The silvery sky over the Eternal Garden began to lighten, as if a new dawn was breaking. Emiren and Aliana stood at the edge of the Lake of Reflections. The surface of the water was smooth as glass, yet within its depths shimmered glimpses of worlds that existed or could have existed. Here, time seemed motionless, and even the wind had held its breath.
“This is your final trial,” Aliana said, her voice tinged with sadness. “Here, you will see not only the consequences of your choices but also the truth about yourself.”
“And what must I do?” Emiren asked, gazing into the shimmering surface.
“Look into the water,” she replied. “But be prepared. The lake not only reveals reflections—it demands that you give up what you fear to lose most.”
The Speaking Watery
Emiren leaned closer to the water. At first, he saw only his own face, but soon the reflection began to shift. Deep within, scenes unfolded: he saw the burning branch he had saved, then the world that had emerged from its flames. People rejoiced, building new cities, but their joy was interrupted by wars and suffering.
“This is the consequence of your choice,” the lake spoke. Its voice was gentle yet weighty. “You gave life another chance, but you also brought chaos.”
“I knew it was a risk,” Emiren replied. “But I believe life is worth that risk.”
The water rippled again. New scenes appeared: he saw himself, but changed. His face was lined with wrinkles born of suffering, and his eyes were heavy with responsibility.
“This is you if you continue on your path,” the lake said. “Are you ready to give yourself entirely to maintain balance in the Garden? To bear the burden of every choice you make?”
A Choice of the Heart
Emiren didn’t answer immediately. His heart raced, and doubt clouded his mind. He turned to Aliana, seeking reassurance, but her expression was calm, as if she already knew his answer.
“I’ve already made my choice,” he finally said. “If my sacrifice is what the Garden needs, I am ready.”
The water stilled, then spoke again:
“Your resolve is genuine, but it is not enough. To complete your trial, you must give up what is most precious to you.”
Emiren hesitated. What was most precious to him? He thought of his home, his dreams of peace, even his life itself. But deeper than all of that was something else—his connection to time, his ability to hear the voices of the branches and feel their energy. He realized this was what the water demanded.
“If I give up my power, will I still be able to finish my journey?” he asked.
“Your path will change, but it will reach its end,” the lake replied. “You will become one who nurtures the Garden, not one who shapes it.”
The Sacrifice
Emiren lowered his hands into the water. It felt as though his soul was being torn apart. The golden light that had always been with him began to flow out, filling the lake with brilliance. The water around him trembled, shifting its color and reflections. Deep within, Emiren saw his power intertwining with the roots of trees, which began to grow and come to life.
He felt himself weakening, but at the same time, he sensed the Garden awakening, his sacrifice breathing new life into it.
When the light finally faded, Emiren felt silence envelop him. He raised his head and saw the lake glowing softly with golden light. Aliana approached him in silence.
“You’ve done the right thing,” she said. “You’re no longer just a traveler. You are now part of the Garden.”
A New Bond
Emiren no longer felt the power he once had. Instead, he sensed something else: the pulse of life all around him, the voices of branches and roots interweaving in harmony. He understood that his role had changed.
“What now?” he asked.
“You will no longer be the one who shapes the future, but the one who sustains it,” Aliana replied. “But your presence in the Garden is now eternal. You have laid the foundation for new worlds, and they will remember you.”
Emiren stood up, weak but at peace. Before him stretched a path illuminated by soft light. He knew much work still lay ahead, but now he was ready for it all. His sacrifice had not been in vain, and the Garden was alive once more.