Gardens of Destruction

Valentina surged through the battlefield with a clarity of purpose, her movements a dance of death. Her staff transformed into a long blade, shimmering with the hues of demise, as she cleaved through an adversary. Their scream was a testament to the agony inflicted, a sound not of this Earth, as their form was split asunder.

The anguish of her transformed brethren weighed heavily on her, their psychic cries for salvation reaching her, their queen, only to find no reprieve. She could only share in their torment, a burden that fueled her wrath further. Her staff, responding to her fury, split into four scythe-like blades, becoming instruments of destruction that cleaved through everything within a several-meter radius.

She ran with a speed that defied her exhaustion, her enhanced strength battling the weakness that lingered from a life once lived. Occasionally, she felt the presence of her former self, unsure of its nature but increasingly allowing it to merge with her new identity.

Everyone feared her. Even her own kind. Even her mother. She could see it in Jana’s eyes, in her hesitant actions. Valentina understood that Jana struggled to accept her for what she had become. Despite her deep love for her mother, for whom she would overturn the world just for a smile or a gentle embrace, Valentina felt a profound need for her. Even amid the chaos of battle, she wished for a glimpse of Jana, for a whisper of courage, a reminder of her significance.

Darkness enveloped her soul as she neared the Garden. It was a sight both magnificent and terrifying, a nexus of countless fates. Her mind recoiled from the secrets hidden within by the Gardeners, a new world, a colony of pain and loss for its inhabitants.

The battle raged on. Valentina no longer paused in her strikes; her staff was designed to follow her motions, allowing her to pierce through any foe that dared cross her path effortlessly. She didn’t count her victims, nor did she care for their reasons. They were compelled to fight, a fact she understood well, yet it brought her a perverse satisfaction to vent her wrath and the absorbed anguish of the dying transformed. She knew Mark was alive, her faith in the seasoned warrior unwavering. He would lead her children to their demise, a true warrior aiding them in redeeming their sins, proudly guiding them to their only salvation—death.

Unsure of how she arrived at the threshold of the Garden, Valentina knew she must enter, yet part of her resisted, while another knew this was her destiny. She quelled her hesitation by cleaving through the mad creature that dared block her path.

The beauty of the garden struck her. She had not anticipated such vibrancy, having known it only as a place of darkness and confinement. Now, it bloomed in full, the flower of death displaying its thorns, commanding fear and admiration in equal measure.

Leaving the battle behind, she turned to offer a final farewell to Mark and the transformed, uncertain of her return or their survival. Boldly stepping forward amidst the alien flora filling the spaces before her, she noted timid efforts to assimilate Earth’s plant life into the Garden’s ecosystem.

Valentina encountered no beings on her path. Even those that briefly emerged to observe her quickly retreated back into their burrows, intimidated by her presence. She had no intention of killing anyone, though she knew some would have attempted it had they not seen the staff in her hand. Their fear of the Gardeners was too great, their years of enslavement too ingrained to dare dream of freedom.

Valentina harbored a purpose, a mission instilled within her by her enigmatic guardians, the race of the Sh`ur. They had imparted all their knowledge upon her, and in gratitude, she was compelled to follow their meticulously laid plans. But was she truly bound to their will?

They had directed her to find the chamber, the very heart of the Garden where she could thwart the Gardeners’ sinister agenda to shift Earth’s orbit. Though she had not ventured through the innards of this celestial leviathan before, the knowledge of what she needed to do was etched into her consciousness. Her search led her to the discovery, hidden among the foliage and flora, of the internal transport system of the spaceship – The Garden. The installation appeared as colossal tubular structures, vanishing into the asteroid’s infinite ascents. Approaching cautiously, Valentina extended her hand into the aperture, feeling a strong upward draft, its origin unseen. Realizing its significance, she steeled herself, clutched her staff firmly, and plunged into the void. The air current embraced her, propelling her upwards, ever upwards. With closed eyes, she navigated by instinct, occasionally passing by various openings that offered glimpses into the Garden’s vastness, yet none were what the Sh`ur had spoken of. The image they had seared into her mind was unmistakable.

