The Fall of Eden

Chapter 11

They traveled deep into the Lumen woods, and a bitter cold now filled the air. Femi began to shiver, and rubbed her bare arms. Her finely stitched gown, tattered and torn, was meant for dancing, not escaping death. Her legs were tired, and pulsed with aching exhaustion.

"Areli," she finally gave in, "We must stop."

"Steady, we are almost there."

"Where are we going?" Aiden asked.

"Here." Areli pushed aside a wall of shrubs to reveal a clearing in the woods. The trees opened up and surrounded a large garden. The garden sprouted with bountiful life.

The leaves of grass danced in the rolling winds. Strange glowing lily sprouted everywhere, swaying ever so slightly. Curious little specks of light floated idly above the ground. The twinkling glitter filled the air until it blended into the starry night sky. Femi knelt down, enchanted by the luminescent lilies. Their petals, midnight blue, were speckled with teal freckles. She reached out to touch one, but suddenly the flower began to bloom. It opened wide and released a bundle of flickering specks into the air.

"A Spirit Garden," She said, mesmerized. "I read about these. The early tribes believed these gardens were connected to the after-life," Femi poked at the floating lights "Where spirits rose and became stars."

"They would come here to find hope," Areli spoke up, "I used to come here to-" Areli paused, "Escape."

"It's beautiful." Femi smiled as specks of light began to move toward her and cling to her body. She giggled as they tickled her skin.

"It seems they like you," Areli grinned, "These lilies have healing properties, much like your own powers, healer."

"Does everything in Lumen have powers?"

"It's possible," Areli answered, and plucked two lilies. "We can use these to help your friend."

"What is that?" Damien pointed at a structure in the distance.

Femi and the others walked across the garden to see what he had found. An old wooden door was almost hidden by vines. The door was part of an abandoned tower. The stone wall was weathered and cracked. Nearly the entire tower was consumed by vines and brush. Areli stepped forward to the door. He lifted his staff and cut some of growth off. The silhouette of a torch wrapped in roses was etched into the wood. It was the crest of Eden.

"For Hope. For Peace. For Home." was engraved below it.

Slowly, Areli pushed the door open. The door screamed and whined. The four entered the tower and looked around. It was a vast stone shell of nothing. The cracks in the wall allowed the moonlight to pass through into the darkness. The vines had eaten the place alive; nature had reclaimed the tower long ago. A narrow staircase spiraled up the wall of the tower until it reached the second floor.

"Search for supplies," Areli ordered.

"Found something," Damien shouted, "Fur coats. There are enough for all of us." Some fur coats were hanging on the wall.

"Oh I love this one!" Femi picked up a red fur coat. She wrapped it around her back and slipped her arms into its warm sleeves. She tossed the hood over her head and smiled. "It's perfect!" Aiden and Damien both picked up black coats, while Areli put on a white coat.

Areli soon led the others to the second floor. Part of the wall had been completely busted out. The tower looked out over the woods. Snow covered mountains towered high in the distance, as if the world's edge fell just behind them.