Contradicting Worlds 18 The Tree Of Knowledge Of Good And Evil

MY UNUSUALLY USUAL NIGHTMARE greeted me with a surprise that I don't like. I was back in my stupid black hole where everything is so cold---both literally and figuratively---and so distant and so empty. I hate being in here, it makes me feel alone. Yeah, I know I have been alone in my entire life but somehow being here makes me feel like I am alone alone. It is so suffocating and I can't breathe because fear is eating me here. How ironic, right? I don't know what I fear though. Maybe that it has grown on me too much that I started to act like this is normal. Like being alone in here is normal. Yeah, kind of redundant right? It seems like I don't know any word aside from that. My vocab suddenly sucks.

I look around, seeing nothing but deep tar. I reach out and feel nothing but cold winter air. I steady my breathing. I need to find my way out but where is it, I can't see anything. There's no light, not even sliver of it, no fire to warm me up. I am being scared and I hate it, I hate being scared because for me it is a sign of weakness. And I can't bear having weakness right now. In this world full of predators one sign of weakness then you can get in a lot of trouble.

For a moment I thought that there's no escaping this never-ending void so I heave a sigh of relief as soon as white light engulfs me. And for some reason, I am glad to have some light in my life.

My breath got caught up in my throat as I realize where the light leads to. Suddenly, I think I might want to stay in the darkness forever but just the thought of being back in that cold empty pit makes my body s.h.i.+ver.

I am slump over an abundant amount of dead dry leaves. I didn't know why I am shaking uncontrollably until I stood up and my feet came in contact with a softly hard body. I frown and look down with horror. There, lying, face-down on the earth was two bodies, blood is pooling from their cloths. My heart is beating wild now as I slowly crouch down, seemingly afraid to find out who the bodies belong to because somehow deep down I know who they belong to.

I slowly s.h.i.+ft the bodies with a trembling hand. I gasp in fright and fought the urge to feel sick. Mica and Chels are lying lifelessly on the ground, their eyes staring at something behind me, blood is gus.h.i.+ng down over their dead bodies. I stumble back and landed on my a.s.s as I take in their situation.

Tears threaten to come out and I put a hand over my mouth to silence my sobs. I crawl over to them. I pulled each of them to me, gripping their bodies to me tightly as I whisper in a very very low voice, "I am so sorry. This is all my fault. I am sorry. Please forgive me…." I continue to mumble incoherent things while rocking them slightly.

Then suddenly the dream s.h.i.+fted again and their bodies were now gone. I am still sitting though. I felt my hand is slick with something and I s.h.i.+ft my gaze towards them only to find them covered with blood. I am starting to struggle to find my breathing. My chest tightens with ache as I look around. My mouth went instantly dry when I look down to find that I am sitting over a bundle of bodies. Their heads are all turned towards me, all wearing the same horrified expressions. I choke up as I try to find the will to scream. I continue to struggle, everything is spinning around me, I am slowly being suffocated over the mixture of emotions that are running inside me.

I am a killer, a murderer. I murdered these people with my own hands. I killed them using my ability. I lost control over myself again. I give in to the temptation of feeling free again.

I close my eyes, breathing in through my nose and breathing out through my mouth, wanting for their face to disappear and just leave me here. But when I opened my eyes, they are still there with the same expression on their faces. I can't take it anymore.

I scream, no I yell. I yell over the world for being unfair to me. Why? Why do I have to get through all of this? What did I do to deserve this kind of loss? This kind of pain? This sorrow. This guilt. What did I do to deserve all of them? Why do I need to continue to struggle? I don't wanna fight anymore. Just kill me already. Please. I am begging you. If this isn't getting any better, just kill me, please. Let me have my peace. I have done everything that I could so could you please just give in to my wish? I want death so badly it hurts.

I didn't know when did I stop yelling until the dream s.h.i.+fts again. Oh please, when will this end? Please not another one. I don't think I can bear another kind of emotion.

