THROUGH THE LENSES OF SZIL
Master Haas has always been our guiding light, steering us through the darkness with wisdom that seemed to transcend time itself. Ever since he founded this bastion with the valorous martyrs who followed him, his sole focus has been to fight for the noblest cause of all: freedom.
In recent months, however, he's been more fatigued than usual. His eyes, once brimming with tenderness and wisdom, now constantly betray an endless exhaustion. A few days ago, he mentioned that we would have a visitor—the one he's been saying for some time would help us. His visions have been intensifying, and what he sees is a bleak future. According to him, our only chance is to act in line with his strategy.
He told me that I must look after and guide this visitor. His name is strange—Ruri. His appearance is odd; I would even say it's overly simplistic. There's no beauty in his species.
"How are you, Szil? You're staring at the exovar in a weird way," Mjiah catches me completely off guard.
"By the ruins, Mjiah!" She bursts into laughter at the startle she gave me.
"I'm serious. Why do you spend so much time watching him? What's his name again?" She sits next to me, a mischievous smile on her face.
"Master Haas instructed me to keep an eye on him. His name is Ruri," she can see from my expression that I didn't appreciate the joke.
"Ah, so it's because Master Haas told you to watch him that you're staring at him like that," her mocking smile is starting to get on my nerves.
I stand up. We're in front of the mansion, sitting on the entrance stairs. The day is beautiful; in fact, the day is always beautiful here. The sky is a radiant blend of purples and blues, unlike any sky you'd see on other planets. The sun, a brilliant orb of white light, casts its glow on the lush, emerald-green foliage that surrounds us. Flowers with petals of iridescent hues—vivid pinks, deep blues, and fiery oranges—bloom in abundance, filling the air with a sweet, intoxicating aroma. The air itself feels almost effervescent, each breath imbued with a sense of vitality and freshness. It's as if the planet itself is alive, its every atom vibrating with an energy that's both ancient and new. Even the wind seems to sing as it rustles through the leaves, carrying with it the scent of the ocean, which is never far away.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were spending the day with your mother," I try to steer the conversation away from Ruri.
"She said we wouldn't be gathering herbs today. Her priority is to assist Master Haas. She's still insistent on trying to find a way to improve his health," Mjiah says, her expression tinged with sadness.
Mjiah and I were born on the same day, and she is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beings among our people. Her skin has the ethereal glow of moonlight, a radiant silver that seems to shimmer in the daylight. Her face is a perfect symphony of symmetry, with high cheekbones and a delicate nose, framed by cascading curls of snow-white hair that fall gracefully over her shoulders. Her eyes are the most striking feature: one a vivid emerald green, the other a deep, fiery red. They seem to hold the mysteries of our planet, a kaleidoscope of emotions and wisdom that can be both inviting and intimidating. Her lips are a soft shade of lavender, and when she smiles, it's as if the very air around her becomes lighter. She moves with an elegance that's almost otherworldly, each step a dance, each gesture a poem.
Her beauty is not just skin deep; it's a reflection of her soul, a soul that has been my companion through countless trials and tribulations. And as I look at her now, I can't help but feel a sense of sorrow. We've both been burdened with responsibilities that are far beyond our years, and the weight of it all seems to hang heavy in the air between us.
"Don't worry. Master Haas will be fine. He always is," I crouch down in front of her, placing both hands on her shoulders, trying to lift the spirits of my dear friend.
She responds with a smile, "But seriously, what do you think of him?" She subtly points her index finger towards Ruri.
"I don't know. He seems good to me. I don't sense any malice or wickedness from him. Though, every now and then, it feels like he's looking at me in a rather... inappropriate manner," I scrutinize him with suspicion.
She lets out a timid laugh, "He doesn't even look at me. I really think that 'inappropriate gaze' is reserved just for you, my friend." I feel my face flush at her comment.
Ruri approaches us. He had been leaning against a tree, reading the manuscripts that Master Haas helped him write. The first thing he needs to do is learn our language. As if someone from such an inferior species could grasp such a complex language, let alone in such a short time.
"Hello, how are you?" he greets both of us. We look at each other, astonished at what we're hearing. His pronunciation is impeccable.
