Secrets of blooming estate book one

Chapter seven the garden of shadows

The corridor that led to the Garden of Shadows was unlike anything Sophia had ever seen at Blooming Estate. As Beatrice and the others led her deeper into the belly of the manor, the familiar grandeur of the estate melted away, replaced by cold stone walls slick with moisture and the faint scent of earth. It felt as if they were descending into the bones of the earth itself, far below the surface world she had always known.

Sophia's thoughts raced as she followed in silence, the flicker of torches casting erratic shadows against the walls. The Society members moved with practiced ease, their faces serene despite the air of tension that clung to the group. There was a calmness about them, as if this journey into the heart of darkness was as routine as any evening stroll.

They reached a wide, arched doorway carved directly into the stone. Intricate symbols—older than anything Sophia had ever seen—were etched into the frame. The door itself seemed to pulse with energy, a low hum vibrating through the air as they approached.

Beatrice stopped before the door and turned to face Sophia. "Before we enter," she said, "you need to understand something important. The Garden isn't just a place. It's alive in ways you can't imagine. It will test you. It will know your deepest fears, your desires, and your doubts. And if you are not prepared, it will consume you."

Sophia swallowed, a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest. "What do you mean? What exactly is this place?"

Beatrice glanced at the others before answering, her voice hushed. "The Garden of Shadows is a nexus of ancient power. It's older than any civilization we know, predating even the most ancient of human records. Some say it's a remnant of a time when gods walked the earth, others believe it's something far darker. Whatever it is, the Garden is sentient. It feeds off the energy of those who enter it and tests their worthiness. If you pass its trials, it grants you access to knowledge and abilities beyond comprehension. But it can also destroy those it deems unworthy."

Sophia's heart pounded. "And what happens if I fail?"

"You won't," Beatrice said firmly, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of concern. "But you must remember: the Garden reflects what's inside you. Stay focused. Do not let it play with your mind."

Without another word, Beatrice turned and placed her hand against the door. The symbols flared to life, glowing with an eerie light, and the heavy stone door began to grind open.

A gust of cool air rushed out, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and something else—something ancient and wild. Sophia shivered as she peered into the darkness beyond the doorway. From where she stood, she could just make out the outline of tangled, overgrown vines and thick foliage. It looked nothing like a garden. It was more like a jungle, dense and impenetrable, with shadows that seemed to move of their own accord.

Beatrice gestured for her to step through. "The Garden awaits."

Sophia took a deep breath and crossed the threshold, her feet sinking into the soft, moss-covered ground. The air was thick and heavy, almost suffocating, and the sound of her heartbeat echoed in her ears as the stone door slid shut behind her, sealing her inside.

For a moment, she stood in utter silence, the weight of the Garden pressing down on her from all sides. The air felt charged, alive with unseen energy. She could sense it now—the awareness Beatrice had spoken of. The Garden was watching her.

The ground beneath her feet shifted, and Sophia stumbled forward, catching herself on a nearby tree. The bark was cold and smooth, almost unnatural, and when she pulled her hand away, a thin layer of frost clung to her skin. She frowned, glancing around. The temperature had dropped drastically, the air now biting against her skin.

And then she heard it—a soft whisper, barely audible but unmistakable. It seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once, carried on the wind like a forgotten memory. Sophia spun around, but there was no one there. The Garden was playing with her.

"Sophia..."

The voice was clearer this time, and it sent a chill down her spine. She tried to focus, remembering Beatrice's warning. _The Garden reflects what's inside you._

Her breath quickened as the shadows around her began to shift, taking on vague, familiar shapes. Faces. She recognized them—her mother, her father, people from her past. They hovered at the edge of her vision, watching her with hollow eyes. But they weren't real. They couldn't be.

"Don't lose focus," Sophia muttered to herself, trying to push the images away. She had to stay grounded.

The path before her twisted and turned, the vines reaching out like tendrils, as though trying to ensnare her. The whispering voices grew louder, more insistent, and the shadows pressed in closer. Sophia's heart raced. Her pulse thundered in her ears.

But then something shifted. Through the swirling darkness, a faint glow appeared ahead, soft and golden. It beckoned her forward, a small beacon of light in the overwhelming gloom. Sophia took a cautious step toward it, then another, her instincts telling her that this was the path she needed to follow.

As she approached the light, the voices began to fade, and the oppressive weight of the Garden lifted slightly. The vines parted before her, revealing a small clearing bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. At its center stood an ancient stone pedestal, upon which rested a single rose.

The rose was unlike anything Sophia had ever seen. Its petals were pitch black, glistening with an otherworldly sheen, but its core pulsed with a faint, silvery light. It seemed to vibrate with raw energy, the air around it humming with power.

She stepped closer, mesmerized by the flower's beauty. This was it. This was what the Garden had brought her to. The test.

She hesitated, her hand hovering over the rose. She could feel the power radiating from it, but there was something more—something dangerous. If she took it, she knew her life would change forever. But she had come this far. She couldn't turn back now.

Taking a deep breath, Sophia reached out and gently plucked the rose from its pedestal.

For a moment, nothing happened. The Garden seemed to hold its breath, the air still and silent. Then, without warning, a surge of energy coursed through her body, lighting her veins on fire. She gasped, her knees buckling as the raw power of the rose flooded her senses.

Images flashed before her eyes—visions of the past, present, and future. She saw the history of the Society, the countless generations that had come before her, each one bearing the same burden she now carried. She saw the ancient wars, the rise and fall of empires, and the terrible force that had been contained within the Garden for millennia.

And then she saw herself, standing at the edge of something vast and unknowable. A choice lay before her—one that would determine the fate of not just the Society, but the world beyond.

The vision faded, and Sophia collapsed to the ground, the rose still clutched in her hand. She was shaking, her body trembling from the force of the experience, but she knew one thing for certain: she had passed the test.

The Garden had accepted her. And now, its power was hers.