When the dream changed, I was confused sure because this actually doesn't look like it will lead to another trauma. I felt a tug in my heart at the familiarity of the sight in front of me. This place is all green and blue and it is so rich in colors. Its flowers are fully blossomed bringing out the enchanting aura of the forest. Suddenly, I momentarily forget my previous nightmares to admire the scenery before me. My lungs are getting full when I breathe in. The emotions that I felt earlier were now replaced with contentment and happiness.

I smile as my hand brush in one of the flowers causing my hand to be tickled. I let out a super girlish type of giggle that I haven't done in my life. I sigh dramatically as I realize that I am back in my perfect little paradise again. "Enjoying your visit, Your Royalty?" I gasp and whirl around at the familiar voice.

"Iris.h.!.+," I squeal in delight. I run to meet him and as soon as I did, I wrap my arms around its neck. Relis.h.i.+ng its soft fur under my hands. I close my eyes at the fluffiness of it and let out a little laugh. I didn't know that I would miss him this much. A deep laugh resonates from him.

"I miss you too. It has been a long time, isn't it?" He said. I pull back to look at him in the eyes, not removing my hands on either side of his neck.

"It hasn't been that long, has it?" I tilt my head to the side, counting the number of days in my head. He sighs, breaking my thoughts.

"The time of our worlds are not the same due to the purpose of the multiverse that's why it has been almost a month since our last meet." I search for a hint of humor in his eyes but there isn't one.

"Multiverse?" I think I have heard that term before but I cannot quite recall where and when.

"Yes. It means that your universe is not the only universe alive. There have been hundreds of different kinds of universe but yours have been the center of all of it. Come, I will tell you the story while we went on our way. Hop on, your royalty." He bows down on one knee and waits for me to climb on him. Once on, he took off almost instantly, making me yelp a little but he slows down for a while. So I have now a more vivid view of this paradise. "A long time ago," he started and my ears went big to his story. "When the man was not born from sin but from the image of G.o.d Himself, there has only been one universe. I still remember how beautiful it looks like it has only been yesterday. G.o.d took His time to create a vast paradise. Birds were singing everywhere, trees were dancing to the beat of the wind and the gus.h.i.+ng current of the bodies of water, the wilds and the tames mingle just fine. Our food was always provided by G.o.d so we didn't have anything to worry about. Everything was aligned, we were at peace, no harm was done to us until Eve and Adam made their first sin when they have eaten from the forbidden The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil." Yeah, I remember that one. It was written from the only book that I have. "G.o.d punish them including the snake who bears the responsibility for luring them in eating the forbidden fruit. Adam and Eve still continue to live their lives though, they had had their first two kids, Cain and Abel. Cain, being the first child and Abel the second one. Cain got jealous of Abel because Abel's sacrifice was more favored than his, was. Cain committed a deadly sin thus he and his descendants got punished. Seth is the third son of Adam and Even in replace of Abel. But that is not the only punishment Cain got from Him for his sin weighs heavier than all humans' ma.s.s combined. Cain and his descendants got banished from your universe thus being the starting point of the multiverse. G.o.d has promised that Cain's world would experience nothing but blood bath for he has committed a deadly sin. Up until now, Cain's universe is suffering from his actions. But as man-made one sin after another, again and again, G.o.d had finally made a decision to create different kinds of universe. Right now, there are hundreds of universe but as I have said earlier, yours is the center of it all. Why? From the very start, there have always been two trees. The Tree of Life and The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Each universe was provided with their own Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil but there's only one Tree of Life. And with your universe hanging its life on the line, the Tree of Life is being in danger too. The Tree of Life is the only thing that keeps life going on in the multiverse."

"But why can He produce numerous amount of Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil but never the Tree of Life when in fact we need The Tree of Life more than the other tree."

"First, I need to discuss two things with you. One, do not call The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, the "other tree" because we don't call important things other names than they were given for. Second, do not ever--and when I said ever I meant forever and ever--question G.o.d's decision because it is rude. Now, for your question earlier, I think it is meant for a punishment for what the humans have done."

