Amaranth
by Audrey Greathouse
Hi! My name's Amy and I found this phone at Rocky's Climbing Gym. You're the only contact in it...do you know who it belongs to?
Yes. The phone needs to be returned to Amaranth. She's a talented climber and exceptional young woman.
Can you find her for me?
Umm...my name is Amaranth, but NOBODY calls me that. Who are you?
Amaranth! Thank goodness. I'm Senna, a friend of your parents'.
You're mistaken. My parents died when I was a kid.
And the most exceptional thing about me is my stupid name. Sorry.
I'm a friend from their homeland, Avalon.
What are you talking about? My parents were from Oregon, same as me.
Your parents fled Avalon when you were born. Your birth drew attention from our enemies.
To protect you and the Avalon, they left.
This is absurd. This is some kind of joke, right?
I'm afraid not, Amaranth.
My name is Amy. What do you want from me?
You must come reclaim a powerful heirloom your parents left, Amy.
It helped us fend off the Aphidians once, but they are plotting to steal it and use it to overtake our lands.
I don't believe you.
Please, Amy. You must transport your heirloom to your new world, or else all of Avalon may be colonized by our adversaries.
Where even is Avalon? I've never even heard of it.
You can reach it quickly from where you are if you head to these coordinates: 23.774.23 and 84.180.23
What? Right now? I have to get home for dinner. If I'm late coming home from the gym again, my aunt will ground me from climbing.
You will be able to return home soon. Please, it is a great adventure and a small sacrifice to make for your homeland.
Amaranth?
Are you there?
Yeah. I'll do it. I'm on my way now.
You are your parents' daughter, no doubt! :) Let me know when you arrive.
The coordinates go to Dillard Forest Park. I'm here, but it's just a giant cliff face...
Perfect for climbing!
Without any ropes or safety belts?
All Avalonians are natural-born climbers. You'll only need to go thirty feet up.
Well, I guess I am in my climbing clothes right now...
Ok. I'm going to do it.
Omg, there's a cave up here!! It's really dark tho and I don't have a flashlight, just my cell...
The tunnel will bend to the left after a few feet, and then you'll see the light.
Amy? Did you go in?
Oh my god. It's beautiful.
Welcome to Avalon :)
How am I so high up? I can see waterfalls from here! What a jungle!
It's a beautiful place.
Where do I go from here?
4AW.32T.3P and 764T.A4G.WED.
Whoa, those shouldn't be coordinates, but when I plug them into the phone, they work!! How do I get there though?
Climbing, of course! You're a good tree climber too, yes?
Ummm, for two miles? I don't think so. I'd rather walk on solid ground.
NO! Aphidians crawl the ground. It's not safe for Avalonians down there.
The vines and branches of our trees are strong, don't be afraid of them breaking.
OMG. I just grabbed a vine. It IS strong. I couldn't pull it down if I wanted to. I'm swinging! Like Tarzan!
I think I see someone down below...or something. I'm going to slide down for a closer look
No, don't....the Aphidians might see you and try to knock you to the jungle floor!
OMG They're disgusting! They've got hard, scaly skin and they're all green!
Get back up, Amy, before they see you!
They already have! They're rocking the tree! D:
Quick, do you see any trees with glittering bark?
Yes, but I'm afraid to move!
Grab the bark, it's the strongest pitch you can find. Once your hands are sticky you'll be able to climb back up and away
Amy, please tell me you're okay!
I am. I think I lost them. This sticky sap is amazing! I feel like Spiderman...I'm almost to the coordinates now.
Princess Wisteria will meet you there. She'll personally deliver your Soul Flower to you.
My soul flower?
The plant that bloomed the moment you were born and will bloom until you die.
All Avalonians have one. Yours happens to be an exceptionally magical amaranth plant.
Whoa, really? That sounds amazing!
It is, but since you are tied to your soul plant, if it is destroyed while you are in Avalon, you will die too.
So that's why my parents left? To protect me and leave my amaranth plant with the Princess?
Exactly. But such a thing is too powerful a weapon within Avalon. As soon as you remove it, we will ALL be safe again.
