28 Set in stone II

A/N: In two or three chapters, this whole arc will finally come to an end, as exhausting as its been. I see complaints here and there, but the only thing I have to say is this..I don't like Alan's character any less than you guys do, but the thing is, if you want character to develop there is a need for emotional attachment.

••

Three days after, the Garden of Eden still stood proudly on earth, safeguarding and protecting the inhabitants within, while they themselves were completely relaxed and joyful, unaware of the terrible tribulations about to befall them on this particular day, a moment that would forever be etched in the annals of history.

Tiptoeing through the garden, a figure was extremely vigilant, as she made her way through to the Northern part of Eden, the forbidden part.

Making sure she was not followed by her husband, Eve finally took a deep breath and turned towards the two divine trees before a smile formed on her face.

"It's magical.."

She touched one of the trees, feeling the divine essence flowing through it and smiled joyfully.

Just like her predecessor, this had become her place of solace, far from her husband's merciless righteous judgement.

"Why does he always have to treat me like that? Am I just a replacement for his old wife?!"

She spoke to the trees and leaned against them, and as if they could hear her, specks of golden light burst out of the tree on the right, and landed on her body causing an encouraging smile to blossom on her face once more.

Meanwhile, a pair of red eyes amusingly watched her from within the void, and then they slowly withdrew and disappeared.

Eve caressed the tree with her hand slowly as she leaned against it once more.

"Magical isn't it?…."

"Who?!"

A deceiving voice suddenly resounded, startling the woman, causing her to panic and quickly turn around.

"Those trees, they are magical aren't they?"

The voice spoke once more in a crafty and sultry tone, as the woman turned around in panic once more.

"Who are you?!"

She roared out and looked to her left and right, however there was no one around.

"Don't worry. You will not be able to see me until I reveal myself.."

The voice sounded out once more, as Eve kept her vigilance.

"I am really fascinated by those fruits up on those trees and wonder how they will taste like?"

The voice spoke longingly, while Eve turned to the juicy fruits on the trees.

"They taste heavenly, or at least that's what I heard.."

She spoke but still looked around her trying to identify the intruder.

"So you haven't eaten of them before?" The voice spoke, as she shook her head bitterly.

*ssssssss…..*

"I wish, but the creator forbade us from partaking of them, until the appropriate time."

She spoke and raised a brow, hearing a slithering sound in the distance.

"Oh? Interesting. And why exactly did the creator forbid you from eating off the fruit?" A large red and black snake coiled up the tree of life on the right and looked down on Eve with amusement.

"I don't know exactly, but my husband says the creator works in mysterious ways. He said to wait for the right time, so we are.."

She spoke again, unaware of the malice and disgust in the eyes of thr snake above her.

"Well, trust me when I say this, but if these magical trees and really for you to partake off, then why wait till the supposed right time?"

The serpent's words rang within the heart of the woman, and she was speechless for a moment.

"These two trees are known to grant eternal life and the knowledge of the universe."

Watching her expressions, a sly look mirrored in the eyes of the serpent as he continued his deceit.

"Now tell me, woman. Don't you want eternal life? Don't you want to be all knowing? You could become like the creator…"

And most importantly, you would finally become the perfect wife that your husband deserves.."

Playing off on her insecurities she instantly took the bait, and slowly stretched out her hand towards the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and there she saw the being that was speaking to her.

"Go on, woman. Isn't it what you want? The creator won't know.."

The serpent urged her on, as she slowly picked up a fruit on the tree of knowledge of good and evil. She looked towards the serpent and then to the fruit, before she steeled her resolve and took a bite.

Her eyes instantly widened, as a myriad of knowledge immediately flowed and encapsulated her senses.

"I-I-I know it all. It's wonderful!…"

She picked up the fruit and rushed out of the Northern part of the garden.

The serpent on the other hand, slowly flashed a grin and disappeared.

••

"Are you sure of this, Eve?"

Meanwhile, at the centre of the garden, Adam looked at the fruit in his hand with longing, but a hint of fear.

"I can see it all, Adam. The constellations, the stars and the stories they hold. You said we were the beloved of the creator, right? Surely, he will forgive this little wrongdoing.."

Eve's words cut through the last string of restraint in his heart, as he smiled and took a bite of the fruit.

*BOOOMM!*

Suddenly, the sky darkened, as a streak of rainbow coloured lightning ripped through the skies and crashed to the ground, shaking the earth itself, while Adam and Eve scurried away in fear.

Massive winds blew, as the earthquaked, sending out seismic waves that ripped through the landscape. The garden of Eden shook as well, collapsing within itself, as the man and woman, run with all of their might, trying to find cover.

Amidst the chaos, a figure stood miles away, watching all of this play out with amusement.

"It turns out your precious man wasn't perfect after all. Then again, what would I expect from you!"

The golden haired red eyed figure laughed and unfurled his wings and zoomed off into the skies. With his right hand outstretched, a large buster sword shot out of the void and landed in his hands, before he zoomed off, passing through layers of the void at speeds surpsassing light itself.

••

Meanwhile, the foundations of the earth shook, as a figure slowly descended into the garden. The figure was the likeness of a man, with a long white hair but his face was so bright that it was indescribable.

Behind him, two angels were armed as they descended onto the earth.

"My father!! Save me!"

Seeing the figure, Adam rushed to him in tears, however, before he could reach him, an Angel moved instantly and kicked out, sending him flying couple of miles away.

"Thou shalt not touch the creator with unholiness!"

The Angel roared in fury, however the man waved his hand and shook his head.

"My children. Your transgressions are forgiven, but unfortunately, you cannot stay in Eden."

His words sounded with overwhelming grace and love, as tears streamed down the faces of the man and woman.

After speaking he raised his head to the skies and disappeared, while the two angels waved their hands, summoning two revolving flaming blades behind them.

"You cannot do this to us! You cannot take this heritage away from us!!"

Adam roared and rushed to the angels with his fists tightly clenched.

*BANG!*

A fist connected to his jaw and sent him flying into the distance.

"Do not force my hand, human."

The Angel who had attacked spoke with an annoyed expression.

"Out of my way! You cannot do this to me!!!"

He roared out, as the Angel chuckled and stretched out a finger, blasting out an intense beam of holy light that ripped through space.

As the beam reflected within his eyes, Adam shed a tear and turned towards his wife, however the pain did not come as he had expected.

Turning around he saw a familiar face standing before him, in a totally different environment.

A white haired handsome youth holding a sheathed blade in hand. Looking towards the the husband and wife with confused expressions, the new person, Alan spoke and disappeared.

"I did this for Lilith. Don't misunderstand…."

A sense of regret filled Adam's heart, as he grabbed the hand of his wife and slowly caressed her hair and embraced her.

"Would you like to come with me?"

Suddenly a voice sounded out, as they turned around only to see a handsome pale skinned man dressed in sackcloth with black messy hair.

"I am Dream of the Endless, and I can offer you a refuge for now, at least."

He spoke and gestured to them, and as both of them agreed he smiled and snapped his fingers before they were enveloped by a tornado of golden sand and disappeared.

"It's happening isn't it?"

Alan raised his head to the sky, watching the darkened skies and occasional beams of light that ripped through the void.