The Upwards War
On a cloudy dusk, a free rogue and a Ranger walk through the forest, having crossed paths and agreeing to travel together for their trip. After a time, the rogue speaks his mind:
"Why is it you defend nature? A concept?"
"It's always going to be here. Why not?"
"Tricky, but while civilization constantly advances, nature- she stays the same, does she not?"
"Yes, but while civilization attempts to find its peak, nature has been at hers all along."
"Still, it does very little for you, doesn't it?"
"Yes. This is true; aside from a sense of peace."
"Then why?"
"If we choose to ignore our origins, it will come back to haunt us, believe. What happens if too many wolves are born and weed out their prey's numbers? They will search for more food, and into towns."
"But that's only a possibility!"
"Yeah, well, Orb going insane was only a possibility too. Your birth was only a possibility. Our meeting was only a-"
"Alright, alright. Go on.."
"Let's try another situation. If a city expands too far in one direction... say into this very forest, what happens to the living space of several hundred critters and such?"
"It shrinks."
"And where will they seek living space?"
"In the town that then takes up their old space?"
"Right."
"But reservations are made; sectors for animals. You can't stop the growth of societies!"
"We're not stopping advancement; we promote cooperation with nature and human civilizations... Anyways, reservations don't let nature thrive naturally. Oh... Trapper's Paradise. This is where we part, for now."
"You don't get it, do you?!"
"I've given you my reasons. Should you be too blind in heart to understand these, so be it. I have tried."
He begins to close the door.
"You're fighting something impossible!"
"It's not a battle. I bid you, good eve."
The door closes.
"You can't defend a concept! People find ways around such obstacles! You're fighting up-hill, Ranger! An... an upwards war!"
The rogue is left only with the echoes of his own voice. As he continues on his own path, not just in the forest, but in life, so will the Rangers. Perhaps in the future, such will understand that this "Upwards War" is no war, but a fair try at saving what has been forgotten.