I had an audience, but I wasn’t quite sure how to tell a story that could also explain how the species they were curious about thinks.

  — What I learned, in my years studying known species, is that every form of life evolves. Each species follows a different pace, but the evolution that occurred on Earth is, compared to other planets, excessive. — I said, watching Karen, still shy, clinging to me.

  — Earth — I continued — despite the devastation it suffered, holds the greatest diversity of life. It was the planet where evolution happened most rapidly, and that is reflected in all its living beings. Not only in us, humans.

  — Earth has twenty-two times the biological diversity of Donna. — AX reported, appearing and positioning himself beside me.

  — The animals there — humans included — carry a need and a dissatisfaction that never allows them to settle. We are always testing our own limits, even if it costs us our lives. Our DNA carries very strong urges to expand, to conquer, to venture, to discover.

  — In comparison, humans evolved five times faster than any other species. — AX added, supporting the explanation.

  — Thank you, AX. — I smiled, grateful for the assistance. — We created technology to cross oceans, but not enough maturity to cross our own ego. At least not in a homogeneous way. We competed, often without even knowing the real reason. When our evolution began producing beings with the necessary balance, we were too busy with ourselves.

  The night breeze brought Melissa and Sacha with it. Their smiles struck my chest, and the gentle scent they carried filled my senses. I smiled and waited for them to sit beside Kane.

  — Our audacity, in wanting to be the center of everything, came at a high cost. We affected the climate, the physical and mental health of people and animals… Existing became increasingly burdensome. Mortality, violence, hunger, and misery corroded our essence… we became so ill that we accepted the end.

  With my free hand, I stroked Karen’s head, which caused laughter when she shot me an angry look.

  — When everything seemed lost, these wonders of the universe — I smiled at the Sekvens — or rather, of the Known Universe, intervened silently. They stabilized the climate and we could breathe again. — I took a deep breath. — We learned from our mistake and created the Academy, an institution that helped, fed, and sheltered all peoples.

  — A simple gesture saved the humans. — Tariel commented.

  — Not quite, my love. — I explained, still taken by desire when I looked at her. I felt embarrassed when I noticed it, but continued: — The machines created by the Xerantos to regulate Earth’s climate came at a high cost.

  — The Fairies cost far more. — Aninha did not let it pass. — For us to exist, ten times more people and resources were necessary. — she said proudly.

  — That’s why you are so loved. — Sacha said. — You were the greatest creation of the Known Universe.

  In truth, it wasn’t only forty years of creation. Xerantos, Miliamedes, and Sekvens followed, adjusted, and taught the Fairies until they reached the same strength, feelings, and maturity as the Sekvens. After all, they had been created using Sekven DNA as their foundation. This process took more than a thousand years.

  Aninha, smiling before me, was an unprecedented achievement — perhaps an unsurpassable one. But the most unsettling part was the reason: the innocent desire of a Sekvens.

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  — A thousand years passed after the emergence of the Academy, and for a restless and ambitious species it was far too long. The thirst for power caused discontent to grow, and soon there were wars among us again. It is in war that the human being reveals his most… sorrowful side.

  Anastácia quickly stood up to help Ana, who was crying after falling while running. We waited for her to return, the girl in her arms.

  — Our dissatisfaction led us to marvelous achievements in record time, but we did not know how to manage it. — I said.

  — Yes, but the Academy almost succeeded. A few more centuries and the United would have taken the lead. — Zircon commented.

  — With the end of the Academy, the Known Universe withdrew. The machines that regulated Earth’s climate reached the end of their lifespan, and the climate became severe again — though not as severe as before. If we had been united, we could have overcome the climate. But the opposite happened.

  — It must have been abrupt. — Aluram commented.

  — And it was. — I continued, noticing that Karen had relaxed. — A long period of intense wars accelerated our second downfall. Only a small region, separated by oceans, escaped.

  — Nature, perhaps in an attempt to make the species viable again, created a human subspecies: the Moreus. Stronger and more resistant to the climate, they expanded quickly. But they were tribal and extremely violent...

  — We were decimated by the Moreus.

  I looked at Aluram and gave an awkward smile before explaining:

  — We were food to them.

  An uneasy silence spread among those gathered there, carrying with it an air of sadness.

  — It’s part of evolution. Whoever doesn’t adapt becomes food! — Aninha said, drawing a few laughs. — I still remember the birds of Antéia trying to eat me. I was terrified of them!

  — You’re incredible, Aninha. — said Nissi. — But it’s a feeling I’ll never forget. If William hadn’t gone that night...

  — Your destiny was another. — Melissa stated. — It was to belong to us. To be loved. To be cared for.

  The Seliums took a deep breath, closed their eyes, and smiled. They did it in perfect synchrony, which sparked my curiosity: had it been coincidence? Something inherent to their species? Or the result of their proximity to the Sekvens?

  Although the Sekvens were seated on one side and they on the other, it was clear they were restraining themselves from moving toward them.

  — Separated by an ocean and a vast desert, far from the horror consuming the rest of the planet, a few million humans lived and maintained peace. It was in this protected place that Yoko was born.

  — I was born there, as a United, just like Milena.

  — So at that time, on Earth there were three humanoid species: humans, Moreus, and the United. It was thanks to Yoko and her parents that the Known Universe turned its eyes to us again. The Moreus had exhausted the resources of their region. As extractivists, their population was declining rapidly. Even so, that drove them to explore more and more… until they found us.

  — That must have been horrible. — Anastácia commented, sitting with Ana on one leg and Tariel’s head resting on the other.

  Before I could continue, a shift in the direction of the wind made the temperature drop quickly. It was interesting to observe everyone’s reaction.

  The Sekvens did not react — they like the cold.

  The Xerantos, even with their heavy uniforms, showed discomfort.

  Ana and Anastácia hugged each other.

  But the most interesting thing was seeing the fur appear on the Seliums.

  All at once, Tariel illuminated the place with her white fur.

  — So beautiful! — Aninha shouted, flying toward her to kiss her.

  Aninha didn’t just kiss her. She used her hands to hold Tariel’s face with enthusiasm. Ana, Anastácia, and Tariel ended up falling backward, dizzy and wearing silly smiles.

  It was becoming difficult to endure so much time near the Sekvens. It’s easier when there are no women around. The heart races, love intensifies, and an inexplicable urge to fall in love appears.

  — It wasn’t horrible, Anastácia. — I continued. — The Known Universe took Yoko, her parents, and her human friends to Antéia. They built a castle in the middle of a fertile region and surrounded it with an invisible wall to prevent the Moreus from crossing. They took us there and imposed rules. That is how Vitória emerged, where I was born.

  — We believed more United would be born. Which, in fact, happened. — AX added.

  I took a deep breath and concluded:

  — For today, we will end here.

  — He needs his wives. — Aninha laughed. — I do too! I’m off!

  Before I could stand up, Ana was already in Nissi’s arms, Anastácia was taking Karen from mine, and Tariel was pulling me by the hand.