We witnessed Rachel starting to get uncomfortable with the tour experience. Let's see what happens next.
Chapter #5 ~ The Garden
The greenhouse dome showcases a harmonious design that blends seamlessly into its surroundings. Dewdrops sparkle on the dome's clear surface, catching the golden beams of morning sunshine. The outside is a tapestry of vibrant, climbing vines that wrap around the tower in lush tendrils, casting interesting shadows on the curved walls.
A symphony of colors arises from the perfectly groomed flower beds encircling the dome, where blossoms flutter in the light breeze. The entrance, surrounded by rustic wooden arches, greets guests with the perfume of flowering flora. As sunlight filters through the dome, it generates a kaleidoscope of dynamic patterns, transforming the façade into a live artwork that changes with the shifting.
The controlled climate enables plants to thrive by maintaining warmer temperatures, regulating humidity, and protecting them from external elements. The design of the greenhouse dome allows for efficient utilization of sunlight, ensuring maximum photosynthesis and promoting accelerated growth. Further away from the two installed are ventilation systems, shading devices, and temperature control mechanisms to fine-tune the internal conditions.
As they continued their exploration, they stumbled upon various people watering in the heart of a secluded valley, shrouded in perpetual mist, lies a botanical garden that defies the conventional notions of beauty. Thick foliage adorned well-kept beds, showcasing a mesmerizing array of plants that seemed to come alive with every gust of wind.
They enter through the rusted gates, and an oppressive silence descends, broken only by the distant, haunting whispers of the wind. The air is thick with an acrid scent that stings the nostrils, a combination of decay and an unsettling floral perfume.
As they continued their journey, they came across several individuals watering. In the center of a valley shrouded in perpetual mist lies a botanical garden that defies conventional beauty standards. As they pass through the rusting gates, an oppressive silence falls, broken only by the distant, haunting whispering of the wind.
The air is dense with an unpleasant aroma that stings the nostrils, a blend of decay and an eerie floral perfume. The girl started coughing as the odors became more concentrated on her. Rachel hurriedly covered her mouth and nose, panting awkwardly.
"Ugh! What is that terrible odor?" She screamed as her cheeks began to turn green.
"That's the new aroma in the gardens. Hold on, I got it," Nyx said as she fetched a mask from a nearby storage unit. The rainbowlass grabbed and donned it. She panted and sighed, as expected. As a result, they walk along the trail in the region.
The mossy, overgrown walkways were veiled in odd shadows cast by the trees' gnarled, twisted branches and legs. The greenery in this garden appears to be deteriorating. Sharp-petaled flowers, their vibrant colors masking a dreadful intent. Vine tendrils slither across the ground like skeletal fingers, searching for unsuspecting victims. The stems are massive and have spikes and expensive pedals for everyone. Most plants are stacked up, with many planting them properly as the mechs nearby glared at them.
A murky pond lies amid the garden, its calm waters reflecting a distorted, nightmare image of the surroundings. The aquatic plants within wriggle abnormally, and the water surface occasionally ripples with unseen movement. Stray beams of sickly green light pass through the dense foliage overhead, throwing an eerie tint on the hideous plants.
The odd rustle pierces the air, giving the impression that the plants are malicious and living. The shadows are full of strange, eerie noises, like whispers, groans, and even a low growl that makes skin crawl. There are frightening sculptures of twisted plant-human hybrids strewn about, frozen in strange poses that add to the melancholy ambiance.
Attempting to negotiate the convoluted passageways, the two come to a clearing where hideous blossoms emit clouds of pollen, causing dizziness and a sense of foreboding. The atmosphere is oppressive, and an uneasy feeling of being watched follows every movement.
Rachel lifted her eyebrows and twisted her head left and right. Throughout her vision, numerous plants sprang to mind. Among the many flowers that decorate the landscape, the exquisite orchids take the focus. Their elaborate patterns and delicate colors provide a captivating show evocative of a living art gallery.
As they travel more profoundly, the unusual plants inhabiting the botanical garden intrigue the rainbow glass. Towering palms with fluffy fronds rise to the sky, forming a lush canopy that provides welcome shade from the sun. The air is filled with the heady aroma of jasmine, whose little, star-shaped blossoms adorn the arching vines that thread their way up trellises. The beautiful rose is a popular flower recognized for its excellent smell and brilliant colors. The kinds range from delicate tea roses to robust hybrid teas.
In addition to roses, tropical plants contribute to the vibrant tapestry of botanical gardens. Exotic species like orchids captivate visitors with their intricate and diverse forms. The orchid family is vast, featuring various colors, shapes, and sizes. From the graceful Phalaenopsis to the flamboyant Cattleya, orchids showcase the stunning diversity of tropical flora.
"So intense looking plants. Is this supposed to be your...garden?" Rachel asked.
"Yes. We entered our botanical gardens. It's where we...were allowed to plant countless blooms." Nyx said as they went along.
"How does the king affect this area?" The rainbowlass asked to see some of the vines started, and she twisted her head, and they suddenly stopped. Sweat dripped from her head, and she scratched it while shaking.
"Well, he had a..."gardener" to display our best plants, and she delivered her immense botany to show her devotion. She even used the land's natural soil to help produce the best plants conceived. Roses, tulips, orchids, sunflowers, lilies, daisies, etcetera." Nyx continued.
As they moved on, Rachel tilted her head, raised an eyebrow, and saw a stack of roses. She went towards them and stopped, bent on her knees. Nyx flew next to her as she did.
