It had been a while, and the world was changing rapidly.
Now that most of the problems on Eden had been solved, the cities had been rebuilt, the economy had stabilized and everything seed to be going well, humanity finally had the opportunity to look at new goals. To be precise, humanity was aiming for expansion.
With world peace now achieved and teleportation technology at hand, there was literally no reason to remain anchored to their howorld. After all, humanity has always been hungry for exploration, for colonization. Now that their world had no more unexplored places, humans aid for space. And even the animals, despite their simplicity, began to be interested in those bright dots they admired every night in the sky.
Thus the Eden Union had launched several exploration missions throughout the inner solar system. They aid to explore all the rocky planets and even a large part of the asteroids, so as to increase their knowledge, acquire new resources and evaluate whether it was possible to start new colonizations as had happened with Davis.
Speaking of Davis, the colony was rapidly filling up with cities and settlents. Now that it was fully terraford, hundreds of thousands of people wanted to move there, both for the better career opportunities (being effectively among the first settlers) and for the exotic prospect. And not just humans: a large number of animals had also begun making Davis their new ho.
And soon Davis would no longer be alone. Humans had begun building bases on Sarah, the second planet in the solar system, the equivalent of Venus. These were huge platforms floating on the planet's thick atmosphere. Dozens of modified plants had been planted on them with the aim of absorbing enormous quantities of CO2. The plants were purposely designed so that only a small fraction of that CO2 would produce oxygen, while the remainder would be liquefied and released as waste material, which would be collected by workers before it could evaporate again and stored for future use. In practice, humans were already helping to lower the toxicity of Sarah' atmosphere, decrease its temperature and obtain large quantities of CO2 for any future terraforming projects.
Sobek didn't mind that. He had never liked the idea of humanity, or any other intelligent species, remaining anchored to its ho planet. It was a really sad and unflattering prospect. There was a whole cosmos out there, so why reject it? The universe was huge and full of amazing things to discover, and he didn't make sense to back down if you had the chance to reach them. There was no good excuse to spit on that magnificent gift.
Besides, staying on Eden would only make things worse. While there was room for everyone, pressing problems like overpopulation, which would now affect all living species since they all no longer had natural enemies, would co back to haunt them one day. And even if so sort of balance could be found, one day the sun would beco so hot that it would make Eden unlivable. Don't waste ti and start colonizing new worlds right away, therefore, it was the best solution. With so many worlds available, overpopulation would be a thing of the past, and by the ti the sun died in the future, all species in Eden would have already moved to another solar system.
In any case, he wasn't leaving Eden any ti soon, not now that he had important responsibilities.
Nefertiti had grown rapidly: in just over a year her size had already quadrupled. She was already several ters long and taller than an adult human being. Anyone could have already mistaken her for a dium-sized theropod.
However, the size did not reflect maturity. She was, after all, destined to grow to be at least eighty ters long, so even though she looked very large she was actually still a cub. And she behaved like one.
Since her maturation rate was much faster than that of humans, she was already as intelligent as her four-year-old human counterpart. She had learned to speak and demonstrated so ability to learn. Unfortunately, like all children, Nefertiti was also characterized by a certain hyperactivity.
Sobek was literally on edge… and that was when he was quiet. Despite all of his stamina attributes Nefertiti was capable of continually tiring him, both physically and ntally. The young spinosaurus hopped from side to side and very often disappeared from sight of him driving him crazy.
Being a parent was by no ans an easy job. Sobek was seriously starting to miss the war. At least war wasn't unpredictable… well, almost always. Nefertiti on the other hand seed to be a walking source of concern.
Sobek was initially sure that taking care of Nefertiti would be no different than when he had taken care of Jocelyne in the forest. Unfortunately he had discovered that there was a big difference between raising a daughter of his and taking care of an unknown child found by chance in the forest. The level of tension and nervousness could not be compared.
Luckily Sobek could count on his friends. Occasionally, when he himself no longer had the strength to continue, he took Nefertiti to one of her 'uncles' and leave her to them, while he collapsed into sleep as the tension finally left his body. Like at that mont. "Aunt, why is Dad so tired?" Nefertiti asked, observing her father lying on one side of her, completely passed out.
