The forgotten history of Eldrion begins in the Elysium Garden. An isolated oasis in the Arenaceous desert. Behind the great stone walls sits a tranquil cityscape woven into the garden landscape.

 After a galactic war devastated their home system, the Celestials created this sanctuary. A refuge from the horrors of war and destruction, Elysium became a utopia where they hoped a peaceful society could flourish.

 Dawn breaks in the Elysium Garden. Sunlight filters through the canopy of a gigantic tree. Cascading light shimmers through the bright green and golden foliage. The massive height is equivalent to a ten-story building and the most marvelous spectacle is the wildlife freely moving about in the branches. The lush tree has multiple species of birds and tropical animals, and all interactions are peaceful and serene. But the most captivating are the forty varieties of fruit, which is revered as the Mother Tree. 

The vast surrounding vegetation shimmers with beads of dew as the rays of the sun peak through the canopy of leaves. From the south to the west of the Mother Tree the bustling lives of the residents of this paradise move from one idyllic task to the next.

There is a sense of excitement and anticipation as the villagers set about their day, shopkeepers opening their emporiums; and eventually, the square surrounding the Mother Tree is in a successive flurry of activity.

 Cinnamon and butter wafts in the air as bakers replenish their bounty for the celebration of the festival that begins the next morning. Aside from street vendors and shops, the banners and bunting are being placed about in bright colors of the Celestial Arborist sects. The first festival of the season will conclude the festivities with the presentation of new initiates joining the Celestial Arborists. 

 North of the Mother Tree, the grand temples of the Celestial Arborists stand as silent sentinels amidst the tranquil oasis of Elysium. Their towering spires, crafted from ancient stone quarried from distant mountains, reached towards the heavens in a testament to the Arborists' reverence for the cosmic forces that had guided their journey. Intricate carvings adorned the temples' facades, depicting the storied history of Elysium—from the tumultuous galactic war that drove them to seek refuge, to the nurturing of the Mother Tree that became the heart of their sanctuary.

 Encircling the Mother Tree in a protective embrace, these sacred structures form a symbolic and physical barrier, reflecting the unwavering dedication of the Arborists to their sacred duty. Each temple serves as a center of meditation and communal gathering, where Arborists gather to commune with the energies of the cosmos and reaffirm their commitment to the Garden's harmony.

 Winding paths radiated from the base of the Mother Tree, their smooth cobblestones blending harmoniously with the verdant tapestry of the garden.

These paths were meticulously maintained by the initiates, their dedication evident in every carefully tended flower bed and precisely pruned tree. Clad in the distinctive robes of their order—azure robes adorned with golden symbols of growth and enlightenment—the young Arborists-in-training moved with a grace that belie their youth. 

 Their every action was guided by the teachings imparted by the Elders, instilling within them a profound respect for the delicate balance of nature and the sanctity of their surroundings.

 One of the aspiring initiates moves with fluidity and grace, her countenance shows concern and concentration across her brows. Her look is quickly alleviated. As man approaches her who is likely double her physical age and a third taller than she is. His greeting is relaxed and it is clear they are familiar with one another. Her face has the bloom of youth approaching adulthood. His is the rugged state of someone who has started to approach middle of life. 

 The sunlight glints off of her fiery locks, pulled back in a simple high ponytail and as she engages in conversation with her apparent mentor, her aquamarine eyes shimmer with mirth. Her smile emphasizes their comradery, and his relaxed pace as they walk together to the nearest entrance. 

The young lady pauses at the entrance and looks back at the path she has just traversed and thinks to herself about the grandeur of this auspicious day. 

 Her mentor urges her through the entrance and we hear her name " Seraphim, let's get going."

As Seraphim walked these paths, she felt the presence of centuries-old wisdom embedded in the very stones beneath her feet. The air hummed with a tranquil energy, suffused with the whispers of the past and the promise of future generations who would continue to uphold the sacred legacy of Elysium. 

For the initiates, tending to the Mother Tree is considered the highest honor, a privilege granted only to those who have proven their worth through a series of tests the gauntlet proving the initiates' rigor. Each of the trials test not only their physical endurance; but also their mental fortitude, and spiritual alignment with the Garden's essence. Only the most dedicated and resilient among them are deemed worthy of becoming full-fledged Arborists, entrusted with the care of the Mother Tree.

Legendary in scope, the trials had been spoken of in hushed tones by those who have endured them and those who aspire to. They include navigating the labyrinthine roots of the Mother Tree. Deciphering the ancient glyphs that reveal the secrets of the Garden, and enduring the harrowing Night of Whispers—a solitary vigil under the stars where initiates confront their deepest fears and doubts. Those who emerge victorious from these trials are transformed, their spirits tempered by the crucible of their ordeals.

Once they have earned their place among the Celestial Arborists, these dedicated guardians would devote their lives to the Mother Tree. They oversee the health of her roots, ensure the balance of the Garden's diverse flora, and protect the sacred fruits that grant various abilities and visions to the people of Elysium. Their bond with the Mother Tree is profound, a symbiotic relationship that sustains both the tree and the society that depends on it.

The next day as the town square is just becoming reawakened, Seraphim again is walking the Divine paths, these footpaths allow her to meditate on the steps to which she is going to best her mentor Leon with. His stern lecture the previous day had caused her frustration as she couldn't get the momentum she needed. She looked around at her surroundings and was mindful of her feet as she felt the presence of centuries-old wisdom embedded in the very stones beneath her. 

The air hummed with tranquil energy, infused with the whispers of the past and the promise of future generations who would continue to uphold the sacred legacy of Elysium. The pinks and purples of early dawn were giving over to the brighter golds and silvers in the sky to the east, the gigantic canopy of the Mother Tree dispersing the light and it was still a twilight feel.

Eventually, as she continued to move forward, the golden hues of sunrise broke through the lower branches over the Elysium Garden. Seraphim's pace quickened to a trot as she caught up with the rest of the class of hopeful Arborists. She was once again through the same doors she had traversed with Leon the day before and was soon in the open field for their morning session. 

The anticipation for the upcoming Luminalis festival added a palpable excitement to the air, but the trials still loomed in the distance, a reminder of the hard work yet to come. Her classmates were stretching their arms and legs and jogging in place.

Directly on the left of Seraphim was Arianna, a neighbor whom she had grown up with. The two of them had been constant friends from the time she was three years old. She also spotted her sister's fiancé and several other people from her neighborhood. Since she had started training for the trials Seraphim had become solitary in her endeavors to be able to concentrate as well as she was able. As she looked around the class who were also training, then she spotted her mentor and waved. His smile was more of a smirk and she knew he was planning a good session for her again.