"Check it out. These roses don't seem to be as intense as the others." Rachel said, and Nyx turned to her.
"Yes, but I won't get too close with them either," the ghost said, and the rainbowlass turned to her as she lifted her hand and levitated back to the path.
"Why? These flowers looked harmless compared to the rest." The rainbowlass said as she raised an eyebrow and shrugged her arms.
"True, but the gardener is very considerate of her flowers. It took her a while to get them blossoming. We mustn't lose track of the tour." Nyx said as they continued walking away. In a short glimpse, Rachel turned to the rose again before focusing on the road. Little did she know, the roses started to move and glared at her.
Venturing into the carnivorous plant area, the rainbowlass witnessed more plants ahead.
"To pass the time, I'll demonstrate the plants. That one is the Venus flytrap. This unique plant lures and captures insects with specialized leaves, creating a natural spectacle that educates and entertains. The sensitive trigger hairs on the Venus flytrap's leaves snap shut when stimulated, allowing the plant to digest its prey and absorb essential nutrients."
"Huh," Rachel said as the Venus trap caught a fly, and then, the phantom pointed to another set of flowers.
"Succulents, with their water-retaining adaptations, are another enchanting category within the botanical gardens. Cacti, such as the iconic saguaro, thrive in arid environments and display a striking silhouette against the landscape. These resilient plants have adapted to survive in harsh conditions, making them a testament to nature's ingenuity." Nyx continued.
"I see..." Rachel as she observed the plants as they advanced to another stack.
"And these are cherry blossoms. A spectacle that graced many botanical gardens during the spring season, these delicate flowers, known as sakura, symbolize the transient beauty of life in Japanese culture. Our gardener has "excellent" taste," Nyx said as the girl observed them. The ghost looked away and rolled her eyes as she twisted her head left and right before they returned to the road.
Some gardeners got stuck inside the entrapping tentacles, trying to free themselves with their knives and trowels. Some slash onto the plants, and some scream as they shake their bodies. Nyx cast an orb from her hand, causing the appendages to release the workers from imprisonment, and some gained a collective sigh of relief. A small smile emerged from Rachel as she refocused on the road ahead.
As they walked further, they saw more planters settling with the plants, including one inhabitant who was nearby an orange-and-yellow muppet, a dark green amphibian, and cloud-man, and black and silver mechs. The man, name-tagged "Lawrence," was a skinny, gray origami rock man with a messy teal shirt and black trousers.
The hat on the man's head bears orange, white, and red stripes, and on the neck lies an orange tie. He wore a mask and gloves and used two-shaped blades with red handles. He was moving steadily, chipping off branches and leaves.
Below them is a stack of cutting branches and leaves scattered across the area and collected. Before the two reached the exit, Nyx flowed to the man with the rainbow glass following her. As she does, she turns around and sees an emblem very similar to the previous emblem she saw before, but it's upside down, and horns going upward. She tilted her head as she went along with the ghost. The man suddenly stopped as he heard the flow.
"Mr. Needlemeyer, how are the bushes coming along?" the phantom asked, and the man turned around.
"They're almost complete, your Highness. It's fine with just a few more notches on this project." Larry said before he noticed Rachel standing by, and she slightly waved as her eyes narrowed.
"Uh...hi." She responded.
"I say, my queen. You brought one of the maids with you? And why's she's...shorter?" Lawrence asked as the rainbowlass raised an eyebrow, and she scratched her chin.
"Wait. Maid?" Rachel asked, and Nyx stood beside her.
"She's a recovering amnesiac from the Void. Let's not mistake her for someone else." Nyx said as the worker nodded.
"Of course. Anyway, the project here is near its completion. And I'm sure the "g-gardener" would be honored to see this. Right, guys?" The worker said that the term caused the workers to halt expectedly. The mechs' pupils shrunk, and the rest shook and gasped as if there was a stake in their hearts and nodded afterward. Nyx flew over and placed her hand on her shoulder.
"Indeed, I advise you to show your best in this project and use caution as a tool. Anyway, please resume your work." Nyx said as she and Rachel left.
"Yes, our queen." The workers aid as they resume cutting the bushes. As they walked away, Rachel turned to the ghost and shrugged her arms.
"Can you explain what he meant by calling me a "maid" and referring to the gardener?" The rainbowlass asked. Nyx cleared her throat in response.
"He mistook you for someone else. And remember what I said about her being very considerate of her flowers? Yeah... That's why." The ghost said.
"What kind of gardener caused the workers to act like that?" Rachel asked, tilting her head.
"She takes her botany skills seriously and won't tolerate slackers. They were given expectations and failed," The phantom explained as they left, watching as the rainbowlass removed her mask.
"Okay," Rachel said as she placed the mask on the nearby stacks. Nyx scratched her head as they strolled and sighed quietly as she looked down.
'I know I'm not telling her the full info, but I can't risk it knowing her condition,' The phantom said in her mind as they left the botanical gardens.
As Lawrence and his fellow workers were pruning the bushes in the gardens, they suddenly heard a growling sound coming from the shadows. They also noticed the nearby leaves were moving, and a few vines were slithering across the path. Lawrence stopped cutting and turned around, feeling a little nervous. The other workers also paused and listened as the growling got louder. Lawrence raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Uh, no. It's feeding time," he said, sweat starting to drop from his head as the sounds grew closer.
The tour isn't over yet.