Seed of Life

My heart is pumping, pulsating like the beats of thunder that roll across the clouds of Geheniss.
The fragrant smells from Tree of Life did little to calm me, but I liked her scent all the same. It is beginning to flower again.

I have been protecting Tree of Life for almost a decade now. A decade of arduous training to become a Pleximyst, the highest rank of all Guardians of Geheniss. This last, final test would be my last step to success. The test that would decide it all. It was either Pleximyst, or banishment. I guess the kingdom could not afford to let someone with so much knowledge stay in Geheniss.

Tree of life is a mystical being, like a goddess with connections with the mortal world below. Her sturdy trunk supported the rotation of Celeste Earthia, or Earth. The water running under her supported the diversity of life—the sap of the mortals.

As I sat below her, our hearts beat as one. I watched as leaves fell, and new ones were growing. A crumpled brown one fluttered down and lay gently next to me. Another mortal heart had stopped gushing life.

The fruits of Tree of Life lay scattered on the floor. The fruits were dry and brown, and they exploded with joy when they were ripe, and very occasionally, it contained Seed of Life, signifying a blessing to the mortals of Celeste Earthia.

I got up and poked around at the dried fruits. This was part of my role as the protector of Her, aside from weeding evil, checking for anything that ails Her, nourishing her with the blessings from the mortals of Celeste Earthia...and much, much more.

I approached yet another long, hazel case. As I peered into a small crack of the fruit, I noticed something smooth, like a brown pearl in a clam. Seed of life! A blessing! I pried open the fruit, and clasping it in my hands, I kneeled and prayed my gratitude to Tree of Life.

"Young adherent!" The strong, clear voice of the Pleximyst called from across the garden.

Finishing my prayers quickly, I slipped Seed of Life into my pocket.
***** *****
I followed the Pleximyst into the Hallway of Guardians. Tall, rock statues of the greatest Pleximysts seemed to support the ceiling of the large sanctuary. They were giants, watching down upon young aspirants, young mysts like me.

The silence was overbearing.

"Are you ready for your test, young Myst?"

I trembled in the cool hallway, partly due to the nervousness that gently shook my heart.

Taking a deep breath, my hand on Seed of Life, I nodded.

"Let's begin then, shall we?"

With that, my mentor the Pleximyst raised his white sceptre and yelled," Ancient Banana Peels! I unleash your true potential! "

There was a strong draft and a bright, pale blue light emitted from his sceptre, seeming to engulf the room in its glow.

I squinted against the light, and a strange shadowy figure was projected in the strong beam of light. All I could make out was his large wizard cap—the ancient master of all Pleximysts, his pseudonym was Banana Peels. A ridiculous sounding name, but definitely not someone you wanted to mess with. He held the greatest power, the greatest authority, and the art and strength of his magic made him someone deserving of respect.

Banana Peels bellowed:" Young myst, it's time for your final challenge. Answer this simple question, how Noodles are you?"

I was taken aback by the question. Never did I think that the question would be about me and my value as a Noodles, a type of sorcerer that performed Bright Magic in complicated spells, thus the name.

"I...I believe that I am equivalent..equivalent of the style..I..I mean...to the style of Ninjas." I tried to say it in a semblance of confidence, but my tongue was twisted in all directions and I stuttered like a fool. I clutched Seed of Life in my pocket even more tightly now, wishing for a blessing from Her. I truly did not know how to answer that question...and the stakes attached to it were high.

The fateful announcement hit me hard. Reality was harsh.

"YOU HAVE FAILED" The condemning voice echoed loudly.
"You shall now be banished to Earth! Your duties of protecting tree of life will be abolished! Step to the chamber now!"

The chamber. Tears brimmed in my eyes. It was where they would erase my memory and send my soul down to the mortal world.

"No! No! Don't make me leave, I'll do anything! ANYTHING!" I pleaded, dropping to my knees out of desperation. I couldn't leave, not after all these years, not after being so, so close.

"I can't survive without the Tree of Life!" I begged, my careless tongue slipping yet another darned error.

"You have failed in the simplest of areas. Basic rule number one: Its Tree of Life, not the Tree of Life! Now leave you worthless little soul."

My mentor glared at me disapprovingly,"Leave now, while He is still merciful!"

I continued to kneel, unflinching in my resolve.

"Please...just test me again..." I begged.

"Don't be silly, no one has ever taken a retest and you are not about to be an exception." My mentor urged, glaring at me from below the wide rim of his white wizard hat.

I could feel the statues towering over me, glaring over me. It was like my whole world had self-destructed within a span of a minute.

"LEAVE. LEAVE BEFORE I CALL MY FIRE EAGLES UPON YOU." Banana Peels said with much irritation in his voice.

He continued to slam reality into my face,"You have failed and are no longer worthy of being the protector of Tree of Life. This is fate. This was Her decision."

"No. I don't believe Tree of Life made the decision. I'm not going to move until you give me another chance!" I shouted with more conviction than I expected. Deep within me, new-found confidence and determination took root and was on its way to a full blossom.

"No! I will not leave! Your fire eagles can scorch my skin, can burn me to the fiery depths, but I will stay by Tree of Life! Until the very end! That was part of my oath as tree protector, and I will stay loyal to the oath, till the very end! What worth is there in life if I'm not by the side of Tree of Life, not protecting her!?"

The two seniors were obviously irritated. The glow had turned from a serene blue light to a harsh and fiery red.

"GUARDS!" He yelled with much fury, his livid voice echoing throughout the hallway. I could hear an ominous beating of wings, and the cry of an eagle. The Hallway of Guardians was getting warmer and warmer, like a fiery inferno.

I ran. What else could I do? Nothing. But it wasn't over. I would be back. Taking off away from the chamber, away from the Hallway, I was not going to be banished without a fight. Clutching Seed of Life in my hands, holding back the tears of shame and disappointment, I willed my legs to take me somewhere, anywhere but here and Celeste Earthia.

"Until next time, Tree of Life..."