The Tree of Souls

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He couldn’t believe his eyes. Finally, after long last, he found it, the Tree of Souls.

Legend has it that he who touched the Tree would get power over life and death. Many sought it for glory and power, but no one ever returned to prove its claim to fame.

Everyone called him crazy when he obsessively studied the old texts in order to divine the Tree’s next appearance. They looked at him sympathetically, whispering about what Elaine would have done if she were still here. Fools. If only they saw what he was seeing now!

He watched as ice blue spheres came together and formed constellations of animals and plants. They gathered in one spot: a floating tree that shone in white, blue, and purple. The Tree of Souls.

Slowly, he raised himself up and crept closer to the ledge. Silvery flowers sprang from the grass as faintly outlined birds swooped overhead. That was when he saw her: the Keeper. She was robed in starlight as she sat under a tree of pink blossoms, smiling at a butterfly perched on her finger.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward. The butterfly flew away, and the Keeper slowly turned to face him, her smile as bright as ever. He brought out Elaine’s faded photograph and said in a shaky voice, “I want her back.”

He saw her smile waver, but only for a second. With a graceful wave of her arm, she pointed towards the Tree, where stones appeared to make a bridge towards it. He whispered a “Thank you” and moved to the first step.

He slowly made his way to the Tree, careful of his footing. Wisps of flying beasts swerved past him as the gentle breezes started blowing stronger with each step. Light streamed from the Tree, filling him with a mix of hope and dread.

Finally, he reached it. He stopped to regain his breath and looked back to see the Keeper still looking at him, as if in pity. The light around him pulsed faster as he shook himself and stepped forward. There was a portal right in the middle of the Tree, and he moved toward it, mesmerized at the swirling purples and blues.

Unsure of what to do, he gazed into the mass of colors. He gasped as he saw her familiar face in its bright mass, and immediately reached to touch the portal. He didn’t feel anything as he fell in, forever swallowed by the swirling lights.

The Keeper turned away sadly. The lights began to fade as the dawn started to break, and in a burst of color, the Tree of Souls disappeared.

–

Image source: deviantart.com/balint4/art/Eden-The-Tree-of-Souls-V2-711279200
First written November 2, 2017.
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