in the middle of the great desolation stood alone to delay the seemingly inevitable death of the village that defied the forces of nature.

A colossal structure somewhat resembling a ship looming in the outskirts of the village dwarfed the shanty houses that made up the settlement.

A small group of men and women worked feverishly on the ship-like structure as if there was a great urgency in its completion.

In the distant background, there shone a river that appeared to so calmly meander through the dessert that it seemed to be static.

A large walled city sprawled on the arid valley floor at the river's edge. The city was a thriving metropolis composed of row after row of low, square, featureless buildings. Sumptuous temples and palaces sprinkled among the endless rows of box-like dwellings served to break the monotony of the flat cityscape.

A building of colossal proportions in the process of being built rose in the very center of the city. The monumental structure had the overwhelmingness to fill with awe those who beheld its magnitude even at a great distance.

A throng of slaves worked feverishly on the tall structure in the city's hub. Whips cracked on the backs of the unfortunate souls who rushed about more with the aim of getting away from the bullies wielding the whips than any desire to further the project.

A vast open plaza teeming with all sorts of people carelessly going about their daily routines surrounded the majestic tower.

The river, on closer inspection, turned out to be wide and carried a large volume of water. Vessels displaying a myriad banners and flags as if from many lands and cultures docked on a river-port abuzz with activity.

Sweaty dark-skinned men, their muscular bodies reflecting the fiery dessert sun, wearing cloths wrapped around their waists and thighs, labored to catch up with the influx of arriving cargoes as a number of other vessels awaited their turn to dock in the filled-to-capacity port.

Back in the settlement, the small group of men and women no longer labored to finish the immense structure as its construction seemed to have come to an end. Instead now they appeared intent on filling the vessel with all sorts of provisions.

Large bales of hay and sacks filled to capacity with flour and all sorts of grain were being carried into the vessel as if the ship was expected to endure a very long voyage.

Now a young girl came forth leading a pair of cape buffaloes up the rugged ramp into the ship-like structure, followed by bleating big horned sheep and roaring lions.

A long procession of animals, big and small, could be seen docilely following the young girl into the cavernous vessel.

Another girl walking behind the animals goaded them to hurry into the ship. Among the herds of animals entering the vessel walked the men, still carrying big loads of provisions into the ship.