CIDERS
The Cider Summit
One hundred years after World War III, Earth was a lush, overgrown relic of its former self. Skyscrapers lay buried under vines and moss, their steel skeletons swallowed by the relentless advance of nature. Forests stretched endlessly, their canopies thick and impenetrable, while fungi of every color and size sprouted from the ruins of civilization. Amidst this verdant chaos, a new species had emerged—strange, shimmering creatures the humans called Ciders.
The Ciders were unlike anything the world had ever seen. They were balloon-like, with smooth, iridescent skin that glowed faintly in the dark. A single, large eye dominated their spherical bodies, and their long, spindly legs allowed them to move with surprising grace. They were intelligent, peaceful, and resourceful, brewing a potent drink from the plants and fungi that grew around them. This drink, which they called cider, was their lifeblood, sustaining them and fostering a sense of community.
But the Ciders had a problem: humans.
The remnants of humanity, now wild and desperate, had survived in the shadows of the ruined world. They emerged at night, raiding Cider settlements and stealing their precious brew. The humans were unpredictable, violent, and destructive—traits that had once led to the downfall of their own civilization. The Ciders, though peaceful, could no longer tolerate the theft and chaos.
One evening, beneath the glowing light of a massive bioluminescent tree, the Cider leaders gathered for a Great Summit. Hundreds of them floated in a circle, their eyes glowing with determination.
“The humans are a threat,” declared Elder Glim, the oldest and wisest of the Ciders. “They steal our cider, destroy our homes, and show no respect for our ways. Look what they did to their own world! We cannot allow this to continue.”
A murmur of agreement rippled through the gathering. “What do we do?” asked a younger Cider named Luma. “We cannot fight them. Violence is not our way.”
Elder Glim’s eye gleamed with resolve. “We will not fight them. We will capture them. All of them. We will bring them to one place and show them a better way.”
And so, the Great Rampage began. The Ciders, using their intelligence and coordination, devised a plan to herd the humans into the barren plains outside the ruined city. They used their glowing bodies to create dazzling lights in the night, luring the humans into traps. They
worked together, their long legs moving in unison, to corral the scattered groups of humans.
Within days, the plains were filled with frightened, huddled humans. They clung to each other, their faces gaunt and their eyes wide with fear. The human leaders stepped forward, their voices trembling as they begged for mercy.
“Please,” one of them cried, “we only wanted to survive. We didn’t mean to harm you.”
Elder Glim floated forward, his eye softening as he regarded the humans. “Do not fear,” he said, his voice calm and soothing. “We are not here to harm you. We are here to teach you.”
The humans stared in confusion. “Teach us?” one of them asked.
“Yes,” said Elder Glim. “We will teach you to make your own cider. You will no longer need to steal from us. You will learn to live in harmony with this world, as we do.”
The humans hesitated, their fear slowly giving way to curiosity. The Ciders began to demonstrate, showing the humans how to harvest the plants and fungi, how to ferment the brew, and how to share it with others. Over time, the humans began to change. They learned to work together, to respect the land, and to appreciate the Ciders’ way of life.
The plains, once barren and desolate, became a place of growth and renewal. Humans and Ciders worked side by side, their differences fading as they built a new community. The world, though scarred by the past, began to heal.
And so, the Ciders’ Great Summit became a turning point—not just for them, but for all of Earth. In the end, it was not violence or fear that brought peace, but understanding and the simple act of sharing a drink
