[Author note : New KoSP chapter. The Iron Lad squib is for tomorrow, don't worry guys !
If you're interested in my stories or want to encourage me, please check out my Patréon : https://www.patréon.com/user?u=66371596 (replace the é by a normal e) or look for Cathbel on their website
KoSP : 2 advanced chapters
The Squib who became Iron Lad... In DC : 3 advanced chapters
Age of Heroes : 3 exclusive chapters
Enjoy !]
« Justice League ? » The soldier/engineer asked as she fiddled with her high-tech fantasy rifles.
The reason why Simon thought she was a soldier was because of the tactical gear she was wearing : bullet-proof vest with a number of pockets to carry ammunitions and/or gadgets, a helmet with a visor which hid most of her features, combat boots which also seemed to use some form of technology if the thoughts Crys sent him were to be believed, along with a backpack. Also, the way she carried herself and her attitude toward a new environment reminded Simon of some of the veterans from the Terra military.
Since Simon was too busy observing them to respond, Crys took it upon himself :
« A fictional group of heroes from Simon's world, Earth. They banded together to face threats from space, other dimensions… Basically, anything none of the heroes could handle on their own. »
« Earth ? Don't lie, robot ! He's obviously Terran ! » The wolf-avian hybrid, called Toru retorted.
The crystal woman supplied :
« A long time ago, before the Terrans ever started colonizing space… I believed they called their world Earth. Is that correct ? »
« Indeed. Simon was put in cryostasis before being woken up and forcibly drafted into the Terran imperial military… Though that is his past now. »
« Like we'll believe that ! » The aggressive Toru interjected once more.
« What you believe is irrelevant. » Crys concisely responded, as whirring sounds came from his shoulder cannons, instantly putting most of the group on edge.
« Now, now ! » The crystal-woman intervened : « Please excuse my friend's manners… He's had a bad, shall we say, experience with Terrans. However, we did come to find out what your intentions are after you've basically conquered this country. »
« Conquer ? » Simon finally reacted at that. « No, no, no ! We're not conquerors ! I was just trying to help the people of this country against a dictator ! I don't want anything to do with managing this country ! »
The blood-covered man scoffed :
« Shortsighted and foolish ! Not to mention reckless ! Is it a habit of Terrans from the Empire I wonder ? 'Cause we sure aren't like that on this world ! »
« You're a Terran ? Wait a minute ! There are other Terrans here ? » To himself, he swore and added : « Damn it ! Looks like I need to flee somewhere else… »
« No, Simon. Pay more attention, please ! This person called you a Terran from the Empire… Meaning, he isn't a part of it. Though this begs the question as to how Terrans ever came this far without the TUP preventing them from encroaching their borders… I believe our captors had said the Empire never managed to settle in this part of space, didn't they ? »
« That's another question we have for you, actually… We've been briefed about your encounter with the TUP and your subsequent escape. » The female soldier, that Simon now realized was probably a Terran, started to speak : « We need to know what you're planning to do on this world… Or we'll capture you and send you back to them.
Simon was about to scoff before he stopped himself, thinking :
If they've had contact with the TUP, they probably know about the limitations of my powers… I don't really see how they'd be able to exploit them, but it's not a risk I'm willing to take. Might as well play along for now… 'Sides it's not like I have anything to hide.
« Crys and I don't really have a plan, to be honest with you guys… I've just been made aware and freed of the Terran conditioning, so now that I'm free, I just want to live my life, you know ? I never really could before, after all… » He sighed : « At the moment, I just want to learn more about my change and Crys, listen to some good music, maybe even discover some good food from this world. I was a teenager before being frozen, so I'm not even sure what I want to do with my life. My situation never really permitted me to worry about something like that… »
The girl with gray skin and wearing too much color had approached Simon without him noticing. In fact, he only noticed when he heard a sniffing noise right beside his hear and turned his head to end up looking at her in her disturbingly bloodshot blue eyes. While gazing into his eyes, she addressed the group :
« It's true. He's carried the scent of death for a long time but… It's fading~ now. Getting fainter. Such a pity ! »
« Are you saying… that he was dying, but now he's not ? » The tentacled-man (Simon thought that he really should have learned the name of this race) asked the woman he arrived with.
« Yeah~! It's also kind of off-putting… He smells like Death is afraid of him, now ! It's unnatural ! »
« Says the immortal undead ! » The Red-covered man scoffed.
« What~? You want a fight, vampire ? » The perky girl asked the man while frowning slightly. The man, too, made a face :
« I'm. Not. A. Vampire ! I'm a blood arcanist, damn it ! You know this, you zombie girl ! »
The girl raised her hand to his face in silence ; the message was clear : talk to the hand ! At this point, the crystal woman sighed and the tentacled man tried to change the subject :
« Alright, so… Did the Terran lie or can we trust his word ? »
The soldier pointed out :
« My systems haven't been able to pick up changes in his behavioral reactions : he doesn't seem to be. Of course, that's something which can be faked by professionals… »
Gritting his teeth while throwing one last fuming look at the gray-skinned girl, the 'Blood Mage' also confirmed :
« I can also say that his physiological responses haven't shown his story to be a lie. I believe he is truthful… Or at least, thinks he is.»
« You're speaking as if he wouldn't know whether he's telling the truth or not… How's that possible ? Is he some kind of nut-job in addition to being Terran ? »
« Wow ! I guess you guys aren't heroes, then… With someone like that on your team. Or is he just a tag-along, here to spruce up your numbers or give you firepower ? »
« What… Do you mean ? » The animal-man growled. He obviously knew what Simon meant but he was basically daring him to be clearer, so he'd have a reason to start a fight he wanted ever since he came here. So, Simon shrugged and turned to the Blood Mage, ignoring him completely :
« Not that it hasn't been an enjoyable meeting and all… It was ! Except for him, of course. But, can I go, now ? You did point out that I should finish what I started. »
Toru almost jumped Simon when he was ignored, but was restrained by the crystal woman… Apparently, she wasn't just good with earth elemental control. Perhaps, she had some kind of super-strength too, since it seemed effortless for her to stop the man. Or maybe, his heart just wasn't in it when he saw one of his teammates try to prevent him from attacking the Terran.
So, he growled, threateningly, his beak/snout stretched in a snarl. For a moment, Simon was fascinated by the sight of two things he was familiar with, fused together to create something disturbingly… natural, as well as unnatural. It looked natural, but his own conceptions and upbringing made it looked not natural. It was weird to be honest !
The tentacled person pointed a limb toward a direction behind Crys :
« Yes. Go ! Given the speed with observed, you should have no trouble catching up to him. You'll notice his convoy easily if you take the road east and keep going… »
Simon nodded :
« Alright, thanks ! It was… interesting meeting you guys. See ya ! »