The Ladies of Horror
Hubris
by H.R. Boldwood
The Ancients returned and sat among the ruins, heads bowed in sorrow.
“Foolish, foolish Man,” they cried. “What have you done?”
A lone tree, gnarled and withered, towered above the concrete carcasses and septic seas; its blighted branches giving witness to Armageddon as it burst across the horizon.
In the blink of an eye, Man, the instrument of his own undoing, had come and gone, leaving a legacy of ash in his wake.
And then the Ancients prayed.
Prayed for new life to spring forth from that ash—a life of hope, enlightenment, and stewardship—a life devoid of arrogance, greed, and hubris.
But most of all, a life devoid of Man.
Fiction © Copyright H.R. Boldwood
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com
More from Author H.R. Boldwood:
Hyperion Theia: Saturnalia (Volume 1)
Short Story: In the Shadow of Fire
The inaugural volume of the Hyperion & Theia anthology series features stories, poetry, and art that encapsulate festive revelry and otherworldly reversal: Gods and Goddesses of old prepare for destruction. A demonic circus delivers a haunting finale. The Shebeast lurks in the forest and pulls at heartstrings. Alien diet supplements wreak havoc in near-future San Francisco. Three women conspire to break an oath with a wicked witch. The Herculaneum Scrolls reveal the role of ancient aliens. A Roman warrior and a warrior turned slave venture into the territory of a Queen of ancient Egypt. Two cowboys track dark magic in the Wild Wild West. Ghosts stuck in the mortal realm high off drugs. You are a lone radio jockey after the apocalypse.
Spreading the Writer's Word 
Loved the last line, a terrific story.
I should be biased against the Ancients here, but I think I agree with them. Great work!