Most of the people in the area had come over to where the trees I had connected with were. It made sense since the trees were now giving off enough heat to melt the snow all around them.
I slowed down and talked to many people, directing them to the Great Tree. I was confused about why they hadn't just come to the big tree, but it turned out a significant number of people seemed leery of the idea.
"There you go. You should be feeling better now and be able to make it to the Great Tree up the road," I explained to a family after I had finished healing some minor cuts and bruises and one child that had pneumonia.
"Is it safe for us to go there?" The father asked me, but Gaia answered.
"Yes, Daniel is the one that created the tree, and he is providing safe havens for everyone. My name is Gaia, and I am the spirit of the earth, and I place my trust in this man," Gaia explained, reaching out her hand to the boy I had healed.
A Tigerlily grew up from her palm as she did, and the child's eye went wide with amazement.
The parents and the people around us started to clap and cheer at Gaia's little trick, making her look around in surprise.
"Did I do something wrong?" Gaia asked as she looked up at me, and I grinned.
"No, you just keep being you. You make the people more comfortable with your words and actions, so I have no issue. Plus, you're cute, so you make a much better spokesperson than I do," I laughed.
We continued for two hours and ended up at the other Great Tree. To my surprise, a significant number of people were sleeping outside, but none of them were sick.
"Hey! Why can't we go to the big tree like everyone else?! I deserve to be inside, unlike some other people!" One man shouted, wearing a dirty suit that at one time looked fancy.
"Yeah! I am a CEO at Fibretech! I deserve to be in a nice warm place!" Another man called.
Most people stood up, and the masses started to try and surround me but summoned grass all around me. It started to grab everyone around me, pinning people in place and disarming them.
"What is wrong with these people? Why do they think that they are more important than others?" Gaia asked with worry in her voice.
"That was the world that they lived in before, but these ones still haven't seemed to learn that this isn't the same world. None will be given access to the Great Trees until they change their ways," I explained as the grass was almost finished.
People around us were yelling and screaming, but I was talking close to Gaia so she could hear me okay. The grass pulled all weapons into the ground, and within about a minute, everyone around me was bound in place.
"What happens if they don't change?" Gaia asked.
"They will be forced out of the city after erecting a barrier. Once that is done, those that wish to cause harm or refuse to change are blocked from the city. The trees can sense everything about a person just from their energy, but I don't have to tell you that," I said, and a stump started to grow from beneath me, raising us so everyone could see me.
"That is a good idea, but I don't disagree with sending them back into the LifeStream if they become threats to our people's safety. I have watched this world tear itself apart, and for the first time in history, I am here to finally help see and guide a change. With your help, of course."
???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????-????????????.????????????
To my surprise, Gaia's voice had become loud enough for everyone to hear, making everyone go quiet. I smiled, and she and she smiled back at me, and I looked up at the now scared-looking people.
"I did not come to kill any of you, but I also did not come here to make demands. You are humans, and the world that you knew two days ago is gone and never coming back. All your social standings, or positions at your old jobs, or even gangs are gone. Violence is no longer necessary unless it is to defend the things you hold dear, but I will be taking care of that for you. If you want to be part of the new world that I am trying to create, you have to leave the old one behind. If not, you will be sent from here and not allowed to enter until you are like-minded," I explained, and people immediately started back.
"You can't do this! We have rights!"
"You're just a monster like the one that destroys the city!"
"SILENCE!" I roared, and everyone stopped speaking as the grass got tighter, and then said, "I am giving you an option, but you have three days to decide, and I will be watching. You are allowed to make your own choices, but if you do not like mine, then you need to leave. End of discussion. Also, don't mess with the trees and plants, or they will mess you up. You are warned!"
I released everyone, but there were a couple people that tried to rush me right off. I had expected this, and the stump already had roots spread out.
Roots burst from the ground around, making the ones that hadn't been grabbed run in fear. The ten that had been grabbed were flung outside of the city at very high arcs like the big guy that had attacked me.
Those ones we're going back to the LifeStream, but I turned back to the fleeing people, and grass shot up to stop them.
"Hold on. Seems I forgot one thing. Any aggression towards my people or me will not be tolerated. Decide what you want to do in peace, or get a flight out of the city with no parachute!" I growled and then let the people go to continue to run from the tree.