Chapter 157: Two Steps from Hell (2/2)

Scarlett snarled at the comment turning away as Morto nodded. Corina turned to the tree smirking. ”Infiltrating the titan now.”

”Remind me why we are sending the AI into the unknown?” Gale questioned.

”You don't listen to a thing I say, do you? See her as the ace in the sleeve. Not sure if something is a death trap or a mission too risky? Send in the fake.”

Corina stood in front of the entrance as she waited for a short while. Once her connection was linked with V.I.R.A.L, she pressed inside. At the foot of the gateway to seemly hell something happened. ”Something isn't right… I feel a pull. Something is reaching out… Wait, what's going on?!” Everyone watched in horror as Corina began glitching out losing connection. The hologram faded as a girl was ripped from the fabric of existence in pyjamas and slippers. She was held in the air, unable to move, talk or cry out in pain. Vines began trickling down from the tree holding the girl up as she became lifeless slouched over.

”What the hell just happened… Where's Corina?” Zinnia whispered.

Emil was shellshocked gulping finding the courage to speak. ”That is Corina, the person behind the persona.”

”Not possible… She's back in Rhinefield… We had her held up in the HQ in maximum security.” Morto grunted.

One last vine ripped into the back of her neck as Corina was being used as a puppet on strings. ”We've been most expecting you. Welcome.”

The voice was distorted as if dozens of people were trying to talk through one person. Blossom held her head falling to one knee panting. ”It's them. The Garden is talking through Corina…”

”We humbly apologise for taking the young girl's life. We are not strong enough to communicate with you… Long have we waited for your arrival Children of man. The preparations are complete our resurrection can now begin.”

”What makes you think we want to bring you back in the first place?!” Gale spits.

”There is no need for hatred.” The Garden taunts. ”Violence, hate, revenge. We need not for these primitive emotions. Only with the Garden can you unlock your true purpose. Only through us can you find your salvation. Fate has brought you here to us, and we accept you all with open arms. We are not your enemy; we only want to live together in harmony. We seek no bloodshed, nor do we want war. We only want to be free of our shackles cast among us 2000 years ago by the Architects out of blind jealously and fear of us.”

”The Architects?”

”Did you honestly think we were the only ones? Long ago, we all lived together. The Architects, The Garden and humanity. It was a Golden age. However, the Architects feared us, feared we might one day overthrow them. So, they banished us to the world we occupy today. All we wish is to return to that way of life. You will help us, no? Both of our worlds are dying. Neither of us can go on much longer. Accept us back into your lives. Accept us. The Garden is humanity's true Salvation. We will be waiting.”

Corina was released as her dead body fell to the floor. Zinnia ran over, checking her only to realise the truth. Staring down at the innocent girl who looked no older than herself, she whispered cruelly. ”Send me in. Let me take care of this.”

”Zinnia?!” Gale gasped.

Zinnia turned to Morto determined now more than ever. ”If we don't do anything, the Garden will continue to take lives. Manipulate the masses until they succeed. Allow me to raid this abomination and poison the Garden at its heart.”

”Very well.”

”What?” Scarlett roared. ”You cannot be serious. You send her down there, and the Garden will get what it wants. This is madness.”

”Send anyone else, and they will share the same fate as Corina. I need to do this myself. I won't let this Garden control me any longer.”

”I'll go too,” Blossom stated. ”The Garden has stolen everything from me. I'm not here for the truth of my past, I don't want it. I'm just here to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else.”

Morto accepted, and although Goro seemed conflicted, he allowed it as well. The two pawns of the Garden stood at the entrance covered in vines and leaves. With their presences known the gateway opened up deep into the tree. The whispers grow louder now with understandable words. ”The Garden grows forever…”

Zinnia turned to her allies, giving them a reinsuring smile. ”I promise you guys… I won't let this monster take me. I'll put an end to this once and for all.”

The two entered the tree as it closed back on itself. Scarlett fell to the floor in frustration throwing snow. ”Damn it… I don't have any faith in something under the control of a stage of Grief.”

”Gemini isn't under the control of them any longer.” Goro snapped.

”I wasn't talking about her…”

”Zinnia?! She can't be. I don't believe it.”

”I saw it with my own eyes when she tried killing Alton.”

”The Child of the Garden. Two in our forces. We cannot trust either. It's much more troubling however that even the Garden wants to dispose of them as much as we once did…” Morto admitted. ”Alton Brantley an-.” Morto was cut off as a force of mighty power crashed through the tree smashing behind the streamers. A large crater was left as the snow flew in the air. Everyone stared in horror as Morto stared on blankly. ”And Alice Hawthorne…”

Alice emerged from the crater in her Garden form. Deep yellow eyes and flower chains wrapped around her arms and legs. A scythe hung low by her side as she had a playful look rippled across her face. Everyone was readying to fight when Alice teleported everyone away apart from Morto. She began spinning her scythe around giggling. ”I know what you are miss CEO. I know your true goal here. We cannot allow you to crush our dream. The power of the Garden belongs to Frizzle Tooth.”

Morto looked down on Alice as the stench of death hung around her. The snow began to rot away into nothing along with the plant life remaining. ”I'm going to do something V.I.R.A.L should have done 400 years ago. Eve Hawthorne, I will be the one to kill the last legendary hero.”

Alice jolted past cutting Morto as a deep wound was engraved in her cheek. No blood came out was an open wound was on the show. ”What fun. To think I get to kill a CEO. Daddy will be so proud of me. And once I'm done with you, I'll deal with the vermin who dare spoil our hard work. For you see Morto… I am your salvation.”