"But why doesn't The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil help provide life with the Tree of Life?"

"Because it is the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil." He made a sound like "duh" under his breath like I just said the most ridiculous thing he has ever heard. Well, maybe I did.

"Okay, I get that, but what did you mean when you said that our universe's life is hanging on the line? Is it like? Is it---"

"Dying?" He finishes for me when I couldn't say the thing. "Yeah, it is. Your universe is dying with the balance of your ecosystem tilting awkwardly because of you, humans, don't care a thing about us when in fact we are the ones who are giving you food and you just keep on hunting us to show off to your friends or for you all to have some nice decent cloths!" I flinch a little from the intensity of his voice. "Sorry, I got a little carried away. Anyways, the fate of the multiverse is in your hands, your royalty."

"My hands?"

"Yes, YOUR hands. Your universe is the center of the multiverse because that's where life started. For millennia the Tree of Life has been doing good, providing life to the multiverse but as time pa.s.s by we felt its powers weakening. Here, look over there." I gasp out loud when I saw where he was pointing at. Well, he is not actually pointing but you get the idea. The flowers were losing their colors and their life. They were bowing like they haven't been fed off for days.

"Oh my ghad."

"Yes. And that's not all. A plague is threatening our lives. You see, when a species got extinct, the last of its kind to be dead will not go to the great paradise of the after but they will be diverted to here. Then here, with us, they will have to wait until the time has come."

"What time? Wait, I am not getting what this is all about. I mean, why me?" But Irish's reply was cut off by a thundering footsteps echoing throughout the jungle. Sure enough, when I look up, I see the King of the Wild staring right at me. And of course, again, I was mesmerized by what I saw. I felt Irish s.h.i.+ft under me. I look at down and see him bowing.

"Oh," I immediately hand my head down.

"Rise," I fought the s.h.i.+ver to run down on my arms. Irish and I slowly upright ourselves. "Irish, you already told her?"

"Er, yes, your highness," Irish said, curtly.

"I see. But not all, I presume?"

"No, your highness."

"Okay. I'll take it from here, thank you. You may go on your way now." I slid off Irish's back and he took off at an incredible speed. "Come, kid. I know you have many questions after what Irish told you and I will answer what I can."

We walk side by side in leisure steps. The silence seems to stretch in eternity until I can't take it anymore and I bombard him with questions I hope that he has answers to. "Why is it me? What does your world have to do with ours? What about this Tree of Life? Irish said the life of the multiverse is in my hands, what does he mean by that? I don't get this at all." I throw my arms in the air in exasperation.

"For your first question, we do not choose who will be the next royalty. You are the one who chooses this path. The moment that you start saving lives, you are proving your covenant to us."

"I don't just save lives. I also slay them."

"I know, but like I have said. We do not choose you. The Creator is the one who did that."

"You mean, G.o.d."

"Yes, I meant Him." An enormous silence envelops us in its arms before he says in a patient tone. "Let's go, kid. I want to show you a thing. It is time that you learn about the truth of the past."

"My past?" I ask.

"No, kid. The past." he took me off guard by kneeling down on one knee just like what Irish did earlier when he wants me to climb on him.

"Uhm?" I mumble, uneasily.

"Hop on, Kid. I need to take you somewhere and we only got little time." I want to ask him about why we only have little time but I just shrug and climb on him. As I settle myself comfortably on him, I realize that I have got nothing to hold on because his neck is twice Irish's small one. I felt him rumble beneath me like he's laughing. Perhaps he is. "Hold on."

I almost lose my balance and tumble off him when he suddenly lurches forward, sending me on my stomach. I close my eyes to fight the urge to be sick and just grip his head. After taking a few quick breaths, I finally open my eyes and sat up straight.

The surge of the wind fully hit me face on. I giggle and spread my arms wide. It's one thing I like about speed. The air hits you and gives you the feeling of being free. For once, I think I can breathe without struggle, my chains are gone and at last, I can spread my wings and soar high. If only things were as easy as it seems.

