CHAPTER 100: Guardians of the new world

Chapter 100: Guardians of the New World

The landscape was wide open and there was nothing in front of them, no buildings or signs of civilisation. Natasha and Alison were on the edge of the jungle waiting for something, the Heart of the Jungle glowed in Natasha's fists. The once looming expanse of chaos they had left behind now was filled with light and order. But beyond the jungle was a new problem: the world as a hurting place in desperate need of a savior.

Alison shifted his axe on his back and looked at Natasha. "So, what's the plan? "March into the nearest city and demand that they cease to be destroying it?"

Natasha smirked faintly. "Something like that. But first, we need allies. The Heart may be powerful, but it's not enough to change everything on our own."

Alison simply agreed, and the man's eyes looked even more determined. What about others who are not willing to listen? The ones that are all about money and control?"

Natasha clutched the Heart more closely to her. "Then we will ensure they listen to what we have to say."

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Their journey started from a very small but firm step. The first village they passed through was a small collection of huts on the fringe of the thick growth and the inhabitants were trying to live with the renewed growth. The food that they relied on was overgrown by vines and wildlife was getting more brazen, even entering the farm area sometimes.

Natasha and Alison tread lightly towards the village afraid of how they will be received by the villagers. Instead, the people responded with what could be described as guarded interest instead of aggression.

An elder woman with wrinkled face but her eyes gleamed brightly stood closer to the man. "You came from the jungle," she said, and it didn't sound like she was asking me a question.

Natasha nodded. "We've been there for weeks. Jungle is back again, and it is much more vicious this time around. But it is not harming you – it is trying to fix itself."

The woman looked at them for several seconds before she waved them in with her hand, her pointer finger extended. "Come. We need to talk."

This success in the village paved way for a more massive campaign. Informed by their approaches, news of their work spread attracting people from neighboring towns and cities. Some were inquisitive, who wanted to know how to live with nature. Some were negative; they felt that the growth of the jungle will be a threat to there existence as nomads.

One of such towns was an industrial city and most of the buildings in the city were industries that were emitting thick black smoke. They had never been welcomed by the management and employees when they got to work; on the contrary, they were eyed and sometimes even hissed at.

For example, one factory owner said, "We don't need your jungle magic here." "What do you call it when you get progress? It doesn't come from trees and vines, it comes from machines."

Natasha acted professionally even though she was furious with him for a considering how much time he wasted. More seriously, I want to talk to you about your machines, they are killing the planet. It's shocking news but it's true, the air you are breathing right now is poisonous. The most poignant of these threats is probably the idea that: If you do not adapt, there will be no future to exploit.

The man scoffed. "And you believe that some tiny jungle token is going to solve all our problems?"

Alison came forward, lifting an arm to silence the remaining jeers from the audience, as the man was easily a head taller than most. "It's not about the Heart. It's about responsibility. You are either a contributor to solving issues or a contributor to making them worse. Your choice."

In any case, the conflict could not be resolved, but Natasha did not surrender. They continued to work hard over the next weeks to demonstrate what could be done to the city. People turned lifeless parks to green landscapes, cleared water with plants, and adapted eco-friendly measures to companies who agreed.

Gradually, opposition started to fall apart. The population understood all the advantages of the concord with nature, and the harshest critics could not close their eyes to the outcomes.

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With increasing movement of the people, came the increasing problems. People were not always grateful for their attempts, and it was not only men who threatened Natasha and Alison, but all those for whom the changes promoted by the girls would take away their income. Businesspeople sent their representatives to try to disprove them, and unknown individuals loomed like panthers in the bushes, ready to pounce.

But Natasha and Alison had not been discouraged. They realized that the costs of capitulation were far too expensive to have to bear. The Heart of the Jungle did not tamed its power and radiate with some sort of message that they have to uphold.

On the night as they slept in the open, Alison spoke up. "Ever considered what happens after this?" But it is not words that heal the world, and what happens when the world is healed, and the Heart doesn't need our songs?

Natasha looked at the red hot relic in her hands and her face was all serious. "I don't know. Maybe we will not be alive to witness that day. But if we can add value, even if small, then it will be worth the effort."

Roy nodded, Alison looked away quietly, as though still lost in thought. "You're right. There are plenty more important things in life than being loved by everyone—it's not all about us, in the end it's about what we give to others.

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Their journey continued, each step bringing them closer to their ultimate goal: a world, which existed in films, where human beings and nature are in a state of harmony. The Heart of the Jungle was their turning point, to see things clearer, in the business district and get busy with the lights on.

But they both understood that the going was going to get even tougher from there onwards. The forces of greed and destruction were big and their mission would challenge they had never been challenged before.

When they continued to the next city, Natasha stole a look at Alison and saw that there was an almost ruthless look of determination on this woman's face. "Ready for the next fight?"

He smiled, mechanically running his eyes over his axe that shone under the moonlight. "Always."