Chapter 347: The Logic of the One (1/2)
The Gardener raised her hand as the two siblings were knocked back like it was nothing. ”If I recall correctly, you couldn't defeat Me even with the Stage of Bargaining. Yet here you are trying your best to best me without it.”
Adam held his stomach lying on the floor whimpering. ”Yeah…. Even with the Stage, he was a pest to fight. But, even so, you know this better than anyone. I'm not one to give up in a fight.”
Being helped up by Eve, the Gardener smiled, recalling the memory. ”I do faintly remember you saying that. When you brought Alton to my domain those many years ago, I was, of course, at first doubtful. Your plan was sloppy and off centred, but the potential was there. I foresaw Alton's fate and knew he was the one.”
”The way you're talking, it almost sounds like…. You were there….
”Correct. I was. Come on, Adam, don't say you've forgotten who I am.” The Gardener teased, lifting her dress up slightly to bow. ”We've known each other for so long before you killed our people and imprisoned me.”
Adam's eyes widened as he went pale, shaking his head. ”There's no possible way. That's not possible. You're him. You're One of the Ten Judgements?!”
One nodded, laughing to herself. ”Always have been, and what fun it has been, that's for sure. I got to see how both sides lived, and my my, it was enjoyable.”
”That doesn't make any sense. I watched you fall. I took you out with my own hands. You cannot be here!” Adam barked.
”Are you sure? I can be both, you know. I was always both the Ten Judgements' head, the ones destined to destroy the Garden and the Gardener. Leader of the Garden and destined to free her people. Playing devil's advocate was so much fun.”
”But why? Why would you turn against your own people like that?!” Eve yelled. ”We trusted and followed you.”
”No. You followed the Logic of the One. I used to think like you so long ago. Before the war, when we all lived in peace, I was found. The worm of the Garden found me and granted me untold power. My life changed forever, and I had found perfection. The Logic of the One indicated only the strong were worthy of his love; therefore, changes needed to happen. With the way the world was, this wouldn't have changed, and the Logic would have died before you knew it. So, I needed to change that and destroy it. Banishing the Garden away and causing the war was the only way how. Through the Logic, we were able to ascend to greater heights. The Stages, The Ten Judgements, all of that was because of me! This world is gone to the ages, but through the Logic, we can move onto a greater plain one where we will live forever. Doesn't that sound blissful?!”
”I can't believe what I'm hearing…. All of this pain and suffering all for some stupid Logic. You started all of this to live forever?” Adam barked. ”You're psychotic!”
”I would never expect the weak to understand. And although our home is gone and my race dead, Alton shall carry that on to wherever is next. He is our Salvation, and through him, the Logic of the One will never die, as shall I. Fate as decided by the great ones.”
”I've had enough of this bullshit. If that's all anyone's lives were meant for, then I want no part of that. So many people, good people, died for your pipe dream. I won't stand here and accept that.” Adam exclaimed.
”You don't have to. You're as good as dead anyway.” One teased before a Gate opened above, showering her in weapons and more. Each one was thrown aside as she stood smugly. ”Suck weakness.”
Knocked back again, Adam and Eve found it that much harder to stand as they both looked at each other. ”Eve…. I'm sorry, I spent all this time fighting and causing trouble for you in hopes of saving you. Look where that got us now…. I should have spent more time as you, not as Bargaining but as your brother and now. I can never get that back.”
Eve shook her head smiling. ”I don't hold anything against you, Adam. I know how much you cared even if you couldn't ever show it. You were willing to risk it all to save me and would do anything to protect our family. I'm grateful and could never be happier for you to be my brother. I wouldn't have wished it any other way.”
”Then I have no doubts to worry about and can die with peace at my heart,” Adam stated, standing up pulling Eve to her feet. ”You toyed and used us from the start. We were your pawns and never questioned the Logic given to us. So see this as our official resignation.”
”Always with the quips. So predictable.” One sighed, shaking her head pushing her hand forward as flower petals moved forward, passing through each of the siblings. Each one found themselves unable to move as they both collapsed, bleeding out their life force drained entirely. Adam looked to Eve one last time before moving on.
Eve was the opposite, however. She was still alive; taking long deep breaths, she found herself standing up without her knowledge. Then, turning, she was dazed to find Alice picking her up. ”Alice?”
”I won't leave you to die here alone, Eve. We're on in the same.”
”Alice Hawthorne, you couldn't just stay away. So now you're damning yourself to your sister's fate.”
Alice took Eve's hand, shaking her head. ”Iris would have done the same. Eve is as much my sister as was Iris. I won't abandon my family.”
”Then there is nothing left but for you two to die.”
Alice nodded, making sure to keep Eve company. ”Then we will do that together too. You gave me the chance to live Eve. Let me return the favour.” Pushing Eve back, a portal opened as she smiled. ”Thank you, Eve.”
Eve's eyes widened as she held her hand out, screaming. ”Alice, Alice! No, stop, wait! Don't do this!”
One was furious as the portal closed, instantly cutting Alice down. She fell to the floor bleeding taking long breaths. ”I'm coming home, Iris…. I'm coming home.”