Ambrosia In The Purple Garden (Chapter 1)
Chryselin believed in little when skimming the topic of religion with his beloved friend, Kodjoe. He did so for the fact of what previous experiences had occurred in the young boys lives'. It being so, left Chryselin to be suspended in an ever-occurring pause, a state of consciousness almost entirely apart from reality. A horrid reality in which no child should partake.
You see, each day Chryselin would seat himself upon what perch the two had forever claimed rightfully theirs. Throughout each day they remained there; Kodjoe would preach. For most days, attention was lightly spared. Kodjoe had found this common within his dearest friend.
On each day, like many others, this pause Chryselin gave. An instance whereas it seemed to Kodjoe, that Chryselin was entirely devoid of emotion, of light, purity. It was apparent that a marked scar laid upon Chryselin's heart & soul; external. Shone light illuminated such pain within these said pauses; of each day, such behavior was predicted by Kodjoe long before.
Chryselin and Kodjoe throughout this period, remained with Chryselin's mother amongst a small neighborhood, inside the ghettos of Hortus Purpura. He had four other siblings, two brothers and sisters; all older than him. If it wasn't for the years of constant turmoil after the Great War, Chryselin would have still had four siblings. Kodjoe, on the other hand, lost his family far before all had occurred, for he was adopted by Chryselin's mother after being found by one of his eldest sisters; wrapped deep within a blanket as a baby, inside a cardboard box.
Whilst seated next to Kodjoe, whom Chryselin told himself was the only other person in the world that mattered, besides his beloved mother. Kodjoe would forage his own mind to bare fruit of aspiration, in hopes of bettering his said friend. Chryselin's supposed 'better half' did so in hopes he would someday recuperate; for no longer could he watch such a beautiful mind recede.
Amongst these hardening moments. Many words the two exchanged; whether they be of laughter, or words of writhing pain. Nevertheless, words had concreted themselves only within the plain existence of dialogue itself; nonchalant. Chryselin, and Kodjoe had surpassed such boundaries. They were not limited; their love for each other; by words, nor intention of such dialogue. For Chryselin, and Kodjoe; held at the waist, unaffected and un-weathered their bond; shared a mutuality. A duality without conflict, debate without contradiction.
The perch of this wall in which they shared seats; each other's company of each day, laid across a land bitter and decrepit. Dividing a country into two of the largest colonies known to them. A vast wall, lined for miles. Its body was of more blood, sweat, and tears then the iron and stone which held it. Segregated between north to south, the true intent of how such had been done is still to question amongst many men today.
They faced a war-torn era, in which perishables were rationed only to the soldiers upon the south, and materials of the more 'hardy' disposition faced many of fates. Only resulting in polluting what little value the world had to offer. Crops grew, yet faced the harsh environments; due to industrialization upon the north, and thus withered more so than what vast array of corpse-ridden oceans lay upon the land. All hopes abandoned at the sight of livestock’s number's plummeting; creating chaos & discord upon the people. Such deprivation led to those who were to oversee food in stock, that they began outsourcing; searching beyond crops, and livestock in order to supplement the lack of sustenance within the country.
Beforehand the current conflict, the land of Hortus Purpura had been landlocked between warring states. Upon this major group of countries, the 'Republic of Hortus Purpura' remained not only the country & government within the middle of all despair. They seemed well enough to delegate most of which destruction occurred, making them the 'middle man' amongst their neighbors. The land was given this name; translated from the Latin meaning 'Purple Garden,' out of irony by their neighboring countries as to sanctify the beauty it held. The indigenous Lavender plant which cascaded throughout the land, was an idea of symbolism to the warring states. Incentive to cease such unnecessary bloodshed, although those within the 'Republic of Hortus Purpura' found themselves endorsed into much more malicious intentions.
Through numerous accounts of betrayal, gluttony, and distasteful deception; grew the 'Republic of Hortus Purpura.' Years it took for the once 'politically inclined, & militantly baron' country to clasp such power; in turn leaving many elected officials within the select sect to be slaughtered. The megalomaniacal minds that controlled Hortus Purpura turned upon each other with such haste after the neighboring warring states were long gone. Families of officials were dragged into the streets at late hours, only to emulate the rising dawn; due to the burning corpses. Many of the civilians themselves gained angst through tension with the state, leading to riots. Lower class began to consume areas where upscale communities thrived. Only to see the elegance in which Hortus Purpura ostentatiously prosed, disintegrate and crumble beneath itself. Many of the more elitist estates; wrapped in pillars of marble, and trimmed in gold; fell overnight it seemed.
