[Ascension one begins….]
A glowing screen opened in the far right corner of his vision. Everything else apart from the screen was dark as if he was closed off in the black abyss.
That's when he opened his eyes.
What he saw around was completely unique and anomalous. Bright yellow candles blazed with a strangely calm aggression, and the old muddy walls gave the house a feel of mediaeval times. He then turned his fresh sight on a blanket he was wrapped in. It had completely outlandish alphabets scribbled on it.
That's when he saw those cute little palms. At first he was confused….
But soon realised the palms were his own.
[The reincarnation of Leon Vale in the godly world was consecrated….]
Right after the message bar disappeared, a large pointed nose slid in to play with his cheeks. The big brain Leon Vale, in the small body could obviously interpret the situation. The big nose seemed to be of a neighbour- Grimsa Calisthena, at least that's what they called her. Sure enough babies love to be played with, but within this cradle of fate the little boy was actually a grown man.
A soft touch…. A soft touch that would send shivers of relief through Leon just washed over him. Turning around to see the fire of such warmth, he saw a beautiful woman lying beside him on the bed. Her eyes were tired and exhausted, but even with her wrinkles she was still a reflection of goddess.
"So she is my mother," he murmured.
Right beside her was a thin but handsome man, wearing a long ash- grey robe. His eyes clearly reflected joy and relief. Taking Leon in his arms he said "That's it….this is my child. This is the man who will share hands with me in the farm"
This is when Leon's eyes lowered into silence. Farmers were respected even in the Ascension, but still the thought of Leon's divine work starting this way felt strangely underwhelming.
Drasthamus Hig Yewinhof, was the full name of Leon's new father. On the other hand Makina Yewinhof was his mother's name- a detail Leon adored. Such a short and simple name compared to his father.
The day passed in excitement and joy with the parents and the neighbours enjoying, as the merriment continued. Another morning went by and the twilight veil descended. Drasthamus and Makina gave Leon some fancy clothes to wear for the tradition. The new born in the city are taken to the Tree of Life for further nourishment and enlightenment with knowledge. Preparations were going for the same in the Yewinhof's family.
Soon the doors were opened and Leon- who was in Drasthamus' arms- saw the city's panorama. The houses were ascending with platforms one above the other. And every house had lamps and ember torches that enhanced their charm. But to Leon's amazement what's more beautiful were the canals. They didn't flow with the force of water, but instead had them glimmered with lights….
The canals in the city were flowing with light instead of water. Isn't that amazing…..
Some flow ahead, while few wiggled out to elaborate their beauty to the spectators.
"Isn't that beautiful son?" Drasthamus claimed "my father used to say that light is the beginning of everything in this universe. These tiny photons are the origin of everything- even the Gods".
"That's quite an exaggeration, isn't it,my son?" Makina came into the conversation.
"Why must you ruin my fatherly moment?" Drasthamus was really disappointed.
The queue of people clearly suggested their daily arrival at such a beautiful spot. Every family, every child, even the homeless came for the same warmth. It was like a city reunion. But it seems Leon was meant to be somewhere else as Makina rushed Drasthamus towards the tree of life.
"Let's go, we need to hurry" she shouted
Leon was quite confused with the fact that he could understand his parents, but couldn't communicate with them. They created a few hand gestures for some common convo though… which made Leon a quick learner. Within this quarrel of thoughts he reached the Tree of Life. But to his surprise it wasn't a tree at all- it was a gigantic female figure. Her skin had a muted green tint with eyes shimmering with a dark tone. Her hairs match the gradient of her eyes, infusing the depths of her beauty. As ornaments she had lovely flowers adorning her neck and ankles.
She bowed down, pointing a finger towards Leon- a finger larger than his whole body.
"It seems she wants me to hold it" thought Leon, extending his hands for bracing the herbal touch of her finger.
"That's a lovely boy Makina. He is so adorable" the Tree of Life said, playing with Leon's cheeks "Ok, you should leave now- we are already quite late. Come back tomorrow morning".
"As you wish" replied Drasthamus, placing Leon near the pit of the tree.
The fact that he was being left with such a mysterious creature terrified him a bit.
"Are they sacrificing me?"
"Wait, does she feed on babies?"
All sorts of nocturnal thoughts flooded his mind. He started crying- attempting to stop his parents. He cried even louder to turn his mother once in worry, but Drasthamus calmed her down.
"So, what are you up to, Leon Vale?" whispered The Tree of Life, that's when the cries stopped. Chills…. Extreme chills flew through Leon.
"What the hell?" He ignored eye contact for a while.
"Don't be so surprised" Tree of Life whispered back "after all I'm a deity myself. Why wouldn't I know your real identity".
"Ok…. so is that why you stopped me here for a night?"
"Of course not. It's my responsibility to nourish the newly born with the nutrients in my roots. Also I am your personal tutor for a while. This is how things work in this Ascension"
"That's relieving"
"Tell me. What are you up to, Leon Vale?"
Hmmmm…. He thought for a while
"I'm here to kill the gods of Ascension, my dear tree," Leon smirked a little.
"So the upper gods heard the prayers at last" the tree replied.
"What prayers?"
"Tistra Domiscus- ruler of the Ascension 1. He believes people in the outskirts, people out of the wall, who have elixirs far scarcer than the royal lineage inside the walls, must be executed" she paused "he thinks these grounded people are disturbing the balance".
"Ha…. It's great…. The goal is appreciable and unique. I must consider the things that God told me. I can look forward to making this story my own. That's right- I will make it interesting…. I will make it astonishing…. I will…."
"Leon Vale….do you think it's a mere story?" All of a sudden the deity was serious "what you will do from now onwards will affect the trajectory of millions of lives- including your new father and mother. I know an abrupt switch in your feelings isn't easy, but can you see their love towards you? Try to feel it Vane…. Try to feel them. They were waiting for this moment for years. Today you are their biggest achievement"
Another pause struck the scene….
"I won't force your decision child, but no matter what you were in your past, you must look up for what you want to be in future"
"But…" Leon wanted to add something from his part but couldn't. He in those moments gazed back to the past with his lovely mother. She held his hand, pressed her soft lips over his forehead, comforting him for another jot-full day.
[Warning: Premature awakening detected]
[Ascension-1 ruler has detected your presence]
"The hell is bistoned upon us boy…." She whispered, her voice was clearly trembling "Tistra Domiscus has detected your presence. Seems like the genocide will begin earlier than expected".
And for that single moment- Leon's heart skipped a beat.