The Divine Trees of the Gods

“Hello, I am Zander Williams from the company of Tree Physiology Boncorp association of the ancient trees,” I said while shaking Mr. Shandom’s hand. He had broad shoulders and a sharp jawline almost making me feel like he was trying to intimidate me. “Ahh, it is only fate that we cross paths, and I assume you are making me an offer,” he said. “Well yes, but I promise you that if you do decide to invest you could be changing the whole medical community,” I responded with the lack of confidence. I already felt like I blew it. “Come on pull it together,” I muttered to myself.

“Ha!! Do you actually think I am going to invest in this dream chasing organization for made-up trees? Ha!!” Mr. Shandom said as he laughed diabolically. As I picked up my briefcase and got ready to leave, I saw Mr. Shandom laughing on the floor. I sighed as I walked out of the building. Then I thought why not just expedite it myself.

After months of going through ancient books of trees and getting my willful boss to let me explore the field of Tree Physiology instead of being one of those snot-nosed shrewd businessmen begging for rich men to invest in our small company. I first decided to start with something small. The Banyan tree!!! (1) I flew to India in search of the tree. Once I encountered it, I was awe struck by how big it was. Its branches spread across the sky beautifully shading me from the harsh sun. Then I decided to take the cell sample of a magnificent tree. It took three years of dedication. I broke it down in my mind to find a cell that could duplicate itself meaning that it could replace dead cells within itself.

I winced at this discovery. I could test it on myself… or give it to a lab who would take all of the credit. I huffed and then put these cells into a syringe. I closed my eyes and poked the end of the needle into one of my arms!!! Blood surfaced on top of my skin. I tried to move my body but it resisted. I felt so much pain crawl up my shoulder where I had punctured my skin. Darkness surrounded me, but I fought through. I realized that the skin on my shoulder was evaporating. I felt a burning sensation. There must have been acid in the cell. “Ahhh!!!” I groaned as I dropped to the floor.

I woke up: My skin on my shoulder was healed. “It worked,” I cried looking at my shoulder. Then I looked up at the tv. “Fire breaks out as the Manzanita (2) is being transported to the southern part of the UK, burning the elder trees they have there!! It is uncontrollable because of the flammable resin and oils that are packed in the Manzanita tree,” the reporter said. Before he finished I was already on my way to catch a plane heading to the UK.

I ran out of the airport and quickly took a taxi to the fire. I saw the flame as it took over the sky making it red and orange. I ran in as a firefighter yelled “Hey, you are not allowed to go in there!!!” The flame burned my skin yet had no effect on me because of the Banyan(1) tree cells. I remembered from the ancient books how some believed that devils would be created if the Elder (3) tree was burned and I became scared as I felt dark energy head south toward the trees of spirits located in Africa. The Baobab (4) tree!!! I ran and grabbed the evil spirits knowing their intentions. They want to control the spirits of the dead to do who-knows-what. I heard their ghostly whispers. “How can he see and touch us? Ahh!! He is one of the divine. “It burns!!! AHHHH!!” one of the devils said as he disintegrated into ashes.

Some of the devils escaped, taking the life out of their surroundings. I knew that they would outrun me in speed. Suddenly a deep voice said "Let those run-away devils go. They will bring the demon king to the overworld no matter what, but you must gather the twin trees. They both live in the sanctuary of the UK, but you must be fast before the demon king reaches his full power. Gather the three leaves of the Blackthorn,(5) the tree of witchcraft, and gather three leaves of the Hawthorn tree(6)–the tree of love and fairies–to make a brew that will allow you to cause pain to the demon king." After that, the deep voice vanished as I ran to the sanctuary. After a mile or two I had reached the sanctuary. I busted through the doors and saw the two trees side-by-side looking older than the world itself. I plucked the three leaves off of each of the trees. I ran to a near college and headed to the science lab. After putting water in a test tube, I,added the six leaves, and it caused a reaction!!!!

It turned into a purple color. I quickly chugged-a-lugged it and ran out of the college and headed to the site of the burned elder trees. I saw the sky darken as the six devils brought the spirits and combined them into one. Then the devils shoved them into the ground. A portal opened, but an even stranger creature in a suit of armor with a pale face emerged from it. His sly smile sent a shiver down my spine. I ran and punched his face. He groaned as he flopped sideways. "So you are the foretold mortal who would defeat me!!" he said. He still returned with a smile. His cheek seared from a burn. "I WILL DEVOUR YOU!!!" he yelled. Then he swung a punch right to my face. "Oof," I groaned. I returned it, making him stumble back. I realized that the portal behind him was still open and was closing fast. I lunged and shoved him into it right before it closed. The six devils from before scattered from fear. "You have done well mortal and on behalf of all the gods thank you for saving your world from spiraling into chaos." the deep voice said. "God just thanked me," I muttered. "Wow what a day!!!

Footnotes

1. Banyan tree (India, it represents longevity)

2. Baobab (African, it contains the spirits of the dead)

3. Elder tree (European Folklore, it is sacred but some believe if it burns it will create a devil. They are found all over the UK)

4. Manzanita (Indigenous people, it contains lots of flammable oils and resins. It lives in California)

5.Blackthorn, the tree of witchcraft from Europe

6. Hawthorne, the tree of fairies and love, also from Europe