The Seed of Destiny

The air in the Grand Orchard buzzed with anticipation. Today was the day. The day every fifteen-year-old in the village of Verdant Hollow had waited for. The Fruiting Ceremony.

Rin stood nervously amongst his peers, his heart pounding against his ribs. He watched as each of his friends approached the ancient Vita-Fruit Tree, its branches laden with shimmering, otherworldly fruits. Each fruit pulsed with a unique light, promising a unique power.

One by one, his friends stepped forward, chose their fruit, and consumed it. Gasps and whispers filled the air as vibrant energies erupted around them. Lyra, his childhood friend, chose a small, blue berry, and her movements became a blur of speed. Gael, the village strongman, chose a large, green melon, and his muscles visibly bulged.

Finally, it was Rin's turn. He approached the tree, his gaze sweeping across the dazzling array of fruits. But none of them called to him. Then, deep within the shadows of the leaves, he saw it. A small, unassuming bean, dull brown and seemingly lifeless. He reached out, and a faint warmth spread through his fingers.

"The Fruit God?" Elder Rowan's voice was filled with surprise. "That's... unusual."

A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd. The Fruit God was a myth, a legend, a joke. It was said to grant the power to grow any fruit, but what use was that?

Rin swallowed his disappointment and consumed the bean. It tasted like… nothing. There was no surge of energy, no visible change. He felt… the same.

"Well, that's that," a voice snickered. "Guess Rin's going to be a farmer."

Rin ignored the taunts and returned to his spot, his head hanging low. He spent the rest of the ceremony in a daze, his hopes dashed.

Later that evening, Rin sat alone in his backyard, staring at the small bean that remained from the fruit. He was angry and confused. He tossed the bean into the dirt, frustrated. The next morning, he awoke to find a small sapling had grown overnight. Upon closer inspection, the sapling had grown a large golden mango. Rin picked the mango, and bit into it. It was the best mango he had ever tasted. He then noticed the sapling had grown another bean. He picked it, and planted it. Within a day, a tree with a rare fire pepper grew. He ate the pepper, and felt a warm surge of energy. He ate another, and another. He felt no ill effects.

Rin realized, he had been given more than just a farming tool. He had been given the power to shape Arboria itself.