Submerged

XVI. What should always have been.

⊱    Epilogue    ⊰

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Pangaea, Iceland. May 2037.

   The new world had already stabilized. The climate was much more intense than what humans were accustomed to; the rains fell with great force, the sun heated intensely, and everyone had to protect themselves slightly from the cold. The world's fauna and flora didn't seem affected by this in the least; in fact, it could be seen that their potential was being fully realized. Wild animals were now the dominant species, living in complete harmony with each other. Humans had to adapt and survive; this was no longer their world. They were allowed to stay, but like all good guests, they had to behave or leave.

   After much research, the scientists of Pangea found a connection between the Drowned and the agrochemicals and pesticides used in food. If their calculations were correct, the new generations born shortly before the pandemic would not suffer from this curse, as the world's diet had become completely organic. The change in the planet was attributed to the force of nature in a desperate attempt to balance its ecosystems, or what was left of them.

   Iceland was completely filled with crops, which grew twice as strong and fast as they used to. The flavors were indescribable; people claimed they had never tasted such delicious food. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, spices from all over the world were growing in Iceland. Due to the environmental crisis, you could find all types of climates and soils on a single island, as well as in every corner of the rest of the world.

   Animals no longer had any fear of humans; they even commanded respect, even the smallest insect. All were free, no longer anyone's property. They grew freely and roamed as they pleased. At the beginning of the pandemic in Pangea, animal-based foods were still consumed, but after the hard work of the volunteers, they managed to create a perfect crop ecosystem within the island, allowing them to follow a mostly vegan and completely balanced diet. There were exceptions, as with everything, but every action was measured by its environmental impact.

   Nothing new had been built. They used the same structures that had always been there, such as barns, schools, nurseries, warehouses, theaters, leisure centers, or research centers. Unlike most of the world, they managed to have electricity based on ecological energy, solar panels, wind energy, kinetic energy, and more. Any electrode harmful to the environment was properly discarded. The lifestyle people led there was based on zero waste—of absolutely anything, even life.

   Life there was simple, but everyone had to work hard. For every six children, there was only one adult. Therefore, tasks were shared and rotated. The children spent each day supervised by different adults, learning all the tasks for when they grew up.

   They were happy... despite having lost everything, but with patience and care, everyone had moved forward. Large families were gradually forming, in an environment where every child on the island was allowed to be the most authentic version of themselves.

   They were the future, and they had to be treated as such.

   Hundreds and hundreds of cruise ships from around the world surrounded the island; there were too many to count, but they housed the majority of the remaining global population. People had their homes there, so as not to disturb the island. They had to access the cruise ships by small rowboats, as their size prevented them from being too close to the island, but it wasn't dangerous at all. These small boats were the only ones that moved, along with the fishing boats that traveled to the ports on the continents, though not as often as they used to. The cruise ships remained motionless; they couldn't even be turned on anymore, simply serving their purpose as a new home.