1635: a war veteran, troubled by visions of the future, enters the Pantheon in Rome. He seeks answers. He needs redemption. A five year old girl, and her female-line descendants in the present day, hold the key to the future of humanity,
You could probably delete this part. Just reading this alone, I already infer that it's earth she is talking about.
Pale is in again! Woot! :). Silly comment I know, but the fact that this trait is rare is kinda cool. I like how you weave the building of the world into the chapter.