Chapter 30: A Choice To Make

Ethan could feel that his condition was getting better and better by the minute. He could feel the dream slowly slipping through his fingers. There was no time to ponder anymore. Ethan finally decided to go ahead with exploring the temple.

He stepped through the huge two doors and found himself in a massive open field that was more of a beautiful garden full of flowers, and large trees with a colorful variety of fruits as well as beautiful leaves.

The most bizarre thing about it was that there seemed to be an actual sun up in the sky creating ample atmosphere for the beautiful greenery all around, "Is it artificial? How miraculous." Ethan thought as he looked up and down, left and right.

It was nothing less than a heavenly sight of The Celestial Garden of Gods, "What a beautiful place... How good it would be to nap in a place like this." Ethan muttered as he looked around the wonderous flowery fields and towering tall trees.

The whole garden had some kind of Holy ambiance to it that cleansed one's soul itself. It was so calming that Ethan felt drowsy just by standing there. He could feel his mind become empty with no worries or baggage in a state of total mindfulness and meditation.

Ethan shook his head vigorously and broke off from the trance jolted awake. He could feel that all the fruits, trees, and flowers in the garden could simply not be ordinary.

Ethan decided to move forward further inside as he walked toward the corridor in the middle of the garden that was supported by strong, circular white pillars. The corridor was also surrounded by beautiful trees with large, pinkish-Scarlet colored leaves that were falling occasionally on the ground.

Ethan felt somewhat reluctant to leave as he once again looked around for the last time. After entering the garden—the first thing one could see was the beautiful long corridor and the scarlet trees in a lane on both sides of it.

Then there was a beautiful open field of various flowers on both sides of the corridor just after the scarlet trees and then lastly far into the distance where the field ended—a miniature jungle full of tall trees with different fruits on them began. It wasn't much extensive but there were still a considerable amount of trees in it.

Ethan sighed and began walking in the corridor. After a few minutes, he saw another entrance which led him to a chamber.

The glistening glow of golden hue suddenly met him as he entered the chamber and saw something which he did not expect to see in a place such as a temple.

What Ethan saw was a large chamber full of riches. gold coins, silver coins, jewels, diamonds, ornamented swords, shining armor, artistic sculptures, and paintings.

There was every kind of expensive thing that one could ever hope for. All that gold was shining brightly making the whole chamber glitter with golden radiance.

While the chamber itself wasn't any less lavish. Its walls were engraved with glowing gemstones and gold polish. The dome which was the ceiling of the chamber was adorned with diamonds and silver while a huge extravagant chandelier made tinking sounds.

All this wealth was more than enough to make anyone the wealthiest man in Akarxia.

Ethan did not even flinch as he saw all the riches and calmly walked ahead toward the end of the chamber.

As he was walking not even sparing a glance at the incredible wealth all around him; a glittering gold coin suddenly got in his way. Ethan stopped in his tracks and picked up the gold coin with a curious expression.

He scrutinized the coin from all sides and made sure that without a doubt it was real. But even then he completely ignored everything and exited the Treasure Room not looking back even once.

Ethan left the Treasury and when he got out—he saw various ancient stone buildings all around the place along with a few citadels-like structures.

He walked deep further and a large, magnificent stone castle appeared in his sight

"What the hell is this place?" Ethan said under his breath as he entered the castle.

As soon as he entered the castle his eyes widened with delight and excitement as he uttered, "Holy Sh*t!"

Because it was no castle he was in—it was an ancient grand library full of ancient, extinct, rare books full of knowledge.

If there was something Ethan cared the most about after himself, it was knowledge. And the best way to gain knowledge was to read books.

Along with Arts, Ethan also enjoyed reading books the most, and the grand library he was in had thousands of books packed with all sorts of knowledge.

The scent of dust, old books, and the sound of the huge clock's pendulum along with the fluttering of pages was the most tempting thing for Ethan.

He was going to forget about everything and continue to read as many books as possible but suddenly he experienced some sort of weird surge deep inside his soul as darkness flickered before his eyes momentarily.

"This is about to be over... I should hurry." Ethan thought and left the library with a resigned expression on his face.

More time passed since Ethan walked passed the Grand Library but nothing else was in sight.

A noticeable thing was that everything else besides the garden was in the darkness only illuminated by the light particles so Ethan was simply walking mindlessly at this point.

He took another step forward and abruptly faint ripples generated below his feet—Ethan found himself in an unfamiliar location where there was absolutely nothing besides the light particles and the darkness. As if he was in outer space.

Ethan did not get any opportunity to think anything as a voice suddenly echoed, "You saw the things that a variety of humans desire the most. Now choose! One or nothing! You may choose only one from what you saw."

The voice said and the picture of the garden along with the grand library and treasure chamber manifested in front of Ethan.

it was a gentle male voice—almost angelic in a way.

Abruptly, Ethan felt a burst of headache along with information entering his mind, "Damn you! At least give out a warning before doing these things!" Ethan yelled knitting his brows as he stumbled backward holding his head with both of his hands.

The information which suddenly entered Ethan's mind was about the Garden, Library as well as Treasure.

The Garden was called the 'Garden of Adam' which had small essence of Old Gods' Blessings and Powers inside the various fruits that were on the towering trees. And all the flowers had the highest medical as well as spiritual efficacy.

The Treasure Trove was called, 'Treasures of Kuber' and it was a collection of immense wealth and riches as well as some rare ancient artifacts.

And the 'Library of The Sage God' was simply heaven for anyone who yearned for knowledge.

Ethan currently needed all the things that were mentioned to survive in the new world... Or did he?.... Only he knew the truth.

Ethan's face was brimming with confidence and resolve as he seemed to already know what he wanted—he didn't even need to think much to decide. Was it the knowledge? Power? Or the Riches?

Ethan's lips curled upward forming an enchanting gentle smile as he called out, "I can choose only one from what I saw so far, right? Then in that case... I choose...."

(AN - Thanks y'all for the support. Because of it, the book is now contracted. I urge you all to keep supporting me on this journey. Enjoy!")