International Legends

Chapter 7 - Leo

Back when the great floods hit North Carolina, we knew that there was something wrong with this society. The Appalachians would know how to survive as they were the ones who tilled the land and practiced a way of lifestyle including craftsmanship, farming, and hunting that had sustained them for years. Kind of like the tenants of Wyoming. They, too, had been the pioneers who had crossed the Great West to settle in terrain that was originally complete wilderness. Running into the Indians and realizing the connection humans had with Mother Earth, the two had formed a society that would recognize the delicate balance between nature and humanity - how you must give back to the land that has given so much to you. 

 The Bears, wanting badly to make sure that the Mountain World would survive, had been in great conflict with the Sea-Creatures, who had learned of Kathair's reality. There was a great conflict about this warring conflict, as it was the original intention of the Guardians to make sure that nobody would ever know about the conflict of wars. The Sea-Creatures, believing that humans were gaining too much power and contributing to climate change, they had sent a hurricane all the way from the ocean to smack through Asheville, NC. Afterward, they set a heat wave that caused everything from the Purple Mountains to the Amazon to light on fire. A good chunk of my hikes through Purple Mountains were accompanied by wildfires that had to be put out again and again. 

My life within Emrions' timeline had been, for the most part, entirely normal. I had left my parents long before to begin working at Purple Mountain National Park and had realized very quickly that Emrion's intention for a natural world was how life should really be. Instead of being harassed by gangs and not knowing whether or not your traveling airship would be destroyed by a gang of witches or a giant Kraken, I realized very quickly how much the natural lifestyle was important to the rest of the world. We were able to educate the populace about the importance of living in harmony with nature, and soon I had a very successful social media presence that was attracting all the people I knew and love to the park to see this lifestyle. 

Now I was being interrogated by two Guardians whom seemed way too interested in me. 

"How does it feel being Naomi's love interest for Book Three?" asked Starlia, staring dreamingly into my eyes while resting her head on her forewing, drinking a cocktail of honey. 

"Um, well, it doesn't feel that great," I say as I stare at the kids chasing each other down the waterslide into the kid's section of the pool as the adults look on in annoyance. "It feels like I am being forced into something that I'm not sure I'm ready for."

"Men are never ready," says Starlia, while Spinela gives a hiss of agreement while chomping in with fervor into her fly-filled sushi. "Men are always afraid of what they cannot control and that is why they run from any kind of commitments. The only commitment they have is their career."

"What do you guys know about this?" I say frustratedly. "You do not date anyone."

"Oh no," says Spinela, shaking her head. "We have been through a lot of dates back where we come from. So many Demi-guardians who think they are hot stuff. It got annoying."

My head feels like it is going to implode from this new influx of information so I simply excuse myself and go head towards my two sons. No, they aren't technically mine, but I do feel a voice in my head that says, "They are now," that guides me forward. 

Axel, the braver and more selfish of the twins, has taken his shirt off and has climbed up to the top of the water slide, sitting precariously on one of the ledges overlooking the entire ship. His brother stands behind him, looking cautious. 

"We shouldn't be here," says Axle. "Carmen would be angry at our rule-breaking."

"It's fine," says Axel. "She's basically in love with me so what does it matter? Oh, hey Dad! We are just chilling up here, how are you?"