The Lost Paradise

Chapter 6

Vanya and I moved along with the crowd. I didn't know where we were going but I kept following her blindly. Finally, after what seemed like a never-ending walk we reached the end of the hallway that led us out into a vast open ground.

There were fountains floating up in the sky. Five fountains were placed in such a way that they look like a pentagon. The water from the fountain never reached the ground, but it hit an imaginary space down in the air and then suddenly disappeared. The fountain not only made the space look beautiful but the water also helped in keeping the air down cool. All the eyes were set up, staring at the beauty.

When the sound of more footsteps started filling in. I saw people dressed in colors more than the red which I wore. People in Yellow, blue, green, orange soon joined our little red group. Everyone started settling in the rows of chairs that were set below the fountains.

"'Uriches, ehites, trams, allorns, and merms" a man, in his forties stood in front of us on a small podium and announced. "You all are sitting here tonight because the sacred phoenix saw something within you. Something different from the others. You all have arrived from various clans. From the darkness, you all have come here in a hope of finding some light or helping others in finding the light within them. Welcimson is not the paradise that you seek. There is no such thing as a paradise" he announced.

Suddenly the crowd roared up from their seats. Everyone started shouting from their place, furiously. I stared straight up at the strange man standing there who was calmly looking at the chaos his words had just created. He didn't try to calm them. The people were enraged and so they had started speaking and abusing loudly.

Does that mean, that everything we have been told since childhood was a lie? I wondered, studying the zarkis on my wrists. Why am I standing in this place then? "There is no such thing as a paradise that exists for you, you will have to make your own paradise", he delivered his next words and waited. People stopped whatever they were doing...which was basically just cursing the man who was standing on the podium. I shifted my gaze from my wrists and fixed them upon him.

"The things you have been told since your childhood are all different", he started to explain. "Many of you believed that it was your only clan that was banished before you even arrived here. It's not your mistake. Not even your clans. The record of how many clans have been banished was long lost since their numbers kept increasing", he explained. There was a collective intake of breath in the crowd.

I didn't expect to hear this when I came here. Suddenly I felt like I didn't know the purpose of my presence right then. What will I have to do then?

"I know what you must be thinking right now", he said, now in a softer tone. "Please take your seats first, and let me explain it to you", he said. Hesitantly, one by one people started taking down their seats. But no one relaxed, they all sat by the edge of their seats as if ready to spring up at any given moment.

"The darkness had seeped deeper into the light world a century back. Welcimson was found to help and guide young people like you who can help us save our world, aid the people into the light again. That was the purpose of finding Welcimson. Over the years, we have only failed but. The world has become unstable and more chaotic. It wasn't possible by the small eligible souls to handle so much darkness. The sacred Pheonix found only a handful eligible to lead the world to the right path. And you are the chosen one. All the chosen ones sitting in front of me. The Pheonix sees you for what you are, and has trusted you with a huge responsibility", he said, his face burning with contentment and pride.

"It's a huge honor to be here. You may not be perfect. None of you are. But you shall try to mend yourself. Dissect yourself bit by bit and give up all the unnecessary thoughts and evilness in your heart. This gift", he said and at once my zarkis started glowing and so did everyones. There was a collective sound of amusement. "Magic will help you find yourself first and will help you to help the others in need. Its power is great and with great power comes great responsibility, always remember that", he said pointing out a finger.

"This is a new world for you. Enjoy it, embrace it. Embrace your new life. But do not forget your past. Because it will be a part of your future", he said. I got more unsettled by his words. "The magic you have been given is a gift for the service you will be doing in return", he told us with a broad smile.

At that moment he clapped his hands and the five fountains above us which were in the form of a pentagon moved further back, each one of them stopping right above the people in different colors. "Uriches" he said pointing in our direction, at that moment the fountain water turned red, it again hit an invisible spot in the air and disappeared. "Known for the faith and love in themselves and for the others".

"Ehites" he then pointing to the direction where people in yellow had gathered, their fountain water had turned yellow right then "Known for the efficiency in the work they complete, and a prayer that is always ready in their heart for the others", he said.

"The allorns" he pointed to the direction where green people were gathered, "Are known for running by hope in their life and striving for peace always". "The trams are the true definition of the determination and the passion that runs in their veins", he said pointing to the place where people in orange were gathered. "And last but not the least. The Merms, who are well known for the confidence and courage that they carry," he said pointing to the people gathered in blue.

"Five factions all known for their own abilities and personalities" Each time he had taken the name of a faction the fountain's water color would change according to the color of the faction.

So I was in Uriches, which meant there was faith and love in my heart? I fixed my gaze again on the man on the podium.

"I am Kloviny", he finally introduced himself. At once we all fell on our knees, sweeping a swift bow at him. It was essential. He didn't have to say anything further, we already knew who he was. He was Kloviny Krinton, the brother of the one and only mighty Lord Zeklos, the descendent of the sun. He smiled at everyone and shook his hand in a disapproving manner. "You can address me as Professor Kloviny, and this all won't be needed", he let out a soft laugh. I thought that even though he denied accepting our curtsies he won't be able to avoid the bowings that he would get.

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