The Discovery of Manipo (Part 5)

Fruit of Knowledge

I never imagined that the Tree of Knowledge would become integrated with the entrance to the Garden of Eden. It was a bittersweet moment. On the one hand, I had finally figured out the exact location of Eden, but on the other hand, I was still immobilized. I had started to think that Yahweh enjoyed teasing me.  

Per usual during that trip, I had many questions racing through my mind, which would only continue to multiply with the preceding events. Though the tree was breathtaking and intimidating, it hardly warranted a reason for anyone to try and hide themselves as David did. But then, just like the tree, more of what was invisible unveiled itself to me.  

Three of the cherubim had appeared, probably in response to David removing the book from the altar. Their description in the book of Ezekiel was spot on. And even though their facial expressions remained the same, the stench of their anger permeated the air. David wouldn't just be able to escape the cave, let alone his cubby hole, with those beings standing guard. That book probably contained forbidden knowledge, and the thought made me think about what the voice had beckoned in my dream. "He will not be stopped. Only at the appointed time."

Would David manage to escape? Is this the appointed time the voice spoke of? I didn't know, but for the first time, I feared that a battle would ensue, and even though I was technically not there, that hadn't seemed to matter. I just hoped that I'd be able to escape the conflict unscathed. I was supposed to have been a spectator; I repeated to myself as if I were an innocent bystander. In truth, my reasons for supplying myself with the knowledge of Eden's location were selfish. Deep down, I wanted to have a palpable experience with the garden. I wanted to acquire treasure that would've made me the wealthiest person to have ever lived - even more affluent than Mansa Musa. I never wanted to be without again, and with the power to manipulate time, I thought I'd be unstoppable. I thought my possibilities were limitless, but it turned out that more excellent authorities exist to keep my power in check. The supreme beings that had hovered before me were living proof of that.  

Staring into their eyes, I felt ashamed. It was as if they were judging me with their endless sight, and I began to wonder if they had also unveiled themselves to kill me because they knew the desires of my heart.

Fortunately for me, David turned out to be the highest on their radar. This was confirmed when the three men David had guided into the cave reappeared. Now, on their knees, I could hear their cries for forgiveness. The tantalizing allure of treasure and adventure was an offer they couldn't refuse—an enticing offer I understood all too well.  

As I continued watching the three men pray with the voracity of a thousand breaths, I was caught off guard by the appearance of a flaming sword in front of the middle cherub. And before I even had time to process, the sword released a burst of energy that descended diagonally to my right. David had tried to slip out unnoticed and, consequently, had to face a direct attack. Deep down, I had hoped the attack would take him out. Mainly because a drawn-out battle might not have been to my advantage, but David managed to withstand the blast using his bare hands.  

Even though the attack incapacitated him, I was astonished. How did he manage such a feat? One blast from the cherubim and my fight was over. So, how could he possibly defend against such creatures?  

Again, there was no time for continuous thought. Another blast from the sword hit its mark. David couldn't defend or evade because he had still been trying to dissipate the first attack's energy fully. The sound of crumbling rocks and rising dust told me that David had made an impact against the granite. After impact, I could hear grudging sounds coming from his vocal cords, which said to me that he was in pain. That's when two more flaming swords appeared before the other cherubim, and I knew that David was done for.  

Without wasting time, the cherubim unleashed a combo attack. The energy from their flaming swords had combined, taking the shape of a giant fireball. However, instead of launching the fireball, a fire stream protruded toward David. I knew that David was a goner and that I was witnessing my final moments. The energy emitted was indescribable, yet there was no question that when that attack landed, it would annihilate everything around it for miles. But before it could connect, the melodic sounds of a heavenly voice resounded all around. The melodies that came into existence were soothing but triumphant simultaneously. It was a male voice that originated with David, though I could never confirm this. David was out of sight. Though as surprising as it was to hear David sing, it was even more astonishing when his voice dissipated the attack from the flaming swords. Simultaneously, the winged beasts were thrown into a state of confusion. Proceeding, singular attacks were being launched in every direction. I was happy I hadn't been hit, but it was close a few times.

After a few more moments passed, David finally came within my eyesight. He was severely bruised. His clothes were shredded entirely from the waist up, revealing a stunning physique, and the left part of his mask was torn, revealing a blistered cheek.   

He was human. Knowing that certainly brought me a sense of comfort and relief. Up to that point, I hadn't met anyone with abilities. I thought I was the only one. In the place where I stored up a bit of anger toward David for immobilizing me, I began to feel desire. But not the romantic kind. I just wanted to know more about David. I wanted to see if he could tell me who I was. I wanted to know if we may have been related. I was raised in an orphanage and had never known my biological parents. Could he have had the answers I sought?

Unfortunately, I would never find out. He managed to escape, leaving me incapacitated. As he scurried by me, I saw the book he risked his life to obtain. It was a tome entitled "The Book of The Fallen." An angelic being was on the front cover with wings wrapped around the title. Besides how ominous it looked, they were the only details I could pick up on.  

Now that David was gone, the confusion the cherubim had faced turned to rage. This caused the ground to shake violently beneath my feet. The vibrations caused cracks in the Tree of Knowledge foundation and the cave walls and ceiling to crumble and fall. The smaller pieces of falling debris made contact with my skin, and I thought, "This was it." My life was about to end because I partook in the carnal sin of greed.   

I was at peace with the situation until, amongst the commotion, I heard the three men still praying. I had never offered any words to the Lord in submission, but I joined them. I prayed that the good Lord would spare me, and in exchange, I would do everything within my power to retrieve the tome David had stolen. I like to think that Yahweh heard my prayers and answered in earnest because that's when the sky of the cave opened up, revealing a heavenly light. It soothed the anger of the cherubim, and all movement ceased, aside from the three men still praying. Eventually, the light in the sky faded, and my focus landed on three green apples floating in the air just above the three men.  

Had the apples fallen from the tree? It seemed obvious. Didn't matter, though. They caught my attention, along with the three men. They had finally stopped praying and were now standing, gazing at the apples.

A loud, deep voice began speaking in a language I didn't understand. As a time traveler, I thought learning different languages was a good idea, but I was too busy getting rich quickly.  

The voice continued speaking. I listened intently without an inkling of understanding. Still, I wanted to recognize the language. It could serve a purpose at some point.  

Though I worried that the voice would go on and on and on, it spoke briefly, and in the aftermath of its silence, the green apples floating above began to glow. I watched in amazement as they became encased in a crystal-like substance. Once fully enveloped, the apples descended at the three men and reached out their arms to grab them. They then ate them, and the thought of rock candy came to mind. What else could they have possibly tasted like?

Once they had consumed the crystallized apples, the three men started glowing in the shade of a light green. They then disappeared, and I was overwhelmed by a sudden fatigue. The next thing I remember was waking up next to a campsite that housed three tents.