The Fate of Esotria

You could see her floating intently across the sky, her bright orange hair billowed within the wind. Her diamond-encrusted wings sparkled like stars under the sunlight, her skin was golden bronze, her eyes were fiery, and her lips were full. Mother saw that Marigold, the Light Guardian stood out among the other angelic guardians and assigned her to lead the task of growth and development on Mountain West. I would work alongside my younger sister in helping to protect the lives and natural resources of that region.

Marigold had been chosen for a special task, but she often doubted her true abilities. Lucky, for her, I would make sure that she did not disappoint our mother this time around. I watched her steady herself against the wind and hover over Mountain West.

“Why do you always hesitate?” I asked.

“I…I just want to make sure that I’m doing it right?” said Marigold.

“I believe you can do it, or mother would have never chosen you to look after them?”

“Thank you, Salvia, you always know how to make me feel better.”

“You’re welcome, you know I’m right but it’s getting late we have to get to the meeting.”

“A meeting? For what?”

“Mother has something she wants to share with us about Allium.”

“Allium has been gone far too long. Has he decided to ask for forgiveness?”

“No, He is coming back to attack Mountain West!”

“Why would he do such a thing? And why would mother position me here if she knew that he was coming?”

“He is lost and angry, do not fret sister, we are hoping that he will come to his senses once he realizes that you are now over this region.”

“Hoping? But he is disillusioned! It will not matter that I am his little sister, he will not allow anything to get in his way! I will not fight my brother!”

“You have no choice, mother has spoken!”

“Mother has said, no such thing to me!”

I take a deep breath, lean over, and take Marigold by the hand to calm her. I look deep into her eyes. She is afraid and for the first time I am afraid for her…for this journey, she must survey alone. I begin to fly away hoping that she follows but she remains static, hovering over Mountain West.

“Marigold! come now, we can’t be late…”

Our eyes meet, we smile at each other even though within we feel just the opposite. She slowly flies behind me.

We arrive at the meeting, and it has already begun. Mother’s eyes find us amid the crowd in the Forum and her facial expression shows her dissatisfaction with our poor time management. The elders are in a heated debate regarding Allium’s attack and taking the region back from Marigold.

They have traveled far from their realms just to talk over each other and get in each other’s faces, mother sits patiently waiting her turn. Their lack of disrespect for our mother and this process is unnerving. I can’t take it any longer.

I stand up and run down to the center of the Forum where the council is seated. I can feel the eyes and hear the gasps of those who are in shock at my behavior.

“Enough! Enough! I have sat here since my birth and watched how you elders have undone all the good that mother has done for this universe. Your greed and lack of empathy…your selfishness and self-righteous…

“Salvia!” Mother shouted sending an echo across the Forum. There was no longer a sound coming out of my mouth even though it was moving. I despised when mother muted me, but it was her gift to use as she wished. She pointed to me and to the exit. Two of the higher-ranking serenity guardians came towards me and escorted me out of the meeting. Marigold immediately ensued, never speaking.

My rage was now directed at myself for realizing my actions had prevented me from hearing about Allium. I was in the dark regarding when the attack would happen. My only hope for information was Coreopsis, The Night Sentinel. I would have to wait two hours before the mutism would wear off. It gave me time to calm down.

I put on my cloak and covered my head. I walked down the crooked stone path, beyond the bridge of trolls, and entered the gates of Esotria. I placed my palms upon its iron bars and spoke Klesnea the sacred language of the guardians. The bars gently swung open. It was such an amazing and mesmerizing place, with every color, flowers of every kind, a sanctuary for insects, animals, mystical creatures, and a haven for guardians.

I removed my cloak and kneeled at the large pond; my reflection was clear. I ran my fingers through the water.

As I stared at myself, I could see my reflection begin to change. It was Crollyx. A wise mystical shapeshifting creature that guarded the secret garden.

“Salvia, why do you bring your sadness to my garden?” it whispered.

I shook my head and shrug my shoulders. The mutism had not yet worn off. Crollyx had taken the form of a female Anaconda and erected herself to tower over me.

“Ahh…you still have not learned your place in the Forum.” She hissed.

There was something about Crollyx that intrigued me, but it also scared me. I never knew if Crollyx could fully be trusted. She slid her body up onto the bank of the pond. Her scaly slithering body wrapped the length of the whole pond sending the smaller animals scurrying away. She slid her body back and forth in front of me.

“You think you have come for yourself, but you have truly come for your sister. Marigold will need you during this fight. Allium will not retreat for her and if you do not intervene, it will cost Marigold her life. Marigold will only defeat Allium if you find the remnants of the Underground Orchid. This will be key to Marigold unlocking all her power and defeating Allium. If you fail, she will fail.”