What felt like an eternity passed in her upward journey through the conduit. So engrossed was she in her ascent that she nearly missed her exit. The landscape was exactly as the Sh`ur had shown her. With an instinctive push against the tube’s side, she propelled herself towards the opening, which ejected her onto the soft vegetation outside. Surveying her surroundings carefully, she found herself amidst a thicket of alien plant life, innocuous to her touch as her staff remained inert.

Guided by the mental map the Sh`ur had provided, she knew the chamber was near. The distant sounds of battle were now absent, leaving her to wonder about the heights she had achieved. Miles must lie beneath her, given the duration spent in the transport tube. The more pressing matter was locating the hall that housed the controls to disable the engines.

Wandering for what seemed a lengthy period, Valentina pondered the deceptive nature of the map in her mind. Proximities were misleading; what appeared near took ages to reach within the asteroid’s expansive interior. She marveled at the exotic creations of unknown star systems, transported here, light-years away from their origins. The Sh`ur had been tight-lipped about the enigmatic Gardeners, their purposes shrouded in mystery, though their methods were well-documented.

Clutching her staff, Valentina stepped through one of the countless arches demarcating the chambers. Pausing to take in her surroundings, she froze, recognizing the location. It matched the vision imparted by her mentors.

The peculiar altar before her was easy to locate. Its surface adorned with metal rings, each inscribed with alien glyphs. The Sh`ur had entrusted her with the sequence, now ingrained in her mind. Completing the code, an aperture appeared atop the altar. With a mixture of trepidation and resolve, she reached inside to retrieve various small cubes, each bearing inscriptions akin to dice, similar to the one she had shown the children at the monastery. She secured them carefully; her task here was accomplished. What remained was to find the devices siphoning energy from Earth’s core, a detail the Sh`ur had not revealed. She scanned her surroundings thoroughly... and then, she saw it.

The three-meter-tall entity tended to a magnificent giant plant, a transformed human kneeling submissively by its side. Suddenly, the plant unfurled its jaw-like petals and devoured the man in a single gulp. A hologram-like image flickered into existence, portraying Valentina walking hand in hand with a Gardener.

“A rare species! If pleased, it can see into the future,” the creature spoke in its odd voice, gazing fondly at the carnivorous flora.

Valentina caught the creature’s intrigued look and knew she had stumbled upon a Gardener. She had never seen one before, not even in the teachings of the Sh`ur, whose dread of these beings was profound. Yet, understanding dawned on her as she scrutinized the figure – towering, clad in what resembled a skirt, surprisingly humanoid compared to the other entities she had encountered. From the waist up, its body was bare, revealing a metallic organic structure. Its arms, insect-like with mantis shapes, ended in metallic blades that reached the ground and twitched nervously.

But it was the creature’s head that startled her the most, resembling an elongated monkey skull with a pronounced jaw, seemingly assembled from large pieces linked by metallic threads. Its eyes, though human-like in number, bore no resemblance to humanity.

Shaking off her initial shock, Valentina believed the Gardeners hadn’t awakened yet, but this one had emerged from hibernation. Hoping it was still weak, she launched an attack with a screeching metallic cry, wielding her staff with fury. The Gardener dodged effortlessly, its size belying its agility, and parried her blow without counterattacking.

“So, you’re the Other, the one spoken of, awaited?” it resumed speaking.

Valentina, though furious, understood it perfectly.

“What do they say about me?” she demanded.

The creature stepped closer. “All our creations speak of you. The one who can remove pain. Is it true?”

“Why do you ask all this?” she snapped, irritation mounting.

“So, it is you!” the creature nodded slightly. “So small, yet...”

“Maybe it’s me. Now step aside before I kill you!”

“Such anger in you! The Sh`ur have prepared you well. You hate us without knowing us.”

“I don’t want to know you!” Valentina charged again.

Their clash lasted a few seconds before the Gardener withdrew, seemingly unfazed by her staff’s power. Its blade-like fingers absorbed her strikes without significant damage.

“You fight well! A beautiful weapon, we haven’t seen one like it in ages,” the Gardener observed.

