As the sun rose over the verdant expanses of Eden, casting long shadows and painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Adam and Eli prepared to depart from Shep and Kaiah. Beneath the ancient, sprawling branches of a gnarled tree, they shared their farewells, the air filled with a bittersweet sense of parting.

  Adam, with a twinkle in his eye despite the solemnity of the moment, clapped Eli on the shoulder. "Remember, if you get lost on the way back to Eden, just follow the light—or the trail of your laughter!" he joked, lightening the heavy mood.

  Eli chuckled, the sound mingling with the morning birdsong. "I'll make sure to leave breadcrumbs too, just in case," he replied, his smile broadening.

  With heartfelt embraces and promises to keep the light burning, Adam and Eli turned towards home, their paths veering back to their loved ones and the life awaiting them in Eden. The weight of their departure hung in the air, but the laughter lingered, a reminder of the enduring bonds forged in light and shadow.

  Shep and Kaiah watched their mentors recede into the distance, then mounted their steeds, Brontes and Starlight, and set their sights on the uncharted territories that lay beyond the familiar borders of Eden. The lands here were wild, untouched by the light of Eden until now. As they ventured deeper, they encountered creatures that were as curious as they were cautious.

  Injured and weary animals, bearing the scars of survival in darkness, approached them hesitantly.

  With gentle hands, Shep and Kaiah healed a limping deer and a bird with a broken wing. To their awe and the animals' evident relief, the wounds healed rapidly under their touch, the light from their hands weaving a visible aura of healing. The deer bounded away, vigorous and renewed, while the bird took to the skies in a flourish of gratitude.

  One afternoon, following an intense skirmish with a swarm of demons that had ambushed them in a narrow pass, Shep and Kaiah stumbled upon a hidden grove that seemed untouched by the chaos of battle.

  One sultry afternoon, as the sun bore down upon the rugged landscape, Shep and Kaiah navigated a particularly narrow pass, its steep cliffs casting long, ominous shadows across their path. Without warning, a swarm of demons erupted from the crevices, their forms a blur of darkness and malice. The air crackled with the energy of the ensuing battle, Shep and Kaiah moving in a dance of light, their weapons slicing through the air, imbued with divine light that repelled the dark forces.

  As the last of the demons dissolved into wisps of shadow, Shep and Kaiah, breathless and weary yet unscathed, pressed onward. The path, now cleared, meandered through a thicket that whispered secrets of ancient times. Pushing through the dense underbrush, they stumbled upon a hidden grove, a stark contrast to the turmoil they had just endured.

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  This secluded haven was a tapestry of vibrant greens and soft, dappled sunlight that filtered through the canopy overhead. The air here was cooler, filled with the fragrance of flowers and the fresh, earthy scent of moss. Birds sang from hidden perches, and the gentle burble of a nearby stream added to the grove’s tranquil melody.

  At the heart of this serene oasis stood an imposing figure—the Tree of Wisdom. It towered above them, its vast trunk gnarled and twisted with age, yet exuding a regal presence. The bark was silvery-gray, shimmering subtly as if reflecting the light of an unseen moon. Each leaf was a perfect, vivid green, edged with a hint of gold, rustling softly as if in communication with the gentle breeze.

  Kaiah approached the tree reverently, placing a hand upon its cool bark. The touch sparked a connection that was both electric and soothing. Knowledge, ancient and vast, seemed to flow from the tree into her, visions of epochs past and wisdom from times forgotten filling her mind’s eye.

  Shep joined her side, his expression awed. “This... this has to be the Tree of Wisdom, doesn’t it?” he whispered, almost afraid to disturb the hush of the grove.

  Kaiah nodded. “It must be. The Father spoke of such a tree in the Eden scrolls—where knowledge blossoms from its branches like fruit. The way it feels, the energy... it’s like understanding itself has taken root here.”

  Shep looked around, taking in the peaceful grove. “And the demons didn't touch this place. They couldn’t. Maybe it’s because of what it represents, something they can never corrupt or understand.”

  “The wisdom here,” Kaiah mused, her eyes reflective, “it’s not just knowledge. It’s a reminder of how deeply the Father knows His creation, how deeply He loves. Every leaf, every ripple in that stream—it’s all part of a greater wisdom we’re just beginning to understand.”

  Together, they spent moments more in silence, absorbing the serenity and the profound significance of their discovery. The Tree of Wisdom stood as a beacon of divine knowledge, untouched by the chaos that had once threatened its borders, promising guidance and insight for the journey ahead.

  As they collected its sap, their days continued, each encounter teaching them more about the resilience and diversity of life that had thrived in secrecy. They mapped the lands, named the creatures, and felt the weight of their responsibility and the joy of their mission deepen.

  However, as the sun reached its zenith one day, suddenly a heavenly being, Gabriel, appeared. He was one of God’s archangels. His armor was gold and his wings large and strong. His voice held the authority of heaven. He spoke with urgent clarity: "Go home, there is trouble. I will cut a path for you straight to the City of Eden.” Before they left for home Gabriel went to the tree of wisdom and got some of the sap from beneath the bark.

  “Kaia do you have your vile of Elahveth?” “Yes I do.” He took the vile and filled it with the tree sap. Kaiah and Shep, if ever you feal confused take some of this and your confusion will leave and you will be filled with wisdom.

  Without hesitation, Shep and Kaiah turned their mounts toward the path that would lead them home, their hearts heavy with foreboding yet burning with the resolve to protect their home. As they raced back towards Eden, the urgency grew, a constant reminder of the unknown threat looming over their paradise.

  To be continued in Summoning Angels!