I was still unable to respond. Crollyx stared at me as if she were reading my mind and then slid her body around me and back into the pond.

“Wait!” I shouted.

My voice had returned, seconds too late. I never heard of an underground orchid, let alone where to find one. How would it help Marigold? I had too many questions and not enough answers.

I put on my cloak and once again covered my head before leaving the garden. Crollyx had placed a weight on me that I did not want to carry but would carry until I took my last breath...the weight of my sister’s life.

As I got closer to reaching home. I could see Marigold sitting on the stoop in deep thought.

“Why are you not preparing for the fight with Coreopsis?”

“I am going to try to reason with brother…”

“There is no reasoning with brother, he is now our enemy!”

Marigold jumped up indignant with my words towards our brother.

“He will listen, he will not destroy the guardians and the Yucca Tribe in the Mountain West.”

“Oh, but he will, he is out for revenge. We must stop him; we must work together and end this.”

“I will not harm my brother, Salvia, we must reach him.”

“I spoke with Crollyx.”

Marigold's eyes widened in curiosity of what knowledge I had gained. She understood that many went to speak to Crollyx for her wisdom and insight regarding the future. I continued speaking.

“Allium will not back down, he will overcome us and the Mountain West region if we do not find the Underground Orchid.”

The night air was cold and only came to add distress to our concerns. Marigold closed her eyes and sat back down on the stoop, holding her head between her hands. There was no need to speak immediately because we both knew what would have to be done. I waited for Marigold to say the words.

“We leave tonight.” Marigold uttered.

“What about Mother?” I asked.

“She left in a hurry in an attempt to form an alliance with the Mountain East to help us maintain control over Allium. She received word that he is working with Mountain Central and the Southern Region.”

“What about the Underground Orchid, do you know where to find it?”

“No, but I have heard of it. It is a rare flower that grows under the ground. I do know someone who can find it?”

“Who?”

As I asked this question, Coreopsis walked over to greet us.

“The Nature sisters. Are you two staying out of trouble?”

“Of course, after this morning. I had my fair share. What brings you our way?”

“Mother Nature told me to keep an eye on you two until she came back.”

“Really? Are we children? Coreopsis you are but two years older than me.” I snappily replied.

“It wasn’t my call. I’m just the night messenger. Get it?”

Coreopsis laughed heartily but Marigold and I did not find humor in his new duties. I could see the look on Marigold’s face. She was calculating a plan.

“Coreopsis, I need you to tell me how to find the Underground Orchid.”, said Marigold with a newfound boldness.

It caught Coreopsis off guard, he began to slowly back away from us as if he had seen something strange.

“Marigold, do you understand what you just asked me? Do you realize the power of the Underground Orchid and what it can do if it gets in the wrong hands? There are only two in the multiverse, and one resides on planet earth. My family has been keepers of this sacred plant from before time began. I am not sure who even told you about this, but its powers are innumerable.”

“If we don’t, Marigold will die.” I abruptly spoke without thinking; merely wanting him to understand the urgency of the matter. Marigold looked at me, as to wonder what else I had hidden from her.

“What do you mean Salvia?” Coreopsis inquired from me.

“She needs it to defeat Allium, or we will surely lose, not just her but our guardian race will be wiped out. Allium’s hate drives him with no regard for anyone but himself. We need you, Coreopsis. Will you stand with us?”

Coreopsis stood there with no reply. All of us now looking at each other unsure of what we would do next. Soon the sun would be rising, and mother would be returning. We had no time to waste but without his help, we would be at the fate of Allium.

Coreopsis placed his finger upon his lips, to tell us to be quiet. He began walking down the stony path I had taken earlier that day. He motioned for Marigold and me to follow him. We passed the bridge of trolls and I wondered if he was taking us back to speak with Crollyx.

We were now standing in front of the gates of Esotria where Coreopsis uttered the ancient Klesnea phrase that unveiled the secret garden. We followed swiftly behind.

The fireflies and pixies were busy playing in the garden. It was captivating to behold these tiny beings and electrifying insects as they created a kaleidoscope of colors and synchronous waves of light within the air.

However, Coreopsis did not stop at the pond. He continued to walk deeper within the garden until we came face to face with a statue of the Elder Liaustra and his monumental bench. There stood one single marigold flower.

It is here Coreopsis sat and uttered more words in our native language. The statue began to crumble and emerged the Underground Orchid.

There was rustling in the trees above us. We looked up to see Crollyx.

“Hurry! Allium is coming…” she hissed and slithered away.