“Why do you flee? Are you afraid of me?” Valentina spat out, her voice laced with bitterness and anger.

The Gardener closed its eyes then slowly reopened them, fixing her with an intense stare. “I don’t wish to kill you. You’re a unique masterpiece. We don’t destroy true art; we preserve it.”

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand any of this, what masterpiece!” Valentina, now curious despite herself, tempered her aggression.

The creature’s laugh, though sinister, didn’t sound like laughter to the child. “They haven’t told you about us, have they? That’s because even the Sh`ur don’t fully understand.”

“What should I know?” Valentina asked, her aggression giving way to intrigue.

“That we are the architects of the Garden. Don’t you want to know what it truly represents?”

Valentina found herself more confused by the Gardener’s behavior. She had expected immediate hostility, but instead, the creature seemed to avoid conflict, seeking conversation. Was it fear? A ploy for time? It appeared neither; it simply observed her with fascination.

“Tell me about the Garden before I end you!” Valentina demanded with a confrontational edge.

The creature retracted its blade-like fingers to rest beside one another and settled onto an object resembling a seat.

“You blame us for the afflictions befalling your race, I presume?” it queried.

Valentina, maintaining a cautious distance with her staff firmly in hand, nodded, her gaze locked onto the entity.

“We are the custodians of life! Without us, countless civilizations would have vanished into oblivion, leaving no trace for others. The Garden, this colossal structure, was conceived with the preservation of life at its core. For eons, we have voyaged across the galaxy, gathering diverse species. Alas, not all survive the ordeal,” it confessed with genuine sorrow. “Yet, we safeguard their genetic essence.”

“Why do you transform them? They suffer!” Valentina accused softly, her eyes piercing into the being’s shadow-filled gaze.

Unfazed, it responded, “You fail to grasp our mission. It’s not merely about curating a collection.”

“Collection? This is no museum! They are in agony, can’t you see?” Valentina pressed.

The entity remained calm, “We are creators, little one! Our calling is to craft Art. Nature has wrought these beings imperfectly. Our supreme endeavor is to amend this by sculpting the perfect species.”

“And for this, you meld different civilizations?” Valentina inquired, her curiosity piqued.

“Do you not appreciate the outcome? We are getting better at it. Eventually, we will succeed with humans as well. For now, there are too many... imperfections caused by the variances in their fundamental structure. But we have always produced unique art, and we will continue to do so!” the entity declared.

“This isn’t art; it’s torture!”

“Perspective varies!” the Gardener countered with a clack of its jaws, continuing, “We have engineered thousands of species resilient to nature’s whims. This is the highest form of art, one beyond your comprehension. Join us, and in time, we’ll teach you the beauty of amalgamation. The pain will fade. You’ll become the finest among us, I’m certain. Especially with the beings from this planet, they are splendid material, and you, who can sense them, can work wonders with them,” it said, enthused.

“That’s abhorrent. I cannot do it. I am a warrior!”

“Then why did you open the Source and take the cubes? Did the Sh`ur not explain their purpose? Yes, you can create warriors. Ones to your liking, for art knows no bounds. Look what they achieved with you, a descendant of a warrior race we couldn’t modify. We failed to preserve them for the Collection; they all fought to death. The Sh`ur have outdone themselves this time, discovering how to utilize their DNA.”

“This time? There have been others?”

“You think you’re their first experiment? Not even on this planet. They’ve been preparing for a long time... even before the Garden’s arrival here! They’ve had ample time to study you. The Covenant forbids contact with a planet designated for the Collection!”

“That’s not true!” Valentina was horrified by the notion that such experiments had been ongoing.

“Want an example? The D’kra have become terrifying soldiers. Uncontrollable, but effective, we appreciate this gift!” the Gardener added.

Shocked, Valentina couldn’t believe the Sh`ur were capable of such actions, not after they had saved her. Or was it really salvation?

“But you are their most incredible creation!” the entity added.

“I won’t allow you to punish them for it!” she declared.

“Punish them? Why? Art should know no bounds. They are free to create, even if all their attempts are aimed at killing us.”