"Do you understand what I'm saying now?" Mjiah asks him slowly.
"Yes and no," he replies.
It's truly frightening how quickly he's learning. He's been here for only three days and already knows so much. What kind of species are these humans? Are they all like this?
We spend some time laughing and trying to help him speak. He's a funny being; his smile is kind, and he always pays attention to what we're saying. It's strange. Our society is polyandrous; due to the extremely low fertility rates among men, women have come to control romantic relationships. Children don't have a specific father, only a mother. All men are fathers to all children, but each child has only one mother.
That's why men are completely passive when it comes to conversation. There's a great fear of offending a woman and losing any chance of a romantic relationship. Both Mjiah and I have never gotten close to anyone for this reason. She, being the daughter of the greatest herbalist we've ever had, and I, being the daughter of one of the founders of the bastion, one of the most important martyrs of the war.
But Ruri is different. He's not afraid and even tries to engage us in conversation. I don't think I've ever talked this long with any male before.
Ruri is not like the men of our world. His skin is a warm shade of brown, contrasting sharply with the vibrant colors of our surroundings. His eyes are a deep brown, almost black, and they hold a different kind of wisdom, a wisdom born from a life that's clearly been very different from ours. His hair is a dark, almost raven black, and it falls in soft waves to just above his shoulders. There's something inherently rugged about him, a rawness that's both intriguing and unsettling.
As I look at him, I can't help but feel a strange sense of... something. It's not quite clear what this feeling is, but it's there, lurking in the depths of my consciousness, as elusive as the wind that rustles through the trees.
At night, Master Haas wakes up to spend time with the visitor. I head to the central square, where I usually meet my friends for our island patrol. As I arrive, I spot them; I'm the last to get there, as always. They all greet me and complain about my tardiness.
Joining us for the patrol are Mjiah, Teshlain, Valhya, and Kutran.
Teshlain is a man of striking appearance. His skin is a deep shade of blue, almost like the ocean at midnight. His eyes are a contrasting golden hue, giving him an almost ethereal look. His hair is styled in intricate braids, each woven with tiny beads that glow softly in the dark.
Valhya is a woman whose beauty is renowned. Her skin is a radiant shade of green, like fresh leaves in the spring. Her eyes are a mesmerizing lavender, and her hair flows like a waterfall of liquid silver down her back. She has delicate patterns tattooed onto her skin, each telling a story only she knows.
Kutran is another male in our group, and he's the most unconventional among us. His skin is a patchwork of different shades of red, a personal choice to stand out. His eyes are a piercing ice-blue, and his hair is shaved on the sides, leaving a crest of fiery orange locks on top.
For our patrol, we wear our traditional brown cloaks. However, beneath these cloaks, our attire is far from traditional. We wear suits made of a highly advanced material that can adapt to our movements and even regulate our body temperature. These suits are equipped with various technological enhancements that assist us in our duties.
Our weapons, known as Alizom, are similar to boomerangs but far more advanced. Made from a unique alloy, they can be programmed to follow specific flight paths and even return to us after hitting a target. Each of us carries one, and they've proven to be invaluable in our patrols.
Every three days, I go out on patrol with a different group. Of course, Mjiah and I are always together. This time, we're heading to the east coast of the island. There are other patrols for other directions.
Despite having various pieces of equipment scattered all over, we still don't have complete control of the island. Some of the effective are usually undetectable, and our job is to detect them, call for backup from the bastion, and hold our position. We're all trained and fully capable of defending ourselves, but some effective are just too powerful.
Defeating one is always a victory. Inside their bodies are treasures too precious, ranging from items necessary for the bastion's functioning to those used for our aesthetic purposes.
We walk carelessly through the forest, chatting and laughing—just the three of us, of course. The men lag behind in silence. Kutran keeps hovering around me, waiting for some initiative on my part. He's always had a thing for me, but I've never been fond of brash guys, which, in my experience, is all men.
"Hey Valhya, what do you think of the visitor?" Mjiah asks, casting a mischievous glance our way.
"I love him! He's so cute!" Both burst into laughter.
I notice a clear discomfort in our two male companions trailing behind us.
"You should see how sweet he is!" Mjiah switches sides to walk next to Valhya, both gossiping and laughing.
