Evolution by Henri Sayag
At first, the world’s life was one. With time it split up in many distinct tribes and species. Each species in the process of being infinitely refined and adapted by evolution; inching towards their apex. At evolution penultimate, where each creature had nearly maximized the abilities evolution had gifted them. The stability of the world was shifting, the evolutionary call for power, to assert dominance, was slowly overpowering the flight response which before was natural; the world is heading towards tumult.
Each species has its own methods of government: the ants have mastered a structure where each creature has a specific role based on their capabilities and mindset, humans have created feudalism where the powerful defend the poor, and in return, the poor give them homage, labor, and a share of their produce. The wolves believe strength is in numbers and organization, and the sea creatures create mind hives and form symbiotic relationships with other animals to overpower any threat.
But with time these creatures became greedy and hungry for power, for in the wild, there is one law: eat or be eaten. Soon territories were made, fortifications built and armies were funded, there was one goal and only one: be everything. The ants migrated under the surface where they could slowly grow, no longer under the constant and scrutinizing gaze of the other creatures. Their plan was simple: they would slowly grow in power until they felt the time was optimal to conquer, and then they would strike. The humans built cities and capitalism was created, trade ensured and businesses made. The wolves conquered the mountains, for the mountains are a great advantage to hold particularly for the wolves who would find themselves there, at the top of the food chain. The sea animals split into many subcategories only to find out through trial and error they were subconsciously developing symbiotic relations with other neighboring species and grouping together to become more.
The tension was still low but it could be felt growing silently like many powerful things. It was hinted at through the growing conflicts and the sprouting disputes, but because of its elusive and murky nature, the conflict was undoubtedly blamed on the other and the matter was hastily forgotten.
Meanwhile, the ants were forming a nation founded on order and organization; soon each role had its unique biological trait: the warriors were bigger and their jaws stronger, the workers faster and stronger, the farmers had mandibles capable of cutting leaves to feed the fungi they depend on. Humans first started all in packs with no leader or a specific role than when they discovered that if the best fisher fished instead of farming they would catch more fish. The previous fisher could be assigned to a role they do well and there would be gain. That system worked well until people got greedy:
“I’ll have two of your best fish,” said the Sculptor in an arrogant tone.
“Why should I give you my fish when you do nothing for me?” the fisherman complained.
The answer to that conflict was simple bartering, and trading was born. Then what if people went into debt? The ones at loss would offer their work to pay it off and it would be easily settled. At one point one person may own so much more than another, that their influence will grow as their fortune grows. That gap creates the basis for chiefs and kings. The more the gap grows the more segregated and unequal the population becomes and classes naturally pop up, ever-enlarging that gap.
The wolves’ approach to governments and society was simple and effective survival of the fittest. The alpha or the leader could be challenged and anything replaced, this very fluid moldable approach allowed the wolves to adapt to practically any situation. It also came with a flaw, strength is in numbers and constant bickering and useless fights weaken the whole pack, but they found the trade-off worth it.
The sea creatures, the oldest of all creatures, started as small groups of diverse animals all depending on each other but when the groups grew, conflict became common, sharing was counter evolutionary. Thus the animals weren’t keen on it, so the groups eventually broke apart. Each thought they would be more successful alone, frustrated at the other’s arrogance and selfishness but obviously l bias. With time and randomness, they reconvened and rejoined this time as a pack where the number of creatures was limited to ensure the pack’s survival.
While those small problems were being settled, the humans built ships to conquer more land and to travel/transport goods farther and faster; the race had started. The sea creatures oblivious of this invasion continued to try to fix their petty problems until the humans, hard-headed and convinced of their greatness, claimed the sea as theirs and started fishing and exploiting the sea out of their resources.
That domineering step was just too much for the sea creatures. They broke out of their trance and vowed to punish their oppressors at any cost. The Krakens and the orcas were sent to terrorize the humans, scared half out of their wits, the humans retreated and the stories of Krakens and wild sharks sprouted across Europe like smoke in a forest fire. The ants noticed that and struck at the humans, for they saw them as a weakened threat. Streams of fire and bullet ants paraded down villages in a wild murderous frenzy.
The humans, after many many in vain attempts to fend off the opponents, finally retreated. The humans seeking shelter in the nearby mountains the wolves took this as an invasion and waited till the sunset. As soon as the sun broke through the ground and disappeared the wolves attacked the humans, in the mountains at night battling one whose abilities and skills are purely shaped to be the ultimate killing machine in their specific environment you are currently in, is an uphill battle. The humans are hastily defeated by their invisible ever striking enemy.
The humans separated into two groups; group one fled to the rolling hills of eastern Europe while the second one fled across the Bering land bridge to North America. At that point, the ice age hit the second group of humans was trapped in between two countries safe from roaming predators but contained. The ice age was not a slow change, it was a tidal wave out of nowhere the change was quick and brusk, like cold, merciless, and unforgiving. The oceans froze solid, the trees petrified and the land was like a rock. Birds fell out of the sky so cold were the nights, the only power against this ruthless enemy was a rare fire. Fire the human’s biggest asset many creatures swore allegiance to the humans in exchange for fire, the dogs the horses, and so on. These creatures ended up being domesticated and turned into faithful servants ever defending their lord who had saved them. Though this system seems like a last resort, many creatures swore allegiance because of the many life quality advancements humans excelled at devising. This was a new era, the one where humans started their legacy which will end in global domination. The rate of rising was an unprecedented one, humans now had in their hands a powerful resource, one they wouldn't stop misusing for corporate gain.
The stone and iron age flew by this delta this difference of wild and tamed were ever stretching. The ones who still called themselves wild fled to the darkest corners of nature to hide and swore they would revenge the ones who stole their homeland when undisrupted for centuries until.
“Hey look at that forest, it seems untouched!” said the logger excitedly
THE END