We stop almost instantly and I bit my lower lip to resist the disappointment I feel inside but as soon as I slid off him and got a better view of what was in front of me--I was left utterly and completely speechless. Standing, looking calm and stoic amidst the gus.h.i.+ng lines of blue, yellow and green veins running down on its trunk up to its branches is a tree. A gigantic beautifully amazingly stunningly drop-dead gorgeous tree sitting in the heart of the jungle. Ghad, I don't even know that we are in the middle, I just know it. Its leaves are rich in chlorophyll. I swear to The Creator Himself, that this is by far the most astounding living creature He has ever created.

It simply takes my breath away. I watch in awe as its veins continue running around like busy bloods trying to sustain the life of the tree. The surrounding land within the vicinity of it is glowing with their own colors. Making it look like some kind of enchanted forest but when I look back at the tree. It looks like some kind of puzzle waiting to be solved in a magical way. It seems to be holding the mystery inside itself.

I, being myself, unconsciously took a tentative step forward then another after another until the tree and I, are basically standing chest to chest. I didn't even notice that I was raising my hand to touch it until I heard a low growl behind me. I turn around to see--wait, I don't know what his name is.

"You can call me Leo, kid." Yeah, right cause I totally forgot about the telepathy thing we shared. "Touching the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is dangerous just as how dangerous the sound of its name sounds. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil holds more power than the Tree of Life does for it can open your mind to things you, yourself, don't even wanna know. Once you acquire the knowledge that you need it can result in either of the two things I am going to tell you. One, your mind will be open to all of the right and wrongs in the world just like how it affect Eve and Adam. Second, learning about the truth of the past can be the start of your own major downfall. Now kid, the question is, are you ready to learn the truth when you know that by learning it you are putting yourself at risk."

I took a heavy breath while contemplating my thoughts. That sounds like a big responsibility. I gulp and wet my dry lips. "I don't know," I hate how I sounded but I honestly don't know. I don't know if I ever want to learn the truth because, yes, intimidating as it is but I don't think I am ready yet.

"It is okay kid. I am not expecting an answer tonight though, I will give you time but not much of it for we are already running out time. Remember, the fate of the multiverse is in your hands."

A question booms in the back of my mind. "What if I have decided that I don't want to actually know the truth. What if I chose to enclose my knowledge with what I already have? What would happen then?"

"Then you are dooming us all. You are our one and only chance to salvation. Discovering behind the black covers of the past is one thing that a royalty must conquer. Most Royalty had failed in this because they are afraid of what the knowledge will do to them or their being but a Royalty must learn how to fight her own fear because that is the only way for you to be able to hold the knowledge of the past." Words of wisdom. Wow. If I didn't know that words can have power, I do now.

"Won't you find another suitable royalty?"

"We don't know. But I am afraid it will be too late by then. Waiting for you is already a risk and we can't take too much of that. Besides finding a replacement will result in another millennia of waiting that will be wasted because there will no more life to keep when that happens. We just have to wait for the last judgement."

"Right. The Last Judgement or the final judgement." I mumble. "Can you offer me time?" When I realized what I said, I quickly add, "I know we don't have much of that but, can you offer me a little more time? If you know what I mean, that is." Words are starting to get jumbled in my head and I don't really know what I am saying anymore.

"Of course, every decision needs thinking. I don't really expect your answer right now but I cannot give you more than enough time."

"Uhm, how much time will you give me?"

"You will know when you are ready."

But before I could even reply, the dream s.h.i.+fted--or more like vanish. Right. In. Front. Of. Me. I mean literally, it disappears into thin smoke then I felt sleeping in my dream before waking up and finding myself tied on a bed.

The remnants of my dream is still fresh to me. Questions start bombarding my head. What does Leo mean when he said I will know it? When will the time he gives me an end? Is this even true? And most importantly, WHY AM I TIED UP IN A BED?

And Lastly, What. The. Actual. Fudge?