Written on a Terrabb Tree Scroll by Terr-Sharee—Age 14, Generation 40
I cannot wait to tell of my success to the other Terrs in school. They all doubted me and they all were wrong. I passed the Rite of Names, and it was never even a question.
I now stand as a true human, independent and whole. I witnessed the light of God and their plan for our return. It is as beautiful as they’ve always said.
The experience was both brutally long and disappointingly short. The community elders led me into the Name Room, sat me down in the center of their silent circle, and gave me the Drink of Names.18
> 18 | The Drink of Names refers to a psychoactive tea brewed from the leaves of a native New Earth tree they called the "Terrabb Tree.” Though initially used only in naming ceremonies, the drug eventually found its way into the mainstream, fueling a century-long addiction crisis.
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It kicked in fast. Much faster than Terr-Ulak made it seem. Within seconds I was blinded. My mind searched for my identity but found none. I felt as though I were outside of my own mind, attacked by the world itself. I was lost. I was nobody.
Eventually, though, it came to me.
Baked in light, my name bubbled up from within. I praised the Creator for my individuality before shouting my name out.
"Sharee!” I screamed.
It flowed out of me. I could not stop it. At that moment, it was all I could say. All I could do.
That was when Elder Abb-Yote raised the brand. I could feel its heat as it approached my forehead. The pain was sudden and horrible, but over quickly. With my new self, my sight recovered.
The Wine of Prime Grapes was poured over my head and into my eyes. It stung a little. The coolness soothed the new burn. Tasted terrible, though.
I heard the elders chanting my newfound name as Abb-Yote showed me my reflection. Through the tears and leftover hallucinations, I saw myself reborn. With the brand of my own making, I rose from the experience as a True Pilgrim.
I am Terr-Sharee—an individual component of a most glorious collective. I pray that the deeds done in my life can bring us closer to completing our heavenly pilgrimage.