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Death reigned in the Garden of the Gods. Plants lay strewn across the ground, wilting and turning to dust. Rotting fruits were everywhere, decomposing and souring the air, yet not a single insect buzzed around them.
The obsidian sky was an empty void stretching into infinity. It was as if every star had fallen from the heavens except for the three moons hovering in the darkness.
No animal nor creature disturbed the silence other than Soraya, Jonathan and Vega as they trudged through the dead foliage surrounding them. An icy breeze picked up, causing the three of them to shiver. It continued to blow stronger, pushing them forward into the center of the garden, beckoning their steps to quicken.
The sleeves of Jonathan's coat were a little long for Soraya, so she hid her hands within them to keep warm.
Gods, she silently prayed. Please protect us. Please help me find my mother. Please have mercy on us.
"I believe that's what we're looking for," Vega called from ahead, his voice barely audible above the howling wind.
Soraya followed the elderly man's pointing finger and spotted a large silhouetted tree with four limbs raised into the air.
Is that the Tree of Knowledge?
Jonathan stayed by Soraya's side, one gloved hand holding onto his hat while the other hovered over his sword's hilt.
The closer they crept towards the tree, the more it resembled a wooden statue as white as porcelain. A face was carved in the upper middle, the four raised branches above resembled arms, and the twigs at the ends mimicked fingers.
"At long last," Vega announced, his black eyes as wide as the full moon hovering high above. "I have found you."
The elderly man fell to his knees before the timber, his arms outstretched. Immediately the wind stilled, creating an eerie silence across the land. "Restore my memories, Tree of Knowledge," Vega prayed. "I must know my purpose."
The ground shook, startling Soraya and Jonathan and causing them to take several steps backwards. Long, thick roots burst through the soil, wrapping themselves around Vega and sinking into his flesh.
The mouth on the wooden tree opened, the eyelids raising and revealing deep socket-less black eyes.
"You are nothing more then a part of my own soul," rumbled several voices simultaneously. "Your purpose was to bring the child here and gather information in Etheria. You have succeeded, so you will join me again."
The old man remained still and silent, welcoming the roots like an embrace from a loved one.
Soraya grimaced, watching the sickly pale vines growing red with the blood from the elderly man as they sucked him dry. Jonathan whipped out his sword, his teeth clenched tightly together. "Who the Hell are you," he hissed.