“You’ve enslaved them!” Valentina protested.

“We are not what you think,” the Gardener stated. “Neither are the Sh`ur!” it added, “Be cautious around them; they are beautiful plants but can be very... dangerous for you, for all humans, for us!”

“Plants?”

Valentina pondered, realizing she actually had no recollection of the Sh`ur’s appearance. She had always communicated with them in a semi-conscious state.

Valentina shook her head sharply, dispelling the engulfing thoughts and doubts.

“Enough talk, my mission is to stop you. Prepare for battle!” she declared firmly and lunged at her opponent from above.

The creature appeared wholly unfazed by her aggression.

“It would be a pity to kill you, you’re far too precious an exhibit!”

Valentina’s leap took it by surprise, and when she landed behind it, the creature couldn’t block her strike effectively, allowing her to slice through its robe-like garment.

“That was beautiful!” the creature admired.

“Prepare to die!” she shouted and leaped again.

This time, the Gardener was ready, its fan-like blades parrying the staff and delivering a counter-strike that grazed the child’s tender skin, leaving small cuts on her rosy flesh.

She didn’t even flinch. Bravely, she continued the fight with her gigantic adversary. Despite its cumbersome appearance, it somehow managed to dodge the precise lethal strikes of her staff, as if anticipating every move. It managed to wound her a second time.

“It’s not too late to join us!” the creature persuaded.

“Never!” she screamed at the start of another attack.

“That staff won’t help you; we constructed it! We know how it works! You can’t defeat us with it!”

Valentina didn’t reply but doubled the force and effort in her strikes, achieving no success. The Gardener managed to repel her, and with each attack, her situation worsened. She received new wounds each time.

Feeling her end nearing and her energies waning, blood loss exacerbating her condition. With each strike she dealt, the creature returned three, each more painful than the last. At one moment, the Gardener nearly impaled her on one of its fingers. Pushed into a corner of the room, she knew death was imminent if she allowed it. In a desperate leap, she tried to vault over it and escape its grasp. It sensed her intentions. Valentina felt the blades deeply penetrate her frail body during the jump.

Landing exhausted on the ground, Valentina fell to her knees. Something within her began to change. The crystals in her hair vibrated and stood up like a lion’s mane, emitting a faint glow. The Gardener attacked, but her mane extended and curled, repelling him like an invisible barrier. Surprised, the creature watched as her staff instinctively transformed into dozens of thin blades. Attempting to fend them off with its razor-fingers, several of the staff’s blades extended and pierced the creature. Recoiling, wounded and disheartened, Valentina with a final monumental leap and unearthly effort impaled the Gardener on her staff. It screamed in agony and fear. The chamber stirred with anger. She felt them coming for her. Frightened, Valentina darted into the bushes of the strange trees, running endlessly until she reached the downward air tube. Leaping in, she felt the massive blades had torn through her leg. It hurt, this time truly hurt.

Falling deeper and deeper, she lost all sense of time and space. Everything began to lose meaning for her. She couldn’t remember, didn’t know. She realized somehow she had made it out of the garden, out into the open. Walking was difficult for her. Mentally screaming, she wished someone would carry her away. As if hearing her call, a moment later, a massive transformed bison appeared and stamped its hooves before her. She threw herself onto its neck, frightened and desperate.

As if from nowhere, Fury also appeared. The small spiky creature had gathered an army of its kind, and all charged alongside the bison to escort their queen. Valentina closed her eyes and slipped into oblivion.

***

In the darkness, the grotesque being in a purple cloak knelt beside the dead Gardener’s body, holding a beautiful, small crystal structure. It directed its hands towards the chest of the Master’s lying form. Angry metallic shrieks startled it. The creature quickly stood and fled into the gloom.

“Death! Sorrow! Emptiness! They were not all anymore. The balance was disturbed! They felt, understood, realized! The feeling of nothing filled their consciousness where they were used to seeing something else. Punishment, awe! They wanted, insisted, convinced that they needed the Other, but did they really need her? They did not know, but the Garden of Destruction seemed to understand!”