Magnoliophyta

7. ODYSSEY

Warmth filled my room, a beam of light stole it's way through the crack in the curtains and reached my face making it glow with a tint of red and gold. I sat up, wondering where I was and my face broke into a wide grin as I realised I was in Magnoliophyta, the land of the Liberated. I made my way to the washroom, brushed my teeth, rinsed my mouth and splashed the cool water on my sleepy face, awakening me completely.  I wiped my face with a jasmine scented towel and made my way to the closet, surprisingly all the clothes were exactly my size. I chose a simple outfit of black jeans and a laced white tank top. I put on a pearl necklace to compliment my outfit and was ready to start a brand new day. 

I was just grabbing my phone, when someone knocked on the door.  "Hey! Good morning, was this room comfy?" Said Jared in a cheerful tone .

"Hello... hello... hello..., who have we hear ?" We both laughed like lame Llamas . "I just wanted to check on you and make sure that you were doing fine, I will be going out for something today, so Lil will show you around" said Jared.

"Ok sure, bye. Have a great day!" I waved my hand and smiled. "Bye" Jared left humming a tune to himself.

I couldn't believe that I had made such an amazing friend in such a short period of time. This was something new to me as it was always such a difficult job for me to make friends at school but I guess Magnoliophyta had magic of it's own.

I made my way down the stairs and bumped into Lil. "Hey, I thought I was meeting you at the fountain"I said rubbing my head.

"Yeah, I just thought I would come here instead of waiting for you to come there"

"Well, makes sense. I am so excited and I still can't get it into my head that I am not a human at all. I am one of the Liberated. It's just like what would happen in a story isn't it!"

"Yeah!, Well let's get on with your tour"

"Yippee!"

Lil and made are way to the Centre For Liberated Learning (CFLL), which was like there school. I already knew that I was going to love it here. You might be wondering what my parents would think if I live in a place that they don't even know of. Well, don't worry about that, I am an orphan and I  I am sure that the orphanage won't even notice that I was missing. So, at least one thing's cleared up right!

"Let me show you the whole whole campus of CFLL and then we will meet the teachers and enroll you for the year!" This was fine by me so we made our way into the campus.

The campus grounds were sprawling and enormous. Cobbled paths led to different sections of the institute and flowers sprouted in every direction. As we strolled , Lil pointed out the  different sections that were there.

"That one you see there, is for flemistry (flower + chemistry), not the potions and apparatus type, It is more like which flower would be a perfect fit for the other, sometimes used for the purpose of multiple cropping!"

"Those two, that are side by side are for Floriculture and Anthology."

"ooh!"I said in admiration.

" All the others that you can see are: Anti-Florism, Dark Plantation, Flucture ..." Lil was going to continue when a middle aged man with a salt and pepper beard came up and interrupted.

"Hello, Lil how are you?"

"Hello Mr Dianthus, This is jade Stone"

"Is she..." "Yes, the girl from the presage"said Lil. Mr Dianthus gasped and held out his hand to me.

"You have great responsibilities upon your shoulders but I have faith in you and I believe you can save Magnoliophyta." I shook his hand and thanked him.

After that things sped up, we went inside and I got myself enrolled and before I knew it, Lil and I were walking back towards my flottage. Yes, I got a flottage for free cause in Magnoliophyta every essence, whether it is rare, endangered, extinct or populated had a designated flottage and I got the Jade vine Flottage. Anyways, as we were walking back I suggested we grab a bite cause I really wanted a Flake so we took a seat at the Bistro and munched on the Flakes.

"So... do you know where Jared went?"

"Oh, how did you know he went somewhere?"

"He came to my flottage in the morning and mentioned that he was going somewhere, so I am just a little curious"

"Oh! I wouldn't mind telling you but I think that piece of information is only Jared's to share. Don't take it the wrong way ok?"

"Oh! That's totally alright, it is his business so I guess I was getting a little poky huh?"

"Oh no, I understand that you were just curious"

"Yeah, anyways when am I going to get my books for my lectures? I can't wait to get started!"

" Oh um... about that, We did enroll you but you can only start learning after you are done with your Odyssey"

"What on earth is Odyssey?"

"It's just another word for an adventure, quest or expedition"

" And why would I suddenly want to go on an odyssey?"

"It's actually not your choice, your Odyssey was destined by the presage, You are supposed to go on this odyssey and save Magnoliophyta from the clutches of Nero. This is your fate and your actions are intertwined with your fate. It's the rule of the universe."

I was completely taken aback and speechless, I managed to mutter out "Okay". This was so unfair, I hadn't asked for such a huge responsibility, I just wanted a normal teenagers life. A good life. A stress free life but the universe had some other plans.

"Jade don't worry, you don't have to do everything alone, Jared and I will accompany you. After all what are friends for huh?"

"Thank you so much Lil, it means a lot to me!"

" I am glad that you think so! Anyways, regarding our odyssey, You, Jared and I will visit the Library tomorrow at noon."

"Why? what's in the library?"

"All the scholars in Magnoliophyta got together many years ago. They knew about the presage and using their combined knowledge and intellect, They wrote a scroll, that tells us the first destination in our odyssey.It is said that once we reach that place, we would know where to go next, ourselves. That scroll is in library so we will go to the library!"

"That's amazing, it's a piece of cake- go to the library- take the scroll- see the place- start the odyssey."

"It isn't as easy as you think it is. The scroll has been hidden in the library for centuries. No one has been able to find it, not even Penny and she is our queen."

" That definitely complicates things, but I am sure we will find the scroll as a team. I have faith in our competence " I said in a cheery and optimistic tone.

Inside, my organs were getting jumbled up and and I was nibbling on my gum. I was the total opposite of optimistic and cheerful. I was scared to death and I was sure if I hadn't been sitting, I would have already peed my pants. That's how strong I felt.

On that happy note, Lil and I made our way home, neither of us talked much and I was glad to see the day end. My soft plushy bed was waiting for me to jump in and cuddle up and when I did my room blurred before my eyes and and my eyes shut in exhaustion. I was fast asleep, wishing that the night would continue forever.