The Lost Protector

1: Power of Time

Thousands of years ago, humans and viruses lived peacefully together. They understood and studied each others behaviors, with the same goal: to protect the nature that gives us life and healing. Viruses learned how to use the magic the nature already gave, the three most important elements. Water, Wind and Earth. Meanwhile the humans kept studying to understand what helps it growing. But through this process they discovered the most dangerous element, the fire. It was a gift and a weapon at the same time, able to destroy the nature within only a matter of seconds. Even though the promise was made to never use the fire against the nature, some viruses were skeptical. They started to fight, until one virus, driven by emotions only, infected one of the humans. No apology would be enough and soon, the promise broke and the humans went against the viruses and the nature they lived in. And what once was so precious to both sides, got consumed by hatred and despair...

„... this is why we are here, children. Our fate is to protect what Mother Earth gives. From the littlest flower to the biggest tree, with all their insects and animals. Because the humans are no longer on our side like they once used to be. They create unnatural things out of elements we don't know, elements we can't control. They selfishly claim anything they want and forgot to trust and help each other. With our magic, this world we live in can be saved, but not with those negative influences the humans create."

Every child who listened to that woman that night had been warned and told about their purpose at the same time. Also me. Fascinated by the words she spoke I looked at her. This woman, was my mother, Ritrika. To me, she was the smartest woman that ever existed and very aware that little me enjoyed the stories she'd tell. My father gently held his hand onto her shoulder, also looking at us all. Faveran. He expected a lot from us children, yet in a kind and understanding way. His pride made me feel strong and I loved to explore this world with him. At least until the end of the forest, because right behind the plains, big buildings, higher than the sky itself, had their place and with them the humans. Many of us were scared of them, decided to hide just to at least have a home. I was different. Ever since my second existence year my ways would lead me outside of our beloved forest to places I could only dream about. Of course my yet opened mind wouldn't even think of getting close to the humans. All those warnings had me alerted as well, even with my little age. Still, curiously I'd observe them from afar. Their lives were so much different from ours. Not as if I was surprised, but unhappy instead. My goal was clear after my fifth existence year. I was to change this world, bring the peace back like how it once used to be. My naive opinion worried my parents. They wanted to keep me safe just as everyone else, but sure understood that it was no use trying to keep me at home, that it would make things only worse. I was a free bird, trying to find a solution to everything. But, as anything in life, changes were to come. And two years later, Father became weak, soon unable to move at all. I didn't know that this would have been the last time talking to him yet. It only broke my heart to see him this way. Gently I held his hands close to my chest, closing my eyes in sadness.

„You have to protect them, Sacary. The nature, the people. And whatever you do, don't let the humans destroy what you call home."

Tears rolled down my face as I looked at him again. Gently he wiped them as he started to disappear real slow.

„My girl, there is nothing to be sad about. We'll always be connected to each other. I will watch over you."

With an accepting nod, I let go of him as he vaporized into the air with a shimmering blue aura. After wiping my tears, I stepped up to the entrance, watching it fly off into the night sky while holding onto the wooden frame. Mother gently caressed my back, telling me to follow her to the river. It was a very personal yet magical tradition everyone had at this certain place. The loss of an important person was celebrated with a flower being blown into the river, which would carry it to the lake of the Remnant Tree. Our tales had us in belief that the souls of our ancestors would protect us from there. It was a way to let go, accepting that this certain person could no longer stay around. The memory would never simply be forgotten after all. A few birds kept me company throughout the time I was too sad to act. They kept telling me things, yet talking with animals was something not too many learned anymore. But why if it was our purpose to protect the nature from whatever the humans planed to do? I discovered it to be a very useful ability. One day, as I was sitting on a tree at the end of the forest, a quite big virus appeared. He seemed threatening with his fire like horns and strange cross on his upper body, so I jumped down and looked at him very serious. My heart was racing because he was almost twice my size. My will to protect was bigger than my fear in that moment though.

„Who are you and what do you want here?"

The virus only looked at me for a moment, then had to slightly chuckle.

„I understand your situation isn't the greatest, but don't you worry. I'm not here to hurt you."

„Another virus said that too and they just wanted to get to the tree."

Skeptically I kept staring at him until mother came to me as well, also looking at the other virus but suddenly rather smiled. Then explained me who was just standing in front of me.

„My girl, this is Simulacra. He's protecting all of us viruses when things happen that we cannot seem to do anything against."

„Well but wasn't fire the element we should worry about?"

„Sacary, please..."

Simulacra. To me he looked like a creature born in fire, he could've very well been our enemy, yet he didn't seem to have the goal of hurting us. I took a step back from him and let my mother talk to him instead. I didn't trust this face one second.