Once; the only country left; established the much predicted downfall, the remainder of militia leftover from the great war claimed their loyalties and paid great homage to the injured tyrant; 'The Republic of Hortus Purpura.' By this time many of what was left of the old republic seemed to gain despotic attributes. Whereas, the once 'elected' officials within power, were simply never removed. Thus in turn, lead to these powerful men to remain in such; giving and taking as they so desired.
In one instance, Chryselin and Kodjoe, found themselves upon the wall one evening. When confronted by a local guardsman for being around the wall beyond curfew; fortunately conversation erupted over conflict. The soldier exclaimed how the elitist republic entitled themselves to be a pejorative, a 'Kritarchy,' and how he disagreed. Being that the two boys were completely oblivious to such opinion, the soldier then went on to explain. "They compose themselves as institutions of law, appoint 'judges' within their group to dictate the lives of those who label themselves 'separatists.' I can't necessarily say I agree." The soldier wept. Noticing the pain in the soldier's eyes was Kodjoe, he then questioned. "Well sir, what grounds do these people claim to hold? What is it you believe they intend to do, or have already 'been' doing?"
The soldier's reaction showed what subtlety Kodjoe presented himself with, such a quiet boy; no one was ever to expect such intellect from him, such comprehension. Except for Chryselin; he knew very well of how assertive, and imperturbable Kodjoe could be.
The young soldier, enveloped in full regalia; painted with an emblem of two branches intersecting, purple branches of the lavender, carrying on front a pouring vase. The vase on top of the two branches signified the essence of the Republic, and the water in which it poured was the life the Republic had given to its people who were personified as the branches. The emblem was to prose on how the people carried the Republic, in exchange for sustenance. While noticing the soldier's uniform, Kodjoe received such reply accordingly.
"I find those who house themselves above the rest of us to be nothing more than ignorant children, who invest into sortition over a proven system of selecting those through merit. They claim as I said, to be of the pejorative disposition, a Kritarchy. Nay, I find them to be of more a Kakistocracy than anything." The young soldier again exclaimed.
All in the midst, Chryselin continued on in the manner he always did. He stared off into what little amber the sun gave into the evening, completely still. Choosing to neglect such; Kodjoe at this point, was still confused to some of the hesitance the soldier had divulged unto him, he thus carried on the conversation with more questioning.
"So in simpler terms, we aren't of any logical standpoint to believe these monstrosities would ever alleviate?" Kodjoes eyes lit up with curiosity and worry; the soldier gained an inkling of this emotion quickly.
"To wherever it is you two need be, hurry along before those with uniforms like mine, but minds' opposite of intention procure such treasures." The soldier then knelt down to Kodjoe.
"You seem a bright boy, and the fact you two are together makes you much more fortunate than you can possibly comprehend. Make haste, and ensure that the separation of you two does not happen." The soldier withdrew from barking the command, understanding that even a diminutive amount of mercy helped perk the heads of the two boys.
Following the Great War, came the soldiers who; previously stated, gave loyalty to the country. With a political tyrant gaining such populated power, the republic made sure to utilize the full benefit of their newly edition militia. After many of the lower class slaying those of noble account, the republic made sure to put on display the repercussions of carrying out such heinous crimes without the consent of the republic.
For days, sprees of murder, raping, and many other countless amounts of grotesque behaviors flooded throughout the land. This left the entirety of Hortus Purpura distraught. No one could tend to the wounded, deliver food & water to those in need, or even evade into the mass graves of extinct countries ladened around the borders of Hortus Purpura.
It seemed even after the Great War, the country appeared to remain locked within this dead zone; fated to enclose itself in complete anarchy.
At this time, when all seemed lost. One man arose from the elitist group known as the 'Kritarchist Republic of Hortus Purpura;' KHRP for short. His name was Abdel Salem, named after one of the great Egyptian presidents, and his predecessor before him.
An intimidating gentleman; with a large, yet sharply defined jaw. His eyes so dark of shade of brown that they seemed almost exactly like black; absent of all light whatsoever. The pale complexion set upon him illuminated even more how dark his eyes were; complimented by the lustrous, jet-black hair settled on his well-defined head.
He carried himself with such conviction, it felt sinful to neglect his approach. The man promised a return from where Hortus Purpura had been forced into; unknowingly to the population that it was their own republic who began such. With such powerful praise in his voice, the fact that he had been affiliated with the republic at all was tossed aside within the instant.
Thus granted the approval to have say at any capacity, Salem took what remained of the republic and began what was now considered a new force. Although it was simply a re-visioned version of the old republic, only now there were less elitists. Instead a truly refined despotic government arose.