Eema was holding back with all her strength not to laugh. Sobek had co to her that morning and practically begged her on his knees to keep Nefertiti for a few hours. As soon as she agreed, he let her the cub, found himself a comfortable place, and then fell asleep in a position that hardly suited the image of the brave pack leader. "Eh, little one, when you grow up you'll understand" Eema replied. "We adults tire easily, and the older we get, the more energy we lose. Your father needs to recharge his batteries"
"So today it will be just you and , Aunt?" Nefertiti asked excitedly.
Eema smiled. It was a little strange to be called 'aunt' by a spinosaurus that was already almost bigger than her, but you only had to look into her eyes to rember that despite her size she was still just a playful child. "Apparently yes. Co, I'll show you around the city" ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novelꜰire
And so the triceratops walked, followed by the young spinosaurus, towards the nearby city, whose buildings stood out clearly through the treetops. That city was the new capital of the Great Republic of Beleriard.
After the bombs had fallen, there had been much to rebuild. Eema, as chief builder, had participated in the reconstruction of all the cities, providing advice and drafting plans. But as far as the new capital was concerned, Eema had put all her effort and soul into making it a real jewel.
It had been Sobek's request: after all that had happened, she wanted to give Jocelyne at least a small gift given how much she had sacrificed for him. Thus, Eema had made sure to make the new capital of Beleriard the most beautiful city in the world.
The new capital was called Turguska, which in a popular legend was a kind of beautiful magical city. A bit like the island of Avalon in the Arthurian cycle. Eema had worked hard to be able to make the legend true.
According to the story, Turguska was a city of flying buildings hovering above a magnificent lake. Eema had chosen that design to create the new capital and Jocelyne had found the result wonderful. Everyone had found it wonderful, actually.
The capital consisted exclusively of huge skyscrapers, on top of which there were botanical gardens, sculptures, parks and other attractions. The skyscrapers were connected to each other by beautiful glass bridges built specifically to be light and resistant. But the most beautiful thing was that all the skyscrapers were colored on purpose to seem suspended in the air: the base was green to blend into the crowns of the trees, the middle was the color of the sky, and the top was white as if it were a cloud . On the ground, where there were no skyscrapers, several canals connected to a nearby river had been dug, filling the area with crystalline water, which reflected the sunlight on the buildings, creating a kaleidoscope of colours.
Anyone who passed by could not help but be enchanted by that beauty. It was sothing exotic, normal and fantastic at the sa ti. Coming to that city was like entering another world. It would not have been surprising to find that elves or fairies lived there instead of humans.
The most beautiful building was the governnt building. It was a huge skyscraper in the center of the city surmounted by a golden do adorned with sculptures of all kinds. It was located on what appeared to be a small island in the middle of the water, adorned with tall trees, flowers and plants of all kinds. To make everything more beautiful, so botanists had transported there so species of butterflies and insects with bright colors, which fluttered around that place making it an even more mystical vision. Beleriard boasted not only the most beautiful city in the world, but also the most beautiful center of power in the world.
Jocelyne had greatly appreciated that gift. And apparently, even Nefertiti found it beautiful.
"Look, Aunt! That bridge looks like crystal!"
"Look, Aunt! There are creepers up there!"
"Look, Aunt! That building looks like a spiral!"
"Aunt, can we go see it?"
"Aunt, what is that?"
"And that?"
"And that over there?"
"Aunt, aren't humans afraid to walk on those bridges?"
"Aunt, why do humans live in those structures?"
"Aunt, do you think it is better to live inside or outside those buildings?"
"Aunt, can we go see the botanical garden?"
"And the governnt building?"
"And the museum!"
"And the airport!"
Eema fully understood why Sobek was so tired. She didn't dare think about what it must be like to deal with a hyperactive young spinosaurus every single mont of the day. Only one word ca to her mind: exhausting!
But it was enough to look Nefertiti in her eyes for just one instant for the triceratops' heart to fill with tenderness and happiness. They were lively, curious eyes, and they sparkled with admiration every ti they saw sothing new. They were, in fact, the eyes of a child who was discovering the world.
They remained together until late evening, when the moon took the place of the sun and its light reflected from the water illuminated the city with a silver glow. At that point, Sobek ca to take Nefertiti back. With him were Buck and Carnopo. "Where do you two co from?" Eema asked them.
