The Divine Princess
The Departure of the Angels
Shortly after the Agricultural Revolution, humanity made enormous leaps in evolution, depending less and less on angels. Finally, the time came for the angels who had called themselves the protectors of humanity to leave.
They all gathered at the foot of a hill.
— For thousands of years, we have guided humanity. We have prepared it to watch over the planet, and now we have placed it at the top of the food chain. Therefore, it is time for us to leave and let it be the master of its own destiny.
All the angels agreed. All except one, who could not accept being separated from humans. This was the guardian angel.
— We leave tonight when the moon rises in the sky. We will all meet here. Scatter!
All the angels went their way, circling the earth for the last time. But the guardian angel went to see a little girl he had personally cared for in recent years.
The Blessing of Princess Virginia
That little girl was Princess Virginia.
— Good night, little one! I will miss you. Always take care of yourself. I bless you so that when you grow up, you will give birth to a princess who will be the most beautiful and who will have superhuman powers. She will be the divine princess and will show the world the right path when it finds itself in trouble.
When a tear rolled from his eyes, it fell on the little princess, sparkled, and then seeped into her skin.
— Achoo!
That night, when the universe rested, the angels rose from the earth, one by one, in the form of thousands of little stars, heading toward the sky.
The Birth of Princess Leisa
After that night, years passed, and little Princess Virginia had become a beautiful maiden. She married the prince of the neighboring kingdom, and a year later gave birth to the most beautiful girl the world had ever seen.
The divine princess was born, but no one knew she was special. She was named Leisa.
Leisa's Hidden Gifts
And indeed, Leisa was different from the ordinary world.
— Mother! — Leisa, my dear, I've been calling you for so long! What were you doing? — I, I was flying with the birds, Mother. — Oh, Leisa, my dear, how can you fly with the birds? You should stop saying such unreal things, for people will no longer take you seriously. You are a princess! Remember! — But Mother, I really... — Hmm. Now let's go downstairs. Your father is waiting. — Yes, Mother.
The Princess's Wild Heart
Leisa grew and became a beautiful princess, even more beautiful than her mother had been in her youth. And princes from great and distant kingdoms began sending proposals to the king, asking for her hand in marriage. But Leisa refused them all.
Because her heart belonged to wild nature — like a bird, she would sneak out of her room and cross the river like a fish, then gallop like a mare into the depths of the forest and spend her time there, at the feet of nature.
— A part of me belongs to you, my soul entirely belongs to you. May we never be apart, in your heart may I always be. You are an angel. — Huh?
Leisa and the Hunters
— The hunters! They're here again! It's time to teach them a lesson. — Ah, look at this magnificent fox! I've never seen one so beautiful. — Yes! It will be worth a fortune! — What are we waiting for?
The hunters fired at the fox but missed, and the animal disappeared among the bushes.
— No, it got away! Let's go after it!
The hunters ran through the bushes.
— Where is it? — Look, its tail! It's behind the tree! We need to sneak up!
The hunters headed toward the tree, but the moment they reached it...
— Aaaah! For your lives! — That should make them not come here anymore!
The Demon's Return
— There you are! It is said that for every yin, there is a yang. When the angels came down to earth, a demon came with them. A demon so wicked that the angels had to turn him into a rock.
Now, after so many years and in the absence of the angels, the rock had begun to crack and the demon was emerging once again. His vengeful eyes glowing, and his lips bearing a diabolical smile.
— Ah! It seems the angels have left. This world is now mine, and its inhabitants will be my servants! Ha ha ha ha ha!
Meeting Prince Agnus
— Leisa! Where have you been? — Mother, I was just in the garden. — Ah, you always find a way to make your father and me worry. Come now, hurry! Prince Agnus is here to see you. — Prince Agnus? Mother! I told you, I don't want to get married! — Not another word! Come with me! — Now! But Mother! — Oh, there she is! Prince Agnus, may I introduce my daughter Leisa. — Pleased to meet you. — Likewise. — Now, why don't we let you spend some time together? Get to know each other better. Hmm? Come, wife. — Ah! — Hey, I just want to get to know you. There's no obligation for us to like each other. Friends?
An Unexpected Love
Leisa was moved by this gesture, because it was the first.
— Sure! I don't have friends, but that can change. — Would you like to show me around? — With pleasure, Your Highness!
Princess Leisa and Prince Agnus enjoyed each other's company. And soon, the princess began to think that she might want to marry him after all.
The days passed and the two began to fall in love. For the first time, Leisa had spent several days away from the forest and didn't seem to miss it. The human in her was overpowering the inner angel.
The Demon's Plague
But then came that dreaded day.
— I will blend among the trees. I will blend through the air. I will blend among the waters and the people shall submit to me.
The demon infiltrated the earth and the trees began turning purple. He spread through the air, mixed with the water. Soon, his poison began to expand.
— I feel sick!
Dangerous illnesses began spreading across the entire land, everyone falling ill. Doctors, herbalists, monks — no one could find the cure, let alone the reason for the illness spreading. It seemed the end of the world was near and human civilization was about to fall.
— What is happening? The people... — Mother? — Mother! — There's a game afoot here. Something diabolical. I can feel it, but I can't move a finger.
The Search for a Cure
— What could it be? And why is everyone sick except me?
Suddenly, Leisa spotted a streak of purple vapor in the air.
— Where are you going? — To find out what's causing this. — But how? And it's dangerous! — I must go, Agnus! — I'm coming with you! — But you're not feeling well! — I won't let you go alone! — Alright.
Leisa walked, following the purple streak, reaching the mountaintop.
— Agnus! I told you! — I'm fine. Look! The tree! — Agnus, no!
The Final Confrontation
— Impossible! How is it that my power has no effect on you? — Who are you? And why are you doing all this? — I am darkness. I am wickedness. I am the demon! And you, all humans, will bow to me. Your species will grow weaker and weaker, and I will rule over you, all of you! — I will never let that happen! — Ah! What do you plan to do, human? Nothing can stop me now that the angels are gone. And I have penetrated deep into the earth. My roots have stretched to the rivers, and the wind spreads my toxin. You resist now, but not for long.
The Divine Sacrifice
At that moment, Leisa took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
— You are an angel.
Leisa turned toward the tree, the demon's roar was deafening.
— No, it cannot be! You are an angel! — I'd like to think so. — Ah! If I die, I'll take you with me! — Do you think I don't already know that? — No!
The tree branches enveloped Leisa, and her body merged with the tree. Suddenly, the purple began to disappear. The winds calmed, the air was clean, the water cleared. People recovered.
The Legacy of the Divine Princess
Prince Agnus woke up and saw that the tree was now green.
— Leisa? Leisa! — Agnus, I'm here! — Huh? — The danger is over. Everyone is safe. — But I don't understand.
Leisa explained everything to Agnus, who was astonished.
— Impossible! — There are things beyond our ability to explain. The time has come, Agnus. Take care of my parents. I love you. — Leisa! No! You gave your life for all of us. You are divine! Leisa, you are divine!
Conclusion
And so, that was the story of the Divine Princess, the last guardian angel of humanity. But don't think she is no longer with us. The tall tree still exists today, in the White Mountains of Inyo County, in eastern California. Over the years, it came to be known as Methuselah and is 4,852 years old.
The oldest tree in the world. The Divine Princess, smiling at us and protecting us as the guardian angel.
