Chapter 102: The Rebirth of vellion
Chapter 102: The Rebirth of Vellion
Sunrise enveloped the city of Vellion filled with concrete and steel mixed with the nature's pity. These included vines pulling up walls of skyscrapers that were before all glass and metallic structures, trees standing right in the middle of active streets, and actual streams of clear water flowing through brand new canals. It was not an image of the Natur versus Kultur struggle that portrayed the jungle looming over the city; on the contrary, it grafted onto the city, and showed the two in tune.
Natasha was standing on a platform on the plaza, and now the entire territory was filled with vegetation. People came and stood before her their looks full of expectation yet mixed with slight fear. Lately the peoples of Vellion had been waking up to a new world – an improved one which would demand certain concessions but would provide better conditions for living.
Beside her stood Alison, who wore the big axe he had saved personally. As always his eyes were actively looking around, making him one of the most observant people in the crowd. "You ready for this?" he asked.
Natasha agreed laughing nervously with her hand grasping the Heart of the Jungle. It was small and it glowed; the light continually flickered: she felt prepared. "They have to be told the facts."
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There's a young girl; she walked closer and she said this in a very loud voice. Citizens of Vellion, today we turn the first page to a new book of your city. For so many years now, this place represent sinful desires and devastation. But now it can become the place where people get inspired— to see how humans and the nature can live in one union."
The kin began to get restless making various mumbling sounds; some appeared to agree with him while others seemed unconvinced. Natasha lifted the Heart of the Jungle; the light it gave off, brightened up the area.
In this she said: 'This is the feeling of life itself." It may be interpreted as equally and the ability of one to adapt to change, strength and stability in form of nature. With this power we have claiming this city, not by force but by restoring the strength of unity and the purpose of togetherness.
Someone in the pile spoke out. "What happens to us now? The participants' jobs, their lives – how can one endure?
Natasha met the man's gaze. In any case, people always do not like to change but change is always required by everyone. The industries that have polluted this city have to be replaced by industries that promote life. You will be able to learn sustainable development, farming, capture and generation of clean energy. It's not going to happen quickly, but it is going to happen – if there is unity of effort."
Another man stood up from where he had been seated and this time a woman in the front. But what about persons, who actively struggled with us? What about Darius and his men?
Alison moved to the front, he raised his voice, 'I'll go', can be heard throughout the plaza. Darius and his supporters will get punished, but not avenged. This is not a time for retribution, it is about responsibility – something that we too often lack these days. Note they will if they are willing: Otherwise they will have an opportunity of developing themselves in the creation of this city.
Natasha nodded. Where this may be the case, this isn't just the elimination of the old and outdated on its own – it is also a construction of something better in return." A future in which none is forgotten."
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After singing, the crowd opened a path for the girls and so Natasha and Alison passed through the changed streets. And it seems as though they were already in the process of rebuilding: the rubble is collected, seeds sewn and hopeful workshops are opened. People in general took to the gardens once they came sprouting and children giggling are great sounds in a city that once had none.
Having teams in place and scope of work that was defined earlier, Alison had to admit for the first time observing people in action: 'I never expected it to happen that quickly' - she said while watching group of workers who were building a greenhouse from scraps of metal and wood.
"The Heart, of the Jungle doesn't just restore the land," Natasha said. "It restores hope. 'Cos people don't want to be messed around—they want to think there is something better, they just need a bit of encouragement.
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Jimmy, Peter later in the day took them to visit the barracks where Darius and his most trusted subordinates were being hold. The former giant of the buiness world now occupied an ill-lit, barely furnished cell, no longer dressed in the finery of CEOs. The man looked up when he saw Natasha and Alison coming in.
Lastly, the final look on his face – defiance and defeat.
"You've won," he declared in a disgustingly vicious tone. What do you want from me now? A confession? An apology?"
Natasha shook her head. "Neither. What we want here is your cooperation."
Darius scoffed. "Why would I help you? You have reduced it all to ashes as far as I am concerned.
'You destroyed it yourself,' Alison replied quite crudely. This is what I said, "We just gave the people the strength to stand up to you."
Natasha stepped closer. "You're a smart man, Darius. You know that the world is changing. We can either stay stagnant like an organization that remains in the past and disappears or utilize those skills to formulate a new and better future.
Darius looked at her intently and, frowning, said: "And if I refuse?"
"Then you'll spend the rest of your life observing how other people win while you lose out," Natasha pointed out to him very clearly. "The choice is yours."
And for a long time of silence, Darius remained without comment. His brows arched and then he folded back into his chair and the hint of a smoky smile began slowly spreading from the corner of his mouth. "You are somehow more brutal than I thought you are Ms. Rivers." Fine. I will assist, but with a catch,"
"Name it," Natasha said.
"I want a seat at the table. If I'm going to be directly involved in the process of rebuilding this city, then I have my say on how it will happen.
There was a moment's pause but then it was Alison who replied. "We'll consider it. But you will be monitored. This you can tell by their words: "Cross the line, and that's it."
Darius nodded. "Fair enough. Now, let me burst your bubble and see whether your idealism will endure the reception you are going to experience shortly in this world.
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Day by day, week by week, Vellion was being changed. With some degree of pushing and shoving by the Babylonians, Darius begrudgingly helped them bring sustainable technologies and practices to the cities. There were no more smokestacks, but instead solar panels; once vacant lots became green spaces for communal farming; people changed for the better.
Natasha and Alison were busy, helping the city to rise while trying to predict what was to come. The Heart of the Jungle never left them but was placed in the middle of activity; its symbol encouraging them.
The day was particularly lovely so, one evening as they were standing on a rooftop which overlooked the entire city as it was now, Natasha looked at Alison. What do you believe will be the next proposition that will face us?
Alison looked at the dimly lit distant lights of another city standing on the opposite bank of the channel. "We'll have to be. The battle is still on – far from over .
Natasha nodded, and with resolve gleamed in her gaze. "Then we keep moving forward. One city at a time, one step at a time.'
And as the music of the jungle filled the streets of Vellion they knew that they were go the right way. Altogether they would ensure that all obstacles that were in their way were conquered with the vision of having a human and nature Society.