A boy walked along a stone path. On both sides of him, an endless garden seemed to pulse with vitality. Trees bore fresh fruit, and flowers bloomed. A river seemed to cut through the forest, bringing fresh water to anyone who desired a drink.
Animals could be seen everywhere - birds flew through the sky, deer ran through the woods, and fish swam in the water.
The boy appeared to be 8 or 9 years old. He had golden blonde hair with a slight whitish tint. His eyes were a beautiful golden color, filled with warmth and kindness.
However, beneath that warmth was a chaotic sea of colors. The sea contained all things.
The boy continued walking down the stone path. After 15 minutes, the surroundings opened up into a clearing. He saw them. At first, they appeared to be angels, but only in shape.
Reality seemed to scream with their presence. Something vile and dark permeated the air, but the boy showed no reaction, almost as if he was used to this. He was.
As he approached, the vileness subsided, and all that was left was their horrifying and grotesque image. They turned and looked at him. Rather than malice, their gazes showed no emotion.
Furthermore, the 7 beings bowed.
"Greetings, Maheyra." Their voices echoed in unison. In was eerie, but the boy simply smiled. With that, he kept walking.
In the center of the clearing was a tree. It was not dazzling or huge. It appeared to be a simple fig tree, but the boy could see it for what it really was.
His face showed no hesitation. After 2 years in this nightmare, he was ready. Reaching high above his head, he plucked one of the fruits. It gave off a tantalizing scent, and could only be described as perfection.
'Truly a beautiful lie.' The boy thought. He took a bite. There were no words that could possibly describe the flavor that followed. He leisurely finished eating and waited.
The initial feeling of pleasure turned bitter. The boys surroundings started to wither. First, the tree. Then, darkness began to consume the sky. His surroundings faded away, until he was the only existence left.
The darkness did not consume him. He stood like a torch burning in an abyss. Praying.
Time passed, but he simply stood there. His eyes gazed off into an unseen space. Eventually, he aged.
A boy, 16 years old, stood within a void. His posture appeared humble, and his hands were collapsed in prayer. His eyes radiated a warmth and kindness that seemed to be paternal. Truly a beautiful lie.
Suddenly, he moved. His mouth opened, and a whisper echoed through his surroundings.
"Let the story begin."
And so, everything started to move. Within his eyes, a sea churned. Strings appeared around him, forming a vast tapestry.
"Let there be light."
And so light flooded the void.
[Wake up, Adam! Your nightmare is over.]
[Prepare for appraisal…]
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I know this is an absurdly short chapter, but from now on they will be 700+ words. Bear with me please!