Chapter 16: The Garden of Eden

After seeing the strange notification, Alexander remembered the fairies mentioning him looking for the same guardian when they first met. He had never expected to actually find it while committing suicide and felt a bit that he was likely going to die without being able to explore this secret area.

This hint of sadness faded to wonder as his descent suddenly slowed, and he was deposited on a flat grassy surface quite delicately. He looked around, settled, and found himself in a world of mist. Gulping with excitement, he began to walk carefully forward.

After a few moments, he finally entered a clearing where the mist dissipated in which was a magnificent tree that bore the most delicious-looking fruit he had ever seen, even those he had tasted in the land of the fairies. He didn't need to make any guesses about the identity of this tree as a notification told him:

image [https://imgur.com/2IhiHYT.png]

Being religious, the Elf hesitated and then slowly began to back away from the tree. His actions were met by a hissing laughter as a great serpent revealed itself from its branches. It was easily fifty feet long and possessed intelligent eyes. Identifying the Elf, it remarked, "Why so scared, good Elf? This is a holy place."

The young man smiled and responded with some verses from Sunday school, "Forgive me. I chose to live by the Tree of Life."

Hearing this, the snake roared with laughter, growing hostile as it snarled, "Wretched creature, you dare claim that and still possess knowledge of both Good and Evil." It changes its body against the tree, causing a single fruit to fall and roll towards the Elf, "You are the first to walk these lands and shall be granted the highest honor. Eat and save me your hypocrisy, for this will grant you both the knowledge and the power you have sought."

Drawn by curiosity, the Elf picked up the fruit, feeling deeply connected to his biblical ancestors. Even though he knew it was a sin, he still longed to know what benefits the fruit would bring him, what incredible flavor it possessed. Nonetheless, he sighed and placed the fruit in his inventory before stealing his gaze and responding, "I will not serpent. Rather, I will keep this fruit and let it remind me to never be deceived by devils like you."

The snake laughed again, "You dare. The temptation will eat away at your very soul." It bared its fangs and added, "If you do not accept the fruit and the Curse of the World, then you will die."

In a flash, the great creature lunged at Alexander and, by instinct, swung his staff, shouting, "Bonk!"

On impact, the snake spasmed and froze while the Elf received a notification:

image [https://imgur.com/ZKub8xI.png]

Alexander didn't have time to read this as he darted past the serpent's head and ran along its body into the World Tree. Growing curious, he paused momentarily to pull on a long branch. He was overjoyed to feel the wood crack under the effort. He tore off the limb, though, then had to immediately Bonk the serpent again as it tried to encircle him.

Luckily, the creature had a very long body, making him a great target.

After pocketing his loot, the boy fled the tree and darted beyond it back into the mist. The snake tried to chase him but seemed limited to the clearing. Once it saw its prey escape, it let out an enraged roar. The Elf snickered to himself, though his heart was still racing from the encounter.

He continued to race on, not wanting to be wrong about the serpent's limitations and be caught off guard. Eventually, he arrived at another clearing and gladly entered it after making sure it wasn't the same one. Here, there was another tree, and he received a notification:

image [https://imgur.com/AE6EyNL.png]

The young man grew excited, having read in the Bible that the Tree of Life was the tree Adam and Eve were supposed to eat fruit from, while the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was forbidden. Walking over, he inspected the rather simple plant with fascination and noticed that it bore fruits of seven different colors.

He was pondering a gleaming white fruit when a voice said, "Each fruit corresponds with a gift: life, Mana, Strength, Defense, Agility, dexterity, Intelligence. Choose wisely, young Elf, for you may only take one."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Alexander didn't see where the voice had come from but didn't mind for the moment as he considered his options. As an Elf, the fruits of Mana and Intelligence would best prepare him to practice magic. After contemplating, he decided on the gift he couldn't better with Skill Points. In a decisive voice, he stated, "I chose Mana."

A pure white fruit fell onto the ground and rolled to his feet. The next moment, the tree disappeared. In its place was an old man with a sagely demeanor. He looked Alexander up and down as he retrieved his first and commented, "How intriguing. I would not expect an Enlightened Hermit with the Blessing of the Fairies to be the first to find me."