"We had co to talk to the leader of the pack about sothing, but we found him passed out on the ground" Buck replied, a little amused. "It took us a while to revive him"
"Uncle Bu! Uncle Car!" Nefertiti greeted them hopping towards them and burying her head in their bellies with affection.
"Hey, hey, calm down!" Carnopo exclaid, who had to appeal to a good part of his strength not to be thrown to the ground. "It's good for us to see you too, granddaughter"
Sobek smiled at that scene, then said: "Nefertiti, do you want to spend so ti with your uncles? I need to talk to your aunt about sothing"
"Yesss!" the young spinosaurus was delighted. "You don't know how many things I have to tell you!"
"We will gladly listen to you. Co now, let's leave your father and your aunt alone" Buck said starting to walk away with Carnopo, followed by Nefertiti who began to list them all the things she had seen during the day.
Eema waited until they were far enough away, then as soon as she was sure that the young spinosaurus could no longer hear her she turned to Sobek: "Buck and Carnopo didn't co of their own free will, did they? You called them because you needed soone to hold the little one away so she doesn't have to see"
The spinosaurus sighed and nodded. "Yes. So you know?"
"I have enough control of my body to understand it. Rather, how do you know?"
"When I woke up I used my overdeveloped hearing to track you down. That's when I noticed your breathing had gotten weird. And... also your heartbeat"
"Already. Yes, my lungs and heart are throwing a tantrum" Eema lay down on the grass, watching the city fill with silver light as the moon rose higher and higher in the sky. "You were right to send Nefertiti away. She's still too young, she better not learn now what death is"
"At her age we already knew that"
"But at her age we lived in fear. She doesn't. That's what we fought for, right? A world where our children need not be afraid. Knowing that she doesn't need to learn about her death at her age is proof to that we really won"
Sobek lay down next to Eema. "I'm sorry if I entrusted you with my daughter in your condition. I should have known earlier..."
"Are you joking? You made happier than ever. This day has been among the best of my life" the triceratops said laughing. "I spent the whole day together with my sweet little niece, showing her every piece of my greatest masterpiece. What more can I ask for?"
"Do you really have no regrets?"
"No"
"And you're not afraid?"
"Oh, yes, I am. But I know that I cannot postpone my passing any longer. Death is just another way, sooner or later we all have to take it"
Sobek nodded and smiled at her. "In that case, thank you for everything, Eema. For all you have done for and for our people, and for humans as well. I will make sure your na is never forgotten"
"Thank you, pack leader. Can I make a request from the bottom of my heart, if it's not too much to ask?"
"Certainly"
"Even if it is sothing difficult to obtain?"
"Just ask"
"Well. Here's my request: don't give yourself a nervous breakdown"
Sobek was stunned for a mont, then burst out laughing realizing that the triceratops was making fun of him. "It's going to be tough on that little pest" he replied jokingly.
"I'm sure. But what can you do, she is her father's daughter. It is impossible for her to stay still" Eema laughed. "Take care of her for too, pack leader. She… is truly wonderful and deserves all the happiness of this world, indeed of this universe"
"I know. And I'll make sure that's the case" Sobek said.
Eema rested her head on the ground. "Then I really have no regrets" she whispered, standing still staring at the magnificent city in front of her. Sobek respected her silence and also limited himself to looking at the beautiful buildings. Then, when the stars were now clearly visible in the sky, giving the city an aspect that could not be defined in any other way than fairy, Eema closed her eyes, never ceasing to smile.
When the sun ca up the next day, her old heart had stopped beating. Sobek looked at her now lifeless body and nuzzled it as a sign of affection; whereupon he called out to all the animals and warned them that one of their commanders was dead. Several beasts of all kinds flocked to pay homage to Eema, and Sobek stepped aside to make room for them. He returned to Buck and Carnopo and took Nefertiti back, allowing the two of them to go and say goodbye to their old friend too.
Eema was buried in front of the governnt building, on the islet at its base, amidst the lush flowers and plants. A stone was placed over her grave with a solid gold plaque recounting every important event in her life and how she had rebuilt the entire capital of Beleriard into the most beautiful city in the world. That tomb would in the future beco a place of pilgrimage for artists, architects and engineers from all over the world, who would co to pay homage to one of the greatest builders of all ti, who was buried right in the middle of her most marvelous work.
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