The darkness parted, revealing a new scene before Emiren. The path he had been following led him to a clearing, where a colossal tree stood amidst lush grass. Its branches stretched skyward, and its roots delved deep into the earth, forming an intricate, living pattern. Each leaf of the tree glowed softly, shifting in hue and tone depending on its place on the branch.
Emiren halted, mesmerized by the beauty and grandeur of this wonder of nature. He felt as though he could stare at it for hours, trying to grasp its meaning. But soon he realized he wasn’t merely observing the tree—it was observing him in return.
“Do you feel it?” a voice sounded behind him.
Emiren turned to see Ardalys. His cloak shimmered with the colors of dawn, and his eyes shone with the same light as the tree’s leaves.
“What is this place?” Emiren asked, awe filling his voice.
“This is the Heart of the Garden,” Ardalys replied. “The central tree, whose roots connect all the branches of time. Here, the past, present, and future intertwine. And here, every Creator must face their decisions.”
Emiren looked at the tree with newfound understanding.
“So, this tree… it’s alive?”
“More than alive,” Ardalys said, stepping closer. “It is the embodiment of choice. Every leaf is a consequence, every branch a path, and the roots are the foundation that holds it all together. But even the strongest tree can fracture if its roots are tainted.”
The Path to the Depths
Ardalys extended a hand, and an opening appeared in the center of the tree, leading downward into its roots.
“You must descend,” he said. “The roots hold your life, Emiren. But to understand the paths open to you, you must see their foundation.”
“And what will I find there?” Emiren asked, feeling a mixture of fear and curiosity.
“There you will encounter your deepest fears, memories, and secrets—those you’ve hidden even from yourself,” Ardalys replied. “But remember: what you see may not be what you wish to see.”
Without further hesitation, Emiren entered the opening, feeling an unusual warmth envelop him. He began his descent, the tree’s glow dimming with every step.
The Depths of Memory
He found himself in an underground labyrinth where the tree’s roots stretched in all directions, forming a living network. Each root pulsed as though filled with vibrant energy. Though the surroundings were dark, the roots emitted a faint light, enough to illuminate his path.
In one section, he saw scenes from his childhood: young Emiren helping his father in the forge, crafting his first blade with pride. But other memories were less joyous: the loss of his mother, his first argument with a friend, the bitterness of early failures.
It felt as though the roots weren’t merely reflecting his memories but testing him. He had to touch these scenes, reliving them in full—the pain, the joy, the shame.
The Shadow of Choice
Deeper within the roots, he saw something entirely different. One thick root pulsed with a dark, almost black glow. When Emiren touched it, a vision unfolded before him: on the day of the storm, he had chosen to stay in the forge instead of helping his neighbor. Because of this, the man had perished, leaving his family without a provider.
“That was my choice,” Emiren whispered, lowering his hand.
“But it is not the only truth,” a voice said nearby.
Emiren turned to see a woman in silver-blue robes holding a glowing crystal.
“Your choice created this outcome, but you couldn’t have known the storm would come that day,” she said. “Time does not condemn; it only reveals new branches. You must understand: even the darkest decisions can lead to light if the roots remain pure.”
Healing the Roots
Emiren continued deeper until he reached a knot in the roots where darkness and light were entwined in a chaotic tangle. His heart froze as he realized this knot represented his essence—all his decisions, memories, and fears fused into a single point.
“You can untangle this,” the woman’s voice said. “But you must accept all that you are and all that you might have been.”
Emiren took a deep breath, feeling his soul tremble. He extended his hands to the knot and touched it. At first, it was painful, but then the knot began to loosen, releasing light that overwhelmed the darkness.
When it was over, the tree’s roots glowed brighter, and the knot was gone. Emiren felt lighter, as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Return to the Light
When he ascended back to the Heart of the Garden, Ardalys was waiting for him. His face was calm but filled with respect.
“You have succeeded,” he said. “And now, you will see the paths more clearly.”
Emiren turned to the great tree, which now shone brighter than ever before. He understood that his task was not just to touch time but to decide which branches to nurture and which to let wither.
“Does this mean I am ready?” he asked.
Ardalys smiled.
“You have taken only the first step. But you have begun to see—and that is more than most ever achieve.”
With these words, Emiren looked ahead at the endless paths weaving through the Garden of Time. His journey was only beginning.