I feel like punching both of them.
"A scrawny, awkward guy. I don't know why anyone would waste time on such a weakling," Kutran says to Teshlain.
"Indeed, Kutran. He's from an inferior species; one can't expect much from him," Teshlain replies, his tone dripping with arrogance.
I feel like punching both of them, too.
This side of the island is rich in fruits. Many of them open up at night, and we always spend a lot of time eating and picking them. Soon, our small bags are filled with fruits. Master Haas will be delighted.
We stop in a clearing near the coast. Many islands on this planet are mobile; ours wasn't initially, but we transformed it to be so. Now we roam the entire Southern Ocean, known as the Crystal Ocean.
When our ancestors discovered this planet, they named all the lands and seas with beautiful, positively charged names. Their expectations were high, and there was hope for a prosperous new beginning here.
If it weren't for some staging a coup in an attempt to take control of the entire species, we would be living in harmony in a true paradise.
That's why the promise is to never forgive, to overcome the past with greater violence than was used against us. "The peaceful are always the first to die," as Master Haas always says.
"I'll make a ritual fire, Szil," Kutran says, always trying to impress me.
I give him an indifferent look. "Alright, good luck."
The three of us sit and chat while Kutran goes off to gather offerings from the trees. Teshlain, always taking the patrol more seriously, is walking around the coast, keeping an eye out.
"Why are you so quiet, Szil?" Valhya asks, a suspicious look on her face.
"Nothing... I'm just worried about Master Haas, that's all," I force a smile.
"Master Haas is fine, Szil. He has a handsome and powerful man defending him right at this moment," Mjiah says, clearly taunting me.
"If you like him that much, just tell him. Now that he understands," I say indifferently.
"Really? I was just waiting for you to say that! I'll do it first thing tomorrow," her voice is as provocative as it is irritating. My face burns. Damn her big mouth.
I remain silent as the two continue to chat and laugh.
As I sit there, my eyes drift upwards to the night sky, a celestial canvas painted with hues of indigo and sapphire. The stars twinkle like diamonds scattered across a dark velvet tapestry. Two moons, one a pale silver and the other a soft lavender, hang low in the sky, casting their gentle glow upon the landscape. Their light dances on the surface of the Crystal Ocean, creating a mesmerizing pattern of shimmering ripples.
The air is filled with the scent of blooming nightflowers, their petals unfurling in the moonlight to release a fragrance that is both sweet and calming. The nocturnal symphony of the island's creatures adds to the serenity, a soothing lullaby composed of chirps, croaks, and the distant sound of waves caressing the shore.
I find myself lost in thought, my eyes fixed on the ocean's surface, which shimmers in a hypnotic dance of light. The water's ripples catch my eye—something is off. Marine life rarely comes to the surface; all their sustenance is deep below. But these ripples are large, and my mind struggles to process what's unfolding.
"Here you go, Szil. I'm going to start now," Kutran's voice reaches me, but it sounds distant, almost muffled. Everything feels distant as a sense of dread begins to envelop me.
I rise to my feet and start walking slowly toward the shore, raising my hand to get Teshlain's attention. "What is it, Szil? Do you need something?" he shouts from about thirty paces away.
Now I see it—a dark shadow in the water. It leaps to an incredible height. I point upward, "Watch out!" and everyone looks.
Emerging from the depths of the Crystal Ocean is a monstrous creature, its form silhouetted against the backdrop of the two moons.
The creature has a grotesque asymmetry, with one massive, muscular arm that seems to be covered in a carapace of iridescent scales, reflecting the moonlight in a menacing array of colors. Its two lower limbs are equally terrifying, resembling twisted tree roots covered in spiky protrusions, each ending in clawed feet that look capable of tearing through steel.
Its body is a nightmarish fusion of organic and mechanical elements, as if it were a living weapon designed for destruction. Bioluminescent patterns snake across its torso, pulsating in a rhythm that seems almost hypnotic, but you know better than to stare for too long.
The creature's face—if it can be called that—is a mass of writhing tendrils surrounding a gaping maw filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth. The sight is enough to freeze anyone in their tracks, a living nightmare made flesh.
"Twisted!" I scream with all my might.