Gaia sat on a large boulder overlooking a small grotto and waterfall. She sat with legs crossed and hands folded in front of her, silently meditating. Her long wooden staff sat in front of her, it's apex covered in feathers and precious gems. She breathed in the air around her, crisp and clean. She listened calmly to the soothing sounds of bird calls and flowing water around her. She reached out with her shaman senses, communing with the nature all around her. She could sense the earth and forest for miles around her. Everything was peaceful and serene.
A sudden cramping in her chest broke her out of her meditation. She could feel the edges of the forest being destroyed and cut down. She could taste the poison and refuse that polluted the waters of the world. She could feel the ice of the northern and southern poles melt and fade away under the ever increasing heat. Her refuge was becoming smaller by the day and the poisonous taint of the modern world was slowly invading her little garden of Eden. She sighed deeply, her moment of zen ruined. She grabbed her staff and slowly lifted herself to a standing position. She left the peaceful scene in front of her and turned to return home on the natural trail.
She made her way slowly through the dirt path, the sun illuminating it in spots where the canopy above let in the light. She trodded through the peaceful scene as it turned uphill. She climbed the path, her ancient knees groaning with effort with every step. She paused as she crested the top of the hill and turned to her right. Off in the distance she could see the edge of the rainforest where it was being torn and shredded by mankind's engines of pollution. Smoke filled the air from the distant machines and factories. She sighed deeply in resignation as she continued down hill to her home.
She had lived in seclusion longer than she could remember. She was happy at home alone in the jungles. But her solitude was increasingly being encroached upon by the outside world. It seemed as though the world at large had no respect or regard for nature. It was the highest form of sacrilege to one such as her. The shamans of ancient times past always preached oneness with the world around them and were sought out for their wisdom. But she had secluded herself from others, finding people too much trouble to be worth. Perhaps, Gaia thought, it was time to do something about the intruders. But she didn't know where to start.
As she traipsed back into the clearing that comprised her home, she was startled by the sight of a stranger lounging in her hammock. He had tan skin and wore only baggy white pants and an orange sash around his chest. He swung gently back and forth in the afternoon breeze with a serene smile on his face. Gaia scowled and stormed over to him.
"Chiwa Thay?!" She shouted at the intruder, staff leveled at him. Deva peeked open one eye and glanced at Gaia with a calm expression. He slowly turned to remove himself from the hammock.
"Oh forgive me, I was just resting myself while I waited for your return. You are the one they call Gaia are you not?" Deva asked gently lowering the staff away from him. Gaia scowled once more and leveled her staff at his face once more.
"Mikata, Chiwa thay?" She asked again angrily. She only barely remembered this fool probably didn't understand what she was saying. It had been years since Gaia had to speak anything other than her native tongue, she wasn't sure she could any more.
"Apologies, I should have introduced myself sooner. My name is Avatar Deva, King of the nation of Shambala." Deva took a deep bow. "I am very pleased to make your acquaintence." He said pleasantly. Gaia lowered her staff slightly but still regarded him with suspicion. She had purposely hid herself in the depths of the jungle so she wouldn't be bothered by outsiders. Why had he made such a perilous journey here just to find her?
"Yu-chi thay mot?" She asked him curiously.
"Well I am here because I wanted to meet you and discuss some very important matters." Deva replied calmly. Gaia looked up at him in surprise.
"Thay dumotto ko suy?" She asked him disbelivingly.
"Yes, I can read minds you know. The meanings of one's thoughts are always clearer than one's words I find." Deva replied moving around her. She watched him curiously as he walked into the clearing, looking around at her hut and living situation. He had his hands folded behind his back while he spoke up.
"Look, I can tell you're distrustful of me. I don't need to be a mind reader to see that." He said placatingly. "I just would like you to hear me out." He said holding his hands to the side. Gaia set her staff down and made her way over to a tree stump. She cleared it of her belongings and sat down, staff held to her side. She gestured towards Deva who smiled.
"I'm sure you've no doubt noticed the current state of the world today." He said walking over to a low hanging tree. He admired its leaves and gently stroked them with his thumb. "The humans of this world are destroying nature in all it's forms. It's quite a sad state of affairs. They have become so blinded by their greed they don't even realize they're killing themselves." Deva explained. Gaia frowned. She had been contemplating this very issue this morning. Deva smiled at her as if sensing his thoughts, which he may very well could have.
"I am offering you a solution." Deva said walking towards her. He paused to sniff at some nearby flowers. "There is a way we can protect the wonders of mother nature, as well as your little slice of paradise." Deva explained. Gaia raised a skeptical eyebrow. Sensing her disbelief he continued his monologue. "I wish to overthrow the shinigami and his current world order." He said simply.
Gaia gasped, even she knew of the all powerful shinigami. To go against such a god would be impossible.
"I can sense your skepticism, however I assure you I am perfectly sane. Besides, what has the shinigami done the last 100 years to protect the planet. He was content to let humans abuse and destroy the natural world for their own gains. Don't you see? If we became the new gods of the world we could reshape it in our image. We could create a world where humans live in harmony with the natural ecosystems around them. What do you say?" Deva finished holding out a hand.
Gaia's eyes darted between his hand and his eyes and she frowned deeply. She had been bothered by the destruction of the world around her, wondering what it was that she could do to solve it. Now, here was someone seemingly offering her the perfect solution. Was it too good to be true? She turned and crossed her arms, lost deep in thought. She looked back at Deva, whose face had become neutral as she seemingly ignored his open invitation. She eyed the young man up and down. Although he presented a friendly demeanor, Gaia could sense something sinister behind his eyes. There was an intense lust for power and control behind them. She wasn't sure that teaming up with the young king was such a good idea.
As if sensing her hesitance, Deva dropped his hand, his face schooled into an expression of barely concealed disdain.
"Fine then, I can see you were the wrong person to come to for this. If you would rather hide here in your forest, waiting until the rest of the world burns down around you, be my guest. I hope your reticence will be worth it when your home is poisoned and burnt." Deva said and turned around. He walked away from Gaia, his words like an arrow straight to her heart.
At that moment. Gaia felt true fear and desperation deep in her heart. She called out to him and Deva stopped in his tracks. Gaia walked closer to him and nodded her head in assent. Deva smiled wickedly.