At the same time, a notification popped up:

image [https://imgur.com/vhWuoy5.png]

Alexander was excited about his fruit and took a bite while contending, "Ah, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Merlin." Flavor exploded in his mouth as he let out a happy noise. He quickly finished off the fruit, receiving a notification:

image [https://imgur.com/BlCpEM4.png]

The man seemed pleasantly surprised by this reaction and responded, "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Alatar." He then went on, "It is my inclination to assume that only those led by a quest would arrive here, but your demeanor tells me otherwise."

The Elf nodded and responded, "I was just trying to die and get back to Camelot."

Merlin chuckled at this and shook his head, remarking, "What a blessing it must be to embrace death so casually." He then met the Elf's eye and went on, "Regardless of what brought you here, your reward shall still be the same. You may ask me any one question, and I will provide an answer."

Alexander considered this and responded, "I really don't have anything I want to know. Can I take an IOU or something?"

Merlin laughed at this and responded, "No, Elf child. You may ask one question now. If you have questions later, you must traverse the Green Mountains again."

The youth gulped and scratched his head before a fun idea came to mind. Focusing on the man, he asked, "Okay, then, do you know you're an NPC living inside a video game?"

This was a bit of a joke because it was notorious in Eden that if one asked any NPC about the fact that Eden was a game, they would adamantly deny it and even grow hostile with you. Alexander had been expecting such a reply, but isn't the man laughed and responded, "Of course I do, we all do…"

His gaze grew striking as intense energy filled the air around them, and a mystical wind began to blow, causing his humble rob to sway. His words grew in price as he said, "But just because our world is a game to you, does it make it any less real than your own reality." Gesturing to the Elf, he asked, "What is reality, young Alexander Cordis? Is it your so-called universe with its Law of Nature? I think not. Reality only truly exists in the mind of those who behold it; therefore, I ask you what is life. Is it your so-called flesh and blood or the ability to live, feel, and love? If so, then I or any of my brethren are just as alive as you or any player."

The roaring wind grew stronger as the man's words gained more power, causing Alexander's very bones to tremble, "If my world is called a game solely because you players constructed it, then is your own world just a game in the eyes of your own creator? So yes, I admit I live in one of your so-called games, but I do not believe this world is a game." His words began to echo with a force that wasn't angry but rather radiant with belief and righteousness, "My world is real, and I am alive. This is not true for only myself but all those who share my race."

Alexander hadn't expected such a response, and what came next startled him even more. He blinked, and suddenly, the world went blank. He could see, hear, taste, smell, and feel nothing. Then, countless scenes and experiences rushed through his body in the next moments. He saw people of different races living their lives through Eden. There were thousands, if not tens of thousands, each with an intricate, evolving conciseness all their own no less meaningful and holistic than his own.

Awe and reverence filled the young man's heart as he felt his mind had been elevated to a higher plan. There was so much life and so much feeling. Alexander felt as though, for a moment, he was connected with every NPC in all of Eden. He felt their joy and happiness as well as their sadness and fear. He felt their love, their heart, their deepest desires. He felt their reverence for their gods, the sense of community, and their mixed feelings towards the Players. All of this merged into a thrumming heartbeet of emotion that conveyed a single message echoing out into the void: I am alive.

The vision ended as quickly as it began, and the human spirit housed within the body of an Elf collapsed to his hands and knees, panting. His eyes were wide open, and his pulse was racing as he gasped out, "How?"

Merlin knelt beside him and responded, "This answer I will give you for free; when you make something in God's image, it is only natural that it will possess a soul."

Alexander looked up at the man's kind and weathered face for a moment. There was conflict in his heart, but this soon faded and was replaced by belief. It was hard to believe these intricate AIs could be anything more than computer programs. Still, what he had just experienced and his faith convinced him otherwise. Unsure of what to say or do, he said, "I believe you."

Merlin smiled at this brilliantly and softly as he responded, "Thank you, Alatar. I pray you have safe travels on your journey."

The next moment, the Garden of Eden disintegrated into clouds, and Alexander found himself falling once more. His mind was tired and stretched from his incredible experience. He didn't mind fainting as he tried to process everything.

As darkness consumed him, he didn't even notice two notifications appear before him:

image [https://imgur.com/tsqKO33.png]

End of Book 1: The Green Mountains