Vancouver: The Green Zion
The year was 2085. The world had changed in ways no one could have foreseen. The relentless march of industry and climate change had transformed most cities into gray wastelands of concrete and smog. But Vancouver, nestled between the towering Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, stood apart—a beacon of green in a world gone gray. It was called Zion, the Last Green City.
The transformation had not been easy. Decades earlier, the First Nations elders had foreseen the collapse of the natural world. They had warned of the consequences of humanity’s insatiable greed and had fought tirelessly to protect the land they called home. Their voices, once dismissed, had grown louder as the crises deepened, until the world had no choice but to listen.
The Council of Elders
At the heart of Vancouver’s transformation was the Council of Elders, a group of respected First Nations leaders who guided the city with wisdom rooted in thousands of years of stewardship. Among them was Elder Mahtlani, a stoic woman whose presence commanded respect. Her long, silver hair was braided with cedar and sage, and her eyes held the weight of countless generations.
“Vancouver is not ours to own,” Mahtlani often reminded the people. “It is a gift we hold in trust for the future. If we treat it with respect, it will sustain us. If we exploit it, it will perish—and so will we.”
The Council had enacted sweeping changes: banning fossil fuels, restoring salmon-bearing rivers, and rewilding vast stretches of land. Skyscrapers were replaced with vertical forests, their walls alive with moss, ferns, and flowering plants. Public transportation ran on clean energy, and the city’s rooftops were covered with solar panels and community gardens. Wildlife roamed freely through interconnected green corridors, and the air was sweet with the scent of cedar and rain.
The Prophecy of the Green Flame
The city’s survival had not been without struggle. Decades earlier, as the world teetered on the brink of collapse, a prophecy had emerged from the Coast Salish people. It spoke of the “Green Flame,” a spirit of renewal that would rise from the ashes of destruction to guide humanity back to harmony with the Earth.
Some said the Green Flame was a metaphor, a call to action. Others believed it was a real force, a spiritual entity that could only be summoned by those who truly understood the balance of life. Mahtlani believed in the prophecy, and she often led ceremonies to honor the spirits of the land, water, and sky.
One such ceremony took place on a misty morning at Stanley Park, the sacred heart of Zion. Hundreds gathered, forming a circle around the towering cedar trees. The elders chanted ancient songs, their voices blending with the rhythmic drumming. Mahtlani raised her hands, and the crowd fell silent.
“Today, we call upon the Green Flame,” she declared. “May it guide us, protect us, and remind us of our duty to this land.”
The Awakening
As the ceremony reached its climax, something extraordinary happened. A soft green light began to emanate from the forest, growing brighter with each passing moment. The air grew warm, and a deep hum resonated through the earth. The crowd watched in awe as the light coalesced into a swirling, ethereal flame that hovered above the ground.
Mahtlani stepped forward, her voice steady. “The Green Flame has awakened. It is not here to save us—it is here to remind us that we must save ourselves.”
The flame pulsed, sending waves of energy through the crowd. People felt their hearts lighten, their minds clear. They saw visions of a healed Earth, a world where humanity lived in harmony with nature. The flame lingered for a moment longer before fading into the mist, leaving behind a profound sense of purpose.
A New Beginning
From that day forward, Vancouver’s role as Zion was solidified. People from around the world came to learn from the city’s example, seeking guidance from the elders and embracing the principles of sustainability and respect for the Earth. The Green Flame became a symbol of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest times, renewal was possible.
Mahtlani, now regarded as a living legend, continued to lead with quiet strength. She often reminded the people that their journey was far from over.
“The Green Flame burns within each of us,” she said. “It is our responsibility to keep it alive, not just for ourselves, but for all who come after us.”
And so, Vancouver thrived—a living testament to the power of wisdom, resilience, and the enduring bond between humanity and the natural world.