x
Several decades ago, a strange society formed beneath Nidari City. They referred to themselves as Eden and were the self-proclaimed protectors of the city, vowing to smite any individual who stood in the way of their duty. Many citizens started disappearing in recent years, with the secret society proudly claiming they were the ones responsible. Protests had broken out during Presidential talks, many were arrested but none of them could provide a genuine lead to Eden.
Every journalist in Nidari City wanted the scoop on the secret society, since Eden claimed to have been sent from their God to eradicate humanity and allow Mother nature to claim what was hers, and hers alone. It’d been reported many journalists went searching for Eden, a small number returned without a shred of evidence. But as Lady luck would have it, I’d managed to secure entry into Eden.
In my glove, I held an ivory envelope with a mossy wax seal brandishing the distinct insignia of Eden. It’d taken years to prepare for this moment; hours poured over old reports, asking for too many favours and putting myself in debt with unsavoury acquaintances. But nevertheless I was here, standing in the centre of the public library awaiting further instruction from a representative.
My outfit was carefully selected, concealing recording equipment between the seams of my breast pocket, and any identification I’d usually carry was safely stuffed in my desk drawer in my apartment. Under no circumstances could I venture into an elite society such as Eden and have them know my true intentions. If I was caught I could end up like the other missing journalists, or worse, be forced to leave empty-handed.
I, Asami Lawson, was here undercover to secure the scoop of the century. I wasn’t prepared to leave until I found proof of Eden’s existence.
‘Tell me,’ a soft voice said, causing my attention to shift.
I spied an individual adorned in a tailored suit out the corner of my eyes, leaning against one of the bookshelves. I carefully tucked the ivory enveloped into my pocket to avoid prying eyes.
‘Why do flowers make people happy?’ he asked coyly, refusing to meet my curious stare.
I couldn’t help but wonder if the gentleman was a member of Eden. An acquaintance suggested the way the secret society marked its members in public was through the use of riddles. I could only assume that it was their way of coding a message to one another, an effective way of weeding out imposters.
Luckily my grandmother was a keen gardener in her time and much of my youth was spent in her care. She would tell me all sorts of stories; ones about the grand insect soirée, about why she kept little houses hidden amongst plants and the secret language of flowers. I’d heard this riddle many times in my youth, even now I heard her voice in my head.
‘They evoke the feeling that something special is on its way,’ I said with a smile on my lips as a swell of pride radiated through my body.
A silence fell between us, giving a brief moment for me to doubt my answer.
The gentleman gave a hum, ‘I see. If you would be so kind to accompany me, I believe there is much we need to discuss.’ He replied, his tone charming like a fox as he extended his arm for me to take.
I accepted his arm, allowing him to guide me further into the library without uttering a single word to one another. As we walked, true to my journalist way I spied on the public, watching their every move attentively. I was hoping to glean something of interest that would help with obtaining proof of Eden’s underground activities.
The public library seemed a curious place to hide such an elusive and elite society. It was the heart of Nidari, a historic building standing the test of time, flourishing on generous donations from a wealthy benefactor. Rumours spread amongst the city, with some speculation that the individual in question was in fact the head of Eden. People soon referred to them as Gaia, derived from the Greek origin meaning Earth. Eden relished in the nickname, wielding the name as a weapon.
‘By Gaia’s hand will the world come undone…’
‘Gaia is always watching…’
‘To refuse Gaia’s will is to deny Mother Earth herself…’
As we came to an abrupt halt, I almost stumbled on my oxford heels but the gentleman at my side caught me with a gentle grip. I felt my cheeks warm, a flush of embarrassment squeezing my heart.
‘I’m terribly sorry,’ I said, regaining my balance, allowing space between us once more.
‘Are you quite well, Miss?’ the gentleman asked.
‘Yes, thank you.’ I replied, my tone coming out an octave higher than normal. ‘My apologies, Sir. I was so taken in by the decor that I lost my footing for a moment.’
The gentleman smoothed down his suit, deep emerald in colour, yet something else caught my eye. A golden brooch pinned to his lapel. I inched closer to admire the piece, the distinct insignia of the secret society stared back at me. I watched as the gentlemen removed the brooch and pressed it into the carved statue in the wall. The statue itself was a feminine figure, cupping her hands together. When he inserted the brooch into her open hands, the bookshelf clicked open revealing a staircase.
‘Shall we?’ the gentleman suggested, removing his brooch from the statue and fastening it back on his lapel.
I stepped inside the alcove, descending the dimly lit staircase and stuck close to my chaperon. The gentleman stepped before me, guiding me into an open room. Wooden slacks decorated the interior, with greenery bursting from every nook and cranny. An arched window displayed the public library with the fountain in the courtyard. The same one we’d stood in moments ago, but my mind couldn’t piece together how we were looking at the same building now. A mossy velvet sofa was pushed up against one side of the room, with a single armchair and desk directly opposite.
‘Ah Heath, how nice of you to return,’ a voice called from the armchair, facing away from us. ‘It seems you’ve brought another to join our humble cause.’
‘Yes, my Lady,’ the gentleman announced proudly, dropping his head in a bow. ‘Produce your invitation,’ he whispered to me.
I hesitated, yet despite my better judgement I produced the ivory envelope from my pocket and held it up into the light.
‘Answer me this,’ the voice called once more. ‘I herald the coming of spring’s sweet song, in meadows and fields, I gently belong. A colourful whisper in the breeze, what are you, that grows with such ease?’
I couldn’t help but smile. Another riddle. Another use of the language of flowers, again I heard my Grandmother’s voice.
‘Grandma, If I was a flower, what flower would I be?’ I asked her one Spring while helping her tend to the garden.
‘My dear Asami, you are a wildflower. A free-spirited young mind with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. You will do many great things, I just know it.’
‘I am a wildflower,’ I proclaimed loudly.
‘That you are,’ the voice replied. The armchair swivelled around, revealing the mysterious individual.
A pale skinned beauty with rich copper tresses that cascaded over her shoulder, littered with tiny white blossoms. Ivy vines coiled themselves around her forearms. She crossed one leg over the other with a smirk on her lips as she stared at me.
I couldn’t stop myself from admiring her beauty, ‘Are you-?’
Her laugh cut me off, her voice turned sickly sweet like honey. ‘I am she, the one they call Gaia. Mother Earth’s chosen,’ she announced, pushing herself from her armchair. ‘I am the one who will usher in the new age. Mother Earth will once again reclaim what is rightfully hers.’
I held my tongue, her words were lunacy. Surely she couldn’t mean for Eden to bring about the end of mankind. But the pieces of the puzzle were fitting into place. The self-proclaimed protectors of Nidari City surfaced, in the hope to build a paradise where Mother Earth flourish. Eden, a paradise for their chosen.
‘You may have been to partake in the cleansing, a sacred ritual that will allow you to hear the Mother’s word and become one with the Earth.’ Gaia claimed, stretching her arms up towards the heavens. ‘But the choice must be yours. Will you accept her call?’ She asked, reaching out to me.
I took a moment to weigh my options. I’d worked my entire career to finally make a name for myself as a journalist, joining Eden undercover was my only hope to secure the scoop I needed. Who knew when another option might represent itself? I’d no choice but to accept the offer, however sinister, even if it meant signing my own death warrant.
My hand moved on its own accord, resting in Gaia’s palm.
‘I accept the Mother’s call.’201Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAvKzM39Xl
