Zinnia's Tree - Day 4

#### 3 Days Remained.

It was a little windier this time, though the 7 weren't any more eager to enter the temple than before. When they open the book, it speaks of the fox... and supposedly it has a name? Like the other days, The fox sat there with a blank face, swishing its tail back and forth, waiting for them to pick up the seeds. When they pick them up, Cyrus scrambles up the stairs, followed soon after.

As soon as they arrive at the tree, Cyrus curls up into a ball and goes to sleep. Odd fox. As usual, they gaze upon the tree, and drop the seeds. Their vision begins to fill with red, and with a pop, it goes black, putting them to sleep. They awoke in a room, pillars surrounding them except for in front of them. The wall in front of them was glass, with oddly placed walls, blocking the path. At the beginning, Cyrus sat, waiting for them. On the ground were 7 panels, with 5 numbers placed around the room.

They began to look around, behind the pillars had odd designs... but it was hard to tell what they were... not to mention the book was also hard to understand: "Read. Pay attention." They start to randomly press the button. Nothing. After a bit of looking around, Kasumira deciphers the walls: Inside the pillars." As soon as this was said, they frantically started to check every pillar, eventually they found little slots for paper, and pulled the papers out.

> "The key is not seen"
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> "Read from left to right."
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> "Top left, top right, bottom right."
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They press the 6th panel, and it opens the first wall. Cyrus trots over, and stops at the next wall. They press the 2nd button. The second wall opened. Cyrus trots through. They press the 1st, 3rd, and 7th button. Cyrus goes to the final wall. After pressing the 4th and 7th, Cyrus walks into the hallway. A whisper sounds through the room: You may proceed. They blink, and suddenly they're... in the sky?!? The sky was clear blue, the sun at its peak. The clouds blocked the view of the surface, a sea of clouds you might say. Walking around, they realized they couldn't fall. They were spread around like a circle, and in its center, was a floating lectern with a book. The 4th memory. A voice echoes.

> *"I am Fear. I am the terror, and discourage that the sisters possess. I am the twin and counterpart of Hope."*
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Fear begins to tell them more of Zinnia, and what she is. For many years, Zinnia has resided in the Overworld, as we all know, "playing" with many that encounter the tree. After doing this for 550 years.. she became insane. The Zinnia that the 7 see is a version of her that is more... contained, the person she wants everyone to see, so she doesn't drive them away.

But she was doing more than just playing. Before she died, she brought the seeds with her, and let them scatter in the wind. When she did die, she spread her life energy, to go along with these seeds, to ensure they grew. After death, she watched over these seeds. The seeds grew, and flourished, growing into what they are now. The manifestations of Zinnia's emotions. This would mean they are her daughters, but they are also her. And they are speaking to one of the "seeds" at this very moment.

Zinnia became blind after death. Most of her "life" in death, she was fine with being blind. But as the years grew nearer, she slowly started getting ideas. They required her sight. The plans she has for the Overworld, requires not only her sight, but a body to walk the Earth. She needs a vessel.

This is all Fear had to offer, other than the stone that they were given. This one had eyes...

> *"Heed my warning, oh children of Earth. Your time is nearing, but you must be weary. For you all but one shall proceed to the 6th day, should their death be of endless suffering."*
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And with that, they begin to fall, then their vision go black.

They awaken back at the Tree of Fear, with Zinnia standing behind them. Her body is still invisible, her only hint of presence being the floating armor that she wears. She didn't sound as cheerful as she usually did. She immediately asked for the stone. They said no, and Zinnia immediately pinned Kasumira down, knowing she had the stone. Micheal knocked her away, allowing for Kas to get away. After that, everyone began to fight Zinnia, the second fierce clash they've had now. Zinnia attacked with rage, nothing was stopping her now. Their only chance was to let Kas fly away, and so she did. That's when Zinnia gave up.

Everyone wanted to know why, "it was a test" couldn't have been the reason for this time.

> *My sight... I need..*
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That's when it hit them. The stone. It had the sight she needed. With the stone, she no longer needed to use a vessel to see the world for herself. She could do as she pleased, commanding and bending life's will to her own, in her ghostly form. Illios had something else to offer however... necromancy. Using her magic, she could bring her back to life as her own body, so she may walk the Earth without having to go through the trouble of choosing the "perfect" vessel. With doubt in her voice, Zinnia said that's impossible... could it be true? Zinnia no longer wanted to talk much longer, and with that, she says farewell, and vanishes in another whirlwind of leaves.