Salem's own autocracy in which he was not subject to legalities or the oppression of force. He then gained camaraderie through generous acts, and in turn, constructed the country to run from one single entity.
In the meanwhile, Chryselin’s family had suffered; like many others, the harrowing effects of ‘The Republic’s’ neglect.
Salem named such 'The Corporation.' Its purpose was to industrialize Hortus Purpura; regain the vast power once procured through intellect and proletarians. 'The Corporation,' once established, began to produce by the tonnage, many valuable resources from the earth itself.
Merely a few months past until the mines, refineries, and many other facilities seemed to have gained haste in the context of production; it was mass-production.
Throughout this period, many resources were drained, in lieu of keeping what population of workers was surviving well fed and clothed. It became such a nuisance to do so while also providing for the remaining population; especially for those who were unable, burdened by youth or lack thereof.
To the people, Salem was faced with another trial, in which he was expected to reply with more support; more help from 'The Corporation.' It was unpredicted that Salem had foreseen such tribulations rising, with the intention of letting such things play out in its respective manner. 'The Corporation' allowed for the infrastructure of Hortus Purpura to deteriorate once again; with the common outlook of 'survival of the fittest.' They expected rebirth from what had fallen, or what would fall in the future. Although, a common misconception with many narcissists, is the repercussions of allowing such things with turned backs.
With ‘The Corporation’ clasping tight, their strings held the people of Hortus Purpura as a collective. Many families abandoned homes, leaving anything which wasn’t a necessity to survival behind. Dozens of houses, from the Elizabethan-esque to the shacks; dressed in inept architecture, silenced, and darkened. Memorabilia of even the most nostalgic; pictures, of countless generations; left to spoil and rot.
After many of the neighborhoods; home to Chryselin and Kodjoe; were void of human life, the two boys found it disrespectful to leave many of the closest family treasures known to them behind. They sought out for personal treasures, nothing of materialistic value.
While upon their travels, following along what bulbs of streetlights had remained. Chryselin came across his path, a worn and tattered teddy bear. With great horror in Chryselin’s eyes at what sight the toy had to offer. Kodjoe reacted quickly to toss aside the bear. At quick glance, he noticed the cold sensation when gripping the toy before it had left his hand. Covered in blood.
Hardships followed many families amongst such dire times, yet the two boys exclusively paraded their companionship amongst those burdened by isolation. It was necessary to do so not only because of such things being; friendship, or any association to family, but due to lack in food.
Many of children were carried off; late night. Suffice to say, Chryselin and Kodjoe once found themselves wealthy in many, the friends they once had.
Unfortunate to say such. Each day, every waking moment; when the two made way to their perch. Kodjoe would clasp until hands broken to Chryselin, whenever his stomach curdled in pain from an immense hunger, mainly due to fear that he too might do the same as of many adults did to survive the hunger. So as to Kodjoe, noticing the pain in Chryselins eyes, was a feeling all too mutual.
Not long did those soldiers who claimed obedience to the KHRP, find that 'The Corporation' was entirely a different entity all in itself. A majority of the militia then became it's very own autonomous organization, and Salem was quick to label them as 'separatists.'
It was these immediate decisions in which thus led to 'the straw which broke the camel's back;' Hortus Purpura's very own 'Kristallnacht.'
One night, as soon as the sun's amber left from the mountainside; many separatist soldiers confronted the front doors of 'The Corporation.' Had it been a victorious 'coup d’état,' perhaps Chryselin and Kodjoe would not have found themselves within the predicament they unluckily face today.
The separatists were greeted by a barrage of artillery, only miles outside the large complex 'The Corporation' claimed stake. These incessant and unnecessary acts carried across the country's land for more than weeks before white flags were raised; to simply give both sides time to recuperate.
During these exhausting periods of destruction and clamor, is when Chryselin found himself and Kodjoe, to be the only children his mother had left. Bodies were paraded all along the streets, as if ‘The Corporation’ had held them up like streamers for a party.
The remainder of ‘separatists’ fled outward, in hopes of finding salvage amongst the carcasses of countries neighboring Hortus Purpura.
When returning months later to finish what was started. Plans were made to secede those; who were too ignorant to follow honest word, or far too crippled through the scrutinous months of war. Yet, many of few were withheld beyond what can simply be defined as 'Colossus.'
A beast of iron and rock; laid miles upon miles; disposed upon the land. Entirely segregated, the bureaucratic-esque country whom had held such gaudy diplomacy amongst their peers. Years in which Hortus Purpura promulgated concord and tranquility, with aspirations to divide themselves from tyranny. All the while, here their soldiers stood; at the mercy of no one. In the true face of ‘The Corporation.’
Comments