Theo the Street Kid and the Extraordinary Competition

Chapter 31 - The Final Battle at the Mystical Numbamosa Tree

After Borm hit Theo on the head, he searched for his old enemy on the ground, but the fog was too thick.
It swallowed Theo up.
Borm searched for a few more minutes, but saw nothing.
Where was Theo?
How could a boy just disappear like that?
Puzzled, he gave up.
Besides, Borm had bigger fish to fry.
He had such a head start that he was sure he would beat Theo to the Numbamosa Tree and win the whole competition.

***

When Theo came to, he was filled with such a sense of duty and purpose.
He didn't know whether it had all been just a dream, a mere figment of his imagination, or whether it was really his mother's ghost that had spoken to him, but it didn't matter.
The joyous yet bittersweet reunion with his mother had given him closure and, just as importantly, motivation. His mother had given him the confidence and strength to continue the fight and win.
Borm may seem formidable, but Theo was certain he could beat him.
With his mother's words fresh in his mind, Theo scanned the horizon.
The fog was partially lifted and a tip of a huge tree dotted the distance.
Theo headed toward the place known as Central Bliss.
When he arrived, he was surprised to find the tree unguarded.
He gazed up at it.
The humongous tree looked like a weeping willow, except it bore fruit.
Dozens of numbamosa fruits hung on its branches.
Theo took one step forward and stopped.
He smelled something in the air.
It was a strange smell - a combination of strong women's perfume mixed with vanilla.
At that moment, he spotted Mr. Sotia speaking into the camera. "The Numbamosa Tree has detected potential enemies. Since it's completely defenceless on its own, it can do only one thing to protect itself and its precious fruits: it sends out pheromones that summons the predators of its enemies."
On high alert now, Theo scanned his environment.
A puddle on the ground shook.
Theo turned around.
Something was stomping on the ground as it made its way to Central Bliss.
Three snow lions dashed into the garden.
Their ferocious roars made Theo tremble.
So these were the mystical protectors of the Numbamosa Tree.
They had white fur, with majestic manes, huge glowing eyes and sharp teeth and claws. Each one was as big as an elephant.
How was Theo going to defeat them?
One got on its hind legs and lunged at Theo.
Already anticipating the move, Theo hid behind a small oak tree.
His heart pounding, Theo was at a loss for what to do.
Lucky for him, at that moment, Borm decided to show up.
All three lions turned to their attentions to his rival.
Rooted to the ground in fear, Borm just stood there, shaking.
Seizing the opportunity, Theo inched toward the mighty Numbamosa Tree.
He reached up and tried to grab a Numbamosa fruit, but the tree moved its branch out of the way.
Clearly alive, it didn't want anyone to steal its legendary fruit.
Theo jumped up and tried again, but the branch was out of his reach.
He decided to try something different.
He blew on his whistle, which played a pleasing melodic tune.
The music relaxed the tree, coaxing it just enough to lower its branch to Theo's height.
Theo reached up and finally grabbed a Numbamosa fruit, which, upon close examination, was a cross between a dragonfruit and a mangosteen.
He carefully placed it into his pocket and hatched a plan to get out of Central Bliss and back to the finish line.
Another roar gave him goosebumps.
The three snow lions were still advancing on Borm, but Theo couldn't count on that for long.
He inspected the area.
There were only two ways out of Central Bliss. The main entrance was blocked by the lions and Borm. The other way was a small path just mere meters away from the main entrance.
Could Theo sneak away undetected?
Cautiously, he approached the small path.
Just when he was about to leave the battleground discreetly, Borm pointed a finger at him and shouted, "Don't let him get away!"
One snow lion immediately leapt in front of Theo.
It roared loudly, but Theo decided he wasn't going to be intimidated. He was sick of being scared. All his life, he had been scared of corrupt officials and mean gangsters. He was so close to the finish line and winning the whole contest.
He was going to put his fear aside and go all the way.
There was an obstacle in front of him, so he had to get around it.
But how?
His mother's words resonated in his mind.
Remember: there is nothing to be gained without sacrifice. In order to win, you must give up what means the most to you.
Even though the whistle meant the world to him, he knew what he had to do.
Instinct told him to blow on it.
He had tried it before and the tune had allowed him to grab a Numbamosa fruit.
He wondered what would happen to the lion.
He removed the shiny whistle from his neck and blew on it.
Instead of a tune, this time, the whistle turned into the figure in white.
Turning around, his mother gave him a wink.
"Go!" she shouted. "I need to consume the whistle to defeat the lion."
Then, she grew bigger and bigger until it towered above the lion.
Seeing the giant, the lion stifled its roar.
"Go!" his mother screamed.
Unwilling to leave his mother, Theo realized he had no choice. He used the moment to go around the snow lion and then ran away as quickly as he could.
It pained him to sacrifice the only souvenir he had of his mother, but he knew it had to be done.