The Beast With a Man's Face

Over two hundred years ago,
Our forefathers came to this mountain
Driven from their homes to find a new land
Not knowing they must abandon their old way of life
For the earth made it known to them
That humanity's atrocities were far too great

They were miners; they came here to find some ore
In mountain like they did in days before
They removed the trees around the mountain's foot
When one of them quickly discovered our reality

A face peered out from the trees
Like that of a man attached to a beast

A few of our warriors followed it in
They never returned, absorbed therein
The creature appeared to watch us work
Our fear increased to tread where it lurked

We discussed among ourselves what to do
Perhaps with an offering, we may discuss terms of peace

We brought an offering to it
Some cattle that were the most fit
We came close to the forest line
Near where we began our mine

When it appeared, we watched it speak

"I demand you close your mine
For iron cannot regrow these vines
That you've removed for your own gain
Not knowing this is the earth's domain
I know you were driven out
For greedy men wanted your metal
To forge more weapons
And to destroy one another
There is no profit in what you seek

My hatred for humans extends far beyond the reaches of my woods
For the spirits also suffer, not just your kind
You must swear an oath
Live with the earth, and I will protect you pathetic bunch."

"Oh, nameless god of hate and rage
We bow before you!"

From that day, a mist rose from the hills
Enshrouding our homes in darkness
No stranger has entered since then until you've arrived

You've profaned the hill of the beast
With the name of Jesus Christ
No one can erase the destruction caused by ancestor's pursuit of iron
How can your God cancel our debts?
Can He bring those dead back to life?

To that, the stranger smiled and answered, "Yes!"