Hold on, I think I see someone. It might be the Princess.
She'll be waiting for you in the royal apple tree. Apples are a sacred fruit in Avalon.
I don't know if you have ever seen one in your world of Oregon.
Uh, I think I know what they look like. ;) It's definitely her. Hang on, I'll talk to her.
I can't understand her!!
Oh! I guess you never learned Avalonian living in Oregon...
Press the star button on your phone, it'll translate for you.
Ok. Good to know.
Hello, Amranth. It is an honor to have you here. There isn't much time, but I am grateful you have come.
You must take your soul flower to your other world.
In Avalon, its blossoms are explosive and can result in fantastic strength when consumed.
It is too dangerous in this world. Godspeed.
Has she given you the flower? Is everything alright?
Yeah, it's potted in this weird clay satchel. It's so tiny and beautiful, but...Senna?
Do I really have to go back to Oregon? I'll be able to come back, right?
That won't be possible without your soul flower here :( You can only exist in Avalon as long as your soul flower does.
Oh...ok...Princess Wisteria is ushering me away. Does she know grateful I am?
For what?
For...getting this chance to come home.
I'll be sure to forward that sentiment :) Now, hurry home.
I feel all turned around though...I think I heard a noise down there.
Try not to draw attention to yourself. If you run into any trouble, let me know.
A BRANCH JUST SNAPPED ABOVE ME
I think someone's trying to shoot me down out of this nut tree!
Don't drop your soul flower!
They're slingshotting rocks and shooting arrows!
I'll send for the Avalon Guard, keep moving!
I can't...I'll be exposed! I'm scared!
OMG I think they're trying to saw the tree down!
The guard is on it's way, stay calm and try to get to a different tree.
Amy, are you alright?
They're retreating! I did it!
How?
The Amranth plant, the Princess said it was explosive. I crushed some of the blossoms and coated some of the nuts in it.
Improvised bombs! That's ingenious, Amy!
I hear something coming from overhead...the guard?
Yes, they say they see you now. They'll escort you the rest of the way to the cave.
Maybe I could stay a little longer though? See more of Avalon and meet more people? I never even got to meet you!
You have to get home safely. I'm afraid there isn't time for all that.
Nothing ever changes. I'm just going to go home and be boring old Amy again.
No, you will always be special, Amaranth :)
Wait - something's wrong. Everyone looks worried. They're leaving. What's going on?
Another group of Aphidians have been spotted heading toward the great apple tree. The guard has to return to protect Princess Wisteria.
Oh. okay. I guess this is goodbye then. I can see the cave face from here.
You've done a great service to Avalon, Amy. Your parents would be so proud of you.
OH NO
SENNA HELP
What's wrong!?
Send the guard back! Help!
What is it? Is it more Aphidians?
He's huge! He's blocking the cave entrance!
Wait, how big is he?
Almost twice my size! I can't get past him
Oh no. That's their warrior king, Jut-roll
I'll alert the guard immediately. Stay safe, Amy. Just don't let him take your soul flower.
I can't fend him off. He's going to take the amaranth plant.
The guard will be there soon
He's too big. I don't have the strength to fight him. I'm sorry.
Don't worry Amy, just get out of there. It'll be okay.
My parents left Avalon to keep it safe. I don't want that to be in vain.
I've got to destroy this plant.
No! It'll kill you!
AMY!
Amy?
The guard says you're in sight, they say you're alive!
They say they see you FIGHTING him!
How is this possible!?
Oh my God. I just forced him off the cliffside
It's such a long way down...
Do you still have your soul flower? Is the amaranth safe?
No, I had to destroy it to protect Avalon.
HOW ARE YOU ALIVE?
I ate it.
You — what?
I had to destroy it and keep it from the Aphidian King...so I just swallowed it.
I've never felt so strong. I feel invincible.
No one has ever done such a thing.
Does this mean...does this mean I can come back to Avalon?
We will welcome you home with the highest of honors!
Then I'll return soon.
I think I should get back to my aunt though.
She's probably worried about me.
I'm going to be REALLY late for dinner.
App