When I came to be, I was in a room that seemed to be made of wood. Not planks of wood though, the room seemed to be carved inside the wood. I wonder if I’ve been born into a species so small, or if this world is filled with trees big enough to build rooms inside of it.
The room is the size of a capsule hotel and was big enough for me to fully lay down and still have some space to stretch. It was rather bare, other than the bed of leaves I’ve been sleeping on there is nothing in the room but a hole that seemed to lead outside. Yet, the room felt welcoming, an aura of calm motherly warmth seemed to permeate the air, keeping me from feeling disoriented. Just as I was thinking, a feminine voice was heard from outside the room.
“Children, come leave your rooms. It's time for your orientation.”
The voice, soft but filled with love, prompted me to shift my head to the hole leading out the room. I was greeted with the sight of an even bigger room made of wood, just like my little room, with vines and leaves covering its walls. I could see other children popping their heads out of the little holes that litter the walls of the room, some already leaving their holes and climbing vines to reach the floor.
Hesitantly, I followed suit down the vines and gathered in front of the woman that called us. She had warm skin, dressed in robes not unlike a nun’s but green, and her green hair curling softly to her sides. As I looked around, I realized that all the children, about twelve of us, looked the same, none of us had distinct features. We all had the same shade of warm skin, same shade of green hair, same face, wearing the same light brown tunics, same everything.
“Now that everyone is here, we can start. My name is Fleur, I am a priest of the God of Flora. I understand that some of you may feel confused, hopefully at the end of my explanation all of you will understand your situation.”
The woman smiled warmly as she looked at us. I know that you shouldn't trust strangers you just met, but something about this woman prompted me to do so. A quick glance to the other children showed that I’m not the only one that felt this way.
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“Long ago, an ancient civilization roamed this earth. They were advanced, self-sufficient, and were the pride of the old gods.”
Suddenly the smile was gone, leaving a chilling expression on her face. I gulped as my hairs stood on end.
“Yet they grew arrogant. They ravaged the earth in their quest of war. When all is over, all that was left was a barren planet unable to sustain life.”
“Heaven was furious at the aftermath and decreed for new gods to be assigned to the planet. So they did, they salvaged what was left, they brought back life to the planet, and created new laws of nature to make sure that such a thing can never happen again.”
Slowly, a smile came back to Fleur’s face. I can hear the sigh of relief the other children were giving. To be fair, I wouldn't want to piss that woman off, that was a scary experience.
“You are all the children of the God of Flora, and we are currently inside the world tree. Seedlings like yourself will be staying here until you are chosen by a couple to be their children. You could say that you are all templates of children that will be brought to the world, that’s why you all look the same and have no gender yet, you will all take an appearance similar to your parents after you’re chosen! Isn't that exciting?”
Wait, seedlings? God of Flora?! I’m a plant?! An unborn one at that. It seems like I need to be chosen by a couple first, whatever the hell that means, before I get to see the world. I wonder what would happen if you don't get chosen…
“Do not worry, if you are not chosen after a few years the Lord will painlessly put you to permanent sleep. But don't be discouraged! Such a thing rarely happens.”
Flora said as she started to reach the vines that cover the wall behind her.
“Beyond these vines is the choosing room, the place all of you will be spending your time until you are chosen. As you play and spend your time, your future parents will choose you based on your personality. After you are brought to the world you will be able to speak, to love, and to experience life to its fullest! So be yourself, children… and good luck.”
She flashed us a smile as she pushed the vines, revealing a huge room filled with kids.
Right, so the goal is to hide and disappear from the view of any couple choosing. It might take a few years until I’m deemed better off dead, but damn it'll be better than whatever this world’s department of fate has in mind. Honestly, if it wasn't because everything here seemed childproof, I would have killed myself already.