On the night of the proposal, John is brooding over the mother's temperament. 'That you're willing to protect your son at all costs is admirable. But the future you seek for him...' he contemplates solemnly. Then, sighing, his thoughts turn to the last days of his life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  A few months before the end, the sect’s head summoned the branch chiefs to give them the bad news. As the leader of the gardening branch of the sect, John too was scheduled to attend. He usually wouldn't be invited to important meetings but today was different.

  The sect head was a graying old man whose skin seems to be melting off his bones. John thought the ancient man couldn't look any older than he did. But the recent events proved otherwise. The sect head was haggard and downtrodden as the branch chiefs file in.

  The mood was dark as everyone had heard the rumors of Terry Lohkam's deranged proclamation. Everyone took their seats at the ancient meeting table. The sect head stood and solemnly looked at the men and women around him. He'd seen many of them grow up and sacrifice to reach here.

  With a voice that sounded like crackling leaves, the sect head solemnly addressed the chiefs, "I'm sure you've heard the news... I'm afraid it's all true. It hasn't been too long since the Lamenters war, and now this." He sighed, looking into the distance as if he could see all those he'd sent to their deaths.

  The chief of the right, a muscular man, pounds his fist onto the table. "If that little bastard dares to come here, we'll rip him apart!" he raged. "Yeah! That's right, sect head don't look so down," some of the other chiefs cheered in confirmation.

  The chief gestured for them to settle down before he said, "I'm glad your all enthusiastic. Still, we shouldn't underestimate our enemy. Many of you are new to your positions. You should all make your preparations. I trust you all to perform admirably."

  After some planning and coordination between the branch, the heads started to file out. As John stood up to leave, the discipline head remarked, "Why did you even bother to come? We might as well cut our own stomachs if we need help from you weaklings." As he walks by, he rudely shoves John, not Showing him any respect.

  John sighed as he rubbed his head. He then continues towards the door as the chief finished speaking to the head of the library. "Come here. I want to have a chat with you as well," the chief says while gesturing for John to come over. "Chief," John says while saluting. He then moved over while some of the other heads sneered at him.

  As John neared, the old chief’s eyes focus on him. "You shouldn't listen to them. While their talents may be beyond you, there are few that can match your accomplishments," the chief consoled John. John shook his head and responded courteously, "Chief, there is no need to flatter me. I know my abilities quite well."

  The chief gave a rattling sigh. "I mean it. Just surviving the Lamenter wars is accomplishment enough. Also, you've stayed in the gardening division your whole time here. Most would have long left when they had the strength. Well, others may not appreciate it, I do. To have someone who is knowledgeable and strong enough to be a head in this position is rare," the chief praised him.

  "Thank you, chief. Your words make all the trials worth it," John said with a slight smile. However, he isn't feeling very comfortable about this conversation. 'Is he trying to butter me up for some bullshit mission,' he worried.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  "I appreciate that you aren't a hothead too. I've told a few heads this already. But if you wish to leave, you should take those below you and escape. I believe this is the end of this sect," the chief stated as he wheezed.

  John stared intently at the old man. This great chief was once so domineering that every disciple feared him. Now though, he's nothing but a feeble old man waiting for death. John shook his head and responded to the old chief, "I didn't desert during the Lamenter wars, and I won't be deserting now. I may be weak, but I have my own plans to set up for the coming battle. If you will give me leave, chief?" As John ended, he bowed respectfully to the old chief who had shouldered this sect for so long. The chief smiled happily and waved John away, "Go then."

  As John returned to the gardens, the disciples had already long heard the dire news. The gardening assistant ran over to him in a disheveled state from worry. "Gardener head, what should we do?" The assistant asked.

  John frowned and slapped the side of his assistant's head. "Why are you panicking? At least pretend to be a good role model. Do you think I'm wheat that will be easily reaped? No, I've already prepared a plan," John lectured his assistant in a loud voice making sure everyone heard him. The disciples' eyes glowed with admiration. "That's our head for you!" some of the younger disciples exclaimed.

  "Is that true?!" the assistant asked skeptically. Well, he knew the head was a good gardener, but he never seemed reliable to him.

  "haha, of course, first gather the strongest disciples and prepare for a journey. Then, when they've been chosen, report back to me with them," John told his assistant.

  "Right away, head," the assistant said while saluting.

  John returned to his personal garden and home. As he looked at the exotic plants, he began to feel depressed. He'd spent more than half his life creating his collection. He slowly walked towards his prize possession, a bright water lily. He had found it on accident when he foolishly went on an exhibition to a hidden cavern. Even after all this time, John couldn't identify the flower.

  As John neared the pool that housed the water lily, it floated towards him. He gently put his hand in the water to rub the leaves of the plant. He then examined the bright red petals that seemed to say, 'look at me. I'm here!' The lily seemed to like him for some reason. When they first met, it too floated over to him.

  "Grow up strong, okay? There isn't much..." as John was confiding in the lily, he was cut off by his assistant returning. "Head!" they call as they salute. John looked over the five disciples. They all had limited skill in the lower six expertise. Well, John knew it'd be this way. 'Being just above Foundation stage would normally be strong enough to travel safely. However, in these dangerous times where the sect couldn't protect them,' John worried.

  "Thanks for quickly heeding my call," John stated casually with a smile.

  "It's our duty to come when called!" one of the disciples said enthusiastically.

  "There is no need to be tense. I just need you all to deliver this letter to my friend Felix Snow," the gardener head then produced a letter and handed it to his assistant. The assistant took the note submissively and stored it away.

  "You should find him in Peach Blossom city of Dark Cloud prefecture. Speed is important, but I fear it won't be a safe trip. So you should take this letter of introduction to the Jam clan. They owe me a favor..." John continued to explain before pausing. He then sighs and produced a large sack full of spirit stones. "Take this as well. Not everyone will honor favors. With this, you can pay them off. If they still don't give in. Use this in the city center!" John said, pulling out a ball covered in runes. "At least we can have some petty victory over the bastards," he said with a mischievous smile.

  John then handed the letter of introduction, spirit stones, and ball to his assistant. As John did, he walked next to him and patted him on the shoulder. "If there is any left, keep it. There's no need to force yourselves to come back after you finish," he stated solemnly.

  "We would never," the disciples began to protest, but John waved them to silence. "Don't throw your lives away pointlessly here. Now head out!" he yelled while pointing to the exit with a dramatic flair. The disciples bow deeply before leaving. The young men could barely contain their tears as they take one last look at their head.